Reliability assessment of the post-limit stiffness and ductility of steel joints

Steel joints must exhibit sufficient ductility for safe structural behaviour. This is especially true for partial-strength steel joints, whereby the nonlinear response of the joint plays an important part in the overall response of the structure. Uncertainty in joint response, particularly beyond the elastic limit of the moment-rotation curve, naturally leads to a probabilistic treatment of the ductility of steel joints. It is the objective of the present paper to compare a direct probabilistic approach with simulation techniques using the Monte-Carlo method both at the component and joint level, in the context of the component method, with the aim of establishing safe limits for the ductile behaviour of the steel joints.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V3T-49Y3H88-1/1/4f6f0c5bb20315bc0dcbec70a68bba8

Life-cycle assessment of a single-family timber house

This paper aims to produce a “cradle-to-cradle” life-cycle assessment for a singlefamily timber house, prefabricated in northern Portugal, to be assembled in Paris area, France. The three-story building has concrete foundations and basement. Above ground level, all the structure is made of solid wood and OSB panels, with gypsum board finishing on the inside and red cedar wood on the outside. All the thermal insulation is made of rockwool. The tool used for the life-cycle assessment was GaBi software and extensive databases from several sources, including data supported directly from the building manufacturer. In addition, a sensitivity analysis is performed in order to identify the most influent parameters in the life cycle analysis

Design for Adaptability (DfA) - frameworks and assessment models for enhanced circularity in buildings

A growing interest has been expressed in the issue of building adaptability over the past decade, perceiving it as an intrinsic criterion for sustainability. In light of the circular economy (CE) and its application in the construction sector, more attention has been paid to buildings’ design for adaptability (DfA) towards the realization of circular buildings. DfA is considered a key enabler for other circular design strategies such as design for disassembly (DfD), multi-functionality, spatial transformability, and design reversibility. However, implementation and assessment frameworks, and design-support tools for the circular building, are still in development as the characterization of circular buildings continues with endeavors to draw a defined shape by identifying the prerequisites for circularity where the design takes an important place. For the sake of objectifying the role of DfA in circularity frameworks in buildings, this paper carries out an analytical review and discussion on two types of assessment and design-support frameworks; the first addresses adaptability criteria and considerations in assessment frameworks that handle the concept individually while the second classifies existing circularity assessment endeavors into four main categories under which multiple tools are reviewed. A reflection on the scope and objectives for both types is later performed, illustrating the state of adaptability evaluation and criteria as well as its role in circularity frameworks. Results show that the concept of building adaptability lacks quantitative methods that quantify a building’s capacity to adapt as well as empirical data that prioritize the most valuable criteria facilitating adaptations. Moreover, many circularity assessment frameworks fail to consider adaptability criteria at all hierarchal levels of a building composition. To address this shortcoming, a series of conceptual considerations and requirements is proposed towards a potential establishment of an inclusive framework of a circularity design-support tool in buildings. The study is concluded by identifying gaps and recommendations for further developments in the field.This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), grant number PD/BD/150400/2019

Cancro da mama hereditário: dupla heterozigotia para variantes patogénicas nos genes BRCA1 e ATM

Introdução/objetivos: O cancro da mama hereditário (CMH) representa 5-10% dos casos de cancro da mama, destes ~30% devem-se a variantes patogénicas germinativas nos genes BRCA1 e BRCA2. Vários outros genes de suscetibilidade para CMH têm sido identificados, com diferentes graus de penetrância. A determinação da causa genética subjacente ao CMH permite identificar os indivíduos com risco aumentado de desenvolver tumores, os quais podem beneficiar de medicina personalizada, e também oferecer o teste genético preditivo a familiares em 1º grau, após aconselhamento genético. A sequenciação de nova geração (NGS) veio revolucionar o diagnóstico molecular do CMH proporcionando alta eficiência e baixos custos, usando painéis multigénicos. Neste trabalho, utilizou-se a NGS para sequenciar um painel de genes de suscetibilidade para CMH numa doente com história pessoal de cancro da mama e ovário e história familiar de cancro do lado materno e paterno. Métodos: NGS com preparação das bibliotecas de sequências-alvo a partir de DNA genómico (protocolo Trusight Cancer - TruSight Rapid Capture, Illumina) e sequenciação no MiSeq (Illumina). Análise bioinformática efetuada com os programas MiSeq Reporter, Enrichment e Variant Studio (Illumina), Alamut Visual e Integrative Genomics Viewer. As variantes patogénicas identificadas por NGS nos genes BRCA1 e ATM foram confirmadas por sequenciação de Sanger. Resultados: Foi identificado um caso raro de dupla heterozigotia para as variantes patogénicas BRCA1: c.2037delinsCC, p.(Lys679Asn*4) e ATM: c.3802delG, p.(Val1268*). A pesquisa destas variantes num familiar com cancro da mama e em dois familiares em 1º grau saudáveis, após aconselhamento genético, permitiu diagnosticá-los como portadores de uma ou de ambas as variantes. Conclusões: A NGS de um painel de genes de suscetibilidade para CMH permitiu identificar um caso raro de dupla heterozigotia para variantes patogénicas nos genes BRCA1 e ATM. Esta abordagem analítica foi crucial pois possibilitou um aconselhamento genético orientado em função das variantes identificadas e do risco de desenvolvimento de tumores associados a uma ou a ambas as variantes. Este caso demonstra a vantagem da sequenciação de um painel multigénico face à análise molecular limitada aos genes BRCA1 e BRCA2.FCT - UID/BIM/0009/2016info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Climate-responsive strategies of vernacular architecture in Albania and Portugal

