Vulnerability assessment of the S. João de Loure Bridge: Vouga’s river

Steel bridges are particularly sensible to corrosion, which can put at risk the structural safety by affecting the joint elements. Having this in mind, the objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the joint's stiffness in the structural response of the S. João de Loure steel bridge. An improved model was developed for the bridge on the structural analysis software SAP2000. Maximum deflection, axial forces and corresponding stresses, and natural frequencies, were analyzed. Numerical results allow concluding about the influence of the joint's stiffness in the structural response of the bridge

S. João de Loure Bridge: vulnerability assessment and study of a common strengthening solution

This paper presents a structural vulnerability assessment of the steel bridge S. João de Loure. A structural model of the bridge was created and the influence of the joint’s stiffness on its structural response was evaluated using the structural analysis software SAP2000. Natural frequencies, axial forces and corresponding stress, and maximum mid-span deflection, were analyzed. A common strengthening solution with prestressing cables was studied intending to reduce the bridge’s mid-span deflection

Earthen construction: structural vulnerabilities and retrofit solutions for seismic actions

Earthen structures present very appealing characteristics regarding a more sustainable practice with the preservation of our natural resources. However, when subjected to earthquake ground motions, this type of construction may present a deficient performance, which may cause significant human losses and important structural damage. The seismic response of earthen structures is typically characterized by fragile failures. There are several examples of recent earthquakes that affected earthen buildings in a severe way, evidencing the vulnerability of this type of construction, like the El Salvador earthquake, in 2001, the Bam, Iran earthquake, in 2003, the Pisco, Peru earthquake, in 2007 and the Maule, Chile earthquake, in 2010. The construction of earth structures on earthquake-prone areas must be carefully studied and should include seismic reinforcement solutions in order to improve their seismic performance. In this paper, the performance of earthen structures in recent earthquakes will be examined, analyzing failure modes inherent to these particular construction materials and associated construction techniques. Also, seismic reinforcement approaches and techniques will be presented in a comprehensive manner. Examples of tests conducted for the assessment of retrofitting solutions efficiency will be presented, and the results obtained will be discussed

Low cycle fatigue tests of reinforced concrete columns and joints built with ribbed reinforcement and plain stirrups

The majority of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings were built prior to the introduction of seismic codes. As observed in various recent earthquakes, due to their lack of structural capacity and ductility such structures are very vulnerable and have suffered considerable damage. The number of cyclic tests that have been carried out to investigate the behaviour of RC components with detailing typical of these buildings is very limited. Such tests are very relevant for seismic vulnerability assessment purposes. In this paper, a low-cycle fatigue testing campaign on RC columns and connections specifically devised to investigate various physical parameters that affect damage development, is presented. The campaign consists of 19 columns and 7 beam-column connections. Some of the preliminary results and observations are presented and discussed

The effect of the number of response cycles on the behaviour of reinforced concrete elements subject to cyclic loading

The development of damage in reinforced concrete (RC) structures is a cumulative process. Some damage indices used to quantify damage make use of the number of response cycles as an Engineering Demand Parameter (EDP) relating with damage development. Other indices make use of deformation in terms of displacement or chord rotation. These functions are generally a function of whether the response is monotonic or cyclic, and are insensitive to the number of major deflection cycles leading to that state of damage. Many such relations are derived from experimental data from low-cycle fatigue tests performed on RC elements. The loading in such tests generally consists of either a monotonic increase in load or a gradually increasing cyclic load. Since damage development is a cumulative process, and hence depends on the load history, the loading pattern in low-cycle fatigue tests for assessment purposes should reflect the response of an earthquake. This paper will discuss a procedure to determine a loading history for cyclic tests, based on earthquake demands. The preliminary results of a campaign of low-cycle fatigue tests on RC elements to investigate the effect of using different load histories are also discussed

Experimental and numerical analysis of the cyclic behaviour of RC beam-column connections with plain reinforcing bars

