Publications

Prototype boards of high-density expanded cork agglomerates (230 and 290 kgm

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Kosovo is relatively small place with 10870 km2 where 44.7% of its territory is covered with trees. To date, Kosovo has passed through three important phases of economic development; the first phase was the emergency one after war, the second phase was privatization of social enterprises and the third phase was sustainable development. The after war period was very important for this sector because it has passed through a reconstruction process, privatization and development and become part of the internal and foreign markets. Positive developments in the field of wood industry led to the number of work places offered in this field are increasing; also requirements for specialized workforce and qualification workers are increasing. This is the reason why today

This review focuses on cork as a natural, renewable and sustainable construction raw-material. Cork has an unusual combination of properties making it suitable for application in buildings and infrastructures, for example insulation, wear-resistance and durability. The material properties combined with a favourable ecological footprint allow designers, architects and engineers to meet some of the Green Building demands. A summary on cork production, structure, chemistry and properties was made. The processing into ork-based products, for example cork agglomerates and composites, is detailed as well as their properties and applications in construction. The aptitude of cork-based products for compliance with sustainability and energy efficiency criteria is also addressed.

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Wood plastic composites (WPCs) are being increasingly used as alternatives to wooden decks. In the presentstudy, it was verified the potential loss of stiffness of WPC deck boards as a result of moisture intake. It wasalso assessed the importance ofmoisture intake in the fulfilment of serviceability limit states. For these purposes, three different types of commercial WPC decks were studied, with high (WPCH), medium (WPCM) and low (WPCL) expected mechanical performance. Different experimental designs were followed to simulate full exposure to outdoor conditions and the effect of possible internal stress due to differential shrinkage and the swelling behaviour of fibres and the matrix. The results indicate a high loss of bendingmodulus of elasticity due to water absorption (between 40 and 50%) and shrinkage/swelling movements (between 22 and 29%). This level of stiffness loss has a direct impact on ensuring the compliance to the serviceability limit states. A strong negative linear relationship between water absorption and the loss of bending stiffness was established, which can be a helpful tool to assist manufacturers in defining the application rules and ensuring the expected service life of their products.

The present work aims to develop the Life Cycle Assessment study of thermo-modifiedAtlanticwood® pine boards based on real data provided by Santos & Santos Madeirascompany. Atlanticwood® pine boards are used mainly for exterior decking and claddingfacades of buildings. The LCA study is elaborated based on ISO 14040/44 standard and Product Category Rules for preparing an environmental product declaration for Construction Products and Construction Services. The inventory analysis and, subsequently, the impact analysis have been performed using the LCA software SimaPro8.0.4. The method chosen for impact assessment was EPD (2013) V1.01. The results show that more than ¾ of

Subterranean termites are serious pests of wood in service in much of the world. One of the most popular techniques for monitoring and controlling termites is the use of in-ground monitoring stations. Different cellulosic matrices were evaluated in terms of mass loss, moisture content variation and termite presence, accounting for spatial coordinates and monitoring station conditional variables, including: type of cellulosic matrix, matrix treatment and meteorological conditions, during one year in field conditions, both in Portugal and in the USA. A multivariate redundancy analysis wasperformed resulting in 60.4% of data variability being explained by the variables considered in this analysis. Spatial variables were responsible for the highest amount of variance observed in the response variables monitored for the termite monitoring stations, followed by the type of cellulosic matrix, from which cellulose and Hevea brasiliensis were the most influential variables. The optimization of termite in-ground monitoring stations should be performed through correct evaluation of termite feeding preferences and decay resistance, in order to choose an adequate bait matrix and a proper bait design. The termite species biology and the geographical location where control programs will be applied should also be taken into account.

This work describes the treatment of Pinus pinaster wood with four different industrialwood preservatives (two anti-bluing or fungicide and two fungicide/pesticide)and the detection and quantification of the dioxin contamination profile in the woodshavings. The samples were collected from poultry liters during three contaminationincidents of poultry meat. Two methods used were, both nonpressure: one by immersingthe wood samples in the preservative solution and the other by impregnationof the preservative solution into the wood, with vacuum. It was concluded thatthere is no difference in terms of contamination profile, caused by the different industrial wood treatment preservative products in study. A clear correlation betweenthe commercial products used in wood treatment and the contamination profile ofwood shavings that have been used as bedding material in poultry production wasdetected.

