SERA – CEN/TC 250/SC 8 workshop on seismic hazard

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission organised a workshop on seismic hazard assessment, together with SERA partners and experts from CEN/TC 250/SC 8, which is responsible for the development of Eurocode 8, within the SERA communication activities. The objectives of the workshop were to provide first-hand insights on the outputs of SERA, integrate SERA activities with other scientific efforts in the field and ensure a widely accepted basis for the development of the new European Seismic Hazard Model. The workshop was attended by about 40 participants, including SERA partners, experts and national delegates in CEN/TC 250/SC 8, researchers, academics and practitioners with experience in seismic hazard assessment. SERA and CEN/TC 250/SC 8 agreed to further enhance collaboration with the objective of optimizing efforts and results in order to ensure consistency of requirements and outputs, and investigate the means for Eurocode 8 to take profit of the research performed by SERA to advance towards a harmonised European seismic zonation.JRC.E.4-Safety and Security of Building

Enhancing the collaboration of earthquake engineering research infrastructures

Towards stronger international collaboration of earthquake engineering research infrastructures International collaboration and mobility of researchers is a means for maximising the efficiency of use of research infrastructures. The European infrastructures are committed to widen joint research and access to their facilities. This is relevant to European framework for research and innovation, the single market and the competitiveness of the construction industry.JRC.G.4-European laboratory for structural assessmen

Purpose and Justification for New Design Standards Regarding the Use of Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composites in Civil Engineering

The scope of this document concerns the purpose and justification for a new Eurocode for fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials, outlining the specific aims and reasons for standardization in this area, and the main interested parties (industry, consumers, trade, standardisation authorities and distributors) who will benefit from it.JRC.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen

Non-linear shear model for R/C piers

The work presented has been developed within the Prenormative Research in support of EuroCode 8 (PREC8) programme of the European Commission. The EuroCode 8 (EC8) are the provisional European standards for the design of civil engineering structures in seismic prone areas. This programme included experimental test on a series of bridge structures that have been tested under Pseudo-Dynamic conditions. Experimental tests were carried out to study the behaviour of bridge piers under cyclic loading. The results from these tests underlined the need to improve an existing fiber model to represent the non-linear behaviour of structures where the influence of the shear forces is not negligible. Thus, a strut-and-tie formulation coupled with the classic fibre model for flexural forces was developed. This formulation is based on the analogy of a R/C structure damaged with diagonal cracking with a truss made of concrete diagonals and steel ties. The model is applied to a set of bridge piers tested at the ELSA laboratory and the results are compared with the experimental response.JRC.DG.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen

Mentoplastia: revisão de literatura

Introduction: Maxillofacial asymmetries are commonly associated with the chin, directly compromising facial harmony and interfering with the individual's self-esteem. The lower third of the face is one of the areas that, when surgically modified, can significantly alter facial symmetry. The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, through clinical and/or cephalometric parameters used for diagnosis and perfect planning, has the possibility of creating a harmonious profile for the patient. Mentoplasty is then defined as a surgical procedure capable of giving back better aesthetics to the patient, improving his/her self-esteem. This article presents not only the history of this procedure, but also describes the facial patterns and the importance of correct preoperative planning, taking into account the indications and contraindications, proper techniques and possible complications. Methods: After conducting a broad search in Medline/PubMed and SciELO databases using specific terms related to chin aesthetic surgery, 58 articles were included in this review. A detailed study of the papers was then performed. Conclusion: With the increasing advent of technology and the use of virtual planning software and 3D printing, mentoplasty has been improving and obtaining more predictable and even more satisfactory results.Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (Graduação)Introdução: As assimetrias maxilofaciais são corriqueiramente associadas ao mento, comprometendo diretamente a harmonia da face, interferindo na autoestima do indivíduo. O terço inferior da face é uma das áreas que, quando cirurgicamente modificadas, podem alterar significativamente a simetria facial. O Cirurgião Bucomaxilofacial através de parâmetros clínicos e/ou cefalométricos utilizados para o diagnóstico e o perfeito planejamento, tem a possibilidade de criar um perfil harmônico para o paciente. A mentoplastia define-se então como a um procedimento cirúrgico capaz de devolver melhor estética ao paciente, melhorando sua autoestima. Este artigo vem apresentar não somente o histórico deste procedimento, mas também descreve sobre os padrões faciais e a importância de um correto planejamento pré-operatório, levando em conta as indicações e contraindicações, suas devidas técnicas e as possíveis complicações. Métodos: Após realização de ampla busca nas bases de dados Medline/PubMed e SciELO, utilizando termos específicos referentes à cirurgia estética do mento, 58 artigos foram incluídos nesta revisão. Em seguida, foi realizado um estudo detalhado dos trabalhos. Conclusão: Com o advento cada vez maior da tecnologia e utilização de softwares de planejamento virtual e impressão 3D, a mentoplastia vem se aprimorando cada vez mais e obtendo resultados mais previsíveis e ainda mais satisfatórios

