Publications

A ventilação natural é uma eficiente estratégia projetual para ocondicionamento térmico passivo de edificações, ocorrendo por açãodos ventos, efeito chaminé ou pela combinação de ambos. Dentre asestratégias de ventilação, destacam-se os sheds, aberturas no telhado,que funcionam como captadores ou extratores de ar, dependendo de sualocalização em relação aos ventos dominantes. O objetivo desse artigo é avaliar ainfluência da variação na geometria dos sheds e na dimensão das aberturas deentrada e saída de ar no desempenho da ventilação natural. O sistema foi avaliadopara os ângulos de incidência dos ventos externos de 0° e 45° (extração) e 135° e180° (captação). A metodologia adotada foi a simulação por Dinâmica dos FluídosComputacional (CFD), utilizando como ferramenta o software CFX. Foramrealizadas análises quantitativas (taxas de renovação de ar/hora e coeficiente depressão nas aberturas) e qualitativas (planos de contorno e vetores de direção eintensidade do fluxo de ar). Os resultados indicam que sheds com geometriasaerodinâmicas e o aumento das aberturas de saída de ar incrementam o fluxo de arinterno. Para os sheds captadores o aumento isolado das aberturas de entrada de arnão proporciona uma melhora significativa na captação dos ventos pela cobertura.

The analysis of the shaking table test of a 3-wall stone masonry structure performed with a discrete element model is presented. The numerical model, created with the code 3DEC, employed a rigid block representation and a Mohr-Coulomb joint model. Joint stiffness calibration to match the experimental natural frequencies is discussed, as well as the boundary conditions to simulate the shake table. Comparisons are made with the measured displacements at key locations, and the modes of deformation and fracture of the walls. The DEM model was able to reproduce important features of the shaking table tests. The experimental deformation and near collapse patterns were clearly identifiable in the numerical simulations, which produced displacements within the observed orders of magnitude, for the various levels of excitation.

Strong ground motion prediction based on finite-fault simulation requires the identification of the fault (strike, dip, length and width), source kinematics parameters (stress drop, rupture velocity and slip distribution), regional crustal properties (geometrical spreading, anelastic structure, and upper crustal amplification and attenuation parameters) and the determination of amplification effects due to the local site geology. The general purpose of this study is to understand source and attenuation properties in the Azores, by the determination of stress drop, quality factor and kappa, through records obtained by the Portuguese digital seismic and accelerometer network. Source Spectra were obtained, for each record, after correcting observed spectra from geometrical spreading and anelastic attenuation effect: quality factor was estimated based on coda decay in the time domain and the kappa parameter was estimated by fitting the high-frequency decay of the acceleration spectrum with a straight line in a log-linear scale. Mean stress drop value was obtained considering that

The assessment of wind energy resource for the development of deep offshore wind plants requires the use of every possible source of data and, in many cases, includes data gathered at meteorological stations installed at islands, islets or even oil platforms - all structures that interfere with, and change, the flow characteristics. This work aims to contribute to the evaluation of such changes in the flow by developing a correction methodology and applying it to the case of Berlenga island, Portugal. The study is performed using computational fluid dynamic simulations validated by wind tunnel tests. In order to simulate the incoming offshore flow with CFD models a wind profile, unknown a priori, was established using observations from two coastal wind stations and a power law wind profile was fitted to the existing data (alfa=0.165). The results show that the resulting horizontal wind speed at 80 m above sea level is 16% lower than the wind speed at 80 m above the island for the dominant wind direction sector.

An innovative higher-order beam theory, capable of accurately taking into account flexural

The specific features of the proposed force-based formulation derived in the companion paper, which is applied for the first time to higher-order beam theories, are herein thoroughly validated. Introductory numerical examples illustrate the influence of mesh refinement, boundary conditions, and slenderness ratios for isotropic linear elastic response. Specific higher-order effects

An accurate assessment of the airflow in naturally ventilated double skin facades (DSF) is crucial for a correct design and performance evaluation. Measuring and predicting DSF airflow is not a straightforward task, given the stochastic nature of the wind, which can assist or oppose the buoyancy force. The present paper resumes the results of airflow measurements inside a naturally ventilated double skin facade using a tracer gas technique. The tests were performed on an outdoor air curtain (OAC) DSF test cell with a movable slat venetian blind. Measurements with no active shading and at night were also performed. Outdoor and test cell air gap temperatures were continuously measured and wind pressure coefficients were determined from wind tunnel tests. Experimental results were then compared to those obtained by a simple model taking into account both thermal and wind effects on the facade. From this comparison discharge coefficients were estimated, which can be used for characterizing the DSF behaviour.