A presente nota biográfica refere o percurso de Júlio Ferry do Espírito Santo Borges nas diversas temáticas da engenharia de estruturas que mereceram o seu maior interesse e resume a sua contribuição em diversos tipos de atividades para entidades nacionais e internacionais, baseando se num texto do Investigador do LNEC Vítor Monteiro.

Wood protection and control of infestation in buildings and other wooden cultural heritage objects is mainly based on chemical-, gas- and heat treatments. Degradation of wood is not only caused by fungi or bacteria but also by insects. Termites have been a potential risk to wooden structures not only in the warmer regions of our continents but also beyond the regions of their natural habitat due to transport of wood.A new environmental friendly wood protection system has been tested on wood destroying fungi and termites.Wood protection by means of electro osmotic pulsing technology (PLEOT) can preserve wood in service without using any chemical protection at all. The system can easily be installed and is very low in maintenance costs.The results show no mass loss of PLEOT protected beech and Scots pine sapwood samples exposed to the whiterot Trametes versicolor for 4 and 8 weeks. Termite attack could slightly be reduced by using this technology onScots pine sapwood samples.

O reforço selectivo materializado através de encamisamento localizado com chapas de aço, em pilares de betão armado de secção rectangular, pode induzir o aumento de ductilidade ou promover o aumento da resistência e da ductilidade.Aborda-se nesta comunicação alguns dos factores que podem influenciar o aumento da resistência do encamisamento localizado com chapas de aço, permitindo ao projectista direccionar a intervenção apenas para o aumento de ductilidade, para o aumento de ductilidade e um aumento de resistência moderado (+20%), para o aumento da ductilidade e aumento significativo da resistência (+80%) e ainda a possibilidade de utilizar a ligação do encamisamento à base/nó como

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Fipronil is currently used as chemical barrier against subterranean termites, in this paper their possible use as bait has been tested. Their efficacy with Reticulitermes grassei Clément in feed forced and feed choice tests has been analyzed, evaluating the mortality caused by administration of fipronil at 1 and 10 ppm (wt/wt). Our results show that 90% mortality is achieved at 6 days with feed forced test at 10 ppm and 16 days at 1 ppm; but with choice test the time to achieve that level of mortality is increased to 17 days for 10 ppm and only 50% mortality in 28 day is obtained with 1 ppm. Moreover the filter paper consumed by termite/day has been evaluated, founding a diminution of ingestion with the increase of concentration. This suggests a possible unpalatability of product at all tested concentrations. Fipronil is currently used as chemical barrier against subterranean termites, in this paper their possible use as bait has been tested. Their efficacy with Reticulitermes grassei Clément in feed forced and feed choice tests has been analyzed, evaluating the mortality caused by administration of fipronil at 1 and 10 ppm (wt/wt). Our results show that 90% mortality is achieved at 6 days with feed forced test at 10 ppm and 16 days at 1 ppm; but with choice test the time to achieve that level of mortality is increased to 17 days for 10 ppm and only 50% mortality in 28 day is obtained with 1 ppm. Moreover the filter paper consumed by termite/day has been evaluated, founding a diminution of ingestion with the increase of concentration. This suggests a possible unpalatability of product at all tested concentrations.

An experimental campaign on traditional diagonal front notched timber joints was carried out in order toassess their rotational behaviour. This campaign included ten different test conditions, comprising some of the mostfrequently observed configurations of the rafter and tie beam joint in Portuguese roof structures. The joints' mechanicalbehaviour was appraised with regard to their geometric parameters, presence of metal fastening devices and moisturecontent of timber. The experimental results show that the joint's response is different when opening or closing the skewangle and that specific load bearing mechanisms dictate the different performances exhibited by each typology.

