Presentation
Presentation
Conceição Juana Fortes
Head of Unit
Since its foundation in 1949, the Ports and Maritime Structures Center (NPE) has been carrying out extensive planned and contract research into the design, safety and operation of structures in maritime, port and coastal areas. To this end, different methodologies and techniques are used for numerical modeling (including empirical formulas and neural network tools), physical modeling, observation and monitoring of maritime works and in-situ measurement of physical variables.
In order to meet these objectives, the NPE employs specialized staff with multidisciplinary training, computer equipment and many mathematical models for numerical modelling of wave generation, propagation, wave-structure interaction, ship behavior, and probabilistic risk assessment for breakwaters and dune erosion, as well as uses large testing facilities, occupied by tanks and flumes, where two-dimensional and three-dimensional studies are conducted on stability, overtopping of maritime and coastal structures, wave propagation, and other relevant variables.
Activity
Physical modelling, where two-dimensional and three-dimensional studies are performed, such as stability and overtopping of harbour and coastal structures, wave pressure in maritime structures wave propagation and deformation in maritime, harbour and coastal areas, ships’ behaviour when moored and wave energy converter performance.
Numerical modelling, where numerical model studies of wave generation, propagation and transformation, wave-structure interaction, ships’ behaviour in manoeuvring and when moored and probabilistic assessment of risks associated with stability and overtopping of breakwaters and dune erosion are developed and applied, along with integrated systems, combining numerical models, neural networks and empirical formulae.
Observation and monitoring of maritime structures, a systematic observation programme of maritime structures in Portugal to characterize, its current, evolution and risk conditions. At present, drones are concomitantly used to obtain aerial surveys to adjoin information gathered by visual observation campaigns, with more detailed and more accurate quantitative and qualitative information on the structural health of the observed structures.
In-situ measurement of physical variables, to obtain data for validating numerical and/or empirical models through "in situ" measurements of wave characteristics near maritime structures and at beaches.