The existing building stock in Azores islands (Portugal) was severely damaged during 1980and 1998 earthquakes. Structural failure was probably caused by a combination of factorsthat are not yet well understood. Earthquake source characteristics, site effects and structuralvulnerability may be some of those factors. However, it is very difficult to assess theinfluence of each factor on structural failure, mainly because recorded accelerograms usedin nonlinear structural analysis are influenced by both source characteristics and site conditions.The only way to overcome this problem is to control each factor individually whichcan be done by using simulated accelerograms. In our previous work, stochastic groundmotion simulations results were compared with earthquake records. Results seem to indicatethat simulated accelerograms can match recorded accelerograms if proper sourcecharacteristics and geological site conditions are selected. In this work, simulated accelerogramswere used for seismic nonlinear structural analysis. Simulations were carried outconsidering several 1980 Azores earthquake possible sources and for different geologicalsite conditions. Simulated accelerograms were then used to evaluate the structural nonlinearbehaviour of a reinforced concrete structure and of two masonry structures. The resultsof this work highlight the importance of site conditions and earthquake source characteristicsto the determination of the design seismic actions of Azores islands. This work wasperformed in the scope of

O Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil tem uma longa experiência na área da Engenharia Sísmica, sendo uma das instituições de referência, a nível europeu, em todos os campos desta área das Ciências da Engenharia. A investigação europeia em Engenharia Sísmica teve início no final da década de 50, tendo sido o LNEC, na pessoa do Engenheiro Júlio Ferry Borges, o seu principal impulsionador. Desde então, assistiu-se ao estudo dos diferentes aspetos da fenomenologia ligada à caraterização da ação sísmica e ao comportamento das estruturas sujeitas à ação dos sismos, como ilustrado pelas cerca de 50 teses de mestrado e doutoramento nos diferentes domínios da Engenharia Sísmica, desenvolvidas no Núcleo de Engenharia Sísmica e Dinâmica de Estruturas (NESDE), nas duas ultimas décadas, e por mais de uma centena de investigadores visitantes, nacionais e estrangeiros. No âmbito da avaliação do risco sísmico, o LNEC tem tido um papel fundamental a nível nacional, assumindo a liderança da investigação científica nas matérias relacionadas com a perigosidade sísmica, a caraterização da ação sísmica, a avaliação do risco, e o desenvolvimento de estratégias para redução da vulnerabilidade sísmica...

This paper aims to assess and improve the seismic performance of an existing masonry building withflexible floors, representative of a Portuguese building typology

This paper reports an experimental study aiming at the analysis of the behavior under horizontal actions of reinforced concrete frames infilled with different brick masonry walls, conducted at the Centre for studies and Equipment in Earthquake Engineering (C3ES) of the national Laboratory for Civil Engineering of Portugal (LNEC).Nine models, in a scale 2:3, were tested, named: two bare frames, four fully infilled frames and three infilled frames with a window opening. Two different horizontal histories of displacements under identical velocities were imposed at the level of the beam centerline: cyclic (six models) and monotonic (three models). Constant vertical forces were applied at the top of the columns in order to reproduce the effect of the upper floors of a building. The characteristics of the models, the test set-up and instrumentation and the testing procedure are reported. Some results of this experimental study are also presented and analysed.

This paper reports part of an experimental work conducted at LNEC/C3ES (Centre for Studies and Equipments in Earthquake Engineering) aiming at analyzing the behavior of R/C bare and infilled frames subjected to horizontal loads and the effectiveness of different repair procedures. Three models in a 2:3 scale were tested. One of these models was only a bare R/C frame and the other two were R/C frames fully infilled with brick masonry. In a first phase the models were tested under horizontal cyclic actions that caused severe damage in the infill walls and also some damage in the R/C frames. In a second phase the models were repaired and subjected again to horizontal cyclic actions. Different repair techniques were used for the two infilled models. The assessment of the models behavior, before and after repair, is presented in terms of strength, stiffness degradation, energy dissipation and failure mechanisms.

