Publications

In the early nineties, the Performance-Based Seismic Engineering (PBSE) principles have been introduced in the seismic design of structures. Several authors have identified the limitations of traditional force-based design (FBD) procedures widespread in most of the design codes to accomplish the PBSE requirements. Therefore, various contributions were made towards the development of displacement-based seismic design methodologies, in particularly the one proposed by Priestley, known as "Direct Displacement-Based Design" (DDBD). The purpose of this work is to investigate the DDBD approach in its entirety. In particular, the emphasis is set herein on the definition of the equivalent viscous damping and on the concrete impact of choosing one or another expression. Then, the efficiency of applying DDBD to reinforced concrete (RC) plane frames and dual frame-wall structures is assessed and the consequences of using the linear response spectrum suggested in the Eurocode 8 as input data is investigated.

A ventilação natural é uma eficiente estratégia para o condicionamento térmico passivo de edificações, e muitas vezes o seu potencial está relacionado às decisões em projeto diferentes do modelo convencional. Um exemplo são os sheds, aberturas na cobertura que funcionam como captadores ou extratores de ar, dependendo de sua localização em relação aos ventos dominantes. O objetivo do artigo é avaliar a influência do número de sheds e da distância entre eles no desempenho da ventilação natural. Os ângulos de incidência dos ventos analisados foram 0º, 45º, 135º e 180º. A metodologia adotada foi simulação por Dinâmica dos Fluidos Computacional (CFD), utilizando o software CFX. Os resultados indicam que o aumento do número de sheds reduz a renovação de ar interna para as situações de extração e captação de ar. Por outro lado, o aumento da distância entre esses dispositivos, incrementa o fluxo de ar interno para os sheds captadores. No entanto, teve-se uma redução na renovação de ar para os sheds extratores de ar. Isso ocorre pela redução da área total das abertiras de saída de ar, que apresenta uma influência na vazão volumétrica do edifício. Nos sheds captadores de ar o incremento ocorre, pois, apesar do aumento da distância ter reduzido o número das aberturas de entrada de ar, torna os sheds mais efetivos para captar o fluxo de ar.

The paper addresses the seismic vulnerability assessment of a multispan footbridge, prone to span unseating due to shorter seat lengths. The structure is representative of a series of pedestrian crossings located in the Southern part of Portugal, a region with a relevant seismicity. A probabilistic approach allows considering the variability of the seismic action and uncertainties in the definition of the material properties and/or structural behavior. Based on incremental dynamic analyses and corresponding fragility curves, it is shown that, for code compliance design acceleration, there is a significant probability that the structure will only suffer minor damage.

The paper addresses the seismic vulnerability assessment of a multi-span footbridge, prone to span unseating due to shorter seat lengths. The structure is representative of a series of pedestrian crossings located in the Southern part of Portugal, a region with a relevant seismicity. A probabilistic approach allows considering the variability of the seismic action and uncertainties in the definition of the material properties and/or structural behavior. Based on incremental dynamic analyses and corresponding fragility curves, it is shown that, for code compliance design acceleration, there is a significant probability that the structure will only suffer minor damage.

Distributed plasticity Euler-Bernoulli fiber beams are regularly used byresearchers and practitioners to simulate the nonlinear seismic responseof reinforced concrete framed structures. This study presents a sensitivityanalysis, combining newly proposed and existing goodness-of-fitmeasures, to identify commonly used engineering modeling optionsthat most critically influence the response accuracy. The dynamic behaviorof three distinct structures tested in international blind predictionchallenges is considered. Sensitivity parameters include equivalent viscousdamping, element formulation, strain penetration effects, andmaterial models. The results are critically discussed in light of theoreticalshortcomings of the model assumptions.

The solar chimney is a stack-induced ventilation strategy used to improve thermal performance in buildings. Besides operating via a buoyancy-driven airflow, even low velocity winds can affect the chimney functioning in both positive and negative ways. In technical literature, though, few studies have considered the influence of windspeed and direction, as well as discharge coefficients and wind pressure coefficients. This paper investigates the effects of wind interference on a solar chimney performance, through different scenarios of wind speed and direction, over a base case model. Wind tunnel experiments and computer simulations using EnergyPlus were carried out to perform qualitative and quantitative analyses of the airflow, as a function of the combined effect of thermal and wind components. Results showed that the airflow rate and distribution pattern at the outlet openings of the solar chimney are influenced by either the thermal gradients and, mainly, by the outdoor windvelocity and direction. A significant reduction in the volumetric flow rate of the chimney is observed due to wind incidence opposite to the inlet opening, even at low velocities, such as 0.6 m/s.

