Constitutive modelling
A thermo mechanical model has been developed to predict the evolution of the concrete strains and stresses during concrete hardening, with due allowance to early age creep and shrinkage, as well as to the growing of the concrete mechanical properties during the curing phase. Constitutive models have been also developed to simulate shear induced failures of reinforced and prestressed concrete elements.
Structural analysis
This area accounts for the modelling of the material constitutive behaviour in a broad sense, as well as its inclusion into algorithms devised for structural analysis, seeking for more economic designs, the evaluation of safety of existing constructions, or for supporting the interpretation of monitoring results.
Precast concrete structures
The connection technique adopted for the precast elements has important implications on the global structural behaviour and has effects in the global cost which includes, in addition to the initial cost of design and construction, the cost associated with inspection, maintenance and repair. This is the main issue in development.
Structural rehabilitation and retrofitting
The inspection and the evaluation of existing structures using new NDT testing methods are being applied and developed. The novel strengthening technique by externally bonded FRP systems has been under a strong development in the last years.
Safety evaluation of existing structures
Risk evaluations based on reliability concepts, and on the use of the perturbation method for uncertainty analyses, are addressed in this area. The safety assessment of existing structures is a key issue under development.
Keywords
Constitutive Modelling; Structural Analysis; Structural Assessment; Non-Destructive Evaluation; Rehabilitation and Retrofitting; Structural Safety.