The object of this paper is to improve the probabilistic methodology to evaluate seismic losses in a given area, considering the randomness of the buildings vulnerability. Probabilistic methods for the evaluation of seismic losses are used taking into account both (i) the seismic hazard in the area and (ii) the seismic vulnerability of the existing stock of buildings. The distribution of losses is obtained convolving the probability distribution of seismic hazard (Beta distribution) with the conditional probability distribution of vulnerability, given a macroseismic intensity (Lognormal distribution), for a known stock of buildings. The above-described methodology is applied to the Portuguese continental country. The number of housing units per county as a function of the epoch of construction, available from the Portuguese Census 91 is the data base for the application of the model.

This paper presents an experimental study on the behaviour of reinforced concrete infilled frames, carried out at the shaking table of the Centre for Earthquake Studies of LNEC, in Lisbon, within the 2nd phase of the European Programme ECOEST II, by request of the University of Patras. Five three-dimensional structures were tested, at real scale, with one storey and one bay in each of the two orthogonal directions of the horizontal plan. A biaxial seismic excitation was considered based on the adaptation of the records of two orthogonal horizontal components of the Patras 1993 earthquake, taking into account the inertial characteristics of the shaking table. The tests carried out are summarised, describing the test set-up and instrumentation, as well as the methodology used. The experimental results obtained are outlined and analysed.

Atualmente, o comportamento sísmico das estruturas de engenharia civil pode ser estudado através de análises dinâmicas com modelos consideravelmente refinados. A utilidade destas análises depende, no entanto, dos parâmetros considerados nos modelos estarem devidamente calibrados, possibilitando uma representação satisfatória do verdadeiro comportamento das estruturas. Na engenharia sísmica, assumem assim grande importância, os estudos de avaliação in situ das características dinâmicas das estruturas, com vista á identificação dos parâmetros mais adequados a considerar nos modelos analíticos.Nesta comunicação apresenta-se um estudo efetuado com o objetivo de determinar a características dinâmicas da ponte da Arrábida na cidade do Porto. Este trabalho foi efetuado com base nos resultados de ensaio in situ de medição de vibrações ambiente. Através da análise dos registos obtidos identificaram-se 16 frequências e 8 configurações dos modos de vibração da estrutura. Estimaram-se ainda os amortecimentos de alguns desses modos.

Nesta comunicação apresenta-se um estudo efetuado com o objetivo de determinar as características dinâmicas da ponte da Figueira da Foz. Este trabalho foi efetuado com base nos resultados de ensaios in situ de medição de vibrações ambiente. Através da análise dos registos obtidos identificaram-se 10 configurações dos modos de vibração de estrutura e estimaram-se os respetivos coeficientes de amortecimento.

No Centro de Estudos e Equipamentos de Engenharia Sísmica (C3ES) do LNEC realizou-se um programa de ensaios que teve em vista o estudo do comportamento sob ações horizontais de pórticos de betão armado preenchidos com paredes de alvenaria de tijolo.Neste programa de ensaios, foram testados nove modelos à escala 2:3 constituídos por pórticos de betão armado com 1 piso e 1 vão. Quatro destes modelos eram completamente preenchidos com alvenaria de tijolo, três eram parcialmente preenchidos devido existência de uma abertura para uma janela, e finalmente, os restantes dois eram pórticos simples sem paredes de alvenaria.Nesta comunicação descrevem-se sucintamente os ensaios realizados e apresenta-se a análise do comportamento de três dos modelos ensaiados sob o ponto de vista da sua resistência, degradação de rigidez, capacidade de dissipação de energia e mecanismo de colapso.