Wood protection in the last century has been mainly based on chemical treatments. Additionally, the type of construction of wooden buildings and the choice of wood species plays an important role.Degradation of wood is not only caused by fungi or bacteria but also by insects. Termites have been a poten¬tial risk to wooden structures not only in the warmer regions of our continents but also beyond the regions of their natural habitat due to transport of wood.A new environmental friendly wood protection system has been tested. Wood protection by means of electro osmotic pulsing technology can preserve wood in service without using any chemical protection at all. The system can easily be installed and is extremely low in maintenance costs.The technology [EOP] has been preliminary tested on Scots pine sapwood [Pinus sylvestris] against subter¬ranean termites [Reticulitermes grasseiJ in the laboratory. Two choice and non-choice tests were carried out using different initial wood moisture content, 4 weeks of exposure and 6 replicates per variable.The results show heavy growth of mould fungi on wood samples with higher moisture content that probably contribute to higher termite mortality on wetter samples. EOP treatment strongly reduced the development of moulds and gave variable results in terms of termite survival and feeding.Further testing is needed to better understand the possibilities of this method to subterranean termite control.

When timber elements in heritage buildings are moderately degraded by fungi and assuming underlying moisture problems are solved, two actions can be taken: i) use a biocide product to stop fungi activity ii) consolidate the degraded elements so that the timber keeps on fulfilling its structural and decorative functions. Indeed, the option of maintaining in the building the original (even though deteriorated) timber has been gaining more and moreimportance, as the loss any element may contribute to the loss of the historical identity of the building.This paper presents the laboratory work performed with the purpose of understanding the mechanical performance of maritime pine timber degraded by fungi (with mass losses lower than 20%) when subjected to consolidation by impregnation with Paraloid B72®, combined with the previous application of a biocide.Three commercially available pre-selected biocide products were used: a light organic solvent (X), a boron water-based (BC) and a water-based emulsion (A). After the products were applied to five sets of specimens (Control, PB72, X+PB72, BC+PB72, A+PB72) these were subjected to mechanical tests: axial compression test (NP618) and resistance to indentation (ISO 3350). Four similar sets of replicates were subjected to an evaporation ageing procedure (EN73) after the products were applied and equally tested.An increase in mechanical strength was observed for the consolidation product with no significant influence of the previous use of biocide product. The specimens subjected to ageing showed a slightly better general mechanical performance than those not aged.

Timber elements can be foreseen as lengthwise composites of clear and knot zones, being the clear wood zones greatly responsible for stiffness and the weakest zones (worst knots shown by the timber element) for the ultimate strength capacity. In the present study non destructive techniques (ultrasounds and visual grading) and semi-destructive techniques (tension meso-specimens and core drilling) are used and tested as tools for evaluating clear wood properties. These properties are then used to predict the global modulus of elasticity of maritime pine timber beams. The results obtained delivered important information concerning variability within and between timber pieces. The non and semidestructive techniques used have shown a reasonable capability to predict the clear wood properties and to deliver a good prediction of the global bending modulus of elasticity.

In-ground monitoring stations and termite baits are widely used in the southern United States with the intent of detecting and eradicating subterranean termite activity near buildings. These stations comprise a wood (or other cellulose material) substrate (monitor) and perhaps a termiticidal toxicant (bait) held m a plastic cage that allows for both, easy examination and access by termites. The usual practice is to inspect the station monitors for termite aetiv1ty every few months. If termites are detected, a bait is added to ar replaces the untreated monitor. However, in addition to termite attack, the monitors are subject to fungal decay, and rapid decay in high hazard areas is interfering with the usefulness of this baiting approach.This paper reports on an evaluation of the relative decay susceptibility of termite baiting systems used in commercial monitoring stations. Some monitors are very susceptible to wetting and fungal decay. corroborating anecdotal evidence from the field. It was eonc1uded that decay in high hazard areas is likely to interfere with the usefulness of some of these systems. To be used successfully, possible approaches to overcome the decay issue are: careful selection of the system used; placement on or above ground rather than in the ground; recognition that monitors and/or baits need to be changed every few months; avoiding remote sensing systems that do not allow a visual check of the monitor; developing durable m0nitors and baits, e.g., with the addition of a non-termite-repellent fungicide.

Apresentam-se os resultados de uma campanha experimental realizada no LNEC com oobjectivo de avaliar a viabilidade técnica de algumas soluções de reparação e reforço deligações tradicionais em estruturas de madeira, por meio entalhes, com e sem ferragens. Os resultados obtidos permitem avaliar o desempenho destas intervenções relativamente ao comportamento das ligações originais.

