Presentation
Presentation
António Correia
Head of Unit
The Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics Unit conducts research and consultancy activities in the fields of Earthquake Engineering, from applied seismology up to seismic risk assessment and mitigation, and Wind Engineering.
The Unit provides a dynamic and cooperative scientific environment, openly collaborating with the national and international community, namely for experimental activities in its seismic testing facility and in its wind tunnels for aerodynamic testing. This results in an intense research activity, funded by public and private entities or under multiple research projects.
This research activity contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of Earthquake and Wind Engineering and supports specialised consultancy studies. It also supports the development of seismic regulations at the national and European levels, with the Unit holding the European secretariat of Eurocode 8.
Activity
The Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics Unit activity is developed in the following main areas:
Earthquake Engineering:
- Seismic hazard characterisation and numerical and stochastic modeling of seismic actions
- Structural vulnerability and seismic risk assessment of essential infrastructures (e.g. buildings and bridges)
- Development of simulation tools, seismic risk assessment at a regional level, and cost-effectiveness analysis of risk mitigation strategies
- Seismic testing for structural performance assessment and assisted development of seismic strengthening and retrofitting techniques
- In situ experimental assessment of the dynamic behaviour of structures
- Seismic qualification studies of structural and non-structural systems and equipment
- Development of national and European seismic regulations
Wind Engineering:
- Aerodynamic stability evaluation and characterisation of wind actions on non-conventional structures
- Vulnerability assessment of structures and mitigation solutions for extreme wind actions
- Characterisation of atmospheric flow and assessment of wind potential and discomfort conditions
- Natural ventilation studies