RCAAP Repository

O aumento da vida útil de estruturas é de grande importância para a construção civil, seja por aspectos econômicos quanto de segurança aos usuários. A corrosão de armaduras é um dos problemas mais recorrentes, principalmente em ambientes com alto teor de cloretos. Uma das alternativas mais eficientes para proteger as armaduras contra a corrosão é a galvanização a quente das barras de aço, com a incorporação de uma camada de zinco que será consumida antes do aço entrar em reação, prolongando a vida útil da estrutura. Porém, esta camada de zinco não deve prejudicar a aderência das barras de aço com o concreto. Neste trabalho, foi investigada esta relação, comparativamente com a armadura sem proteção, com a análise de três diâmetros de barras, 8, 12,5 e 16mm, através de ensaio de flexão em viga, com o procedimento da Rilem, de 1978 [1]. Observou-se que não houve perda de aderência significativa em nenhum dos diâmetros, após análise estatística, mostrando que a aderência entre o concreto e o aço galvanizado a quente não é inferior do que com os aços sem proteção, para estes materiais.

This paper presents an alternative to estimate the magnifier of first order moments to be applied on each storey of reinforced concrete structures, from the values obtained for the γz and B2 coefficients, used to evaluate second order effects in reinforced concrete structures and in steel structures, respectively. In order to develop the study, initially several reinforced concrete buildings of medium height are processed, in first order and in second order, using the ANSYS software. Next, γz, B2 and the increase in first order moments, when considering the second order effects along the height of the buildings, are calculated. Finally, from the results obtained, the magnifier of the first order moments, differentiated for each storey of the structure and calculated from both γz and B2 coefficients, is estimated and the efficiency of the simplified method of obtaining final moments using the magnifier proposed is evaluated.

Efficient water use is one of the most important requirements of cleaner production, and the use of the wastewater from concrete production can be an important means to this end. However, there are no Brazilian studies on the quality of concrete plant wastewater and the activities in which such water can be used. This paper aims to evaluate the quality of concrete plant wastewater and to propose guidelines for its treatment for non-potable applications. Wastewater samples were collected from three points in the studied treatment system, and tests were later performed in the laboratory to evaluate the water quality. The results obtained were compared with the limit values for the quality parameters that have been used for the analysis of the non-potable water supply in Brazil. The results indicate a need to at least add coagulation and pH correction processes to the treatment system.

In this work, the overlapping crack mode is considered. It permits the modeling of concrete crushing through cohesive surfaces, in a similar way used to simulate fracture. The material is considered in damage when the surfaces interpenetrate each other. Besides simplicity, the big advantage of the methodology is the fact that constitutive relations are independent of the material scale. A generalization is here introduced to consider mixed crushing. Exploratory applications are made considering super-reinforced beams. The effects of the height of the beams, compressive rebars and stirrups are investigated. A good fitting with experiments is obtained.

Reinforced concrete structures are, certainly, one of the most used types of structure around world. When it is located in non-aggressive environments, it respects, in general, the structural life predicted. Unless the structure be used improperly. However, the durability of these structures is strongly connected to degradation processes whose origin is environmental and/or functional. Among these processes, it is worth to mention those related to corrosion of reinforcements. The reinforcement's corrosion is directly related to the durability and safety of concrete structures. Moreover, the chlorides diffusion is recognized as one of major factors that triggers the corrosion. Therefore, at modelling accurately the chloride diffusion, the corrosion of reinforcements can be better evaluated. Consequently, design criteria can be more realistically proposed in order to assure safety and economy into reinforced concrete structures. Due to the inherent randomness present on chloride diffusion and corrosion, these phenomena can only be properly modelled considering probabilistic approaches. In this paper, the durability of a beam designed using the criteria proposed by ABNT NBR 6118:2003 [1] is assessed using probabilistic approaches. The corrosion time initiation is determined using Fick's diffusion law whereas Faraday's corrosion laws are adopted to model the steel loss. The probability of structural failure is determined using Monte Carlo simulation. The mentioned beam is analysed considering different failure scenarios in order to study the influence of water/cement ratio and environmental aggressiveness on the probability of failure. Based on these results, some remarks are performed considering NBR recommendations and the real probability of failure.

