Papers

This paper applies two numerical models, REFDIF and SWAN, to characterize the wave climate near the coastal stretch between Galinhos and Guamaré, Brazil. This region is exposed both to incoming swell from North Atlantic Ocean and to local seas generated by steady SE Trade Winds, tidal currents are strong, and beach morphology is very dynamic. Both models were applied to the propagation of different wave conditions, from offshore to the coastline of Galinhos-Guamaré. The following incident wave conditions were considered: periods between T=5 s and 13 s, deep water heights between H=0.8 m and 2.4 m, and off-shore directions between N-60- W (60º) and N-60-E (60º). A total of 1053 simulations were performed for the incident wave conditions for each model. The results consist on the wave heights and wave directions of study area. It is also analyzed the results at points over the bathymetric line of -8 m (CD). A comparative analysis of the results obtained with each model permit to assess their suitability for this area and evaluate their limitations and potentialities

In the past decade, two-dimensional (2DH) morphodynamic modeling systems were developed to simulate the morphological changes due to the combined action of waves, tides and winds. In spite of some significant successes, they are unable to predict complex morphological behaviors, such as inlet infillings in highly dynamic environments during winter energetic wave conditions. For these reasons, the state of the art in morphodynamic modeling tends to evolve towards three-dimensional (3D) modeling systems. In this context, the present study focuses on the development of an unstructured 3D coupled wave-current model taking into account the vertical structure of radiation stresses based on recent theoretical developments. The model is applied to the common breakwater test case and succeeds efficiently to reproduce the wave-driven circulation behind the breakwater. The study investigates also the vertical structure of the flow and the wave-induced setup along a cross-shore profile. The undertow is well-predicted by the model in the surf zone and the wave-induced setups predicted by the 3D model are about 30-40% greater than those simulated by a 2DH approach. This important aspect could be relevant in storm surge and inundation studies for which the quality of the predictions could be strongly improved by using a 3D fully coupled wave-current model.

Lap joints between waterproofing bituminous sheets, applied in either single or multiple layers, are one of the most critical areas of roofs, especially when the waterproofing systems comprise only a single sheet. In fact, the way how lap joints are executed is highly associated with the occurrence of anomalies in such systems. With this regard, the dimensional stability of the sheets is one of their most important characteristics, as it that can strongly influence the performance of the lap joints and the details on roof upstands. In this context, with the aim of contributing to improve the understanding of this characteristic of bituminous sheets, the present paper presents results of an experimental study on the dimensional changes suffered by bituminous sheets when subjected to temperature variations. Different types of traditional and non-traditional sheets, with various types of bituminous mixtures (oxidized bitumen and atactic polypropylene (APP) and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified bitumen) and reinforcements (polyester, glass fibre and polyethylene) were tested according to EN 1107-1 standard. For most of the sheets, the isolated reinforcements were also subjected to dimensional stability tests in order to evaluate their influence on the overall performance of the waterproofing layer. The results of these experimental investigations confirm that sheets with polyester reinforcement are much less stable than sheets reinforced with glass fibre. In addition, it was concluded that the influence of the type of polymer-bitumen is negligible when compared to the influence of the type of reinforcement - in general, the dimensional stability of the sheets is worse than that of the corresponding reinforcement. Finally, it is shown that the dimensional stability performance of similar products produced by different manufacturers is similar, both for the isolated reinforcements and for the waterproofing sheets.

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This work is part of a much larger research study that is being made to predict the long-term behaviour of several commercial CFRP laminate/adhesive systems used in the rehabilitation of concrete structures. In the whole project it is recognized that the durability of these solutions depends, not only on the durability of the composite materials but also on the performance of the systems used to bond them to the concrete. The present document provides details about the part of the investigation concerning the durability of CFRP laminates.

Due to their excellent mechanical properties and easy application Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) are being successfully used to repair and renewing old and damaged civil engineering infrastructures. In particular, the method of strengthening concrete members with externally bonding of CFRP laminates has become increasingly popular. In fact, extensive research has shown that this technique can lead to a substantial improvement in the flexural and shear strength capacities of the member repaired. In such applications, materials involved will be exposed to outdoor environmental conditions, including humidity, water from rain, saline-water, ground water and high alkalinity solutions due to chemical composition of the concrete itself, as well as solar ultraviolet radiation. Thus, it is of great relevancy to study the durability of the materials involved, namely epoxy adhesives and CFRP laminates, as well as, the integrity of the entire system, when subjected to those environmental factors. This work is part of a much larger research study that is being made to predict the long-term behaviour of several commercial CFRP laminate/adhesive systems used in the rehabilitation of concrete structures. In the whole project it is recognized that the durability of these solutions depends, not only on the durability of the composite materials but also on the performance of the systems used to bond them to the concrete. The present document provides details about the part of the investigation concerning the durability of CFRP laminates. This paper describes the study carried out to investigate the environmental and accelerated ageing effects on three types of commercially available CFRP laminates. The changes in CFRP laminates properties after exposure up to 18 months under different environmental conditions - immersion in demineralised water, saline and alkaline solutions at room temperature, 40 ºC and 60 ºC, as well as under constant humidity condensation atmosphere at 40 ºC – are reported and discussed. The results of tests performed in accelerated weathering chambers – with ultraviolet radiation – are also included. Results obtained offer valuable information about the progression of material degradation under different ageing conditions (some of them accelerated), which can be used, not only to characterize the behaviour of CFRP laminates, but also for a better understanding of the degradation mechanisms involved, which is a base for the design of service life-prediction models.

Flat roofs in current buildings include a waterproofing system, often made of bituminous membranes with a self-protection constituted by mineral granules. These granules constitute the barrier against the fundamental environmental agent of degradation, the UV radiation. Therefore it is of paramount importance to understand the long-term performance of the self-protection layer, namely its adhesion to the coatings of bituminous membranes. This paper presents an experimental study on the behaviour of the self-protection granule of bituminous membranes when subjected to environmental agents of degradation. Different types of atactic polypropylene (APP) and styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) modified bituminous membranes, comprising different finishing systems, were exposed to the effects of elevated temperature and water for up to 24 weeks and 4 weeks, respectively. Following accelerated ageing, specimens of the different types of membranes were subjected to brushing tests, carried out according to EN 12039, in order to evaluate the adhesion of the self-protection granules. The results obtained in this study, which are compared with performance limits recommended by UEAtc directives, show that the higher loss of self-protection granule of bituminous membranes occurs in membranes modified by APP polymers. In addition, it was concluded that the effect of water is much more severe than that of elevated temperature.