Adoption of the Eurocodes in the Balkan Region

This report addresses the activities carried out for the adoption and implementation of the Eurocodes in the non-EU countries in the Balkan region within the context of the Enlargement and Integration Action of the JRC. The considerable interest in the implementation and adoption of the Eurocodes in the Balkan region is based on the opportunity to have an advanced common standardization environment, which is adaptable to the particular requirements of each country with regard to the geographical, geological or climatic conditions and also allows selecting the level of safety. Moreover, adoption and implementation of Eurocodes will help the Candidate Countries to fully implement EU acquis at the time of accession and support Potential Candidate Countries to progressively align themselves with the EU acquis. The main objective of the activities presented herein was to focus on progress and specific needs for adoption and implementation of the Eurocodes and related EN standards in the Balkan region. Generally, it may be concluded that most of the non-EU countries in the Balkan region are going to use the Eurocodes as primary standards. These countries are aware about needs for harmonization of national legislation and standardization framework for construction with EU legislation. However, in most of the countries there is a lack of relevant institutional support for adoption and implementation of the Eurocodes.JRC.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen

Simplified Models/Procedures for Estimation of Secant-to-Yielding Stiffness, Equivalent Damping, Ultimate Deformations and Shear Capacity of Bridge Piers on the Basis of Numerical Analysis

The present report gives charts and expressions for computing the equivalent stiffness and damping of bridge piers of rectangular hollow cross section at maximum displacement within the framework of displacement based design and assessment of bridges, based on the results of parametric non-linear cyclic fibre section analysis calibrated from full-scale experimental results. A state of the art review is presented concerning the different approaches that may be adopted to model shear effects in reinforced concrete columns concerning the different approaches that may be adopted to model the shear effects in reinforced concrete columns.JRC.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen

Achievements in Eurocodes implementation. Where do we stand?

The implementation of the Eurocodes is now in the key stage of National implementation where almost all Member States are approaching the final phase of the predefined roadmap. A limited but targeted assistance from the European Commission is provided to interested parties and stakeholders in the Member States supporting full implementation of the Eurocodes as well as further harmo-nization and extension of the scope of the European standards for construction to cover emerging demands of modern society. In order to assess the potential for further harmonization, detailed statistical analysis of the Nationally Determined Parameters (NDPs) is essential. For a selected representative set of NDPs - mostly from EN 1992, the similarities and discrepancies between the parameters set by Member States along with the motivation of these tendencies are investigated in detail and possibilities for further harmonization are identified.JRC.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen

Effects of salinity on growth and organic solutes accumulation of Tabebuia aureaManso (Benth and Hook)

Salinity is a problem that has increased annually and among the viable alternatives for the reintegration of saline areas to the productive system is the cultivation of tree species. This study aimed to evaluate the growth, dry matter distribution and organic solutes accumulation in Tabebuia aurea Manso (Benth and Hook) under salinity. The plants were grown in Hoagland solution with 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mM NaCl during 30 days distributed in a completely randomized design, with six replicates. The salinity affects growth and dry matter accumulation of Tabebuia aurea and promotes soluble sugar accumulation on the leaves and stem, and free amino acids in the roots, leaves and stems. Plants showed a sensibility to the salt levels used during the time they were exposed.Keywords: Salt tolerance, osmotic adjustment, salt stressAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(13), pp. 1490-149