Eliane Maria Lopes Carvalho

Contribuição das alvenarias na interação solo-estrutura através do estudo de um caso envolvendo danos estruturais

An analysis of soil-structure interaction of a construction with unsatisfactory foundation behavior along time is presented. Previous analyses by Rosa (2005) are briefly described considering soil x structure interaction in predicting foundation settlement. In addition, a new analysis is now presented, including the influence of the masonry in the soil-structure interaction. The predicted distortional settlements are analyzed in conformity with the observed damages documented at various moments of the construction lifetime. Kelvins model was employed to represent the soil behavior along time. Notwithstanding the simplifications adopted and justified in the article, the results of the numerical analysis were able to reproduce the extent and spatial location of the damages. Such results show the relevance of a more realistic foundation analysis involving soil x structure interaction.

Estimativa da vida útil à fadiga de uma torre metálica sob ação do vento

The monitoring of a typical telecommunication tower under wind action of low mean velocity revealed significant amplitudes of oscillation, and raised concern about the risk of fracture initiation on welded joints. The structural behavior was analyzed with the aid of the experimentally obtained acceleration and strain signals plus measurements of the wind velocity and direction. This paper presents the results of the dynamic monitoring and the estimation of fatigue life, which was performed by using the Palgrem-Miner rule and the rainflow algorithm for cycles counting. To extend the predicted fatigue life and to attenuate the tower oscillations, a dynamic control system was designed and successfully installed, proving its efficiency.

Soil-Structure Interaction - Case History Analysis Involving Structural Damage

This thesis presents a case history contemplating a soil x structure interaction analysis of a construction that revealed unsatisfactory foundation performance with time, showing cracks due to excessive distortional settlements. The analysis includes settlement predictions with and without due consideration of soil x structure interaction with the foundation soil. The analyses contain the prediction of settlement development with time, its uniformization tendency, the columns load redistribution and the relevant changes in the stresses of some structure sections. The predicted distortional settlements with and without due consideration of soil x structure interaction were compared and confronted in conformity with the documented structure damages in different periods of the construction life time. The structure has been analysed with aid of a three-dimensional linear elastic FEM model, without considering the rheological deformation of concrete. The Kelvin model has been employed in order to properly represent the soil behaviour with time. It has been found that, notwithstanding the simplifications adopted in the analysis and tentatively justified in various phases of the study, the results obtained in the numerical analysis were capable of duplicating the damages that occurred. The conclusions emphasized the importance of a more real design conception of the structure, including the foundation soil, possible to be implemented with the computational tools available at present.