Papers

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The paper presents a new semi-destructive method for obtaining a prediction of the tension parallel to the grain properties of clear wood of structural timber members. This method is less intrusive than otherexisting methods and consists in extracting four small specimens along the length of the timber members. The tension strength and stiffness obtained is intended to be used as input data for the assessment of timber members in situ. Since the method only provides information regarding clear wood, it will have to be used together with other non- or semi-destructive methods that could accommodate the effect of defects on the loss of clear wood properties. The validation of the method was carried out by a comparison with results obtained from a standard method used for determination of clear wood properties. The results show a good agreement between stiffness values but a medium agreement in the case of tensionstrength.

This paper presents the new boundary condition implemented in the LNEC SPH numerical model based on theSPHysics model and on a standard Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamic formulation: the piston-type wave maker includesnow dynamic wave absorption and allows simulating a semi-infinite flume. Verification of the active wave makerabsorption is carried out through the simulation of the interaction between a regular incident wave and an impermeablevertical breakwater. Results show that the active wave-maker allows outgoing waves to be absorbed and reflection at thewave-maker to be avoided

Bridge falsework systems are frequently used during the construction, rehabilitation and retrofit works of bridgestructures. These structures have a significant impact on the cost, construction rate and construction safety of thesupported permanent structures. However, the relevant stakeholders often do not consider them to be as importantas permanent structures, and in recent years a high number of accidents involving bridge falsework systems havebeen reported, particularly in the developing world. In order to increase the safety and the efficiency of these systemsit is certainly beneficial to learn from past failures. In this paper, a survey of the failures of bridge falsework systemssince 1970 is presented. The data will provide useful statistics for risk assessments when considering the potentialconsequences associated with failures of bridge falsework systems.

Microtextures in quartz attributed to aeolian transport, principally bulbous edges and abrasion fatigue haveseldom been tested in the laboratory under controlled conditions. A wind tunnel experiment was conducted,using glass spheres (>70% SiO2) as a proxy for quartz, with the objective of determining the extent of mechanicaldamage to silica/glass transported in a mixture with quartz beach sand.

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A paradigm shift is required towards managing urban water services in a more integrated and efficient way, which includes the use of advanced asset management in order to ensure high quality and adequate water supplies in the future. Here, Helena Alegre, Dídia Covas, Sérgio T Coelho, Maria do Céu Almeida and Maria Adriana Cardoso present the AWARE-P R & D project, which aims to produce adequate and effective support tools for assisting urban water utilities in decision making and rehabilitation planning.

Este artigo aborda a análise comparativa entre as medições de agitação marítima efectuadas na Praia da Cornélia (Costa da Caparica, Portugal), durante os dias 12 a 14 de Maio de 2010, e os resultados numéricos da aplicação do modelo não-linear do tipo Boussinesq, COULWAVE. Esta análise tem como principal objectivo a avaliação do desempenho deste modelo numérico na simulação da propagação de ondas em condições reais, pretendendo evidenciar, deste modo, as suas potencialidades e limitações.As condições de fronteira do modelo foram geradas com base em séries temporais de elevação medidas a uma profundidade aproximada de 7.6 m (relativa ao zero hidrográfico