Uma parte significativa do edificado em Portugal não foi dimensionada para resistir a ações sísmicas. Como tal, o recente impulso do sector da reabilitação pode representar uma oportunidade única para promover a redução da vulnerabilidade sísmica dos edifícios existentes. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho apresenta uma metodologia para avaliar a vulnerabilidade sísmica duma classe de edifícios de betão armado que permite estabelecer indicadores simplificados do seu desempenho estrutural expectável. A metodologia proposta baseia-se num estudo numérico detalhado do comportamento sísmico de edifícios de betão armado com características representativas duma parte significativa do edificado deste tipo em Portugal, simulando de forma adequada os principais aspetos da sua resposta estrutural. Os resultados obtidos pela metodologia desenvolvida permitem identificar as principais vulnerabilidades do edificado e quantificar indicadores de desempenho estrutural que permitem avaliar de forma expedita a sua segurança estrutural.

A arquitetura recorre, por vezes, a dispositivos de sombreamento de grandes dimensões, com formas e configurações de montagem cuja resposta à ação do vento carece de caracterização. Este facto condiciona o correto dimensionamento dos apoios e, em menor escala, a determinação do próprio material de construção dos dispositivos.As dimensões dos elementos constituintes destes dispositivos dificultam o recurso a ensaios com modelos reduzidos pelo que se recorreu a um modelo seccional do dispositivo à escala real, sujeito ao escoamento proveniente de um túnel de vento de jacto livre. As características específicas deste ensaio, nomeadamente a geometria do perfil de sombreamento e respetivos suportes, gama de forças e a necessidade de minimizar a obstrução adicionada pela instrumentação ao escoamento, ditaram o desenvolvimento de uma solução particular para a medição das forças aerodinâmicas.O ensaio permitiu avaliar as cargas induzidas pelo escoamento para vários ângulos de incidência fazendo variar a inclinação do modelo relativamente ao jacto através de um suporte articulado onde se montou o modelo seccional, permitindo assim caracterizar o desempenho aerodinâmico do perfil na aplicação em estudo.

This paper describes the development process and initial tests performed with a new energy dissipation damper based on Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires. The aim of this study was to develop a new iteration of this type of devices, and eventually develop a methodology to properly design them for any type of application. The underlying concept of our device is the use of a double counteracting system of pre-strained SMA wire sections as the dissipating component. By using pre-strained wires, this design focuses on maximizing energy dissipation, partially relinquishing the re-centering capabilities of the device.The experimental part was performed on a downscaled prototype based on this design methodology. The goal of this study was to validate the basic mechanical concepts. The device was subjected to a considerable number of load cycling tests, in order to better characterize the SMA wire behavior when used in this arrangement and to improve our understanding of their influence on the device's capabilities.

In the frame of the UPStrat-MAFA

A methodology to improve the earthquake design of R/C building is presented. This methodology idealizes the decision-making processes in the design of a building and the effects of future earthquakes. The concept of a design process is put forward as directly related to decision-making and only as indirectly related to structural performance under earthquake vibration; this concept is illustrated through a discussion of the

Nesta comunicação faz-se uma primeira abordagem da influência da distribuição das resistências dos elementos verticais, nas exigências de ductilidade em pórticos de betão armado sujeitos á ação sísmica, quando se aplica os coeficientes de comportamento previstos na regulamentação portuguesa para o projeto de estruturas de ductilidade normal.

Esta comunicação apresenta o desenvolvimento e implementação computacional de uma subrotina especificamente desenvolvida para o estudo das relações histeréticas forças-deslocamentos, observados nos ensaios de elementos de betão armado sujeitos á flexão, provocadas por cargas alternadas.Neste algoritmo procurou-se reproduzir além dos efeitos provocados pelo esforço normal, os devido á degradação de rigidez e resistência, tendo-se por isso desenvolvido uma subrotina de caracter geral e aplicável a uma vasta gama de estudos dinâmicos não lineares de estruturas de betão armado.São também apresentados alguns exemplos de aplicação que atestam aspetos relevantes do funcionamento da subrotina.

In this paper we present results obtained in the 3-D dynamic analysis of standard case studies referring the 60, 150 220 and 400 kV electric busbars under seismic loading, reflecting the experience gained by the authors in the past few years. A set of recommendations for the structural design, some practical guide lines for the preliminary computation of seismic response based on a simplified 2-D analysis, and a brief reference to the effects of electromagnetic forces, are also presented.

