Resumo Existem muitos métodos de dimensionamento de blocos de fundações, mas ainda não há consenso sobre qual método fornece a melhor abordagem para o engenheiro de projetos. No Brasil, muitos projetistas de estruturas utilizam o método clássico de Blévot, no entanto, com a revisão da norma NBR 6118 de projeto de estruturas de concreto em 2014, o meio técnico tem sido confrontado com dúvidas quanto a aplicabilidade desse método pela regulamentação vigente. De forma a contribuir com o tema, recentemente foi desenvolvido um modelo de bielas e tirantes que relaciona o método clássico com os conceitos mais atuais de modelos de bielas e tirantes. As resistências teóricas de blocos sobre 4 estacas obtidas através de vários modelos de bielas e tirantes são comparadas com ensaios experimentais. Os resultados obtidos mostram que o modelo recentemente desenvolvido é adequado para o dimensionamento de blocos rígidos.

Abstract There are many methods for designing pile caps, but there is still no consensus on which one provides the best approach for the practical engineers. In Brazil, many structural designers use the classical Blévot method; however, the applicability of the method has been questioned after the revision of the NBR 6118 standard for design of concrete structures in 2014. To support structural designers, a strut-and-tie model has recently been developed that relates the classical method to the most current concepts of strut-and-tie models. The theoretical bearing capacity of four-pile cap obtained through several strut-and-tie models are compared with experimental tests. The results show that this recently developed model is suitable for the design of deep pile cap.

Resumo O uso frequente de lajes lisas na construção de edifícios destaca a importância do aprimoramento no estudo das ligações laje-pilar, principalmente quanto a verificação do Estado Limite Último de Punção, visto a complexidade envolvida neste fenômeno. Este artigo aplica conceitos da Teoria da Confiabilidade com o objetivo de avaliar a segurança existente na formulação proposta pela norma NBR6118: 2014 para verificação de punção em lajes lisas com pilares centrados. Foram elaborados 12 modelos de análise probabilística das equações dos contornos C e C', considerando a influência que a variação da espessura da laje, do ������e da excentricidade da força cortante exerce sobre o índice de confiabilidade �� e a probabilidade de falha ����. Os resultados indicaram que a formulação do contorno C possui segurança razoável, porém o contorno C' apresentou índice �� abaixo do esperado.

Abstract The frequent use of flat slabs in building constructions highlights the importance of improving the study of slab-column joints, particularly regarding the verification of the ultimate limit state of punching shear, given the complexity of this phenomenon. This article applies concepts of the Theory of Reliability in order to evaluate the safety of the formulation established by NBR6118: 2014 standard to check punching shear in flat slabs with centered columns. Twelve probabilistic model analysis for C and C' equations were developed, considering the influence that the variation of the slab thickness, the ������ and the shear force eccentricity have on reliability index �� and failure rate ����. Results indicated that formulation of C boundary is reasonably safe, although C'boundary revealed �� index below expectations.

This work presents a kinetic study of the enzymatic hydrolysis of three cellulosic substrates: filter paper (FP), used as a low recalcitrance substrate model; steam exploded sugarcane bagasse (SB); and weak acid pretreated SB (1:20 dry bagasse:H2SO4 solution 1% w/w), the last two delignified with 4% NaOH (w/w). The influence of substrate concentration was assessed in hydrolysis experiments in a shaker, using Accellerase® 1500, at pH 4.8, in 50 mM sodium citrate buffer. Cellulose loads (weight substrate/weight total) were changed between 0.5%-13% (for FP) and 0.99%-9.09% (for SB). For FP and low loads of steam exploded SB, it was possible to fit pseudo-homogeneous Michaelis-Menten models (with inhibition). For FP and higher loads of steam exploded SB, modified Michaelis-Menten models were fitted. Besides, it was observed that, after retuning of the model parameters, it is possible to apply a model fitted for one situation to a different case. Chrastil models were also fitted and they were the only feasible approach for the highly recalcitrant acid-treated SB.

This work reviews recent trends in the modeling of cellulose hydrolysis, within the perspective of application of kinetic models in a bioreactor engineering framework, including scale-up, design and process optimization. From this point of view, despite the phenomenological insight that mechanistic models can provide, the expectation that more detailed approaches could be a basis for extrapolations to different substrates and/or enzymatic pools is still not fulfilled. The complexity of the lignocellulosic matrix, the different mechanisms of catalytic action, the role of mass transfer limitations and the deviations from ideal mixing are important difficulties for the modeler, which will continue to impose more conservative approaches for scale-up. Nevertheless, the search for more robust models is a very important task, provided that the engineer is aware of their limitations. Data-driven, non-mechanistic models such as artificial neural networks, perhaps in combination with other approaches in the so-called hybrid models, is also a promising alternative.

Na tentativa de verificar o método de estratificação mais adequado para a quebra de dormência de sementes de erva mate (Ilex paraguariensis, St. Hil.), três lotes de diferentes procedências foram submetidos, durante 6 meses, a tratamentos de estratificação em ambiente não controlado em campo e sob condições variáveis de disponibilidade de luz, temperatura, ácido giberélico e de nitrato de potássio em laboratório. As avaliações da porcentagem de germinação foram efetuadas a cada dois meses, constatando que existem diferenças de respostas de lotes a métodos de estratificação. Os métodos de estratificação que envolveram alternância de luz e temperatura e adição de nitrato de potássio foram os mais indicados para reduzir o período de dormência de sementes de erva mate.

Three lots of Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil. seeds from different origin were tested to determine the most proper stratification method to break seed dormancy. The seed lots were submitted, during six months to treatments of light and temperature alternation, addition of giberelic acid and potassium nitrate, low temperatures, and stratification in field and laboratory conditions. The evaluation of seed germination percentages were performed bimonthly. There were significative differences in the response of the seed lots to the stratification methods. The methods involving light and temperature alternation and addition of potassium nitrate were the most adequate to reduce the period of Ilex paraguariensis dormancy.

Os autores relatam o segundo caso publicado no Brasil de glioblastoma cerebelar na infância. A despeito da escassa citação na literatura mundial, questionam a raridade real desta patologia, achando que deverá ser mais frequente do que é acreditado, tendo em vista as indefinições e controvérsias anátomo-patológicas desta neoplasia.

The authors relate a case of glioblastoma multiforme of the cerebellum in a nine-years old girl. They correlate this case with reports published and they think that this pathology is not so rare as believed. This is the second case report, in Brazil, in children.