Publicações

The out-of-plane flexural bending capacity of masonry is a fundamental property for understanding the behavior of masonry structures. This study investigates the behavior of unreinforced masonry wallettes subjected to combined compression-flexural loading using the discrete element method (DEM), and provides a novel framework to estimate the masonry strength. A simplified micro-modeling strategy is utilized to analyze a masonry wallette, including the variation of the mechanical properties in masonry units and joints. Stochastic DEM analyses are performed to simulate brickwork assemblages, assuming a strong unit-weak joint material model typical of most masonry buildings, including historical ones. Once the proposed computational approach is validated against the experimental findings, the effect of spatial and non-spatial variation of mechanical properties is explored. Two failure types are identified: joint failure and brick failure. For each failure mechanism, the variability of the response and the effects of the modeling parameters on the load-carrying capacity is quantified. Afterward, Lasso regression is employed to determine predictive equations in terms of the material properties and vertical pressure on the wallette. The results show that the most important parameters changing the response are the joint tensile strength and the amount of vertical stress for joint failure, whereas the unit tensile strength dominates the response for brick failure. Overall, this research proposes a novel framework adopting validated advanced computational models that feed on simple test results to generate data that is further utilized for training response prediction models for complex structures.

Discrete element models are being increasingly applied to model rock failure processes.Bonded-particle models, based on circular or spherical particle systems, have been successfully usedfor two decades. More recently, bonded-block models, using polygonal or polyhedral elements, have proven to be a powerful alternative. This paper describes the basis of the application of these models in the numerical simulation of failure in rock materials. The critical governing parameters are identified, and their influence is discussed. The model calibration procedure based on the analysis of laboratory tests is discussed. An application example of an underground excavation problem is presented using a simple bonded-block model employing rigid blocks and a bilinear softening contact model. The results show the capability of this approach to reproduce observed failure modes involving block fractures.

Masonry arches are a fundamental component of historical structures. The assessment of the vulnerability ofthese heritage constructions to seismic loading requires reliable and efficient numerical models. Discrete element models are an alternative to finite element models, being particularly effective in modelling collapse mechanisms created by shearing and separation of the units along the joints. Discrete element codes typically rely on explicit methods of integration of the equations of motion for dynamic analysis, which may require large run times when the recommended stiffness-proportional component of Rayleigh damping is applied. A novel approach is proposed using an alternative damping model, Maxwell damping, which involves placing multiple spring-dashpot elements in the joints, in parallel with the standard stiffness springs. This damping model is tested in the dynamic analysis of masonry arches, under pulse and earthquake loading. The results obtained in this early investigation show a good performance in the simulation of collapse under dynamic loads, in general agreement with the analyses conducted with classical stiffness-proportional damping, but reducing significantly the computational effort.

Rigid particle models based on the discrete element method (DEM) have been adopted to model creep, fracture, and the viscoelastic behaviour of asphalt mixtures considering an irregular micro-structure and particle contacts. Within a DEM framework, the Burgers contact model, which is known to have a narrow frequency and temperature range, is usually adopted to model viscoelastic properties. In this study, a new explicit three-dimensional generalised Kelvin (GK) contact model formulation for the DEM model is proposed for asphalt materials. The model is implemented following two different methodologies (GK and GK). The models are validated in uniaxial tension-compression sinusoidal tests for predicting the dynamic modulus () and phase angle (

Encapsulated rejuvenators embedded in asphalt mixtures are a promising technology toextend the service life of asphalt pavements. However, their effects on the asphalt mixture

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This paper describes the study of the metrological quality of the excitation force inthe context of force vibration test of concrete dams. For this purpose, a measurementuncertainty evaluation was performed, based on available probabilistic information about theinput quantities

A conjugação entre os modelos numéricos e os resultados observadosdo comportamento das obras é uma ferramenta fundamentalno apoio ao controle de segurança de grandes obras. A barragemdo Baixo Sabor possui um sistema de monitorização dinâmicaem continuo, e foram realizados dois ensaios de vibração forçadapara duas cotas de albufeira. Neste contexto foram desenvolvidosmodelos numéricos da barragem do Baixo Sabor incorporando oconjunto barragem-fundação-albufeira. Neste artigo, apresentamseos resultados dos modelos numéricos desenvolvidos para váriosníveis da albufeira comparando com os resultados experimentais.