In this paper results obtained in the seismic analysis of the EN1 Águeda Bridge are presented. This bridge was analyzed according to the prescriptions of the new Portuguese Code for Safety and actions in Building and Bridge Structures, which requires an extensive dynamic analyses that includes the consideration of the spatial variability og ground motion. The basic ideas of the adopted structural design, which seeks to minimize the effects of seismic actions, and the corresponding detailing are also presented.

Progress in engineering seismology and gathering of data taking place in recent years in the different fields related to tectonics, mechanisms of generation, propagation of seismic waves and historical seismicity, indicate that seismic hazard maps should be updated in a continuous manner.This paper is dedicated to the analysis of improvements made in the last four years and studies their influence on the final hazard estimates: (i) earthquake catalogue was extended from 1900 back to 1300, (ii) earthquake source-zones slightly modified to accommodate new evidences of fault activity and (iii) attenuation curve, allowing anisotropy, fit in a better way the macroscopic observation of several quakes. A comparison with previous hazard curve is made for several sites explicating the contributions of distant and

This book presents a selection of the best papers from the HEaRT 2015 conference, held in Lisbon, Portugal, which provided a valuable forum for engineers and architects, researchers and educators to exchange views and findings concerning the technological history, construction features and seismic behavior of historical timber-framed walls in the Mediterranean countries. The topics covered are wide ranging and include historical aspects and examples of the use of timber-framed construction systems in response to earthquakes, such as the gaiola system in Portugal and the Bourbon system in southern Italy; interpretation of the response of timber-framed walls to seismic actions based on calculations and experimental tests; assessment of the effectiveness of repair and strengthening techniques, e.g., using aramid fiber wires or sheets; and modelling analyses. In addition, on the basis of case studies, a methodology is presented that is applicable to diagnosis, strengthening and improvement of seismic performance and is compatible with modern theoretical principles and conservation criteria. It is hoped that, by contributing to the knowledge of this construction technique, the book will help to promote conservation of this important component of Europe

The applications of discrete elements models based on rigid block formulations to the analysis of masonry walls under horizontal out-of-plane loading is simplified block pattern are addressed. Two procedures for creating irregular block systems are presented, one using Voronoi polygons, the other based on a bed and cross joint structure with random deviations. A test problem provides a comparison of various regular and random block patterns, showing their influence on the failure loads. The estimation of manual frequencies of rigid block models, and its application to static pushover analyses, is addressed. An example of application of rigid block model to wall capacity problem is presented.

The overall aim of Sub-Project 10 (Earthquake disaster scenario predictions and loss modelling for urban areas) has been to create a tool, based on state-of-the-art loss modelling software, to provide strong, quantified statements about the benefits of a range of possible mitigation actions, in order to support decision-making by urban authorities for seismic risk mitigation strategies. A further larger aim has been to contribute to a seismic risk mitigation policy for future implementation at European level. Among the European cities for which loss estimation studies have been carried out are Istanbul, Lisbon and Thessaloniki, and tools, using GIS mapping, have been developed by research teams in each of these cities; these were made available for further development to examine mitigation strategies within SP10. Related research studies

Much work in Earthquake Engineering was devoted to the improvement of earthquake resistant design of new structures. One European result is EN 1998, which will be in several years the main seismic code for all European countries. But it is well known, that older existing structures cause in many large earthquakes much more casualties and damages than new structures. It is certainly not possible to retrofit all existing structures, but agreement exists, that assessment and retrofit of safety - critical - structures and lifeline structures must have priority. In September 2004 the European Integrated Research Project LESSLOSS on Risk Mitigation for Earthquakes and Landslides was started. The project will run for three years and comprises 13 Sub-Projects (SP´s). The consortium consists of 46 partners (see http:\\www.lessloss.org). LESSLOSS SP5 is on In-situ Assessment, Monitoring and Typification of buildings and Infrastructure. The project partners of SP5 are ARS, CESI, LNEC, RWTH and VCE. This Sub Project focuses mainly on the assessment of important existing structures and tries to integrate experimental methods into the assessment procedure. The progress of SP5 obtained in the first year is summarized in this paper. Highlights presented by all partners are mentioned and the assessment of Hospital Innsbruck is presented in more detail. The most innovative task of LESSLOSS/ SP5 is Update of vulnerability estimates via monitoring, which was also started in the first year.

In order to study the behavior of bridge structures in relation to traffic, wind and seismic loads, it is extremely important to know their actual dynamic properties (natural frequencies, vibration mode shapes and damping). The experimentally identified dynamic properties of bridge structures are also an effective way to characterize their actual global structural behavior. Whether included in the reception load tests of recently built bridges, before they are opened to the traffic, or as part of the inspection works of bridges already in service, LNEC has performed modal analysis studies based on the results of ambient vibration tests. Some of the studies carried out recently in important bridges are reported in this paper.