Apresenta-se um estudo experimental do comportamento de estruturas de betão armado com alvenaria, realizado na plataforma sísmica de Centro de Estudos e equipamentos de Engenharia Sísmica do LNEC, no âmbito do programa europeu ECOEST

Analisaram-se as perdas causadas pela atividade sísmica num dado conjunto de edifícios existentes numa região, estimando-se a respetiva distribuição de probabilidade.Utilizaram-se métodos probabilísticos para a avaliação deste tipo de perdas considerando distribuições de probabilidade para caracterizar não só a causalidade sísmica da região, como também a vulnerabilidade das diferentes tipologias que compõem os edifícios existentes.A distribuição de probabilidade da variável aleatória perdas, de um determinado conjunto de edifícios, foi obtida, para diversos intervalos de tempo de referência, convoluindo a distribuição da casualidade sísmica com a da vulnerabilidade, pesada pela distribuição espacial e tipológica desse conjunto de edifícios.Fez-se uma aplicação deste método às diferentes freguesias da cidade de Lisboa, em que são conhecidas as condições geológicas médias e a distribuição de edifícios por classe tipológica, tendo-se conseguido quantificar probabilisticamente os valores das perdas.

Earthquake insurance is analysed under three different perspectives: (i) determination of annual seismic risk premium, (ii) determination of probable maximum losses for a given seismic scenario and (ii) determination of probable maximum losses for various reference time intervals. To illustrate the method developed an application to some early-twenty-century parishes in the city of Lisbon is made.

This book presents a selection of the best papers from the HEaRT 2015 conference, held in Lisbon, Portugal, which provided a valuable forum for engineers and architects, researchers and educators to exchange views and findings concerning the technological history, construction features and seismic behavior of historical timber-framed walls in the Mediterranean countries. The topics covered are wide ranging and include historical aspects and examples of the use of timber-framed construction systems in response to earthquakes, such as the gaiola system in Portugal and the Bourbon system in southern Italy; interpretation of the response of timber-framed walls to seismic actions based on calculations and experimental tests; assessment of the effectiveness of repair and strengthening techniques, e.g., using aramid fiber wires or sheets; and modelling analyses. In addition, on the basis of case studies, a methodology is presented that is applicable to diagnosis, strengthening and improvement of seismic performance and is compatible with modern theoretical principles and conservation criteria. It is hoped that, by contributing to the knowledge of this construction technique, the book will help to promote conservation of this important component of Europe

The applications of discrete elements models based on rigid block formulations to the analysis of masonry walls under horizontal out-of-plane loading is simplified block pattern are addressed. Two procedures for creating irregular block systems are presented, one using Voronoi polygons, the other based on a bed and cross joint structure with random deviations. A test problem provides a comparison of various regular and random block patterns, showing their influence on the failure loads. The estimation of manual frequencies of rigid block models, and its application to static pushover analyses, is addressed. An example of application of rigid block model to wall capacity problem is presented.

The overall aim of Sub-Project 10 (Earthquake disaster scenario predictions and loss modelling for urban areas) has been to create a tool, based on state-of-the-art loss modelling software, to provide strong, quantified statements about the benefits of a range of possible mitigation actions, in order to support decision-making by urban authorities for seismic risk mitigation strategies. A further larger aim has been to contribute to a seismic risk mitigation policy for future implementation at European level. Among the European cities for which loss estimation studies have been carried out are Istanbul, Lisbon and Thessaloniki, and tools, using GIS mapping, have been developed by research teams in each of these cities; these were made available for further development to examine mitigation strategies within SP10. Related research studies

Much work in Earthquake Engineering was devoted to the improvement of earthquake resistant design of new structures. One European result is EN 1998, which will be in several years the main seismic code for all European countries. But it is well known, that older existing structures cause in many large earthquakes much more casualties and damages than new structures. It is certainly not possible to retrofit all existing structures, but agreement exists, that assessment and retrofit of safety - critical - structures and lifeline structures must have priority. In September 2004 the European Integrated Research Project LESSLOSS on Risk Mitigation for Earthquakes and Landslides was started. The project will run for three years and comprises 13 Sub-Projects (SP´s). The consortium consists of 46 partners (see http:\\www.lessloss.org). LESSLOSS SP5 is on In-situ Assessment, Monitoring and Typification of buildings and Infrastructure. The project partners of SP5 are ARS, CESI, LNEC, RWTH and VCE. This Sub Project focuses mainly on the assessment of important existing structures and tries to integrate experimental methods into the assessment procedure. The progress of SP5 obtained in the first year is summarized in this paper. Highlights presented by all partners are mentioned and the assessment of Hospital Innsbruck is presented in more detail. The most innovative task of LESSLOSS/ SP5 is Update of vulnerability estimates via monitoring, which was also started in the first year.

