Publications

This study evaluated the durability of three innovative multilayer insulation systems incorporating thermal mortars with EPS aggregates and silica aerogel granules after hygrothermal accelerated aging and one year of natural aging at an urban site in Portugal. The loss of performance was assessed after the accelerated aging and every three months of natural aging using non-destructive testing. Chemical-morphological analyses were alsocarried out prior to and after accelerated and natural aging. Results obtained after accelerated and natural aging were compared, thus contributing towards a deeper understanding of possible synergistic effects of several degradation agents and mechanisms on the long-term durability of multilayer insulation systems. The Coffin-Manson equation showed that the accelerated aging procedure (~13 days of heat/rain cycles and 5 days of heat/cold cycles) adopted herein corresponds to approximately 11 years of natural aging in typical urban conditions. The results show a significant increase in capillary water absorption and drying capacity after aging.Extensive surface microcracking was observed after accelerated aging and after 3 months of natural aging, especially in the systems facing North. Traces of biological growth were detected on both the artificially and naturally aged systems, whereas aesthetic alterations were more pronounced in North-oriented specimens after 3 months of exposure, with significantly lower surface gloss and a darker tone. On the other hand, color change cannot be detected in the artificially aged systems (

The internal structures and the hygroscopicity of bio-based boards consisting of giantreed (Arundo donax L.) and hazelnut shells as bio-aggregates, and a sodium silicate solution asthe adhesive, were investigated. The aim was to evaluate the influence of each material (the bio-aggregates and adhesive) and their distributions in the boards on the final performance. By carrying out X-ray computed tomography, the internal structures and the porosities of the boards were determined, allowing important considerations of their hygroscopicity. The voids

ETICS are multilayer building solutions applied to the building external walls to provide animproved thermal performance to the building envelope. However, several questions have beenraised concerning the durability of ETICS, namely related to biological colonisation phenomena.Considering the high susceptibility of ETICS to bio-colonisation, the following research questions arise: (i) what is the impact of surface temperature (ST) and surface relative humidity (SRH)fuctuation on mould growth in ETICS facades? (ii) is it possible to predict mould growth onETICS under fuctuating conditions considering favourable and unfavourable growth conditions?This study aims to investigate the infuence of the hygrothermal behaviour of five different ETICS(with thermal mortars and insulation boards) on mould growth. ETICS were exposed for one yearat an urban site in Lisbon, Portugal, facing North, during which the ST and the SRH weremonitored. Concurrently, numerical simulations were performed to evaluate the hygrothermalbehaviour of the ETICS. Three theoretical indices were applied, using numerically and experimmentally obtained values of ST and SRH as input to provide an indication of the risk of mould growth. The results were complemented and validated by assessing the bio-colonisation, water performance and aesthetic properties of the ETICS. Index 1 (percentage of time with SRH

The introduction of stored product insect pests to new areas is facilitated by food trade among countries, and effective detection and monitoring programs are crucial for food security. The khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts is one of the most destructive insect species. In Portugal, T. granarium has been detected in 1988. However, no new data has been added to this information since that date. Floor traps with pheromones specific to T. granarium were used and placed inside ports, mills, and storage facilities, including warehouses and silos, between June and September in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022.Previous results from other sampling programs conducted between 2002 and 2008 are also referred here to add more evidence for the presence or absence of T. granarium in Portugal. Here, various types of traps, including some generalists and others with pheromones (such as T. granarium), were used. The collected insects were identified to species, or genus.Surveys conducted identified approximately 40 insect species that are associated with stored products, in a total of 23.725 insects, and among them, the weevils belonging to the genus Sitophilus C.J.Schoenherr have been recognized as the main pests that affects stored cereals. Regarding the surveys made between 2017 and 2022 and previous surveys done in Portugal (between 2002 and 2008; n = 26.719 insects identified), no T. granarium individuals were detected in any of the entomological samples, and only a few Dermestidae specimens were found across all surveys, one of them belonging to the same genus, identified as Trogoderma inclusum LeConte. With the predicted changes in climate, there is a risk of introducing T. granarium and other destructive insect pests that could displace itophilus weevils as the key stored products pest in Portugal. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor and implement measures to prevent the spread of invasive pests for effective pest management and food security purposes, using proper trapping methods and accurate and rapid identification tools.

Arundo donax (giant reed or giant cane) is a widely available, perennial, invasive, non-food crop, present worldwide and employed for several uses, including building practices. Considering the increasing demand for sustainable building materials, A. donax can be an eficient solution. This study investigated its properties as a bio-aggregate mixed with a sodium silicate solution as an adhesive. A horizontal analysis that provided a general characterization of the composite was carried out. The results showed that the A. donax-based composite had anapparent density of 517 kg/m3 , thermal conductivity of 0.128 W/(m.K), and high hygroscopicity, with a moisture buffering value of 4.33 g/(m2 %RH), property that could be both an advantage for indoor comfort and a drawback. The uncommon sound absorption behaviour can be comparable to granular materials, with the highest sound absorption coeficient values,