The structural rehabilitation of historic/traditional rubble masonry wall constructionsrequires consolidation and retrofitting solutions to be employed in order to withstand dynamic loads,high vertical loads, and differential settlements. One of these strengthening techniques is basedon the use of steel bar connectors perpendicular to the wall, considered individually or integratedinto more complex strengthening techniques. The aim of this study is to evaluate numerically thestrengthening effect of transverse steel connectors on rubble masonry walls. With this purpose, a 2Dparticle-reinforced model (2D-PMR) was devised and applied to model uniaxial compression tests.The results presented show that predictions calculated using the proposed 2D-PMR model are veryclose to known experimental results, particularly in the corresponding failure modes, the increase ofthe maximum uniaxial compression value, and ductility. Parametric studies are also conducted byvarying the diameter of the steel bars and the level of strengthening to assess the influence of thebar-bond effect and lateral plates. The presented parametric numerical studies show that (i) a two-level strengthening solution guarantees a similar response to the three-level strengthening solutionadopted in the experiments; (ii) it is not relevant to apply a grout injection during the applicationprocess of the steel connectors if lateral plates are adopted; and (iii) the 2D-PMR model can be usedin the definition of the steel bar diameter and properties; as shown, a smaller (8 mm) bar diameterpredicts a similar strengthening effect to the (12 mm) bar size adopted in the experiments. Given theperformance of the proposed 2D-PMR model, further work is underway that will allow the 2D-PMRmodel to numerically assess other reinforcement techniques, namely, reinforced micro-concrete layersand textile reinforced mortar.

he current first generation of Eurocodes is a suite of ten Euro-pean standards for the design of buildings and civil engineeringworks, whose implementation started in 2010. EN 1990 sets thebasis of structural design, with the other Eurocodes dealingwith different materials and specific aspects of design. Geo-technical aspects of design are covered by EN 1997

Os sistemas de monitorização da condição estrutural baseados em vibrações têm sidoimplementados com sucesso em diversas estruturas de engenharia civil, como pontes, coberturas deestádios e geradores eólicos, fornecendo dados importantes sobre o seu comportamento dinâmico epermitindo o estabelecimento de metodologias de deteção de danos com base na evolução daspropriedades modais. Aliando este conhecimento ao surgimento de sensores de baixo ruído edigitalizadores de alta resolução, surgiu a oportunidade de implementar sistemas de monitorizaçãodinâmica contínua em barragens e assim validar a adequação destes sistemas à monitorização destetipo de estruturas, com o objetivo de detetar danos.A deteção de um comportamento estrutural anormal, que pode indicar a ocorrência de dano, podeser baseada em diagramas de controlo e está associada a alterações nos valores dos parâmetrosmodais que, não sendo explicadas por outros fenómenos físicos, sugerem uma alteração na rigidezda estrutura. Para testar estas ferramentas estatísticas, os parâmetros modais obtidos a partir deséries temporais medidas diretamente na estrutura podem ser alterados com danos simuladosnumericamente.Neste contexto, a capacidade de diagramas de controlo para identificar o surgimento decomportamentos estruturais anormais em barragens é estudada neste trabalho usando dadosobtidos a partir da monitorização dinâmica contínua da barragem do Baixo Sabor, uma barragem debetão de um aproveitamento hidroelétrico que começou a operar no final de 2015. Não sendoexpectável detetar danos numa estrutura tão recente, um conjunto de cenários de danos plausíveisfoi simulado usando um modelo numérico, tendo a influência nas propriedades dinâmicas dabarragem sido usada para contaminar os valores das frequências naturais obtidas da monitorizaçãocontínua.

