Artigos de Revista

The toxicity of building materials can be addressed in the areas of occupational and environmental toxicology. In the first case, the harmful effects to workers caused by exposure to a specific substance during building materials production are analysed. In the latter case, the toxic effects of that substance on living organisms in the biosphere is examined. Several studies have been developed analysing the environmental impact of concrete production, considering a significant number of concrete constituents and different compositions, in order to find ways of minimizing it. On the other hand, only a few studies are focused on the toxicity area. Some of the traditional constituents of concrete may be potentially hazardous, presenting different levels of toxicity. Still, and in order to reduce the potential environmental impact, studies have already started on the incorporation of alternative raw materials, which may affect concrete toxicity. Thus, it is important to develop a greater number of concrete toxicity studies analysing different mixes and constituents, in order to identify several ways of minimizing the potential toxicity of this construction material. The ecotoxicological characterization of materials is based on the analysis of the eluates resulting from leaching tests. There are several researches that apply different experimental leaching procedures according to existing standards and others with some variations in the standard test conditions: particle size, duration of the test, among others. Different procedures and results of the leaching tests of recycled concrete aggregates from previous studies will be presented and discussed in this paper.

Procura-se apontar a possibilidade e a oportunidade de se seguirem outros caminhos na concepção dos espaços habitacionais privados que não sejam os que são, habitualmente, associados, tantas vezes de forma quase exclusiva, a aspectos específicos de funcionalidade e mesmo de alguma

No artigo desenvolve-se uma reflexão geral sobre os subespaços da habitação, seguindo-se uma perspectiva de

No artigo faz-se uma reflexão livre e uma apresentação comentada relativamente ao livro de Xavier Monteys intitulado

This paper describes the use of non-destructive methods to assess the mechanical properties of structural glued laminated timber made from poplar. The longitudinal vibration method and transformed section method were considered. Full-scale tests were also performed to determine the most relevant mechanical properties of 18 beams, namely modulus of elasticity and bending strength. In addition, the bonding performance of each beam was checked by delamination and shear strength tests. Detailed analysis of the results was performed and combined with Levene's and Tukey's tests. The accuracy of the two non-destructive test methods was evaluated by linear regression analysis. The transformed section method showed stronger correlations with modulus of elasticity and shear strength. Slightly lower values were presented by the longitudinal vibration method. A strength class of GL24c can be assigned for glued laminated poplar made with timber with lower properties at the inner lamellas.

O HIDRALERTA é um sistema de previsão, alerta e avaliação do risco de galgamentos/inundação em zonas costeiras e portuárias, partindo da utilização de medições/previsões da agitação marítima para calcular o galgamento/inundação nessas zonas. O cálculo dos caudais médios galgados sobre uma estrutura marítima é efetuado através de ferramentas neuronais e/ou fórmulas empíricas, que não permitem definir a distribuição espacial desse caudal atrás da estrutura.Este artigo apresenta a aplicação ao porto/baía da Praia da Vitória, Açores, de um método expedito para modelar essa distribuição espacial, recorrendo a ferramentas SIG. Foi estabelecida uma relação entre a cota de inundação e o volume galgado de água através da utilização de um modelo digital de terreno. Este trabalho representa um primeiro passo na elaboração de um mapa de risco associado ao galgamento costeiro.

Urban flooding occurrence has significant impacts and negative effects that require an adequate assessment, taking into consideration the different consequences associated with them. This study proposes a methodology based on the development and use of a 1D/2D integrated mathematical modelling and subsequent application of the technical performance assessment to support the flood management in estuarine margins. The 1D/2D integrated modelling is developed using the combination of Mike Urban and Mike Flood software through the application of the Overland Flow tool. The performance assessment in stormwater systems is based on the application of performance indicators (PIs) using the information provided by 1D and 1D/2D integrated modelling. The set of PIs includes a part from the system of the IWA for wastewater services, those that are applicable to flooding management of stormwater systems; another part corresponds to some new PIs proposed, based on the modelling capabilities (1D and 1D/2D). The advantages and disadvantages of the use of information obtained from 1D/2D modelling in comparison to 1D modelling is also analysed. The methodology was tested and validated for the Dafundo case study, where the risk of flooding occurrence is focused on the downtown catchment area.