Publications

Given the 516 Arouca pedestrian suspension bridge

The characteristic values of temperature corresponding to the maximum and minimum shade air temperature with an annual probability of being exceeded 0.02, used in the European construction standard for thermal actions (EN 1991-1-5:2003), are usually assessed at a country level and included in the National Annexes to that Eurocode part.The paper aims to support national authorities on elaborating maps for thermal actions using publicly available datasets, consistent at a European level, and harmonised modelling approaches. In addition, these datasets are continuously updated, reflecting the current climate and capturing potential global warming variations.The work investigates how updates in data and modelling could affect the characteristic values currentlyadopted in the Italian National Annexes to the Eurocodes. The main results show that: (i) the currently adoptednumber and locations of the weather stations result fairly representative of the patterns detected by exploitingadditional datasets; ii) the statistical method plays an essential role in the assessment of characteristic values, i.e., the method adopted in the current Italian standard evaluates more conservative characteristic values of maximum temperature than Gumbel or Generalized Extreme Value distributions, but could err on the unsafe side for minimum ones; (iii) both E-OBS and ERA5-Land datasets represent two optimal products to be used as a common source of temperature values at European scale; (iv) moving towards an updated period for temperature data results on an increase of characteristic values of maximum temperature and limited variations in spatial extent and magnitude of characteristic values of minimum ones.

The present work analyses the wind load effects on the 516 Arouca bridge, the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge in 2020. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to model a range of wind incidence angles between -8

The safety and resilience of school buildings against natural disasters is of paramount importance since schools represent a reference point for communities. Such significance is not only related to the direct consequences of collapse on a vulnerable part of the population, but also due to the importance of schools in the post-disaster recovery. This work is focused on the risk and resilience assessment of school buildings in Lisbon (Portugal) under seismic events. The results of this study, in which a subset of 32 schools are analyzed, are used to define a prioritization strategy to mitigate the seismic risk of the Lisbon City Council school building portfolio and to assess the overall resilience of the school network. Numerical modeling of the school buildings is performed in order to estimate losses in terms of the built-up area of the schools and recovery times associated with different seismic scenarios, which are probabilistically defined specifically for the sites of the buildings, accounting for the local soil conditions and associated amplification effects. Based on the obtained risk estimates, which are compared to reference values established on international guidelines and specialized literature, the Lisbon City Council and LNEC jointly defined a short- and medium-term risk mitigation plan, starting with a detailed inspection and assessment of the most vulnerable school buildings and continuing to the implementation of retrofitting measures.

Procuram-se sintetizar neste artigo os principais aspetos relacionados com a avaliação e a reabilitação sísmica de edifícios existentes de alvenaria, compatibilizando a NP EN 1998-3:2017 com os respetivosAnexo C, específico para edifícios de alvenaria, e Anexo Nacional, específico para Portugal.A avaliação sísmica é um procedimento quantitativo através do qual se verifica se um edifício existente, danificado ou não, satisfaz os requisitos de desempenho, definidos por uma combinação de um estado limite com um nível de ação sísmica, através de critérios de conformidade. Neste procedimento estão envolvidos a definição da ação sísmica, a modelação da estrutura, os métodos de análise para determinação dos efeitos das ações e as verificações de segurança. São abordados os métodos de análise, dois lineares e dois nãolineares, aplicáveis a edifícios existentes de alvenaria, bem como as recomendações específicas do Anexo C e as informações complementares do Anexo Nacional.

The response of three full-scale unreinforced masonry buildings, without specific seismic detailing, as observed in shake table testing at LNEC for a seismic action representative of induced seismicity, is presented. The first building specimen simulated the upper floor and roof of the end-unit of a two-storey terraced house, built with unreinforced cavity walls, a reinforced concrete slab and a pitched timber roof. The second specimen was a replica of the roof of the first building. The third specimen represented instead a one-story detached pre-1940

