Publicado em 31 de maio de 2012 por Cleide Sales

Presentation given during the Sobratema Congress held in conjunction with M&T Expo 2012 at the Centro de Exposições Imigrantes. Read More

A tunnel, immersed in sea water, to link the cites of Santos and Guaruja is the option of choice according an assessment made by Tarcisio Celestino, an engineer and professor at the University of São Paulo (USP), in a presentation given during the Sobratema Congress held in conjunction with M&T Expo 2012 at the Centro de Exposições Imigrantes in Sao Paulo, Brazil. According to the professor, the most economical alternative providing the lowest environmental impact is the construction of tunnels beneath the channel that separates the two cities. As regards the best type of tunnel - the most suitable, according to Celestino, are immersed tube tunnels. "It's the best solution because it causes less impact to the environment and shortens the crossing, since - with the use of immersed tube tunnels - there is no need to build large ramps which are required when we’re talking about bridges," says the professor. Used in several countries, including the Netherlands, the tunnel is submerged just below the waterline and consists of modular structures of precast concrete.

In addition to Prof. Celestino, Francisco Ribeiro Neto, of the São Paulo Metro Project Management area, also participated in the series of presentations on tunnels. He addressed the theme of "Risk management in Underground Works" in which he spoke of the importance of precise management of the risks identified in construction job so as to mitigate them to an acceptable residual level. "Large Diameter Wells" was the theme of the presentation by engineer Pedro Teodoro França, of engineering company CJC Engenharia. The expert stressed the use of the types of wells suitable for large works and explained their advantages compared to braced trenches. "Basically, the well does not require shoring as in trenches, which means faster execution since there is no need to put in bracing (shoring) from one side to the other," concluded the speaker.

The challenges in the area od equipment rental for infrastructure works 

ALEC - Associação dos Locadores de Equipamentos da Construção Civil (Brazilian Association of Civil Construction Equipment Rental Companies) participated in the Sobratema Congress with the presentation: “The Rental Market in Brazil and Risks of Deindustrialization”. "Although the challenges are great, we can also state that the rental market is growing in maturity in Brazil: there is significant financial investment, mergers and acquisitions and the presence of rental companies on the Stock Exchange, which is very representative," said Marco Aurélio da Cunha, president of ALEC.

Presenting to a large assembly of entrepreneurs from various states in Brazil - a very positive fact, since 80% of associate members of ALEC are only in Brazil’s Southeast - Cunha discussed the process of deindustrialization in Brazil, a phenomenon which also occurs in other countries. "The heavy tax process, the financial system and labor laws encumber the rental business, but the phenomenon of deindustrialization complicates things," assesses Marco Aurelio da Cunha.

Another challenge for the segment is the lack of skilled labor capable of absorbing the demand. "You need to prepare professionals to operate machines at construction sites. Misuse causes returns of equipment, which means losses for both the construction company and the rental company," he underscores. To minimize the problem, ALEC has promoted the training of equipment rental company employees, covering topics such as maintenance of machines and safety in the use of equipment. "We are among the most entrepreneurial countries in the world. There are many challenges, but if there is cohesion in the category, there will be major strides forward," concludes the president of ALEC.