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In this paper, a critical comparison of two of the most common methods for theanalysis of masonry vaults up to collapse is carried on. Innovative 2D Discrete Element (DE)and Finite Element (FE) models have been adopted aiming at capturing the main features ofmasonry single curvature structures mechanical behavior. Two numerical strategies areadopted: a discrete element model and a continuous homogenized model. The first approachprovides an estimate of the collapse load and failure pattern of masonry based on ad-hocimplemented algorithm. The second approach is formulated in the framework of multi-surfaceplasticity and implemented in a FE code for the path-following non-linear analysis of masonrywall described as continuous anisotropic plate. The two numerical approaches are adopted toreproduce the Experimental Campaign of a full-scale Catalan vault with buttresses and backfill,statically loaded at 1/3 span. The failure modes and the crack patterns obtained by the proposedmodels are compared between them and with that observed in the experimental test as well asthe load-displacement response curves. Both the proposed models efficiently capture thebehavior of the vault and, in particular, the backfill deformation and load-spreading effect,hinges position and formation order.

It is known that the initially proposed circular/spherical rigid particle models are not able to match the ratio of the compressive strength to tensile strength that occurs in rock and the predicted macroscopic friction angle was much lower than the known hard rock experimental values. For this reason, several enhancements have been proposed to address these issues, namely the use of a clumped particle logic, the increase of the number of contacts per particle, the adoption of polygonal/polyhedral grain structures. A flexible 2D DEM based particle model that allows deformable particles to interact in a simplified away is presented. The flexible particle model is tested using biaxial tests and Brazilian tests. The results obtained are compared with those obtained with a rigid particle model with similar contact strength properties and with a flexible particle model, where the flexibility is due to the inner discretization of the grain with smaller particles. The results show that the proposed flexible particle model can predict a behaviour similar to a flexible particle model through inner particle discretization that is more computationally demanding. It is also shown that when compared with a rigid model, the flexible model predicts more reasonable indirect tensile strength to direct tensile strength ratio and requires a smaller value of contact fracture energy to give a good agreement with known experimental data.

A modelação da interação, sob excitações dinâmicas, do corpo da barragem com a albufeira éimportante na análise do comportamento da barragem sob ações sísmicas e na análise einterpretação da resposta dinâmica da estrutura sob excitação ambiente e em ensaios de vibraçãoforçada. Nesta comunicação é analisada a interação barragem-albufeira, considerando que o corpoda barragem apresenta aceleração constante no tempo.São estudadas duas barragens gravidade para dois valores de inclinação do paramento de montante,e uma barragem com geometria tipo abóbada. As distribuições de pressão hidrodinâmicas obtidas noparamento de montante são comparadas com a solução experimental proposta por Zangar, para ocaso das barragens gravidade de paramento inclinado, e com a distribuição teórica proposta porWestergaard, para o caso da barragem tipo abóbada.Os resultados numéricos obtidos permitem concluir que um modelo de fluido em deslocamentospermite obter uma solução estável para as geometrias estudadas, em particular quando se utilizamelementos hexahédricos de oito nós subintegrados. Conclui-se também que, em malhastridimensionais irregulares, em barragens gravidade com inclinação significativa e em barragensabóbada, o valor a adotar para o coeficiente de penalização de modo a minimizar os modos decirculação deve ser avaliado cuidadosamente. Demonstra-se ainda a importância do refinamento damalha da albufeira na vizinhança do paramento.

Measured response of a large arch dam. Comparison with FE results

Nesta comunicação apresenta-se a modelação de paredes de alvenaria de pedra tradicionalrecorrendo a um modelo de partículas (MP) 2D, baseado no método dos elementos discretos, quetem sido adotado na modelação da fratura em materiais quase-frágeis. Nesta abordagem numérica,os elementos constituintes da estrutura de alvenaria, pedras e a argamassa, são entendidos comosendo formados por um esqueleto de agregados de várias dimensões em contacto direto, comligações do tipo coesivo, que permitem ao esqueleto de agregados suportar forças de tração. Odesenvolvimento dos modelos numéricos apresentados teve por base os modelos experimentaisdesenvolvidos e ensaiados pelo segundo autor [1].Após uma descrição sucinta do modelo numérico, apresenta-se os ensaios experimentais adotadoscomo referência dos estudos numéricos realizados. Descreve-se a metodologia de geração dosmodelos numéricos representativos da estrutura de alvenaria de pedra e apresenta-se o processo decalibração das propriedades dos contactos pedra-pedra e argamassa-argamassa, de modo a se obteruma resposta elástica e resistente próxima da pedra e da argamassa, alcançada nos ensaiosexperimentais.Em seguida são simulados ensaios de compressão simples com base nos parâmetros de contactodefinidos no processo de calibração. Dos ensaios numéricos, verifica-se que, com base nosparâmetros calibrados, os valores de rigidez e de resistência máxima obtida numericamente são daordem de grandeza dos valores obtidos experimentalmente. Os estudos apresentados demonstramque, após calibração dos parâmetros de contacto, os modelos MP permitem representar, com baseem modelos de interação simples, o processo de formação e propagação de fendas em paredes dealvenaria de pedra tradicional, a rigidez, a ductilidade e o valor da carga máxima.