Arundo donax (giant reed or giant cane) is a widely available, perennial, invasive, non-food crop, present worldwide and employed for several uses, including building practices. Considering the increasing demand for sustainable building materials, A. donax can be an efficient solution. This study investigated its properties as a bio-aggregate mixed with a sodium silicate solution as an adhesive. A horizontal analysis that provided a general characterization of the composite was carried out. The results showed that the A. donax-based composite had an apparent density of 517 kg/m3, thermal conductivity of 0.128 W/(m.K), and high hygroscopicity, with a moisture buffering value of 4.33 g/(m2 %RH), property that could be both an advantage for indoor comfort and a drawback. The uncommon sound absorption behaviour can be comparable to granular materials, with the highest sound absorption coefficient values,

The search for innovative and sustainable solutions to improve the energy efficiencyof the construction industry has been a hot topic for researchers due to the tremendous impactof insulator materials in the thermal comfort of buildings. In the present work, an innovativelightweight composite material with thermal insulation properties was developed, for the firsttime, by using cardoon particles and polyurethane. The formulation of the composite materialwas optimized in terms of cardoon fraction and the polyol/isocyanate ratio, to achieve the bestcompromise between internal bond (IB) strength and thickness swelling (TS). The best performing composite was PU75-CP45, with 45 wt% of cardoon particles and 75% of isocyanate, achieving an IB of 0.41 MPa and a TS of 5.3%. Regarding insulation properties, the PU75-CP45 composite material exhibits a promising performance when compared to conventional construction industry materials by tuning its thickness. Additionally, the composite material presented very low emissions of volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde (bellow to legislation levels) and high resistance to biological degradation

External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) are frequently used to enhance the energy efficiency of the built environment. However, stains of presumable biological nature are often detected shortly after application, causing cladding defacement and altering the building aesthetics. To address which microbiota could contribute to these biodeterioration related color/aesthetic anomalies, samples collected from stains detected on the surface of building facades with ETICS in three residential sites in Lisbon, Portugal, were analyzed throughmicrobiological culture-dependent technique and culture-independent amplicon DNA high throughput sequencing taxonomic profiling. The obtained data provided a comprehensive description of microbial communities assigned to diverse taxa of the major microbial groups of heterotrophic bacteria, fungi, cyanobacteria, and microalgae (through DNA plastid detection) in the sampled stains. Based on that, we propose that new microorganisms could be added to the list of bio-susceptibility testing organisms in ETICS. Furthermore, microbiota diversity depended more on facade location and cardinal orientation than on ETICS material composition. Overall, this study reveals the unique microbial communities of color/aesthetic biodeterioration stains in ETICS facades, unlike those of other surfaces, and the associated environmental dynamics.

Laboratory tests were carried out to evaluate the feasibility of producing boards or coating panels with good hygrothermal performance by using different agro-industrial wastes (grape and olive press wastes, hazelnut shells, spent coffee and pine) and adhesives (gypsum-based binder, sodium silicate solution and starch-based glue). Hygrothermal properties and resistance to mould growth, including the effect of citric acid, were evaluated. The results highlighted the benefits and drawbacks of each adhesive: the binder seems more adequate to produce bio-based plastering mortars than boards; the other adhesives seem efficient solutions to produce boards with good hygrothermal properties; for the natural glue the bio-susceptibility needs improvement.

Traditional carpentry joints can be found worldwide in many timber truss structures connectingrafter and tie beam. One failure mode of this connection result from shear in the tie beam beyond the notch either due to bad design or deterioration. In this article, the reduction in shear strength of Single Step Joints (SSJ) resulting from biological attack by anobiids was analysed. For this purpose, tests were carried out in non-degraded scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) specimens (reference) and compared to artificially degraded specimens with three different levels of degradation. The reduction of shear resistance was analysed in relation to the density of holes drilled during the degradation simulation, the loss of mass, and the reduction of the hearresistant area. At lower degradation levels, no significant reduction in shear strength was observed. On the other hand, the linear regression shows a trend of resistance reduction with increasing degradation. Despite the relatively low coefficient of determination (r2 = 0.25), the parameterthat best correlated with the residual strength was the reduction in the shear-resistant area.

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 revisão da Norma Portuguesa NP 550 (1969)

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de revisão da Norma Portuguesa NP 448 (1966)

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de Norma Portuguesa relativo ao ensaio de tracção 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.

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de revisão da Norma Portuguesa NP 740 (1969)

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de Norma Portuguesa contendo uma tabela com a indicação dos números de dureza Vickers a utilizar como resultado dos ensaios efectuados sobre superfícies planas de materiais metálicos, de acordo com a Norma NP 711-1. Este projecto 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 Norma Portuguesa contendo uma tabela com a indicação dos números de dureza Vickers a utilizar como resultado dos ensaios efectuados sobre superfícies planas de materiais metálicos, de acordo com a Norma NP 711-2. Este projecto 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 revisão da Norma Portuguesa NP 106 (1965)

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de revisão da Norma Portuguesa NP 141 (1958)

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de Norma Portuguesa relativo ao ensaio de dureza Rockwell de materiais metálicos planos de pequena espessura, escalas Bm e 30Tm, 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.

O presente trabalho apresenta um projecto de Norma Portuguesa relativo ao ensaio de dureza Rockwell superficial de materiais metálicos, escalas N e T, 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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