Publications

Uma parte significativa do edificado em Portugal não foi dimensionada para resistir a ações sísmicas. Como tal, o recente impulso do sector da reabilitação pode representar uma oportunidade única para promover a redução da vulnerabilidade sísmica dos edifícios existentes. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho apresenta uma metodologia para avaliar a vulnerabilidade sísmica duma classe de edifícios de betão armado que permite estabelecer indicadores simplificados do seu desempenho estrutural expectável. A metodologia proposta baseia-se num estudo numérico detalhado do comportamento sísmico de edifícios de betão armado com características representativas duma parte significativa do edificado deste tipo em Portugal, simulando de forma adequada os principais aspetos da sua resposta estrutural. Os resultados obtidos pela metodologia desenvolvida permitem identificar as principais vulnerabilidades do edificado e quantificar indicadores de desempenho estrutural que permitem avaliar de forma expedita a sua segurança estrutural.

A arquitetura recorre, por vezes, a dispositivos de sombreamento de grandes dimensões, com formas e configurações de montagem cuja resposta à ação do vento carece de caracterização. Este facto condiciona o correto dimensionamento dos apoios e, em menor escala, a determinação do próprio material de construção dos dispositivos.As dimensões dos elementos constituintes destes dispositivos dificultam o recurso a ensaios com modelos reduzidos pelo que se recorreu a um modelo seccional do dispositivo à escala real, sujeito ao escoamento proveniente de um túnel de vento de jacto livre. As características específicas deste ensaio, nomeadamente a geometria do perfil de sombreamento e respetivos suportes, gama de forças e a necessidade de minimizar a obstrução adicionada pela instrumentação ao escoamento, ditaram o desenvolvimento de uma solução particular para a medição das forças aerodinâmicas.O ensaio permitiu avaliar as cargas induzidas pelo escoamento para vários ângulos de incidência fazendo variar a inclinação do modelo relativamente ao jacto através de um suporte articulado onde se montou o modelo seccional, permitindo assim caracterizar o desempenho aerodinâmico do perfil na aplicação em estudo.

This paper describes the development process and initial tests performed with a new energy dissipation damper based on Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires. The aim of this study was to develop a new iteration of this type of devices, and eventually develop a methodology to properly design them for any type of application. The underlying concept of our device is the use of a double counteracting system of pre-strained SMA wire sections as the dissipating component. By using pre-strained wires, this design focuses on maximizing energy dissipation, partially relinquishing the re-centering capabilities of the device.The experimental part was performed on a downscaled prototype based on this design methodology. The goal of this study was to validate the basic mechanical concepts. The device was subjected to a considerable number of load cycling tests, in order to better characterize the SMA wire behavior when used in this arrangement and to improve our understanding of their influence on the device's capabilities.

In the frame of the UPStrat-MAFA

O estudo apresentado neste trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar experimentalmente o comportamento dinâmico de paredes de frontal Pombalino, simples e reforçadas, por meio de ensaios na mesa sísmica triaxial do Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil. Os ensaios incidiram sobre dois modelos em escala real nos quais se reproduziu o comportamento de paredes de frontal pombalino, simulando dois andares. Os principais objetivos do trabalho foram: avaliar o desempenho sísmico de paredes de frontal pombalino sem reforço; avaliar o desempenho da técnica de reforço com chapas metálicas nos nós da estrutura de madeira; identificar algumas deficiências no comportamento sísmico dos edifícios pombalinos.

To comply with the need to spread the culture of earthquake disaster reduction, we rely on strategies that involve education. Risk education is a long-term process that passes from knowledge, through understanding, to choices and actions thrusting preparedness and prevention, over recovery. We set up strategies for prevention that encompass child and adult education, as a bottom-up approach, from raising awareness to reducing potential effects of disruption of society. Analysis of compulsory school education in three European countries at high seismic risk, namely Portugal, Iceland and Italy, reveals that generally there are a few State-backed plans. The crucial aspects of risk education concerning natural hazards are starting age, incompleteness of textbooks, and lack of in-depth studies of the pupils upon completion of their compulsory education cycle. Hands-on tools, immersive environments, and learn-by-playing approaches are the most effective ways to raise interest in children, to provide memory imprint as a message towards a culture of safety. A video game, Treme

The evolution of the expected earthquake losses in different Portuguese regions was studied in order to determine whether the natural regeneration of buildings could contribute to the mitigation of seismic risk, although the building exposure has increased over time in most analysed regions. To achieve this goal, five inter-related risk indicators were estimated, based on the Portuguese censuses

This article presents the results of the LNEC-3D shaking table tests on two mock-ups, Brick House and Stone House, carried out in the scope of the workshop

O comportamento sísmico de estruturas existentes em alvenaria é muito condicionado pelo seu comportamento fora-do-plano, originando os chamados mecanismos locais, existindo diversas metodologias que tentam prever o comportamento deste tipo de estruturas e/ou modos de colapso.Este trabalho pretende resumir os principais resultados obtidos num evento subordinado ao tema

Several factors influence the behaviour of infilled frames, which have been a subject of research in the past with moderate success. The new generation of European design standards imposes the need to prevent brittle collapse of the infills and makes the structural engineer accountable for this requirement, yet it fails to provide sufficient information for masonry infills design. Therefore, the present work aims at understanding the seismic behaviour of masonry infill walls within reinforced concrete frames, using both unreinforced and reinforced solutions (bed joint reinforcement and reinforced plaster). For this purpose, three reinforced concrete buildings with different infill solutions were constructed at a scale of 1:1.5, all with the same geometry, and were tested on the shaking table of the National Laboratory for Civil Engineering, Portugal. All solutions performed adequately for the design earthquake, with no visible damage. Still, the experimental tests show that the double-leaf-unreinforced infill walls underperformed during a large earthquake, collapsing out of plane by rotating as rigid bodies with multiple configurations. Also the reinforced concrete buildings collapsed, because of the adverse interaction with the infill walls. The infill walls with bed joint reinforcement and reinforced plaster did not collapse out of plane, because of their connection to the concrete frame, which is an essential requirement.