O sismo de Northridge ocorreu na parte norte da área metropolitana de Los Angeles, Califórnia, às 4:31 h do dia 17 de janeiro, uma segunda-feira coincidente com dia de feriado nacional, tendo atingindo uma magnitude de 6.6 na escala de Richter. O número total de vítimas mortais cifra-se em 57, havendo para cima de 8 000 feridos e 20 000 desalojados.As estimativas de perdas totais, feitas em meados de fevereiro de 1994, apontavam para valores de 15 biliões de US dólares, tendo o Estado da Califórnia apresentado um impacto económico total de ordem dos 30 biliões de dólares, perto do valor do Orçamento Geral do estado Português para 1994. Os prejuízos infligidos na indústria e no comércio são também surpreendentemente elevados, exigindo longos períodos de interrupção das atividades económicas.

Communicating science within disaster risk reduction using methods that encourage two-way dialogue between scientists and laypersons is a challenging task. This paper aims at presenting a methodological strategy of communicating risk and non-structural seismic protection measures through participatory approach. Such methodological strategy is part of a pilot experience of risk communication in two schools in Lisbon (Portugal) under the EU project KnowRISK (Know your city, Reduce seISmic risK through non-structural elements). The efficacy of education for seismic safety is often inhibited by an incomplete understanding of the process by which individuals decide to protect themselves from harm (Becker JS, Paton D,Johnston DM, Ronan KR. Nat Hazards 64(1):107

Most of the Lisbon 18th century timber-framed masonry

Good performance of non-structural elements can be decisive in saving lives and costs when an earthquake strikes. The European project KnowRISK aims to educate and encourage households to take the necessary precautionary measures to protect people, houses, and contents. Preparedness and prevention act on community resilience. Within the KnowRISK project, the idea of a Practical Guide has been conceived suggesting seismic mitigation solutions for non-structural components to non-experts stakeholders. It is intended to guide people into the first steps of prevention in a straightforward manner, minimizing or avoiding injuries, damage, and long-term financial consequences. The novelty of the Guide belongs to his philosophy: a path through increasing challenges corresponds to a growing level of safety. The idea is that anyone can mitigate seismic risk in its own environment by adopting simple and low cost measures. The Practical Guide may contribute to increase risk awareness. This kind of initiatives if undertaken at larger scales may also enhance social resilience.

When one of the dimensions of a structural member is not clearly larger than the two orthogonal ones, engineers are usually compelled to simulate it with refined meshes of shell or solid finite elements that typically impose a large computational burden. The alternative use of classical beam theories, either based on Euler-Bernoulli or Timoshenko

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This text reflects the first of the four lectures that the author has presented at Udine, Italy, at CISM

Um dos principais problemas e interesses da engenharia sísmica é a caracterizaçãoda acção sísmica, envolvendo a estimativa da intensidade, conteúdo em frequência,duração e variabilidade espacial dos movimentos intensos do solo mais gravosos, emtermos dos seus efeitos nas estruturas, que pode ocorrer num local.O presente trabalho de investigação desenvolve e aplica a metodologia estocástica etécnicas de modelação de fonte

Os sismos são encarados frequentemente como desastres naturais inevitáveis. Todavia,deveriam ser considerados fenómenos naturais, cujos efeitos adversos podem ser minimizadoscaso se proceda a uma gestão efectiva do risco sísmico.O objectivo principal do presente trabalho de investigação é o de avaliar o risco sísmicoem Portugal Continental.Sendo um tema de natureza multidisciplinar, apresentam-se e discutem-se modelos deavaliação probabilística da perigosidade sísmica e sua desagregação, de vulnerabilidade efragilidade sísmicas de tipologias construtivas, de danos e de perdas económicas e humanas.Aplica-se a análise probabilística da perigosidade sísmica, e sua desagregação, aPortugal Continental, obtendo-se cenários modais capazes de reproduzir os níveis deperigosidade que os condicionam. Apresenta-se o inventário do parque habitacional e seushabitantes, descriminado por factores de vulnerabilidade, e classifica-se a sua vulnerabilidadesegundo os modelos de dano. Procede-se à actualização e aferição de uma metodologia parasimulação de cenários sísmicos, integrada num Sistema de Informação Geográfico. Avalia-seo risco sísmico, seguindo diversas abordagens, comparando-se os resultados com o risco deoutros países.Construiu-se assim uma ferramenta de avaliação de perdas devidas a sismos, queconstitui uma primeira contribuição para o desenvolvimento de um processo de gestão dorisco sísmico aplicado ao Continente Português.