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O Museu da Academia das Ciências de Lisboa possui uma preciosa xiloteca assinada pelo Mestre dos marceneiros portugueses, José Aniceto Rapozo contendo 1213 amostras de madeiras do Brasil e 12 de outras origens. A sua importância no progresso do conhecimento dos recursos florestais do Brasil naviragem dos séculos dezoito e dezanove conduziu ao estudo em curso. Dada a devastação verificada em vastas áreas florestais brasileiras, surgem dificuldades por certas espécies poderem ter distribuiçãogeográfica diferente (com eventual extinção, geral ou localizada), por insuficiência do material de comparação, e por ambiguidade das designações comerciais.Foi possível identificar esta xiloteca como uma de quatro encomendadas a Aniceto Rapozo pelo Príncipe Regente. A análise das amostras de madeira e a informação documental mostram que a colecçãotem por base uma remessa de 5008 amostras de madeiras do Brasil enviada em 1784 para o Arsenal Real do Exército, em Lisboa, pelo Vice-Rei do Brasil, Luís de Vasconcellos e Souza.O valor científico do conjunto é evidenciado pela identificação botânica das espéciesrepresentadas. Na situação actual, a identificação das espécies florestais representadas na amostragem foiinteiramente conseguida em 14% dos casos, conseguida mas ainda por confirmar em 27%. Dado o carácter preliminar deste estudo, os seus resultados serão ulteriormente publicados com mais pormenor. Among the Lisbon Academy of Sciences Museum collection there is a valuable xylarium by theleading Portuguese master cabinet-maker José Aniceto Rapozo (1756-1824), comprising 1213 wood samples from Brazil plus 12 from elsewhere. This collection is most important since it allows us to improve the knowledge on Brazilian forest resources by the end of the eighteenth century and thebeginning of the next. This study aims to establish its historical framework and scientific value. Owing tooverexploitation and even devastation of very large forest areas in Brazil, difficulties for our study aroseeither as some species may have now a different geographical distribution (and eventually may have underwent local or general extinction), by lack of adequate comparison material, or because of ambiguityof the commercial names.Results so far obtained allowed us to recognize the xylarium as one of the four commanded Rapozo by the Regent Prince, later King João VI (1767-1826). Taking into account the wood samples analyses as well as bibliographic data it is possible to conclude that the collection was prepared from a set 3 of 5008 Brazilian wood samples sent to the Royal Arsenal in Lisbon in 1784 by the Brazil

This work collects information about laboratory tests to evaluate the properties of agro-industrial wastes used for thermal insulation building materials considering them individually and in composits. It focuses on bio-susceptibility, as one of the main aspects to consider for bio-based building products.

Innovation in structures and construction materials demands a more accurate performance analysis during the life cycle. In addition, climatic changes pose new challenges to civil infrastructures that were not so relevant in the past. In most cases, the traditional test methods cannot accurately assess the complex phenomena involved in durability. The modern and complex factors require a different approach to durability analysis. The purpose of this chapter is to present innovative durability tests on construction materials: wood; rammed earth, cob and unfired blocks; natural stone; bituminous binders and mixtures; and Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP) to concrete bonded connections. Most of these tests concern the accelerated simulation of the main phenomena involved in durability performance

Laboratory tests were carried out to define production parameters of innovative eco-efficient composites made up of hazelnut shells as aggregate and a sodium silicate solution as adhesive. The aim was to maximize the content of bio-aggregates and minimize the amount of adhesive, guaranteeing the feasibility of producing samples. Therefore, after preliminary testing, the percentages of hazelnut shells and the sodium silicate solution were kept constant: 70% and 30% of the total volume, respectively. However, the characteristics of the considered composites did not allow the production of uniform samples. The sodium silicate solution was not rapidly absorbed by the bio-aggregates; during the drying process, it was deposited on the bottom side of the samples. The uniformity of the samples is required to guarantee a correct evaluation of their performance and future homogeneous panels. Hence, different production parameters were investigated, such as drying at T