Nesta comunicação, de acordo com a metodologia desenvolvida noutro trabalho apresentado, estuda-se o problema do comportamento sísmico de edifícios assimétricos em planta recorrendo á explicitação de métodos de dimensionamento a partir de coeficientes de ductilidade locais, e de um critério de avaliação de desempenho da estrutura, baseado no conceito de probabilidade de colapso.Procedeu-se a uma exploração paramétrica de que resultam 504 estruturas assimétricas em planta. Procurou-se saber, para os cenários sismo próximo e afastado em Lisboa, quais as distribuições ótimas de resistência em termos da minimização da probabilidade de ruína.

Apresenta-se nesta comunicação um modelo analítico desenvolvido para estudar o comportamento dinâmico histerético, de estruturas reticuladas de betão armado preenchidas com paredes de alvenaria sob a ação de cargas horizontais repetidas e alternadas. A calibração dos parâmetros que definem o modelo analítico, foi efetuada de acordo com os resultados obtidos em ensaios laboratoriais, realizados no LNEC.A boa simulação analítica dos resultados experimentais obtida através do modelo desde que se adotem certos valores para os seus parâmetros definidores, permite concluir que o modelo analítico apresentado pode ser usado num âmbito mais generalizado da engenharia sísmica que é o da avaliação de segurança de edifícios sujeitos á ação de sismos intensos.

In this paper is presented an analytical model for the idealization of the hysteretic behaviour, under cyclic loadings, of reinforced concrete frames infilled with masonry panels. The calibration of the parameters which define the analytical model, was performed on the basics of the experimental results of three masonry infilled concrete frames models and one bare frame model tested at the LNEC.A fairly good fitting between analytical and experimental results were obtained for the selected values of the analytical model parameters. In consequence, this analytical model can be used in the more broader framework of Earthquake Engineering and structural reliability of buildings under large intensity earthquake.

Na presente comunicação referem-se os critérios para a idealização do comportamento sísmico de estruturas de edifícios assimétricos em planta através de osciladores não linear com três graus de liberdade.Estes critérios constituem a base de um modelo analítico desenvolvido com o objeto de se proceder à verificação da segurança, em relação à ação dos sismos, daquela classe de estruturas.

A group of five Portuguese experts on earthquake engineering visited the Los Angeles region after the 17 January 1994 Northridge earthquake. The observations mad during the field trip are briefly reports. Discussion is made on the behaviour of different types of structures, namely, masonry, wooden, reinforced concrete and steel structures, as well as special structural typologies such as precast parking lots, tilt-ups and bridges. The presentation is illustrated by means of a few cases, for which the causes of malfunctioning were anticipated.Mention is also made to the behaviour of lifelines, such as electricity, gas and water supply, sewage systems and telephones. The damage assessment is viewed under the light of the ground motion severity.A description of the organizational aspects and procedures adopted for the inspection, immediate reinforcement, recovery and reconstruction of the main buildings, bridges and other utilities are also referred.

Esta comunicação apresenta a conceção, o projeto, a instalação e o planeamento da utilização durante os dois primeiros anos do simulador sísmico triaxial que brevemente começará a funcionar no LNEC. Este simulador destina-se ao ensaio dinâmico até á rotura de grandes modelos de edifícios e ponte (até 60t). Este simulador realiza uma conceção inovadora, que se traduz essencialmente pela eliminação dos 3 graus de liberdade de rotação através de 3 sistemas mecânicos constituídos por uma barra de torção, duas manivelas e duas bielas.

The paper presents the results that permit the identification of optimal design methods for building structures in terms of a eccentricity and are calibrated for probability of failure, evaluated for critical scenarios of expected earthquake intensities.

Some fundamental aspects concerning the overall conception and mechanical design of the new LNEC seismic shaking table, which will have three translational degrees of freedom, are presented. Considerations are made regarding its adaptive control, pointing out the interactions between the behaviour of the mechanical and control systems as far the overall performance of the seismic shaking table is concerned. Lastly, some considerations are also presented on the special building that houses the shaking table.

In this paper we an analytical model to study the hysteretic behavior, under cyclic loading, of RC frames infilled with masonry panels.The calibration of the parameters which define the analytical model, was performed according to the experimental results obtained with three infilled RC frames models and one bare frames model tested at the LNEC.With a good selection of parametric values, the fairly good fitting between analytical an experimental results, allows to conclude that this model can be used in the more broader framework of Earthquake Engineering and structural reliability of buildings under large intensity earthquakes.

A stochastic model of earthquake ground motion, with non-stationary amplitude and frequency content, is presented. This model is quantified on the basis of the information available from seismic hazard studies and strong ground motion seismology with the purpose of generating artificial accelerograms to be used in nonlinear analysis and design of structures. The stochastic model is defined by a

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