têm sido adotados no estudo da fratura e propriedades viscoelásticas do mastique e dasmisturas betuminosas a partir da representação de uma microestrutura irregular e doscontactos partícula-partícula. Nesse sentido, este trabalho apresenta um modelo departículas tridimensional baseado nos diagramas de Laguerre-Voronoi da estruturagranular para o estudo da viscoelasticidade dos mastiques betuminosos. Dos modelosde contacto existentes, o modelo de Burger é o mais utilizado na análise dos materiaisbetuminosos. Contudo, este modelo apresenta limitações na previsão de propriedadesdinâmicas numa ampla variedade de frequências. Para isso, um modelo de contacto dotipo generalizado de Kelvin (GK) foi desenvolvido para a representação dos contactosviscoelásticos. Este modelo, composto por uma parcela elástica, uma parcelaviscoelástica e uma parcela visco-plástica, é baseado numa formulação incremental, emque o incremento de deslocamento resulta num incremento de força. A conversão daspropriedades macroscópicas, obtidas a partir do ajuste de resultados experimentais emmastiques, em parâmetros de contacto e a respetiva calibração são apresentados. Osmastiques foram submetidos a ensaios cíclicos com carregamento sinusoidal paravalidar o modelo em diferentes temperaturas e frequências. Verificou-se que ocomportamento reológico obtido com o modelo de contacto foi bem previsto. Por fim, osresultados reológicos obtidos com o modelo GK e o modelo de Burger foramcomparados. Como esperado, o modelo de contacto GK apresentou uma melhorresposta quando comparado aos resultados obtidos experimentalmente. Estudos docomportamento dinâmico em misturas betuminosas estão em andamento.

Modelos híbridos de separação de efeitos do tipo HSCT-FE para estudo do comportamento de barragens abóbada

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Masonry is a combination of units such as stones, bricks or blocks usually laid in a cementitious or limemortar. It is probably the oldest material used in construction and has proven to be both simple to buildand durable. Over the years, existing masonry constructions have inevitably suffered damage with time.Earthquakes, soil settlements, material degradation and lack of maintenance are the main reasons forthat. Careful and periodic assessment of such structures is necessary in order to evaluate their structuralcapacity and safety levels. However, performing the structural analysis of masonry construction is notan easy task. A review is presented of the main models based on the discrete element method and the available related numerical techniques that have been proposed for the analysis of masonry. The essential assumptions adopted by these models and numerical implementation issues are discussed. Differences between available models are illustrated by applications to various masonry problems including static and dynamic analysis of masonry arch bridges, walls, vaults, domes and ancient colonnades.This book is composed of 17 chapters authored/co-authored by 25 outstanding researchers from 11countries (Canada, France, Greece, Hungary, Iran,Italy, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, UK, USA), whichwere reviewed by 60 referees.

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This chapter consists of two parts. First a general overview is given: the exact definition of the Discrete Element Method is provided, and the main types of existing models are introduced; then the theoretical fundaments of the most important approaches available today for masonry analysis are given. The second part of the chapter focuses on 3DEC, the most widespread commercial DEM code for masonry analysis. This second part begins with a theoretical overview. Application issues for masonry structures are then considered (block material behaviour, contact representation, structural elements like cables or bars etc.). Among the practical examples arches, barrel vaults, walls, coloumns and complete structures (like houses) are presented, including the issues of quasi-static versus dynamic analysis and of block fracture as well. The readers can find helpful advice on how to simulate their own problems most effectively.

