Papers

This paper describes the application of the Boussinesq model (FUNWAVE 2D) to study the wave propagation inthe vicinity of an artificial reef, to be implemented at S. Pedro do Estoril, Cascais, Portugal. First, the model wascalibrated using measurements obtained in the 3D experiments performed at the wave tank of LNEC (scale1:30). Then, an evaluation of the model performance is presented. For that, a comparison between numerical andphysical model results in terms of the free surface elevation and wave heights is done for some incident waveconditions. It is shown that the numerical model predicts wave heights that are comparable to measurements ifthe wave breaking sub-model is properly tuned for dissipation over the artificial reef.Finally, the model was used to evaluate the reef performance in terms of the hydrodynamics around the reef, thewave breaking area and the surfability parameters.The numerical results confirm that the reef alters significantly the wave heights and wave directions in the zone,due refraction and diffraction effects. Best surf conditions (plunging waves with adequate values of the peelangle) occur with the reef for most of the tested conditions.

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Aquifer systems are an important part of anintegrated water resources management plan as foreseen in the European Union

Estuaries are unique systems with an unquestionable economical, ecological and recreational value which has motivated a large amount of research work. Out of the research focus emerge the estuarine margins and more particularly the estuarine beaches, especially in what concerns their macro-scale evolution. This work aims tounderstand the origin and evolution of Tagus estuary beaches. To meet this objective, a detailed geomorphological characterization of peri-estuarine margins, complemented with geological and sedimentological data, was performed. This study was coupled with the analysis of meteorological andhydrodynamic processes that control the estuarine sedimentary dynamics; particular attention was given to local waves through the application of a wind-wave generated model calibrated with field data.The origin of Tagus estuarine beaches is related with the Holocene transgression, which promoted the drowning of the present-day upper estuarine depression and generated a wide and shallow fetch-limited basin. From the transgressive maximum onwards the estuary initiated an infilling process dominated by fluvial fine-graineddeposition within the estuarine basin, whereas sand input was retained in a bay-head delta. At the same time,fetch-limited waves promoted the erosion of estuarine margins, initiating beach development, related to the growth of sand spits anchored in Plio-Pleistocene reliefs. This process depended on wave energy and also on mean wave power direction, which controlled the spit growing pattern. At present, beach evolution reflects thedisturbance of sediment budget due to the increase of human intervention in estuarine margins.

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The importance of performance assessment in the water industry is demonstrated bythe increasing number of initiatives taking place around the world. Since the firstinitiatives, which started 15 years ago, the topic has evolved significantly although itstill presents challenges to be tackled.Five years ago, a project on performance assessment of urban infrastructure serviceswas submitted to the European Union under the COST programme. As aconsequence, the COST C18 Action was created. This paper presents the mainconclusions and future key research areas from the project. In the solid waste sector,existing practical experience is less advanced, but methodologies and conclusions willbe equally applicable in performance assessment projects.

As placas de derivados de madeira apresentam-se como produtos de baixa variabilidade e relativa facilidade de manipulação das suas propriedades físicas e mecâ¢nicas, adaptando-se a aplicações como sejam revestimentos de piso, paredes e coberturas ou placas para cofragem. O termo placas de derivados de madeira abarca actualmente um largo conjunto de produtos, caracterizados por serem constituídos por elementos de madeira, um ligante e aditivos (englobando produtos hidrófugos, ignífugos e preservadores). A classificação das placas é realizada de acordo com a dimensão (fibra, partículas, folha) e a geometria dos elementos de madeira que entram na sua composição.

The knowledge of physical and mechanical characteristics of ancient mortars is very important to select repair mortars and to plan adequately any repair intervention. There is a need to define characterization test methods applicable to irregular, friable samples to assess those characteristics. In the present work some results of experimental characterization of Portuguese old mortars are presented and discussed. The test methods used to evaluate the water behaviour and the compressive resistance are described. A comparison with results of compressive strength obtained for new mortars, using the same method and also the methods proposed by EN standards, is used to extract conclusions about the method