Abstract The authors have recently proposed an innovative connector system that consists on a Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) perforated plate that is embedded into Steel Fibre Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete (SFRSCC) layers. The connection is strongly based in the mechanical interlock assured by the dowels originated from the \{SFRSCC\} passing through the holes opened on the \{GFRP\} plates. In this study, an analytical framework to evaluate the load capacity of the connections when loaded transversally was developed based on experimental pull-out tests presented in the companion paper (Part I). For a better understanding of the mechanical behaviour of the connections and to allow to make estimations of the load capacity of connection when it is conditioned by the rupture of the connector itself, pull-out pin-bearing tests with single-hole plates were executed to assess the effect of the type of \{GFRP\} on the strain distribution in the vicinity of the holes until the failure, as well as the estimated failure modes and load capacities of the connections.

The enhanced mechanical performance of thin-ply laminates results from their ability to delay the onset of damage typically observed in composite materials. However, in notched structures, subcritical damage growth causes beneficial stress redistributions in the vicinity of the notch, blunting the stress concentration. Precluding these damage mechanisms, as in thin-ply laminates, may potentially lead to inferior notched responses. To obviate this limitation of thin-ply laminates, a strategy based on the combination of standard grade 0� plies and thin transverse and off-axis plies is analysed in this paper. A detailed study of the effect of 0� ply blocking is carried out, with particular emphasis on the blunting mechanisms and notched response. Tests on scaled notched panels loaded in tension, with notch sizes between 6?mm and 30?mm, show that the combination of standard grade 0� ply blocks with thin transverse and off-axis plies promotes localised fibre-matrix splitting, which acts as an important notch blunting mechanism, while preventing matrix cracking and delamination. This results in an improved notched response and superior large damage capability. It is also shown that thicker 0� ply blocks provide higher stability in composite bolted joints, while the thin transverse and off-axis plies contribute for matrix-dominated damage suppression, resulting in an improved bolt-bearing response. The improvements of the large damage capability and bolt-bearing performance are obtained without compromising the superior unnotched tensile and compressive strengths intrinsic to thin-ply laminates.

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The present paper aims to examine the potential of the Applied Element Method (AEM) in simulating the blast effects in RC panels. The numerical estimates are compared with the results obtained in an experimental campaign designed to investigate the effectiveness of fibre grout for strengthening full scale RC panels by comparing the effects that a similar blast load produces in a reference and the strengthened panel. First, a numerical model of the reference specimen was created in the software Extreme Loading for Structures and calibrated to match the experimental results. With no further calibration, the fibre reinforced grout strengthening was added and the resulting numerical model subjected to the same blast load. The experimental blast effects on both reference and strengthened panels, despite the lack of high speed measurement equipment (pressure, strains and displacements sensors), compare well with the numerical estimates in terms of residual and maximum displacements, showing that, once calibrated, the AEM numerical models can be successfully used to simulate blast effects in RC panels.

Neste artigo é apresentado um resumo das intervenções de conservação realizadas no século passado e dos estudos e testes não destrutivos realizados na última década na Igreja de São Leonardo na Atouguia da Baleia. Em seguida mostra-se o padrão de degradação que ocorre nos portais de arenito da igreja e é analisada a evolução da alveolização que ocorreu nos portais de arenito ao longo dos últimos sessenta a setenta anos. No final, a inspeção visual dos portais de arenito é comparada com um levantamento realizado através de varrimento por laser 3D.

Glass samples with a molar composition (64+x)ZnO-(16-x)B2O3-20SiO2, where x=0 or 1, were successfully synthesized using a melt-quenching technique. Based on differential thermal analysis data, the produced glass samples were submitted to controlled heat-treatments at selected temperatures (610, 615 and 620{\{}$\backslash$textdegree{\}}C) during various times ranging from 8 to 30h. The crystallization of willemite (Zn2SiO4) within the glass matrix was confirmed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Under specific heat-treatment conditions, transparent nanocomposite glass-ceramics were obtained, as confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy. The influence of temperature, holding time and glass composition on crystal growth was investigated. The mean crystallite size was determined by image analysis on SEM micrographs. The results indicated an increase on the crystallite size and density with time and temperature. The change of crystallite size with time for the heat-treatments at 615 and 620{\{}$\backslash$textdegree{\}}C depended on the glass composition. Under fixed heat-treatment conditions, the crystallite density was comparatively higher for the glass composition with higher ZnO content. {\{}©{\}} 2016.