In order to study the behavior of bridge structures in relation to traffic, wind and seismic loads, it is extremely important to know their actual dynamic properties (natural frequencies, vibration mode shapes and damping). The experimentally identified dynamic properties of bridge structures are also an effective way to characterize their actual global structural behavior. Whether included in the reception load tests of recently built bridges, before they are opened to the traffic, or as part of the inspection works of bridges already in service, LNEC has performed modal analysis studies based on the results of ambient vibration tests. Some of the studies carried out recently in important bridges are reported in this paper.

O sismo de Northridge ocorreu na parte norte da área metropolitana de Los Angeles, Califórnia, às 4:31 h do dia 17 de janeiro, uma segunda-feira coincidente com dia de feriado nacional, tendo atingindo uma magnitude de 6.6 na escala de Richter. O número total de vítimas mortais cifra-se em 57, havendo para cima de 8 000 feridos e 20 000 desalojados.As estimativas de perdas totais, feitas em meados de fevereiro de 1994, apontavam para valores de 15 biliões de US dólares, tendo o Estado da Califórnia apresentado um impacto económico total de ordem dos 30 biliões de dólares, perto do valor do Orçamento Geral do estado Português para 1994. Os prejuízos infligidos na indústria e no comércio são também surpreendentemente elevados, exigindo longos períodos de interrupção das atividades económicas.

Within the realm of natural hazards, geohazards are recognised as being particularly complex and often having the potential of triggering disasters. This complexity has led to increased political commitment and interest in engaging multi-stakeholder and citizens in disaster risk management. The AGEO project explored new forms to foster collaboration between civil society and authorities, using the rapidly developing field of citizen science and its innovative tool of citizens

Communicating science within disaster risk reduction using methods that encourage two-way dialogue between scientists and laypersons is a challenging task. This paper aims at presenting a methodological strategy of communicating risk and non-structural seismic protection measures through participatory approach. Such methodological strategy is part of a pilot experience of risk communication in two schools in Lisbon (Portugal) under the EU project KnowRISK (Know your city, Reduce seISmic risK through non-structural elements). The efficacy of education for seismic safety is often inhibited by an incomplete understanding of the process by which individuals decide to protect themselves from harm (Becker JS, Paton D,Johnston DM, Ronan KR. Nat Hazards 64(1):107

Most of the Lisbon 18th century timber-framed masonry

Good performance of non-structural elements can be decisive in saving lives and costs when an earthquake strikes. The European project KnowRISK aims to educate and encourage households to take the necessary precautionary measures to protect people, houses, and contents. Preparedness and prevention act on community resilience. Within the KnowRISK project, the idea of a Practical Guide has been conceived suggesting seismic mitigation solutions for non-structural components to non-experts stakeholders. It is intended to guide people into the first steps of prevention in a straightforward manner, minimizing or avoiding injuries, damage, and long-term financial consequences. The novelty of the Guide belongs to his philosophy: a path through increasing challenges corresponds to a growing level of safety. The idea is that anyone can mitigate seismic risk in its own environment by adopting simple and low cost measures. The Practical Guide may contribute to increase risk awareness. This kind of initiatives if undertaken at larger scales may also enhance social resilience.

