Papers

Discrete element models are being increasingly applied to model rock failure processes.Bonded-particle models, based on circular or spherical particle systems, have been successfully usedfor two decades. More recently, bonded-block models, using polygonal or polyhedral elements, have proven to be a powerful alternative. This paper describes the basis of the application of these models in the numerical simulation of failure in rock materials. The critical governing parameters are identified, and their influence is discussed. The model calibration procedure based on the analysis of laboratory tests is discussed. An application example of an underground excavation problem is presented using a simple bonded-block model employing rigid blocks and a bilinear softening contact model. The results show the capability of this approach to reproduce observed failure modes involving block fractures.

Population growth and social and economic development demand increasing volumes of water for public supply, especially in scenarios where surface sources such as rivers may not meet the basic demands for the population. In southeastern Brazil, with emphasis on the Piracicaba region, there is a conflict over water use regarding agricultural and industrial activities, where the sugar-alcohol sector is widely highlighted. The region has thousands of hectares of sugarcane cultivated, which requires intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides, in addition to the need for large volumes of water in the production of sugar and ethanol, where the main effluent produced is represented by vinasse, used as fertilizer complement and soil hydration in sugarcane fields. This work presents the results of a geophysical diagnosis in a closed wetland, located in a sugarcane field region, to evaluate the hydrogeological function of this environment in aquifer recharge and the risks that land use can cause in the quality and availability of surface and underground water resources.The geophysical survey consisted of nine lines of electrical resistivity tomography in Schlumberger arrangement, submitted to 2D processing and inversion followed by interpolation and generation of 3D visualization models. The results indicate a direct connection between water accumulated in the wetland and the aquifer underneath, separated by an aquitard interface about 44 m thickness. The study points out to the high vulnerability to the input of pesticides and vinasse effluent from the surrounding sugarcane fields to the interior of the wetland, given the absence of riparian forest or buffer zone, in addition to the risk of contamination of surface and groundwater. Understanding the local hydrological dynamics should subsidize the sustainable use of the soil providing preservation of water resources, with emphasis on aquifers, a source of increasing importance in the face of the imminent scarcity of surface resources.

Em primeiro lugar faz-se uma introdução ao presente conjunto de artigos sobre habitação intergeracional.No artigo abordam-se aspetos ligados especificamente à conceção residencial para idosos, inovação tipológica por integração de variadas funções residenciais e a realidade específica dos jovens idosos

A praia da Vagueira está localizada no Município de Vagos, distrito de Aveiro e é protegida por uma estruturade defesa frontal aderente que foi requalificada em 2015, com alteamento da sua cota de coroamento para + 10 m(ZH), devido à ocorrência de inundações na zona por ela protegida. Para caracterizar o galgamento com a estrutura atual, aplicou-se o modelo numérico SWASH a uma secção desta estrutura, simulando-se os temporais ocorridos entre 1979 e 2018 que, segundo as fórmulas comumente utilizadas para este tipo de estrutura, dariam galgamentos significativos. Assim, nesta comunicação apresenta-se o modelo utilizado, as características da estrutura de defesa aderente e as condições de agitação e nível de mar utilizadas nas simulações. Os resultados obtidos com o SWASH são comparados com os resultados de várias fórmulas empíricas. Para todas as condições testadas, as fórmulas empíricas apresentam sempre caudais médios de galgamento não nulos, enquanto o SWASH apenas origina caudais médios de galgamento superiores a zero quando o espraiamento máximo não atinge o coroamento da estrutura. Consequentemente, a utilização dos resultados das fórmulas empíricas para a emissão de alertas pode conduzir a situações de alarme que não correspondem à realidade.

Depois de um conjunto de notas introdutórias e de apresentação ao estudo global intitulado Programa de Habitação Adaptável Intergeracional desenvolvido num quadro Cooperativo e a Custos Controlados (PHAI3C), aborda-se, no presente artigo, em primeiro lugar, a necessidade e a oportunidade de uma nova oferta residencial muito diversificada para os idosos, matéria esta que é, depois, abordada em termos dos seus principais aspetos.Depois avança-se para o apontamento de algumas experiências diversificadas para o habitar dos idosos e, sequencialmente, aborda-se a temática do viver com independência numa sociedade envelhecida, matéria esta que é, em seguida, ligada ao uso/design universal habitacional e aos aspetos da influência da autonomização dos idosos numa renovada e talvez mais sustentável estratégia de cuidados de saúde

Along the Portuguese coastline, several military fortifications were built with the intentionto protect the territory from the constant military threat from the sea. These constructions have beensubjected, during centuries, to a very aggressive environment; the renders, whose main functionis the protection of walls, are particularly exposed to such actions. Nossa Senhora dos Anjos dePaimogo

Along the Portuguese coastline, several military fortifications were built with the intention to protect the territory from the constant military threat from the sea. These constructions have been subjected, during centuries, to a very aggressive environment; the renders, whose main function is the protection of walls, are particularly exposed to such actions. Nossa Senhora dos Anjos de Paimogo

Along the Portuguese coastline, several military fortifications were built with the intention to protect the territory from the constant military threat from the sea. These constructions have been subjected, during centuries, to a very aggressive environment; the renders, whose main function is the protection of walls, are particularly exposed to such actions. Nossa Senhora dos Anjos de Paimogo

Arundo donax (giant reed or giant cane) is a widely available, perennial, invasive, non-food crop, present worldwide and employed for several uses, including building practices. Considering the increasing demand for sustainable building materials, A. donax can be an eficient solution. This study investigated its properties as a bio-aggregate mixed with a sodium silicate solution as an adhesive. A horizontal analysis that provided a general characterization of the composite was carried out. The results showed that the A. donax-based composite had anapparent density of 517 kg/m3 , thermal conductivity of 0.128 W/(m.K), and high hygroscopicity, with a moisture buffering value of 4.33 g/(m2 %RH), property that could be both an advantage for indoor comfort and a drawback. The uncommon sound absorption behaviour can be comparable to granular materials, with the highest sound absorption coeficient values,

Arundo donax (giant reed or giant cane) is a widely available, perennial, invasive, non-food crop, present worldwide and employed for several uses, including building practices. Considering the increasing demand for sustainable building materials, A. donax can be an efficient solution. This study investigated its properties as a bio-aggregate mixed with a sodium silicate solution as an adhesive. A horizontal analysis that provided a general characterization of the composite was carried out. The results showed that the A. donax-based composite had an apparent density of 517 kg/m3, thermal conductivity of 0.128 W/(m.K), and high hygroscopicity, with a moisture buffering value of 4.33 g/(m2 %RH), property that could be both an advantage for indoor comfort and a drawback. The uncommon sound absorption behaviour can be comparable to granular materials, with the highest sound absorption coefficient values,