A avaliação da segurança sísmica de edifícios existentes de alvenaria tem como referência os procedimentos dispostos na NP EN 1998-3:2017 (Anexo C) e o respetivo Anexo Nacional, que estabelecem os requisitos de desempenho e os critérios de conformidade para edifícios existentes sujeitos a um determinado nível de ação sísmica. No seguimento das exigências regulamentares, e à luz da verificação da segurança à ação sísmica preconizada na norma, realizaram-se análises probabilísticas de vulnerabilidade sísmica e fiabilidade estrutural a um grande conjunto de edifícios de alvenaria representativos do parque habitacional, que conduziram ao desenvolvimento de métodos expeditos para a avaliação sísmica em alternativa à verificação pelo método de referência. Os métodos propostos permitem avaliar a resistência sísmica de edifícios de alvenaria com pavimentos rígidos, sem recurso a análises numéricas e recorrendo apenas a parâmetros geométricos (Método I) ou em conjunto com as propriedades mecânicas dos materiais (Método II).

The analysis and control of deformability of wall coating mortars contributes to minimize crack development and propagation, one of the most common anomalies in building facades. Many of these cracks appear due to internal stresses in the coating mortar, because of imposed deformations or of imposed restrictions by the substrate. These deformability studies should include one or more experimental methods to determine the modulus of elasticity (E) of the coating mortars in question. There are two approaches to experimentally determine E for mortar specimens: static and dynamic experimental methodologies. For civil engineering applications, the results obtained from static methodologies are more adequate than those obtained with dynamic methodologies. However, since static E results are scarce due to a lack of an established static methodology for mortars, mainly due to their lower mechanical resistance, friable behaviour and higher frailty when compared to concrete, engineers are led to use the established dynamic methodologies. This paper proposes an experimental methodology to determine the static E for moulded mortars specimens. The methodology was adapted from the standard procedure used for concrete specimens, to accommodate the specific characteristics of mortar specimens, namely: provide reliable displacement and applied load data; solve issue related to specific mechanical characteristics of mortar specimens, such as low strength and friable behaviour. This methodology was applied to standard moulded mortar specimens made from multiple mineral binders (cement, hydraulic lime and air lime). In order to validate it, the obtained results were compared with two, well-established, dynamic experimental methodologies (Resonance Frequency and Ultrasonic methodologies) as well as with reference values from relevant bibliography. Using the previous data, this paper also includes a preliminary analysis on the ratios between static and dynamic E values for the studied mortars, representing another objective of this study.

This paper addresses the planar measurement problem in the destructive mechanical testing of masonry specimens, describing the proposed optical measurement solution. The adopted affine geometrical camera model is described as well as its experimental implementation using a digital camera and a measurement referential traceable to the International System of Units (SI). Experimental results from non-destructive tests are presented and discussed, including measurements obtained from the use of classical contact instrumentation. Measurement estimates and uncertainties related to the quantified mechanical properties are also shown.

As construções antigas fazem parte do tecido histórico das cidades, pelo que é importante proceder a intervenções de reabilitação eficientes, mas não destruidoras da sua identidade e valor cultural intrínseco. A utilização de rebocos armados apresenta-se como uma solução simples e eficaz no reforço sísmico deste tipo de construções, nos casos em que não é possível ou exigível a preservação dos revestimentos de paredes. Neste artigo, são analisadas várias composições de rebocos armados, constituídos por ligantes à base de cal aérea, cal hidráulica ou cimento, com um traço usual e com armaduras constituídas por redes metálicas, redes de fibra de vidro e uma rede de fibra natural. É analisada a capacidade resistente à tração dessesrevestimentos armados, assim como aspetos que podem influenciar a compatibilidade com os materiais existentes, apresentando-se as principais vantagens e desvantagens dos vários tipos de revestimentos.

