João Santos Baptista

Bio: João Santos Baptista is an academic researcher from University of Porto. The author has contributed to research in topics: Occupational safety and health & Hygiene. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 66 publications receiving 190 citations.

Recent tools and techniques of BIM-Based Augmented Reality: A systematic review

Abstract: The Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) sector has always been recognised as a competitive and complex sector. In recent years, increased demands on construction projects in different domains such as safety, energy, time and cost management have pushed the industry towards new tools and methods, including more efficient use of digital technologies. Among the multiple available digital solutions, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is quickly positioning itself as a fundamental methodology, with its practices and tools being increasingly deployed. However, the remaining challenges to BIM adoption provide an opportunity for the development of supporting tools. The present article analyses Augmented Reality (AR) as such a tool. A systematic review was conducted to examine previous studies in the field of BIM-based AR, shedding light on the integration of this technology in the AECO sector. A list of questions was presented and answered to understand this technology's role in multiple aspects, from its main stage and field of application to the targeted stakeholders. The applied review methodology is based on PRISMA-P. The databases exploited to search for eligible articles were Scopus, Academic Search Ultimate, Current Content, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. From an initial cohort of 671 articles, 24 were selected for analysis. Additionally, a comparison between AR and Virtual Reality (VR) applications is presented. This review shows that AR implementation is far from its desired state, showing several limitations such as connection and localisation problems , lack of non-geometric information, and other challenges in using AR techniques in the construction site, (e.g., marker-based AR).

Nanosized iron based permeable reactive barriers for nitrate removal - Systematic review

Abstract: It is unquestionable that an effective decision concerning the usage of a certain environmental clean-up technology should be conveniently supported. Significant amount of scientific work focussing on the reduction of nitrate concentration in drinking water by both metallic iron and nanomaterials and their usage in permeable reactive barriers has been worldwide published over the last two decades. This work aims to present in a systematic review of the most relevant research done on the removal of nitrate from groundwater using nanosized iron based permeable reactive barriers. The research was based on scientific papers published between 2004 and June 2014. It was performed using 16 combinations of keywords in 34 databases, according to PRISMA statement guidelines. Independent reviewers validated the selection criteria. From the 4161 records filtered, 45 met the selection criteria and were selected to be included in this review. This study's outcomes show that the permeable reactive barriers are, indeed, a suitable technology for denitrification and with good performance record but the long-term impact of the use of nanosized zero valent iron in this remediation process, in both on the environment and on the human health, is far to be conveniently known. As a consequence, further work is required on this matter, so that nanosized iron based permeable reactive barriers for the removal of nitrate from drinking water can be genuinely considered an eco-efficient technology.

Falls from height: analysis of 114 cases

Abstract: Paper aims To study fall-accident cases in order to analyze the commonly missing or not adequately applied risk management measures (RMM) and its consequences depending on falling height. Originality First study to analyze failed RMM for preventing falls from height. Research method The study reviewed court cases published by the journal “Safety & Health Practitioner”. NIOSH recommendations were used to define RMM to apply to this study. Main findings Finally, in 98% of analyzed cases, the fall from height was a result of several non-adequate or missing RMM: in 81.6% procedures of work, 65.8% guardrails and edge protection, 60.5% risk assessment, and 60.5% platforms or scaffolds. It can be concluded that falls from height pose a significant risk for workers, which could be prevented by adequately apply RMM. Implications for theory and practice The focus in the prevention of falls should be given on most common RMM.

A review of permeable reactive barrier as passive sustainable technology for groundwater remediation

Abstract: The pollution of groundwater by organic or inorganic pollutants, originating from either soil leaching or anthropogenic activities, is one of the major environmental issues. Remediation of this water source is of highest priority because many countries use it for drinking purpose. Pump-and-treat method is represented for many decades the major technique to treat groundwater infected with organic/inorganic pollutants. In last two decades, this technique becomes to be in lack with the sense of modern concepts of sustainability and renewable energy. Permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) technology was introduced as an alternative method for traditional pump-and-treat systems to remediate contaminated groundwater that was achieving these concepts. Within this issue, this technology has been proven to be a successful and most efficient promising method used by many researchers and in several projects due to its direct and simple techniques to remediate groundwater. A rapid progress from bench scale to field scale implementation in the PRB technique is recognized through the last few years. In addition, this technique was modeled theoretically for characterizing the migration of contaminants spatially and temporally through the barrier and, consequently, these models can be used for estimating the longevity of this barrier. An overview of this technique and the promising horizons for scientific research that integrates this method with sustainability and green technology practices are presented in the present study.