ENGENHARIA PARA A SOCIEDADE
Presentation
Presentation
António Tavares de Castro
Head of Unit
The Monitoring Unit develops research and technological development activities, using experimental, analytical, and numerical techniques, in the area of structural safety control of concrete and masonry dams and their foundations. These activities, carried out during the phases of construction, first filling of the reservoir, and operation, include studies in the following fields:
- Instrumentation
- Inspection of structures and monitoring systems
- Interpretation and behaviour analysis of concrete and masonry dams.
Activity
The main research topics developed in this Unit are related to:
- The hydromechanical behaviour of dam foundations.
- The experimental characterisation and numerical modelling of the rheological properties of concrete.
- Modelling the structural behaviour of concrete dams affected by expansive reactions.
- Decision support systems for evaluating the safety of large dams.
Within the scope of LNEC's regulatory attributions, this Unit monitors the behaviour of around 70 large Portuguese concrete and masonry dams, including the following activities:
- Preparation and review of observation plans, behaviour analysis and interpretation reports.
- Carrying out detailed inspections of the structures.
- Maintenance and operation of an information system related to the observation of dams.