Postgraduation and Continuing Education in the Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Porto

Predicting safety performance on motorways during the pandemic based on geometric design: A case study in Portugal

The mobility restrictions due to the covid-19 pandemic have created an unprecedented situation in the road system. Declared lockdowns have significantly altered the traffic volumes and perhaps also driver behavior. This study conducts research on crashes occurred on motorway A29 in Portugal before and during the disrupted mobility context. Safety performance functions were adjusted with negative binomial distribution. The segmentation was based on horizontal alignments. 5 of the 27 variables ...

Integrated Optimization of Non-Linear Reinforced Concrete Frames

A structural optimization algorithm was researched including global displacements as decision variables. The algorithm was applied to planar reinforced concrete frames with nonlinear material behavior submitted to static loading. The flexural performance of the elements was evaluated as a function of the actual stress-strain diagrams of the materials. Formation of rotational hinges with strain hardening were allowed and the equilibrium constraints were updated accordingly. The adequacy of the...

Sizing Optimization

A method for structural member sizing optimization to be used for designing planar frames is presented. The procedure is based on the Augmented Lagrangian Multiplier method. The algorithm includes the displacements as state variables and consequently combines the analysis and the search for the optimal section properties into a single step. This combination process avoids the usual cycling between analysis and optimization phases. The width and height of rectangular elements are chosen from a...