The durability of construction materials is a key concern and can be related to different actions such as weathering conditions outdoors enhanced by climatic change, chemical and biological attack, abrasion, and other conditions of service over time. Frequently, several actions develop simultaneously, making it difficult to reproduce in situ conditions in laboratory. Furthermore, testing to assess durability depends largely on the nature of the material itself or on the way it has been assembled with other materials. The ageing techniques to assess long-term durability performance of construction materials are based on accelerated durability tests, which include, for example, thermal stress, freeze

This paper presents an overview of research carried out to assess the bonding suitability of Portuguese timbers.Most work developed in the last decades has focused Maritime pine timber, due to its traditional use in building construction, good mechanical properties and availability. Untreated, as well as preservative treated Maritime pine have been studied, as its impregnability allows deep treatment suitable for applications in Use Classes 3 and 4.Recent results on bonding preservative treated Maritime pine wood are discussed.Preliminary results regarding other species that are becoming available in the Portuguese market are also presented, as an attempt to reduce pressure on Maritime pine timber as well as to seek more valuable alternatives for their traditional uses.

No presente trabalho apresentam-se os resultados mais relevantes obtidos num programa experimental desenvolvido no LNEC com o objetivo de caracterizar a aderência dos varões nervurados do tipo A500NR SD existentes no mercado, fundamentalmente para melhorar a modelação do comportamento dos elementos de betão armado de zonas críticas de estruturas inseridas em zonas sísmicas.O programa experimental desenvolvido pretende simular as condições de aderência existentes num varão horizontal de uma ligação viga-pilar e tem como principais variáveis varões de dois diâmetros frequentemente utilizados (16 e 25 mm), dois níveis diferentes de área relativa das nervuras (A e B) e duas classes de betão (C1 e C2), ambos representativos do betão utilizado nas construções mais relevantes.Os resultados obtidos quer nos ensaios monotónicos quer nos ensaios cíclicos apontam para um decréscimo da tensão de aderência com o aumento do diâmetro da ordem dos 10%. O aumento da área relativa das nervuras transversais traduz-se num incremento da tensão máxima de aderência da ordem dos 15%, com uma redução do deslizamento que ronda os 15%. Nesse sentido, este estudo propôs que, no caso dos varões com maior área relativa das nervuras, a tensão de aderência máxima possa variar entre 2,35 e 2,65 vezes a raiz quadrada da resistência do betão à compressão e que o patamar onde a tensão de aderência é máxima se situe entre 0,5 e 1,5 mm de deslizamento.Explorou-se também o fenómeno da entrada em cedência da armadura tendo-se concluído que, em provetes que pretendem simular as condições de aderência existentes num varão horizontal de uma ligação viga-pilar, a entrada em cedência da armadura conduz a uma redução da tensão de aderência máxima inferior a 10%, quer regime monotónico quer em regime cíclico.

O presente trabalho de investigação refere-se à conservação de elementos estruturais de madeira medianamente degradados por fungos em edifícios antigos. Propõe-se estudar a compatibilidade entre produtos de tratamento e de consolidação por impregnação, aplicados sequencialmente. A avaliação do processo foi realizada maioritariamente em laboratório e na óptica do desempenho mecânico conjunto da madeira e produtos aplicados, por intermédio de ensaios físico-mecânicos destrutivos e não destrutivos e também por ensaios mecânicos não destrutivos realizados in situ. Foram utilizados produtos comerciais, aplicando-os às espécies de madeira correntemente encontradas nos edifícios antigos da zona de Lisboa: Pinho bravo e Casquinha. Procedeu-se à avaliação mecânica de madeira nova e antiga, em estado são e degradado; ao desenvolvimento de um método de medição da profundidade de penetração de produtos de tratamento; à avaliação da capacidade consolidante de madeira degradada por produtos poliméricos fluidos e à avaliação da sua actuação conjunta, estudada com e sem envelhecimento artificial. Os resultados obtidos indicaram significativos aumentos de capacidade mecânica da madeira degradada, quando submetida a tratamento e consolidação Este trabalho desenvolve, assim, uma proposta de solução para a madeira que não se encontra sã, mas que ainda possui capacidade resistente, não necessitando, por isso, de ser removida. O processo de tratamento e consolidação promove resistência aos agentes biológicos e, simultaneamente, recuperação de alguma resistência mecânica da madeira, conferindo-lhe capacidade para continuar em serviço.