A utilização de dispositivos de dissipação de energia é atualmente vista como uma forma eficiente para proteger estruturas contra ações sísmicas. Um número considerável deste tipo de dispositivos tem vindo a ser instalados um pouco por todo o mundo. Muito recentemente dispositivos do tipo Tuned Liquid Dampers (TLD) tem despertado a atenção da comunidade científica internacional como forma simples mas eficaz para reduzir a resposta de edifícios quando sujeitos a ações dinâmicas.Os TLDs são tanques com água, com relações entre comprimento e altura de água tais que a sua frequência natural quase que se ajusta à frequência natural da estrutura cuja amplitude se pretende mitigar. A energia de vibração do edifício é transferida para a água em movimento (sloshing) onde se dissipa. Os princípios básicos de funcionamento são semelhantes aos observados para os Tuned Mass Dampers (TMDs), com a vantagem da instalação ser muito mais fácil e económica. Tanto TLDs como TMDs apresentam bom desempenho para estruturas flexíveis, de frequências naturais pouco elevadas.Em Portugal, devido principalmente à reduzida altura das construções, este tipo de dispositivos não é muito conhecido ou utilizado. Não obstante isso as construções Portuguesas modernas tem uma tendência natural para se tornarem mais flexíveis sendo portanto previsível que o uso de TLDs se torne uma boa opção para redução dos deslocamentos horizontais sofridos pelas estruturas, atendendo aos custos reduzidos associados à construção, colocação e manutenção destes dispositivos. O artigo descreve o estudo experimental sobre TLDs iniciado em Bristol (U. Bristol) e em continuação no LNEC, apresentando alguns dos resultados preliminares obtidos.

The present paper aims to explore damage assessment in the masonry structures at an early stage by vibration measurements. Two replicates of historical constructions were built in virgin state: one arch with 1.5 m span and one shear wall with 1.0 m2. Afterwards, progressive damage was applied and sequential modal identification analysis was performed at each damage stage, aiming to find adequate correspondence between dynamic behavior and internal crack growth. Accelerations and strains in many points were record in the replicates. Eigen frequencies, mode shapes and modal strains were derived from the dynamic measurements. Environmental effects of the temperature and relative humidity on the dynamic response were studied. A first updating process was performed on the results of the undamaged arch to tune a finite element model. Moreover, the tests were repeated with added masses to scale the mode shapes. Finally, a brief analysis of the results of the several damage scenarios are presented in the paper.

This paper concerns to the post-occupancy monitoring of a building sited in Lisbon with transparent double-skin façades (DSF). This is the first of an enlarged monitoring program covering other buildings and weather conditions aiming to clarify under which climate and performing conditions this architectural solution is acceptable. Within this campaign an enlarged set of parameters were measured, covering from outdoor conditions to indoor comfort. The present paper focus is the thermal behaviour of the façade.

This paper studies the dynamic behaviour of rigid-block structures under seismic behaviour. For this purpose, an experimental investigation has been carried out on the rocking response of single blocks, and ensembles of two and three blocks structures. These structures were subjected to three different base motions: free rocking, harmonic and random excitations. The tests were performed at the seismic table of the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LNEC) of Portugal.

Esta comunicação descreve os ensaios sísmicos efetuados no LNEC a uma estrutura pré-fabricada de betão armado. Os ensaios foram desenvolvidos com o apoio da Comissão Europeia e no âmbito do projeto de investigação PRECAST STRUCTURES EC8

Much work in Earthquake Engineering was devoted to the improvement of earthquake resistant design of new structures. In several years EN 1998 will be the main seismic code for all European countries. But it is well known, that in many large earthquakes older existing structures cause 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

Earthquake scenarios are used in different activity domains like: civil protection disaster preparedness, computing overall seismic losses for a portfolio, or evaluating time histories and ground motion duration to be used in seismic design. However, the choice of an earthquake scenario is often based on deterministic arbitrary assumptions, like the region worst historical event reported. The purpose of this work is to overcome the disadvantages of a deterministic approach, in what concerns the choice of earthquake scenarios in Portugal. For each of the 278 Portuguese counties, a scenario ground motion based on a probabilistic seismic hazard disaggregation analysis is evaluated. Portuguese probabilistic seismic hazard analysis is reviewed in order to perform its disaggregation. Probabilistic seismic hazard was disaggregated considering different spaces of random variables. Bivariate conditional hazard distributions in X-Y (seismic source latitude and longitude) are analyzed, as well as multivariate conditional hazard distributions in M-R-

