PERSONAL DATA

Maria Luisa Mendes de Vasconcelos Braga Farinha

ORCID

CIÊNCIAVITAE

WEB OF SCIENCE

SCOPUS

PROFESSIONAL STATUS

Assistant Researcher

ACADEMIC AND SCIENTIFIC DEGREES

PhD in Civil Engineering (IST, 2010)

Master's in Structural Engineering (IST, 2000)

Degree in Civil Engineering, branch of Structures (IST, 1991)

CURRENT AND PREVIOUS POSITIONS

Assistant Researcher, LNEC (since 2010)

Member of the Board of the Portuguese Geotechnical Society (SPG) (2012-2016)

Research Assistant, LNEC (2000-2010)

Research Trainee, LNEC (1996-2000)

Research Fellow, LNEC (1994-1996)

Design Engineer, PROMAN - Centro de Estudos e Projetos, S.A. (1991-1993)

MAIN AREAS OF RESEARCH/INTEREST

Concrete dams

Rock foundations

Hydromechanical behaviour of foundations

Numerical modelling

Safety control/evaluation

DEVELOPED ACTIVITY 

Carrying out, coordinating and promoting scientific research and technological development studies in the field of concrete and masonry dams

Ongoing projects:

DAMFA – Cutting-edge solutions for the sustainable assessment of concrete dam foundations. LNEC, NOVA - FCT (2016-current)

SSHH4DAMS - Seismic and Structural Health Monitoring of Large Concrete Dams (PTDC/ECI-EGC/5332/2020). LNEC, IST-ID, ISEL (2021-2024)

Study and observation of the behaviour of concrete and masonry dams, with a view to providing information on their safety and durability conditions:

Alqueva, Pedrógão, Ribeiradio, Ermida, Carrapatelo, Alto Lindoso, Touvedo, Odiáxere, Roxo, Odivelas, Caia, Monte Novo, Corgas, Penha Garcia, Açude-Ponte de Coimbra, Vilarinho das Furnas and Vale de Madeira dams.

Studies:

Numerical modelling of the mechanical and hydro-mechanical behaviour of foundations

Studies to assess the safety of dam foundations

Analysis of the stress field in concrete dams

Methodologies for quantitative interpretation of various quantities

Certification and assessment studies on instruments, accessories, and procedures

Support for the National Dam Safety Authority in the quality control of projects and the construction and operation of large concrete and masonry dams:

Carrying out specialised inspection visits

Drawing up, assessing and updating dam observation plans

Assessing plans for the first filling of reservoirs

Technical assessments

Drawing up studies on foundation failure scenarios

Monitoring the construction of the Ribeiradio and Ermida dams

Defining procedures, carrying out and analysing the results of in situ tests:

Water inflow tests in drainage holes and piezometric tests to characterise the flow in dam foundations

Sound and ultrasound wave propagation tests on concrete dams and masonry structures of buildings classified as National Monuments

Promoting the dissemination of knowledge and results obtained:

Publishing book chapters and articles in national and international journals

Presentation of lectures and communications at scientific meetings

Collaboration in the development of models:

Analysis and prediction of the behaviour of concrete dams (separation of effects)

Hydromechanical modelling in small displacements

Co-operation with universities, organisations and associations:

Guiding trainees, scholarship holders and master's students and scientific coordination of post-doctoral work in the scientific area of dams

Participating in juries for master's exams and monitoring doctoral theses

Responsible for organising and preparing a course on dam inspections in Cape Verde and participating in inspection visits and safety assessment studies (Poilão, Faveta, Salineiro and Saquinho dams)

Preparation and submission of applications for research projects

Member of the Order of Engineers, SPG and ISRM

Participation in national and international science and technology activities:

Review of articles submitted to scientific journals

Review of papers submitted to conferences

Coordination of and participation in congresses, seminars and professional training activities