Subterranean termites from the genus Reticulitermes are an important pest ofwood in service throughout southern Europe and elsewhere. For effective termitecontrol with long term protection but minimal environmental damage, newintegrated approaches to termite management are needed. Baiting-based systemsseem to be promising non-traditional methods for termite control, targeting thecolony as a whole. However, control through baiting is only feasible when it isknown that the toxicant can be transferred to all the colonies foraging on theinfested area and also throughout each individual colony. Accordingly, the workdescribed is specifically designed to achieve a better understanding of thedistribution and delimitation of colonies within a population of Reticulitermes,with parallel insights into foraging behaviour and colony organization.Initially, the species/subspecies spectrum present within the notionalReticulitermes group in Portugal was reassessed. It was shown that Reticulitermesgrassei is the only species encountered. Foraging activity was then assessed in anexperimental woodland site over two successive annual cycles, both by thesampling of natural lying dead wood and by a standard baiting grid. R. grasseiseem to select wood with larger diameter, with an apparent preference for materialalready decayed by fungi. Both termite and fungal attack on wood seems to bepromoted by higher moisture levels, such as prevail in larger litter items andduring seasonal rains. Termites were unable to detect and direct their foragingtowards sound wood in laboratory conditions, suggesting that the network ofinfochemical signals is more complex than just volatiles emanating from soundwood. Mark-release-recapture (MRR) was used to delineate foraging groups,which were then allocated to their parent colonies by the use of microsatellitemarkers. The results suggest that resource sharing is a facultative behaviour,specifically when food is not a limiting factor for colony development. Theimplications of all these findings for bait technology and protocols are discussed,with reference to the local population ecology of Reticulitermes.

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de Norma Portuguesa relativo ao ensaio de dureza Vickers (HV0,2 a HV5 exclusive) de materiais metálicos, e insere-se numa série de estudos programados pelo autor, enquanto coordenador da normalização nacional no domínio dos ensaios mecânicos, físicos e não-destrutivos de materiais metálicos, a fim de actualizar as Normas Portuguesas existentes neste domínio.O texto apresentado consiste na versão final de uma proposta redigida pelo autor, na sequência dos estudos efectuados ao nível da Comissão Técnica de Normalização competente.

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de versão portuguesa da Norma Europeia EN 10002-1, e insere-se numa série de estudos programados pelo autor, enquanto coordenador da normalização nacional no domínio dos ensaios mecânicos, físicos e não-destrutivos de materiais metálicos, a fim de actualizar as Normas Portuguesas existentes neste domínio.O texto do projecto de revisão apresentado consiste na versão final de uma proposta redigida pelo autor, na sequência dos estudos efectuados ao nível da Comissão Técnica de Normalização competente.

O presente trabalho consiste no relatório de uma missão a Paris do signatário, na sua qualidade de coordenador da Normalização Nacional no domínio dos "Ensaios mecânicos, físicos e não-destrutivos de materiais metálicos", a fim de representar Portugal numa reunião do ECISS/TC 1a "Ensaios mecânicos e físicos de aços", encarregado dos trabalhos de Normalização Europeia neste domínio.

O presente trabalho pretende mostrar as possibilidades fornecidas pela utilização de um método de simulação no estudo da homogeneidade da fiabilidade, oferecida pelas curvas de encurvadura de colunas, de diferentes regulamentos de estruturas de aço.Através de um modelo geometricamente não linear, de que se faz uma breve apresentação e se descrevem alguns exemplos de aplicação, é feito o estudo da carga crítica de encurvadura de um perfil IPE 120, segundo o eixo de maior inércia. Os resultados apresentados referem-se a cerca de 1000 colunas diferentes, obtidas através de um método de simulação do tipo Monte-Carlo, para as quais se efectua a comparação entre os valores da carga crítica obtidos e os fornecidos por vários regulamentos, bem como a análise da homogeneidade da fiabilidade conferida pelos mesmos regulamentos em função das respectivas esbeltezas.

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de Norma Portuguesa com o título

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de Norma Portuguesa com o título

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