The information available in the literature about the cyclic behaviour of reinforced concrete elements with plain reinforcing bars is scarce. As a consequence, the influence of bar slippage in elements with plain bars is not yet comprehensively understood. In this paper are presented and discussed the main results of the cyclic tests carried out on five full-scale reinforced concrete beam-column joints with plain bars and without specific detailing for seismic demands. An additional joint specimen with deformed bars was also tested for comparison. Furthermore, numerical models were built to simulate the response of two of the specimens. Particular attention was given to the influence of bar slippage. The results of the conducted analyses underline the importance of accounting for bond-slip in the numerical modelling of elements with plain bars and also highlight the need for specific models to simulate the effects of this mechanism in the presence of plain bars

Global consultancies: determinants of market entry and strategies for conquering clients in foreign locations

Reports in the general and specialist press as well as several official estimates (e.g. UNCTAD, 1993, EU, 1989-1996) point at a rapid increase in the use and internationalisation of management consultancies. However, the application of MNE definitions, measurements and theories to this type of services is still in its infancy. Thus, this paper sets out to identify first, the main determinants of market seeking investments of global consultancies, they evolved over time, and its implications for the nature and scope of subsidiaries activities. These are more like miniature replicas of their parent firms than specialised units in a world wide service network. Secondly, the strategies they have used to tap successfully into foreign markets, overcoming the problems facing service providers (e.g. Holmstrom, 1985, Dunning, 1989) and the liability of operating in a foreign location. It focus on the importance of trustcreating mechanisms for the establishment of lasting relationships with clients and how they were facilitated by shared social, cultural or educational proximity between consultants and clients. It draws on in-depth interview based case studies of twelve global consultancies and their operations in the Portuguese economy. Avenues for future research are pointed out

Materials and techniques of Art Nouveau architecture in Italy and Portugal: a first insight for an European route to consistent restoration

The results of the investigations on building materials and techniques of Casa Major Pessoa, a typical Art Nouveau construction in Aveiro (Portugal), and two coeval Art Nouveau buildings in Bologna (Italy) are presented as a methodological contribution to the restoration of this kind of buildings. This is the first step to ascertain the existence of a common thread between local materials, technologies and architecture in European countries at the same period. A holistic approach was adopted: materials were investigated along with architectural, structural and technological features, in order to achieve a first insight into the Art Nouveau architecture in Europe in particular for its consistent restoration without loss of historical memory

Searching for sectoral patterns of innovation in european manufacturing industry

The present paper is conducted under the research project “Enterprise of the Future: Trends and Scenarios towards Competitiveness” which attempts to disclosure determinants of future enterprise competitiveness. Innovation is not only a must today but also an imperative in future competitiveness scenarios. In modern evolutionary economics it is argued that sector-specific factors are one of the key factors explaining innovative behaviour and performance of firms. Several contributions have pointed that industries largely differ in terms of knowledge base and technological sources, opportunities and appropriation of innovative activities, technological trajectories and firms’ strategies. Using as background Pavitt’s taxonomy, this paper explores the nature, extent and sources of variety of innovation in the manufacturing industry, aiming at identifying common patterns across industries, and sectoral patterns across countries. This paper presents evidence based on the aggregated results of the last IV Community Innovation Survey released by EUROSTAT (CIS4), for which data is available for a number of industries and countries

Directions in scenario planning literature - A review of the past decades

This paper provides a systematized overview of patterns in the scenario planning literature published in the last decades. Recently, scenario planning has enjoyed a revival, apparent in the 'boom' in published research on the matter. Consequently, a major issue that needs to be addressed is how to organize the literature along precise lines. A number of reviews that describe the current status of the body of literature and knowledge on scenario planning have made attempts to respond to such requirements. These studies agree that systematizing the existing literature is a necessary step in developing the field. This paper aims to contribute to this purpose. The review of the academic literature here conducted is thought to be useful for both academics and practitioners. For researchers, this systematic overview will be constructive not only in providing an analysis of the directions of published research but also in setting up a research agenda for the future. For managers and practitioners, it provides a clear outline of firm-related articles and discusses their contribution from a managerial point of view. It also raises awareness with regard to future analytical methods, and in particular, to scenario planning and its potential contribution to the competitiveness of firms. The research was carried out under the research Project Enterprise of the Future of the University of Aveiro. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd.Instituto de Investigação from University of Aveiro for the Project Enterprise of the Futur