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Discrete element models have become a major tool for masonry analysis, allowing a suitable representation of its discontinuous nature and marked nonlinear behaviour. The chapter reviews the fundamental assumptions of the main DEM formulations available. It focuses more specifically on the widely used UDEC and 3DEC codes, explaining their relation with the other approaches, and the most relevant issues arising in their application to masonry. Applications to the main types of structures are reviewed, considering both static and dynamic analyses. Recent research providing comparisons of the numerical models with experimental and field data is particularly covered. The discussion of the different examples is aimed at clarifying the key capabilities of DEM and demonstrating the most effective ways of using it in a variety of masonry analysis situations.

This chapter is focused on the Portuguese experience on the developmentand exploration of systems for continuously monitoring dam vibrations, usingaccelerometers. The pioneer system for seismic and structural health monitoring(SSHM) installed in Cabril dam (the highest Portuguese arch dam: 132 m high) isdescribed in detail. The design of this system was the result of a long-term LNECresearch program, still ongoing. These monitoring systems should include softwaredeveloped to automatically perform the analysis of collected data, including theautomatic comparison with numerical results from 3DFE models. In view of thegood results obtained with the system in operation in Cabril dam since 2008, similarsystems have been installed in other large dams in Portugal, particularly in recentlybuilt dams. Finally, Baixo Sabor dam is presented as an example of a new Portuguesedam with a complete SSHM system, in operation since 2015. Themain experimentalresults obtained for both dams are shown, namely the evolution of natural frequenciesover time, mode shapes and the measured seismic response to earthquake events.

Para verificação do cumprimento das exigências de segurança das barragens,tanto relativamente à funcionalidade (cenários correntes), como em relação àsegurança ao colapso (cenários de rotura), é essencial utilizar modelos de simulação oude interpretação (no caso de obras existentes) do seu comportamento. Estes modelossão idealizações (simplificações) da realidade, tanto no que diz respeito às acções(modelos das acções), como no que respeita à componente estrutural (modelos estruturais).A solução destes modelos, através de adequados métodos de análise, quantificaparâmetros da resposta das estruturas que permitem avaliar a sua segurança, utilizandocritérios de segurança previamente definidos.A validação destes modelos pode ser feita, no caso de cenários correntes,através da sua comparação com os resultados da observação do comportamento debarragens. No caso de cenários de rotura, não existe muita experiência de comparaçãodestes resultados com situações reais: é pequeno o número de acidentes ocorrido e,mesmo nestes, o volume de informação é reduzido. Desta forma, o recurso a métodosexperimentais, para o estudo de cenários de rotura, tem uma importância acrescida.Assim o principal objectivo deste trabalho é contribuir para melhorar a capacidade deavaliação da segurança de barragens de betão envolvendo cenários de rotura pela fundação.Neste trabalho desenvolveram-se dois ensaios experimentais em modelosfísicos: um primeiro envolvendo uma barragem abóbada, para o estudo de cenários derotura da fundação para acções estáticas; e um segundo de uma barragem gravidadeensaiado em mesa sísmica, com vista a estudar a rotura pela fundação para acçõesdinâmicas.A previsão e interpretação dos ensaios foram efectuadas com modelosmatemáticos adequados, que permitiram a sua validação e posterior utilização no estudode outros cenários.

Neste relatório apresenta-se, de forma sucinta, a descrição da atividade de investigação realizada no âmbito do projeto DEMRock6m do P2I/LNEC 2013-2020. Os resultados da atividade desenvolvida são analisados e avaliados em face dos objetivos inicialmente previstos.

Neste relatório apresenta-se, de forma sucinta, a descrição da atividade de investigação realizada no âmbito do projeto MEBAD do P2I/LNEC 2013-2020, no período 2016-2023. Os resultados da atividade são analisados e avaliados, em face dos objetivos previstos.

Neste relatório apresenta-se, de forma sucinta, a descrição da atividade de investigação realizada no âmbito do projeto RockGeoStat do P2I/LNEC 2013-2020. Os resultados da atividade desenvolvida são analisados e avaliados em face dos objetivos inicialmente previstos.

