Areas of Activity
- Experimental and numerical studies of structures, structural components and constructive systems to characterize their behaviour under actions of dynamic nature, seismic in particular, and static
- Studies for characterization, assessment and mitigation of seismic risk in buildings and in transport and energy infrastructures
- Survey, diagnostics and field tests, including monitoring of existing structures, particularly built historical heritage structures, to support possible interventions of rehabilitation and conservation
- Experimental and numerical studies for characterizing the short and long term dynamic behaviour of the railway infrastructure (bridges, track, transition zones)
Relevant Consultancy Services
- Design, monitoring and implementation of the structural monitoring system of the new stone masonry road bridge, built in Vila-Fria, Vizela, (CM-Felgueiras, 2003-2005)
- In-situ cyclic tests of stone masonry walls
- of damaged constructions, to characterize their structural behaviour and validate
- seismic reinforcement techniques (Faial, Azores, 2007-2013)
- Medium to long term monitoring of the structural behaviour of historical constructions: Lapa churches in Porto (2009), Misericórdia and Santo António, Viana do Castelo (2014), Foz Côa and Torre de Moncorvo (2015 >), Guimarães Castle (2009-11), Ruins of Vila-Velha de Vilariça (2011-13), Mercado do Bolhão, Porto (2010-12), Portuguese Center of Photography, Porto (2016 >)
- Study, design and validation of pre-cast solutions of decks and piers of railway bridges in seismically active areas (Mota-Engil, 2009-2013)
- Dynamic studies of railway bridges in high speed lines (HSL Madrid/Extremadura, Spain-Coba; HSL Poceirão/Caia-Mota-Engil; Third Tagus crossing-J.L. Câncio Martins; HSL Bretagne/Pays de la Loires, France-Mota-Engil; Railway crossing of the Volga River, Russia-OJSC Giprostroymost Institute)
- Studies of dynamic stability of the track foundation in high speed lines (HSL Poceirão/Caia-Coba, Mota-Engil; HS2 London/Birmingham - Mott MacDonald)
- Studies of long-term dynamic behaviour Transitional zones (HSL Poceirão/Caia – Soares da Costa; New variant of Alcácer-REFER)
- Studies of vibration mitigation solutions in the vicinity of railway lines (Lisbon Metro, Porto Metro)
Resources
- Several systems of mechanical actuation and response monitoring for quasi-static cyclic tests of full scale structural components, highlighting a test system of piers in biaxial bending with constant or variable axial force
- Testing system for walls, stone masonry or infills, under out-of-plane actions, concentrated or distributed, using hydraulic actuators and/or airbags with pneumatic actuation, for use in laboratory or field tests
- Several non-destructive and/or semi-destructive testing systems for material and structural characterisation in the field, with special emphasis on old constructions
- Several systems for monitoring the dynamic response of railway infrastructure (bridges, tracks, transition zones) and dynamic forces (vertical and lateral) imposed by railway vehicles
Principal Investigator
Prof. Rui Calçada (ruiabc@fe.up.pt)