José Gonilha, professor at the Department of Civil Engineering – Técnico and researcher at CERIS received the Young Engineer Innovation Award 2016, assigned by Região Sul da Ordem dos Engenheiros, for his innovative project “Ponte de São Silvestre: a primeira ponte mista GFRP-Betão em Portugal”. According to the winner, “besides its scientific innovation, this project is distinguished by its practical application, once it will serve the population”, pointed out professor José Gonilha.

The structural system of the bridge is immune to corrosion. It weighs 3 tons and it is 11 m long and 2 m wide. Located at Parque da Senhora da Graça, in Ovar, it will allow a new crossing over Cáster river. This project was part of professor José Gonilha’s PhD thesis and project PONTALUMIS, developed in partnership with Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade do Minho and Alto, Perfis Pultrudidos S.A.

Both the static structure and the dynamic behaviour of the structure were evaluated experimentally. “This is an innovative solution with low weight, thus low maintenance costs”, explains the professor.

According to professor José Gonilha, receiving this award is the recognition of the work carried out and a way of disseminating the innovation projects developed in Portugal: “I am very grateful to receive this distinction. It reflects not only my work but also the work of the research team involved in this project, CORE Group and CERIS”, he noted.