Traditional and heritage constructions: a continuous increase of knowledge

Prof. Alexandre Costa
ISEP (School of Engineering)
Polytechnic Institut of Porto
Portugal
Founding Member of NCREP

Research Seminar, February 20, 2020 

The behaviour of existing constructions is a continuous search of knowledge regarding materials, construction techniques, structural behaviour as well as historical and cultural values. Therefore, interventions on existing traditional and even more important heritage constructions, requires a deep knowledge in the area of conservation and rehabilitation and adequate solutions concerning the high historical values as well as the importance of these structures for the community.

This seminar will present recent applied research activities developed by NCREP – Consultancy on Rehabilitation of Built Heritage, Ltd., including some collaborations with academic and scientific institutions (ISEP, FEUP, IUSS Pavia, Univ. Mons), with the main objective of developing new possibilities to rehabilitate existing masonry and timber constructions. Moreover, some recent challenges faced within different rehabilitation and design projects will be presented, including interventions on UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Short Bio 

Alexandre Costa obtained the degree on Civil Engineering at FEUP (Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 2005), the Master on Earthquake Engineering at ROSESchool (European School for Advanced Studies in Reduction of Seismic Risk, Pavia, Italy, 2007) and the PhD at FEUP (2012), being currently invited adjunct professor at ISEP (School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Porto) since 2010. 

The main research topics are masonry and timber structures, seismic behaviour of masonry buildings, seismic strengthening and retrofit as well as rehabilitation of existing structures. He is author and co-author of several scientific publications in the area of the above mentioned subjects, being member of LESE (Laboratory of Earthquake and Structural Engineering) and CONSTRUCT research group. Alexandre Costa is also founder and partner of NCREP – Consultancy on Rehabilitation of Built Heritage, Ltd., being involved in more than 200 projects and reports within the area of inspection, diagnosis and rehabilitation of existing structures, and several awards within the area of structural rehabilitation.