This paper describes and analyses the results of the seismic tests preformed at LNEC in a RC precast structure which is representative of a Portuguese system. This type of precast construction is used mainly for industrial buildings and was designed and constructed by a precast company with their common practice. The precast system can be considered as jointed with dry connections of limited ductility. A scaled 1/3 specimen was tested on LNEC

With the purpose of assessing the seismic behaviour of a reinforced concrete building structure non-seismically designed, an experimental study was carried out at the LNEC/Lisbon shake table, within the framework of the European project SPEAR. The tested structure was a simplification of a 3-storey building, irregular in plan, representative of older construction in southern Europe, without engineered earthquake resistance. It was designed for gravity loads alone, using the concrete design code used in Greece between 1954 and 1995, with construction practice and materials commonly used in southern Europe in the early 70

This paper describes the shaking table tests of an asymmetric limestone masonry building, under different reinforcement conditions. The work was performed in the aim of the project

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

A caracterização da ação sísmica, para efeitos de projeto e verificação de segurança das estruturas de engenharia civil, é realizada para valores de intensidade sísmica elevados quando comparados com os valores de intensidade sísmica sentidos frequentemente. Tais valores elevados são compatíveis com os níveis de segurança exigidos para as estruturas, que usualmente são considerados implícitos nas regras de dimensionamento e verificação de segurança de estruturas contempladas nos códigos em vigor.

O presente relatório, elaborado no âmbito do projecto de investigação para a Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia intitulado

Os sismos são fenómenos naturais que apenas poderão ter consequências desastrosas se afetarem uma região habitada do globo. Sem dúvida que os piores efeitos de um desastre sísmico são as perdas de vida humana envolvidas.A redução das perdas de vidas humanas é assim um dos grandes objetivos das políticas de prevenção e proteção sísmica e do domínio de investigação da engenharia sísmica.Para se ter uma ideia da dimensão do problema refira-se que apenas no século XX (entre 1900 e o fim de 1992), o montante oficial de vítimas mortais em 1 100 sismos muito severos, atingiu o total de 1 528 000. Perto de metade deste número de vítimas ocorreu num único país, a China, e as principais contribuições para este.

O presente relatório, elaborado no âmbito do projeto de investigação PRAXIS XXI

O presente relatório, elaborado no âmbito do projeto de investigação para a Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia intitulado

The present progress report describes the research developed by LNEC under the ENVIRONMENT project ENV4-CT97-0548, entitled

O presente estudo tem por objetivo apresentar uma metodologia para a avaliação dos efeitos da propagação das ondas sísmicas em condutas de água enterradas. Essa avaliação é efetuada em termos do campo de deformações (extensões axiais e curvaturas), a serem impostas nas condutas, para diferentes valores máximos de aceleração e velocidade da ação sísmica associados a diferentes períodos de retorno.A metodologia desenvolvida é aplicada à cidade de Lisboa considerando as características locais do terreno, diversos diâmetros de tubagens e ambas as situações de condutas contínuas ou com juntas.

As part of ECOEST European research activities, this report describes the experimental programme carried out at the new LNEC seismic simulator facility. It is reported a detailed characterization of the frequency response of the shaking table and the results from an assessment of its control fidelity. This information will act as a benchmark, against which the performance of future tests at this facility could be gauged.A part of the description of the procedures and results of the test programme carried out, it was also compiled descriptive material about the entire facility.

O presente relatório descreve os estudos efetuados no LNEC, que visaram o desenvolvimento e implementação computacional de um algoritmo representativo das relações histeréticas forças-deslocamentos generalizados observados em ensaios de elementos de betão armado sujeitos á flexão.Foi dado um carater geral à implementação do modelo, de forma a poder ser usado em trabalhos futuros de análise dinâmica em regime não linear de estruturas de betão armado, sujeitas á ação dos sismos.O algoritmo computacional resultante é suficientemente versátil uma vez que através da introdução de alguns parâmetros pode reproduzir diferentes comportamentos estruturais, tais como: degradação de rigidez e resistência, efeito de

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