The structural behavior and the ultimate punching shear resistance of internal reinforced concrete flat slab-column connections, with one hole adjacent to the column, with or without flexural moment transfer of the slab to the column was investigated. Main variables were: the existence whether or not hole, flexural reinforcement layout and ratio, the direction and sense of the moment transferred and the eccentricity of the load (M (moment transferred to column) / V (shear)) ratio at the connection - 0,50 m or 0,25 m. Seven internal slab-column joining were tested and ultimate loads, cracking, deflections, concrete and reinforcement strains were analyzed. The existence of hole adjacent to the smaller column dimension, the hole dimension, flexural reinforcement rate and placing, the variation of relation Mu/Vu in function of the load, and, than, of eccentricity of the load, influenced the slabs behavior and rupture load. Test results were compared with the estimations from CEB-FIP/MC1990 [7], EC2/2004 [12], ACI-318:2011 [1] and NBR 6118:2007 [5]. ACI [1] and EC2 [12] presented most conservative estimates, although have presented some non conservative estimates. Brazilian NBR [5], even though being partly based in EC2 [12], presented smaller conservative estimates and more non conservative estimates. A modification on all codes is proposed for taking in account the moment caused by the eccentricity at the critical perimeter for slabs with holes.

Conformity control of concrete is part of a range of control and standard methods which must be employed in all construction work to assure its compliance with quality requirements. The compressive strength of the concrete is considered as a random variable that must be controlled by standardized sampling and testing in order to ensure the structural safety. Therefore, the use of a large amount of compressive strength test results of concretes with similar characteristics has been seen as an important tool in the assessment of current standard norms. This paper describes an analysis based on the conformity control used in large port construction works which have recently been carried out in the Rio Grande Port, located in Rio Grande, RS, Brazil. Statistical analyses were performed and acceptance tests of the product were conducted. They were based on the acceptance criteria of different methodologies from different continents and showed the variations that can occur in the results of the conformity testing, depending on the adopted model. It is worth mentioning that the concrete used in port construction works in the region has been in accordance with current Brazilian norms.

It is important to evaluate which designing models are safe and appropriate to structural analysis of buildings constructed in Concrete Wall system. In this work it is evaluated, through comparison of maximum normal stress of compression, a simple numerical model, which represents the walls with frame elements, with another much more robust and refined, which represents the walls with shells elements. The designing of the normal stress of compression it is done for both cases, based on NBR 16055, to conclude if the wall thickness initially adopted, it is enough or not.

This paper presents fragility curves for the evaluation of a highway bridge retrofitted with seismic isolator devices. The object of this study is the Chemin des Dalles bridge over Highway 55 located in Trois-Rivières in Quebec, Canada. A series of synthetic ground motions time histories compatible with eastern Canada are used to capture the uncertainties related to the hazard. The seismic isolator model represents natural rubber bearing placed under the longitudinal girders over the bents and the abutments of the bridge. NRB isolators are placed in these locations to uncouple the movement of the superstructure and the infrastructure, increasing the flexibility of the system and decreasing the forces transmitted to the infrastructure. Finally, a set of fragility curves for the as-built and retrofitted models are compared to evaluate the effectiveness of seismic isolation to decrease the seismic vulnerability of this bridge.

O trabalho tem como foco a análise das cargas acidentais utilizadas para pavimentos de garagem, considerando as recomendações de normas nacionais e internacionais para a definição do valor das cargas a serem aplicadas nas lajes nervuradas. A norma brasileira NBR 6120/1980 [1], que trata do assunto, não especifica nada em relação a cargas concentradas, enquanto normas internacionais como Euro Code [2] e IBC [3], recomendam considerar cargas distribuídas e concentradas. Atualmente, as lajes nervuradas são utilizadas amplamente em pavimentos de garagem. Neste contexto, considerando os padrões de veículos mais utilizados no país, será que os valores de cargas distribuídas das normas são adequados para o dimensionamento das lajes nervuradas? Ou é necessário fazer uma correção destas cargas para levar em consideração as cargas concentradas da ordem de 8,5 kN por pneu correspondente a um veículo utilitário. O objetivo deste trabalho é procurar as respostas para estas duas perguntas através de uma análise paramétrica envolvendo os principais parâmetros de uma laje nervurada, que são: a relação (lambda) entre os lados, a distância entre as nervuras principais e o esquema de apoio da laje (uni ou bidirecional). De uma forma geral o conjunto das simulações mostra que as cargas recomendadas pelas normas citadas precisariam de correção quando utilizadas em pavimento de garagem para reproduzir o efeito das cargas concentradas das rodas de veículos tipo utilitário.

A passagem de tubulações em elementos estruturais ainda merece atenção especial dos projetistas, principalmente quando o modo de ruptura dos mesmos pode ser alterado devido às mudanças em seus comportamentos. Este trabalho compara os resultados experimentais obtidos para 06 (seis) lajes lisas nervuradas bidirecionais em concreto armado, com furos retangulares adjacentes aos pilares e sem armadura de cisalhamento, com as estimativas das formulações dadas pelas normas ACI 318 e NBR 6118. As lajes foram moldadas e ensaiadas no Laboratório de Engenharia Civil da UFPA e apresentaram dimensões de 1.800 mm x 1.800 mm x 150 mm, sendo submetidas a carregamento central em placas quadradas que simularam pilares com 120 mm de lado. O material inerte entre as nervuras foi o EPS e o espaçamento entre as mesmas foi de 250 mm, com largura média de 75 mm e altura 130 mm. Os resultados mostraram que as normas convergem em suas estimativas de resistência ao cisalhamento, quando as nervuras são tratadas isoladamente como vigas, e também ao puncionamento, mas neste caso tendem a ser conservadoras quando as lajes apresentam dois furos.

