Desenvolvimento de programa para o cálculo de pilares de betão armado

Mestrado em Engenharia CivilA presente dissertação tem por objetivo desenvolver um programa informático que permita dimensionar e verificar a segurança de pilares de betão armado segundo o preconizado no Eurocódigo 2. Para tal, foram implementados os métodos simplificados da Curvatura Nominal e Rigidez Nominal. Procurou-se desenvolver uma aplicação direcionada para o utilizador final, com uma interface simples e organizada, de modo a tornar a utilização intuitiva e expedita. Nesse sentido, adicionaram-se ferramentas que permitem calcular o recobrimento mecânico da armadura, as flexibilidades relativas dos encastramentos parciais nas extremidades do pilar, visualizar graficamente a capacidade resistente ou adicionar novos materiais aos pré-existentes. Pretendeu-se que o programa fosse aplicável tanto a situações académicas como profissionais. Assim, todos os resultados de cálculos intermédios são disponibilizados, o que constitui uma ferramenta de aprendizagem para estudantes. Por outro lado, a capacidade de testar rapidamente e em simultâneo várias combinações de ações, permite a sua utilização por parte de projetistas.This thesis aims to develop a software able to design and check the safety of reinforced concrete columns, according to Eurocode 2. Two simplified methods where implemented: Nominal Curvature Method and Nominal Stiffness Method. The program was developed with focus on the end user, with a simple and organized visual, that enables an intuitive and fast experience. Tools where designed to calculate the minimum concrete cover, the relative flexibilities on end column supports, to generate column capacity charts or add new user defined materials. The program scope includes both academic and professional related problems. Considering that every calculation step is presented, students can use them to learn. On the other hand, the ability to rapidly test several load combinations simultaneously, makes it a powerful tool for designers also

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved