Presentation
LNEC - Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (National Laboratory for Civil Engineering) is a public institute of Science and Technology (S&T), with the status of a State Laboratory that carries out research in all fields of civil engineering, giving it a unique multidisciplinary perspective.
LNEC's actions are guided by values aimed at public service, incorporated into a culture that calls for high standards of ethics, impartiality, and suitability. Continuous investment in innovation, in the improvement and dissemination of Knowledge, has enabled LNEC to respond to the constant evolution of Science and Technology.
Created in 1946 with an international vocation, its reputation soon crossed borders. LNEC has worked on all continents through leadership and partnership in consortia and research projects, Science and Technology studies and services, and organizing and participating in scientific events.
Mission
LNEC's mission is to undertake, coordinate, and promote scientific research and technological development, aiming for continuous improvement and the good practice of Civil Engineering. It is also LNEC’s responsibility to pursue the public interest, by providing services of Science and Technology to public and private, national and foreign entities, contributing to innovation, dissemination of Knowledge, and technology transfer.
It is also LNEC’s mission to assist the Government in the pursuit of public policies, and to provide technical support to the entities that constitute the Authority in the various sectors of Public Administration, in particular concerning:
- Quality and safety of works, persons, and assets;
- Protection and requalification of the natural and built heritage and
- Modernisation and technological innovation, particularly in the building sector.
Since its early days, LNEC has been establishing networks and partnerships with national and international entities, giving it the ability to promote and foster the globalization of Science and Knowledge, positioning LNEC as an important partner in its area of expertise.
Activity
As an independent and impartial R&D institute, LNEC's priority is to make Science, as to contribute to the creation, development, and dissemination of applied research in areas related to civil engineering, such as:
- Public works: dams, harbours, airfields, roads, and railways infrastructures
- Buildings
- Housing and urban planning
- Water resources, coastline, and environment
- Transport
- Materials, components, and other products for Industry.
LNEC activity essentially aims for the following objectives:
- Quality, safety, and economy of works
- Safety of persons and assets
- Protection and rehabilitation of natural and built heritage
- Technological modernisation and innovation.
The main activities of LNEC are the following:
Research and Innovation of a strategic nature, developed within research lines considered a priority due to their relevance at national and international levels.
Studies and consultancy, by providing advanced expert technical and advisory services, to public and private bodies, both national and foreign.
Promote quality in construction through the preparation of specifications, standards, and regulations, the approval and classification of new building materials and components, monitoring of works, certification of building projects under LNEC’s "Quality Mark" and testing.
In addition to the activities described above, LNEC develops knowledge dissemination actions and scientific and technical training, through the edition of scientific and technical documents, conducting specialized courses or other advanced training actions, organisation of scientific and technical meetings, both national and foreign, complemented by the publishing activity and the library.
Cooperation with various technical and scientific entities, domestic and foreign, in particular with scientific and technical associations, universities, and laboratories, is equally important to the activities developed by LNEC.