Strain typing is a critical tool for molecular epidemiological analysis and can provide important information about the spread of dengue viruses. Here, we performed a molecular characterization of DEN-2 viruses isolated in Brazil during 1990-2000 from geographically and temporally distinct areas in order to investigate the genetic distribution of this serotype circulating in the country. Restriction site-specific polymerase chain reaction (RSS)-PCR presented the same pattern for all 52 Brazilian samples, showing the circulation of just one DEN-2 variant. Phylogenetic analysis using progressive pairwise alignments from 240-nucleotide sequences of the E/NS1 junction in 15 isolates showed that they belong to genotype III (Jamaica genotype).

This study evaluated the usefulness of the anti-HBc, hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV), human T cell lymphotropic virus I and II antibodies (anti-HTLV I/II), serologic tests for syphilis, and surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) as surrogate markers for the risk for HIV infection in 80,284 serum samples from blood donors from the Blood Bank of "Hospital Universitário Regional Norte do Paraná", Londrina, Paraná State, Brazil, analyzed from July 1994 to April 2001. Among 39 blood donors with positive serology for HIV, 12 (30.8%) were anti-HBc positive, 10 (25.6%) for anti-HCV, 1 (2.6%) for anti-HTLV I/I, 1 (2.6%) was positive for syphilis, and 1 (2.6%) for HBsAg. Among the donors with negative serology for HIV, these markers were detected in 8,407 (10.5%), 441 (0.5%), 189 (0.2%), 464 (0.6%), and 473 (0.6%) samples, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001) for anti-HBc and anti-HCV. Although the predictive positive value for these surrogate markers were low for HIV infection, the results confirmed the anti-HBc and anti-HCV as useful surrogate markers for HIV infection thus reinforcing the maintenance of them in the screening for blood donors contributing to the prevention of the small number of cases in which HIV is still transmitted by transfusion.

A descriptive study was carried out in 104 patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria, from the region of Turbo (Antioquia, Colombia). Clinical features and levels of hemoglobin, glycemia, serum bilirubin, alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), creatinine and complete blood cell profile were established. 65% of the studied individuals were men and their mean age was 23. Of all individuals 59% had lived in the region for >; 1 year and 91% were resident in the rural area. 42% were farmers and 35% had a history of malaria. The mean parasitaemia was 5865 parasites/mm³. The evolution of the disease was short (average of 4.0 days). Fever, headache and chills were observed simultaneously in 91% of the cases while the most frequent signs were palmar pallor (46%), jaundice (15%), hepatomegaly (17%), and spleen enlargement (12%). Anemia was found in 39% of the women and in 51% of the men, 8% of individuals had thrombocytopaenia and 41% had hypoglycemia.

A total of 868 (84.89%) patients diagnosed with tetanus were studied, out of the 1,024 tetanus patients hospitalized at Couto Maia Hospital (Salvador, Bahia, Brazil), during the period between 1986 and 1997. Of this group (n = 868), 63.5% (n = 551) were discharged, 35.4% (n = 307) died, and 1.1% (n = 10) were transferred. The average age of the deceased patients (38.73 &plusmn; 23.31 years) was significantly greater (p < 0.0001) than the age of those who survived (29.21 &plusmn; 20.05 years). Analyzing the variables of the logistic regression model with statistic significance (p ;&pound;; 0.25) for univariate analysis, we observed a greater association of risk for worst prognosis (death) in patients aged ;&sup3;; 51 years; time of illness < 48 hours; time of incubation < 168 hours; neck rigidity; spasms; opisthotonos; body temperature ;&sup3;; 37.7 &ordm;C; heart beat ;&sup3;; 111 beats/minute; sympathetic hyperactivity and association with pneumonia. Among the group of those who survived, patients with 1 to 5 of those variables (n = 398; 76.8%) were more frequent, while among patients of the group of the deceased, 70.3% (n = 206) presented 6 to 10 of those variables, with a highly significant difference (p < 10-8). In conclusion, the indicators described provide early information that may guide the prognosis and medical and nurse care.

