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The model presented on this article is a semi-analytical method, developed for the study of two dimensional steel structures made of linear members. It allies the lightness and rapidity of the "cross section models" with the accuracy of the numerical methods, fulfilling the exigencies mentioned above. The control variables are the global deformations of the cross section. A new representation of the domains of evolution of the cross section behaviour, based on these control variables, is presented. The calculation of the section efforts and stiffness is developed analytically for all possible combinations of global deformations evolution. The resulting expressions, written in a non dimensional form, enable a fast computation of these variables, which makes the application of this model specially suitable for very heavy calculations, as in reliability studies for example.The formulation of this model is introduced, and an example of its application to the study of the influence of the material hardening and spreading of the yielding, on the cross section behaviour, is shown for two different types of section shapes.

L'objectif principal de ce travail est l'élaboration d'un modèle non linéaire géométrique et matériel d'analyse des structures métalliques planes à barres. Il permet de tenir compte des principaux facteurs physiques affectant leur comportement non linéaire : évolution progressive de la plasticité suivant les sections transversales et le long des éléments, influence des contraintes résiduelles et effets de l'écrouissage.

Solução corrente, de há longa data, nos países mais industrializados, só agora a construção metálica se começa a implantar no nosso país, devido a uma série de factores que, conjugados, têm contribuído para uma maior preferência pelo betão armado ao longo do século XX. Confinada, por enquanto, a segmentos muito específicos, a construção metálica tem tendência para ver progredir a sua utilização e alargadas as suas aplicações, desde que os projectistas e arquitectos estejam atentos às vantagens das estruturas metálicas.

A avaliação da fiabilidade das estruturas é afectada pela modelação do seu comportamento, devido às hipóteses simplificativas adoptadas durante a formulação da resposta das diferentes componentes da estrutura às solicitações que lhes são impostas.O objectivo principal do presente trabalho é a elaboração de um modelo de análise física e geométricamente não linear de estruturas metálicas reticuladas planas. Este modelo permite considerar os principais factores físicos que condicionam o seu comportamento não linear, tais como a evolução progressiva da plasticidade ao longo das secções transversais e do comprimento dos elementos estruturais, a influência das tensões residuais e os efeitos do endurecimento dos aços.A elaboração do modelo baseia-se na formulação analítica dos esforços e dos termos de rigidez das secções transversais, em função das respectivas deformações globais. Esta formulação é desenvolvida para dois tipos de relações constituivas, elástica não linear e elastoplástica.

L'article présente une méthode d'analyse du comportement des sections rectangulaires en régime élasto-plastique non-linéaire. Fondée sur l'étude de l'évolution des déformations, cette méthode permet de suivre les capacités de résistance de la section en fonction de l'évolution progressive de la plasticité et de l'existence d'un effet d'écrouissage dans la zone élasto-plastique. Connaissant la déformation maximale que peut supporter le matériau, le modèle donne la possibilité de déterminer l'état limite ultime de la section sans avoir recours à la notion de rotule plastique. Deux exemples mettent en évidence les applications de la méthode, l'un dans le domaine des petites déformations et l'autre, jusqu'à la ruine, dans le domaine des grandes déformations.

Le propos de cette communication est la présentation des critères de conception des témoins sonores, de façon qu'ils puissent mesurer correctement les déformations et permettent d'évaluer indirectement les contraintes du béton. Ces critères essaient de fixer le champ de mesure et la raideur convenables à la mesure des déformations. On présentera des résultats expérimentaux et une simulation par ordinateur du comportement des témoins sonores installés au sein du béton.

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 de cálculo 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 IPE120, segundo o eixo de maior inércia. Os resultados apresentados referem-se a cerca de 1000 colunas diferentes, obtidas através de um método de simulaçaõ 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 regulamentos em função das respectivas esbeltezas.

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.

The project CircularBuild -

Relatório final do projeto PTDC/ECM/099121/2008

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de versão portuguesa da Norma Europeia EN 10002-2, 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.O texto do projecto de norma 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 10002-5, 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.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 relatório descreve a participação do LNEC no programa europeu de intercomparação de calibrações de forças

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de revisão da Norma Portuguesa NP 850 (1985)

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de revisão da Norma Portuguesa NP 386 (1965)

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de revisão das Normas Portuguesas NP 449 (1966)

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de revisão da Norma Portuguesa NP 450 (1966)

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de Norma Portuguesa relativo ao ensaio de dilatação de anéis de tubos 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, com a finalidade de preencher lacunas da Normalização Portuguesa neste domínio que a indústria e as instituições ligadas ao controlo da qualidade considerem ser mais urgente colmatar.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.

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