The main goal of this report is to present DamDamage3D1.0, a 3D finite element-based program for non-linear static analysis of arch dams, developed using MATLAB. The non-linear simulations are performed using a damage law and an iterative numerical method based on the stress-transfer technique, considering the redistribution of unbalanced forces in each iteration due to material damage. The concrete

The main goal of this report is to present DamDamage3D1.0, a 3D finite element-based program for non-linear static analysis of arch dams, developed using MATLAB. The non-linear simulations are performed using a damage law and an iterative numerical method based on the stress-transfer technique, considering the redistribution of unbalanced forces in each iteration due to material damage. The concrete

In this work we present the version 1.0 of the GDams2D 1.0 program developed for 2D analysis of gravity dams using the finite element method. This initial version of the program is prepared to analyze the structural behavior of gravity dams for static loads, considering linear-elastic behavior, and using Lagrange finite elements of 4 sides, with 9 nodal points. The GDams2D 1.0 program, developed in MATLAB, includes a module for automatic generation of meshes with a great level of refinement (generated from coarse meshes of quadrilaterals, with 4 nodal points at the vertices) and is designed for easy adaptation to non-linear analyzes, using stress-transfer modules such as those recently developed for the DamSlide3D and DamDamage3D programs. After a brief reference to the fundamentals of solid mechanics and to the simplified hypotheses of plane elasticity, the Fundamentals of the Finite Element Method (FEM) are presented, referring in particular the formulation of the four-node, linear and isoparametric, finite element (FE4nos), with two translation d.o.f per node, and the quadrangular FEs of 9 nodes (FE9nos) used in GDams2D 1.0. Based on some examples of application to simple 2D structures whose response is knownanalytically, the advantages of FEs are emphasized in relation to FE4nos and the verification and operability of GDams2D 1.0 is made using various discretizations. Finally, the case of a gravity dam (25 m high) is presented. The dam

The main objective of this work is the development and presentation of a three-dimensional finite element program, DamSlide3D, to study the behavior of gravity dams for scenarios of sliding through the dam-foundation interface. The DamSlide3D, developed using MATLAB, includes cube-type finite elements with 20 nodal points ("serendipity") and finite interface elements with 16 nodal points (joint elements). Initially, we present the fundamental equations of Solid Mechanics, referring to the main simplified hypotheses considered in the computationally implemented formulation, which is presented mathematically as a problem of boundary values using a displacement formulation. For the structure body and for the foundation, the hypothesis of isotropic materials with linear elastic behavior is assumed and for the interfaces the hypothesis of non-linear behavior is considered using the Mohr- Coulomb criterion. The DamSlide3D input data is provided in an excel file and includes structure geometry data, material properties, support conditions and load parameters. As output, the program graphically displays the stress field (principal stresses) and the displacement field (deformed structure). The program was verified throughout three numerical tests with known theoretical solutions. In these tests a simple structure was used, composed by a column discretized in 3DFE. At the contact surface between the column and the base (horizontal surface) it was considered an interface discretized using joint finite elements. A plane surface that crosses the column with a given slope is also considered, discretized using the same type of joint finite elements. In the first test, the field of elastic stresses at the base, due to self-weight (SW) and hydrostatic pressure (HP), was compared with the theoretical results. In the second test the nonlinear column response was studied for different values of thefriction angle at the inclined interface (in this test the structure is only submitted to SW). In the third test, for the main SW + HP loads, the stability of the column is studied for a variation of the friction angle, and for a variation of the water level. In these three numerical tests the results were always consistent with the theoretical solutions. Finally, as an example of application, a gravity dam structural behavior was analyzed considering the non-linear behavior in the dam-foundation interface. The dam was subjected to self-weight and hydrostatic pressure. A parametric study was developed in order to study the dam stability for differentvalues of water level and friction angle.

Neste relatório apresenta-se, de forma sucinta, a descrição da atividade de investigação realizada no âmbito do projeto CoMatFail até ao final de 2017. É feita a apreciação da atividade desenvolvida, nomeadamente quanto ao grau de cumprimento do plano de trabalhos, bem como dos objetivos específicos e dos indicadores de desempenho propostos na ficha de projeto. São ainda referidas as aplicações dos resultados da investigação em trabalhos contratados ao LNEC e as candidaturas a financiamento externo desenvolvidas no âmbito do projeto. Inclui-se em anexo a ficha do projeto atualizada, que contempla a revisão do plano de trabalhos.

