Presentation
Presentation
Luis Nolasco Lamas
Head of Unit
The Modelling and Rock Mechanics Unit develops scientific research, studies, and consultancy in the area of concrete and masonry dams, including their foundations and associated underground works, as well as in the area of rock engineering.
Its activity focuses on the study of the behaviour of these works using numerical models and experimental methodologies and on the characterisation of the properties of rock masses.
The Modelling and Rock Mechanics Unit is heir to the pioneering activity of Manuel Rocha in what concerns research in the fields of physical and mathematical modelling, rock mechanics and dam foundations (see publication).
The Unit has a multidisciplinary team of eight researchers and four technicians. It has advanced numerical capabilities, combining in-house developments and commercial use packages, as well as relevant experimental equipment for rock mechanics testing.
Activity
The Unit’s activity has an important research component and is strongly linked to the works, whether through studies and consultancy to support the design and construction or during the life of the works.
The main areas of activity are:
· Development and exploration of numerical models for the mechanical, thermal and hydraulic behaviour of continuous and discontinuous media.
· Numerical modelling of the behaviour of concrete and masonry dams, their foundations and underground works, under static and dynamic actions (see document).
· Physical modelling, until failure, of concrete dams and their foundations, under static and dynamic actions.
· Monitoring of the dynamic behaviour of structures and their characterisation by forced vibration and ambient noise tests.
· Observation, interpretation of the behaviour and safety assessment of concrete and masonry dams, their foundations and underground works in rock masses.
· In situ characterisation of rock masses using deformability tests and stress determination methods (see document).
· Laboratory characterisation of the deformability and strength of rock specimens and discontinuities, by the Rock Mechanics Unit.