It is recognized that breast feeding is an alternative means of transmission of Chagas disease. However, thermal treatment of milk can prevent this occurrence. As domestic microwave ovens are becoming commonplace, the efficacy of microwave thermal treatment in inactivating Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes in human milk was tested. Human milk samples infected with T. cruzi trypomastigotes (Y strain) from laboratory-infected mice, were heated to 63 &deg;C in a domestic microwave oven (2 450 MHz, 700 W). Microscopical and serological examinations demonstrated that none of the animals inoculated orally or intraperitoneally with infected milk which had been treated, got the infection, while those inoculated with untreated, infected milk, became infected. It was concluded that the simple treatment prescribed, which can easily be done at home, was effective in inactivating T. cruzi trypomastigotes contained in human milk.

Por suas propriedades peculiares, a hematoxilina férrica tem sido tradicionalmente recomendada para a coloração de protozoários intestinais. O processo pode ser simplificado sem perda de qualidade dos resultados, tornando-se aplicável à rotina. Para isto reduzem-se o número de passagens e os tempos de permanência das lâminas nos líquidos usados. A hematoxilina é um corante natural, extraído de Hematoxylon campechianum, da família Leguminosae. Antes do uso ela deve "amadurecer", isto é transformar-se, por oxidação, em hemateína, que reage com o sulfato férrico-amônio para produzir a laca férrica (hematoxilina férrica), um corante básico. Habitualmente, a hematoxilina férrica é usada para corar regressivamente: as lâminas são primeiramente supercoradas e ulteriormente diferenciadas.

Foram relatados dois casos clínicos de pacientes que sobreviveram a ataques maciços de abelhas africanizadas (600 e 1500 picadas). As reações caracterizaram-se por edema difuso e generalizado, sensação de queimação na pele, cefaléia, fraqueza, parestesia generalizada, sonolência e hipotensão. A insuficiência renal aguda desenvolveu-se, tendo sido atribuída à hipotensão, hemólise intravascular, mioglobinúria devido à rabdomiólise e provavelmente ao efeito tóxico direto da grande quantidade de veneno injetada. Os pacientes foram tratados com agentes anti-histamínicos, corticosteróides e reposição hídrica. Um paciente apresentou quadro grave de insuficiência renal aguda necessitando de tratamento dialítico. Nenhuma complicação clínica foi observada durante a internação e ambos evoluíram bem com recuperação completa da função renal. Assim, a insuficiência renal aguda após picadas de abelhas ocorre provavelmente devido a nefropatia por pigmentos associada à hipovolemia. O rápido reconhecimento desta síndrome é crucial para o sucesso terapêutico destes pacientes.

Through the influenza virus surveillance from January to October 2002, influenza B/Hong Kong-like strains circulating in the Southeast and Centre East regions of Brazil have been demonstrated. This strain is a variant from B/Victoria/02/88 whose since 1991 and until recently have been isolated relatively infrequently and have been limited to South-Eastern Asia. A total of 510 respiratory secretions were collected from patients 0 to 60 years of age, with acute respiratory illness, living in the Southeast and Centre East regions of Brazil, of which 86 (17.13%) were positive for influenza virus. Among them 12 (13.95%) were characterized as B/Hong Kong/330/2001; 3 (3.49%) as B/Hong Kong/1351/2002 a variant from B/Hong Kong/330/2001; 1 (1.16%) as B/Sichuan/379/99; 1 (1.16%) as B/Shizuoka/5/2001, until now. The percentages of cases notified during the surveillance period were 34.88%, 15.12%, 15.12%, 4.65%, 15.12%, 13.95%, in the age groups of 0-4, 5-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-30, 31-50, respectively. The highest proportion of isolates was observed among children younger than 4 years but serious morbidity and mortality has not been observed among people older than 65 years, although B influenza virus component for vaccination campaign 2002 was B/Sichuan/379/99 strain. This was probably due to the elderly protection acquired against B/Victoria/02/88. In addition, in influenza A/Panama/2007/99-like (H3N2) strains 22 (25.58%) were also detected, but influenza A(H1N1) has not been detected yet.

The P System antigens have been detected in numerous parasites, bacterias and viruses, nevertheless the clinical significance is still unknown. The aim was to study the presence of P1 antigenic determiners in A. lumbricoides extracts by means of the use of 6 different monoclonal antibodies of well-known concentrations and Ig class. We worked with 14 A. lumbricoides extracts. Inhibition Agglutination Test was made in a bromelin enzymatic medium and 4 &ordm;C temperature. Titre, Score and Sensitivity Parameter were determined for each monoclonal antibody against red cells suspension used as revealing system. Ten extracts inhibited the agglutination of all anti P1 monoclonal antibodies. The 4 remaining extracts only inhibited the agglutination of some of them. It is demonstrated that the extracts have P1 activity. This activity is independent of titre, Score, Sensitivity Parameter, concentration and Ig class and it depends on the epitope at which the monoclonal antibody is directed.