When one of the dimensions of a structural member is not clearly larger than the two orthogonal ones, engineers are usually compelled to simulate it with refined meshes of shell or solid finite elements that typically impose a large computational burden. The alternative use of classical beam theories, either based on Euler-Bernoulli or Timoshenko

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This text reflects the first of the four lectures that the author has presented at Udine, Italy, at CISM

Um dos principais problemas e interesses da engenharia sísmica é a caracterizaçãoda acção sísmica, envolvendo a estimativa da intensidade, conteúdo em frequência,duração e variabilidade espacial dos movimentos intensos do solo mais gravosos, emtermos dos seus efeitos nas estruturas, que pode ocorrer num local.O presente trabalho de investigação desenvolve e aplica a metodologia estocástica etécnicas de modelação de fonte

Os sismos são encarados frequentemente como desastres naturais inevitáveis. Todavia,deveriam ser considerados fenómenos naturais, cujos efeitos adversos podem ser minimizadoscaso se proceda a uma gestão efectiva do risco sísmico.O objectivo principal do presente trabalho de investigação é o de avaliar o risco sísmicoem Portugal Continental.Sendo um tema de natureza multidisciplinar, apresentam-se e discutem-se modelos deavaliação probabilística da perigosidade sísmica e sua desagregação, de vulnerabilidade efragilidade sísmicas de tipologias construtivas, de danos e de perdas económicas e humanas.Aplica-se a análise probabilística da perigosidade sísmica, e sua desagregação, aPortugal Continental, obtendo-se cenários modais capazes de reproduzir os níveis deperigosidade que os condicionam. Apresenta-se o inventário do parque habitacional e seushabitantes, descriminado por factores de vulnerabilidade, e classifica-se a sua vulnerabilidadesegundo os modelos de dano. Procede-se à actualização e aferição de uma metodologia parasimulação de cenários sísmicos, integrada num Sistema de Informação Geográfico. Avalia-seo risco sísmico, seguindo diversas abordagens, comparando-se os resultados com o risco deoutros países.Construiu-se assim uma ferramenta de avaliação de perdas devidas a sismos, queconstitui uma primeira contribuição para o desenvolvimento de um processo de gestão dorisco sísmico aplicado ao Continente Português.

O parque habitacional de Portugal Continental contém algumas tipologias construtivas deelevada vulnerabilidade sísmica em relação às quais urge actuar no sentido de reduzir o riscosísmico a elas associado. No projecto de investigação

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This report addresses the National Laboratory for Civil Engineering (LNEC) participation in Subproject 10 Earthquake disaster scenario predictions and loss modelling for urban areas. More precisely this report was developed in order to accomplish the 24 months LESSLOSS deliverable nº 85, which achieves loss estimates for the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon (MAL), for pre-defined scenarios earthquake. These loss estimations represent the reference situation to be compared with revised loss estimates after implementing mitigation actions with the ultimate goal of being established, in the next deliverable, the

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The present report describes the construction of a model in limestone masonry for the user Group 3 oh the ECOLEADER Project, led by IRIDEX Construction Group, and the first phase of the experimental program developed in LNEC. The description of the construction, a photographic report and the results obtained on the characteristics tests made on the mortars used in the construction are presented.The construction was carried out by contractor José dos Santos Paixão on the basics of model details and materials specifications proposed by the User group 3, being NESDE/LNEC responsible for the guidance and supervision of the works.

This report describes the first phase activity of the Portuguese group in the Precast Structures EC8 research projet. The Portuguese group is composed by Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC) and the Civibral, S.A. Precast Company.In this phase, seismic test were made in the LNEC

The present report addresses the first twelve months of LNEC participation in LESSLOSS

The dynamics of rigid bodies was studies by long time, because this phenomenon is important in the seismic security of some types of structures. However, there are few experimental studies. This job shows the experimental test carried out at the Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC) of Portugal. Four blue granites stones were tested, each one with different geometrical characteristics, under harmonic and random motions.A numerical simulation was carried out with the Discrete Element Method (DEM). This method has shown to be a good tool in the study of the dynamics of rigid bodies. It was proposed a new methodology to find the parameters of the DEM by using the parameters of classical theory.

The project LESSLOSS

Análise dos registos históricos de eventos climáticos e o seu impacto no setor da energia da AML, para identificar o grau em que este setor foi afetado por estímulos relacionados com o clima. Avaliação de capacidades adaptativas.

Análise da forma das edificações nas ações do vento

As condicionantes arquitetónicas e de urbanização na ventilação natural

Caracterização do vento. Ações sobre estruturas. Ensaios em túnel de vento