The influence of climate on vernacular architecture is widely recognised. In the case of the Mediterranean Sea, its influence on climate ranges a wide variety of territories and cultures. Therefore, it is relevant to study how the climatic factor has modelled vernacular architecture in those territories and if there are common features. In this exploratory study are qualitatively compared the climate-responsive strategies of vernacular architecture from two countries located on opposite sides of the Mediterranean basin, namely, Portugal and Albania. The pragmatism of these strategies, developed on the need of adaptation to a specific climate and territory, may con-tribute to reduce energy consumption and waste. The study allowed showing points of similarity between strategies used in the two countries and, understanding how these strategies influence indoor comfort conditions. The results of the study can be used to develop and integrate these strategies in the current construction context, contributing to its sustainability.The authors would like to acknowledge the support granted by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the scope of the Doctoral Program Eco-Construction and Rehabilitation that supports the PhD scholarship with the reference PD/BD/113641/2015, that was fundamental for the development of this study.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sustainable design of prefabricated solutions for the rehabilitation of ancient buildings

"Green design, materials and manufacturing processes", ISBN 978-1-138-00046-9A wood-based “kit-of-parts” for the rehabilitation of existing buildings is under development. The aim is to merge the benefits of the standardized manufacture, with the flexibility needed to suit the specific requirements of the built heritage. The proposed system should be reversible, flexible and adaptable, while ensuring the adequate structural, thermal and acoustic performances. Mechanical joints, reversible if possible, should be used for the connections with the existing construction. Light solutions, allowing on site adjustment and future material separation are preferable.The research project presented in this paper is part of "WoodenQuark n.º 2011/21635" from the Portu-guese financing programme "Quadro de Referência Estratégico Nacional". The authors also acknowledge the cooperation of "SRU - Sociedade de Reabilitação Urbana do Porto Vivo"

Desempenho térmico e conforto de construções vernáculas em madeira: os palheiros de Mira

A construção vernácula carateriza-se pela relação próxima com as condições locais do meio em que se insere (clima, materiais, economia, cultura, etc.). Os territórios continental e insular de Portugal são marcados pela heterogeneidade entre si pelo que deu origem ao desenvolvimento de diferentes tipos de arquitetura vernácula. As construções vernáculas enfrentam as adversidades dos diferentes locais adaptando-se através de estratégias simples, funcionais e passivas, o que faz com que este tipo de arquitetura seja uma inspiração para a construção contemporânea na procura de soluções sustentáveis. Neste artigo é apresentado um tipo de construção tradicional em madeira, os Palheiros da Praia de Mira. Este tipo de construção utiliza um recurso local, a madeira de pinho, e tenta tirar proveito das caraterísticas deste num clima húmido e na implantação sobre a areia das dunas. Com o objetivo de perceber o desempenho térmico deste tipo de arquitetura vernácula, foi monitorizado o desempenho térmico e avaliadas as condições de conforto térmico num caso de estudo ao longo das várias estações do ano. Dos resultados obtidos, durante grande parte do tempo de monitorização as condições de conforto térmico mantiveram-se próximas ou em limites aceitáveis, com excepção do período de inverno.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Survey of sustainable approaches in Portugal

In Portugal Sustainable Construction has long being recognized as an important goal, although only few objective actions have been implemented over the last years. However, given the emphasis of the European Community on the issue and the mandatory adoption of European Directives in Member countries, in the next years, it is expected that initiatives towards the effective application of the principles of Sustainable Construction will gain a major importance in the construction sector.European Science Foundatio