Neste relatório apresenta-se de forma sucinta a descrição da atividade de investigação realizada no âmbito do projeto DEMRock6m no período 2016-2017. Os resultados da atividade são analisados e avaliados em face dos objetivos inicialmente previstos, sendo proposta uma revisão do plano de atividades para os próximos três anos.

Neste relatório apresenta-se, de forma sucinta, a descrição da atividade de investigação realizada no âmbito do projeto RockGeoStat no período 2016-2017. Os resultados da atividade são analisados e avaliados em face dos objetivos inicialmente previstos, sendo proposto um prolongamento do projeto até ao final de 2018.

This document presents a back analysis procedure for identification of the elastic parameters of transversely isotropic rock cores, containing an overcoring triaxial strain probe, from the strains measured during a biaxial test. A three-dimensional finite element model was developed to simulate the biaxial test on the overcored rock specimen and to compute the strains at the location of the strain gauges. Different optimisation algorithms were tested and the most suitable one was selected. The back analysis procedure was tested for identification of the five elastic parameters and the two orientation angles that characterise a transversely isotropic rock core. In spite that, with the developed methodology, convergence was reached and all those parameters could be identified, sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the results obtained were not stable and therefore they were not reliable. By introducing constrains based on common practice and previous experience, a stable and robust methodology was achieved: the three elastic parameters, E1, E2 and ?2, are reliably identified using the value of G2 calculated with Saint-Venant’s expression and a fixed value of ?1, while the orientation parameters are obtained from observation of overcored rock. Analysis of the results shows that application of this methodology represents an enormous step forward when compared with the traditional use of isotropy. Besides, the methodology is general and can also be used with other types of overcoring equipment. The five elastic parameters and the two orientation angles obtained can then be used, together with the overcoring strains, to compute the complete in situ state of stress.

This document presents the work developed by the PhD student Margarida Espada in the scope of the course unit Risk Analysis in Geotechnical Works of the Doctoral Program in Civil Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP). This work presents a reliability analysis, using the response surface method (RSM), for the case study of the left bank excavation slopes of the Baihetan arch dam foundation, which is one of the case studies of Margarida Espada's PhD thesis. The aim was to approximate an implicit limit state function by computing safety factors, using a discrete element model of the Baihetan left bank developed in 3DEC software, where the shear strength parameters of two important rock discontinuities were considered as random variables. The probability of failure was then obtained through an iterative process, using approximation methods. This work presents the 3DEC model developed to analyse the stability conditions in the Baihetan left bank and the results of the reliability analysis.

O problema da solução das equações de Navier Stokes é abordado neste trabalhopropondo-se uma técnica de representação das incógnitas deslocamentos e pressõesvariáveis no espaço e no tempo em série de Delta de Dirac e suas derivadas no tempocujos coeficientes se determinam com base na solução de sistemas de equaçõesdiferenciais definidos no espaço (problema com três variáveis espaciais independentesque pode ser estudado pelo método de Monge).

Neste relatório apresentam-se as equações básicas da elastodinâmica linear, as soluçõesfundamentais e o teorema da representação no domínio de tempo e de frequência.Para movimentos finitos de casca formula-se o teorema dos trabalhos virtuais e a suaimplementação pelo método dos elementos finitos.

Neste relatório apresentam-se os principais aspectos da modelação sísmica de barragensabóbada. Assim propõe-se: modelos numéricos de geração de sismos por uma falha; aforma como o sismo actua na barragem; modelos para estudar a influência da albufeirana vibração do conjunto; métodos para solução das equações do movimento; e novasformulações de elementos finitos para o problema estrutural.

In pressure tunnels and shafts, in addition to the mechanical effect that excavation has on the rock mass and the disturbance that it introduces in the water flow, also the contained water can interact from the mechanical and hydraulic points of view with the rock mass. Seepage in fractured rock masses is dominated by the flow that takes place through the joints, and this is highly d(;pendent on their properties, namely aperture and roughness. Joint aperture, in tum, i::; very sensitive to stress changes. Special attention must therefore be paid to the joints in hydromechanical analyses. In this report are presented some studies that were carried out for the hydromechanical characterization of joints of the Alto Lindoso rock mass and numerical simulations of the hydromechanical behaviour of two selected sections of the high pressure circuit.