O parque habitacional de Portugal Continental contém algumas tipologias construtivas deelevada vulnerabilidade sísmica em relação às quais urge actuar no sentido de reduzir o riscosísmico a elas associado. No projecto de investigação

O Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC) participa atualmente numa das sete Tarefas, doprojeto Europeu SHARE- Seismic Hazard Harmonization in Europe, mais precisamente na tarefa nº 2,intitulada Requisitos de engenharia e aplicações.O presente relatório de progresso descreve a participação do LNEC na sub-tarefa 2.5 - Cenários derisco sísmico para cidades Europeias selecionadas

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No presente relatório pretendem-se apresentar e definir alguns das linhasorientadoras para a simulação do comportamento dinâmico de fluidos no interior deAmortecedores de Líquido Sintonizado (TLDs), de acordo com o proposto na literatura.O problema da modelação do comportamento de fluidos no interior deAmortecedores de Líquido Sintonizado, à semelhança do que acontece parareservatórios, é complexo, sendo apresentados os principais modelos matemáticos emecânicos utilizados na actualidade.Assim serão descritos modelos de comportamento adoptados no casoparticular dos Amortecedores de Líquido Sintonizado (TLDs) e modelos simplificadosde sistemas de 1 (SDOF) ou mais graus (MDOF) de liberdade com com os referidosdispositivos de mitigação de acções dinâmicas acopladosO presente relatório servirá, à semelhança dos relatórios Sistemas passivos,activos, híbridos e semi-activos: Estado dos conhecimentos, Actividade experimentalna área dos sistemas passivos para a protecção sísmica de estruturas: Experiência doNESDE e Modelos de comportamento dinâmico para fluidos no interior dereservatórios como uma das linhas orientadoras para o desenvolvimento dos trabalhospropostos no âmbito do PIP 2009-2012 do NESDE-DE Protecção Sísmica deEstruturas: Reabilitação, reforço e sistemas inteligentes.

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This Report corresponds to Task 2 of the NEFOREEE (New Fields of Research inEarthquake Engineering Experimentation) Project and comprises the description of theLNEC triaxial seismic platform and a presentation of the experimental programdeveloped in the scope of this Project.It is presented a description of the facility and the 3D seismic table with graphicalsupport, drawings of sizing and photographs, as well as its control system. The maininstrumentation available at the NESDE laboratory and used for this test is alsoincluded in this report.The model tested is described as well as the sequence of tests and the correspondingobtained results. Finally a brief analysis of the results is made.

O presente relatório final do projecto USuET integra o trabalho já apresentado norelatório de progresso de Sousa & Afonso [2007], nomeadamente no que toca aoscapítulos 2, 3 e parte do capítulo 4 e, adicionalmente, descreve, em detalhe, asactividades desenvolvidas no projecto desde a data desse relatório (secção 4.2, ecapítulos 5 e 6). A parte da investigação conducente à actualização do Simulador deCenários Sísmicos para ambiente WebSIG, aplicado ao Arquipélago dos Açores, não seencontra descrita com o mesmo detalhe, neste relatório, pois enquadra-se na tese demestrado em Sistemas de Informação Geográfica de Afonso [2007], submetida àUniversidade Técnica de Lisboa. A versão definitiva desta tese, cuja discussão se prevêainda em 2008, será enviada oportunamente.

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This report describes the second phase activity of the Portuguese group in the Precast Structures EC8 research project. The Portuguese group is composed by Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC) and the Civibral, S.A. precast company. This phase follows the shaking table tests of a 2 stories structure of the same precast system, which is commercialized by Civibral. More information about these tests can be found in the repor.The goal of the work presented in this document is to assess the seismic behaviour of column-foundation and beam-column connections from the same precast system. To help achieve this goal, 4 column-foundation and 10 beam-column connections were tested using quasi-static, monotonic and cyclic tests, which were made imposing displacements to the specimens. The column-foundation connections (CFC) can be categorized as socket connections and the beam-column connections (BCC) as dry connections using only mechanical devices to transmit forces between elements. All the specimens were supplied and mounted by Civibral personal.

Análise dos registos históricos de eventos climáticos e o seu impacto no setor da energia da AML, para identificar o grau em que este setor foi afetado por estímulos relacionados com o clima. Avaliação de capacidades adaptativas.

Análise da forma das edificações nas ações do vento

As condicionantes arquitetónicas e de urbanização na ventilação natural

Caracterização do vento. Ações sobre estruturas. Ensaios em túnel de vento