This article aims to compare the modalities of rail and waterway transportation with the road modal, through its characterization, in order to evaluate the efficiency of cargo transportation in Brazil. The methodology was based on a bibliographical analysis of materials in the academic environment (articles, dissertations, theses and magazines) in order to raise the strengths and points of improvement in the transport sector in Brazil, to the detriment of its high multimodal potential, reach the transport efficiency needed to maintain its economic development. Among the information obtained, it was evidenced that for decades the transposition of the Brazilian goods has been given by the predominant modal road, which in turn is saturated and limited. Due to the lack of federal government investments in infrastructure and logistics, the country is on the verge of stagnation in economic growth, as production becomes more expensive as a consequence of the high costs involved in its transportation, leaving the products at a competitive disadvantage in the national territory and in exports. In this way, the article shows that there is no one mode of transportation better than another, the transportation route becomes more appropriate according to its purpose.

Civil construction is a sector that contributes with huge amounts of waste deposited in the environment and removes much of its raw material from nature, and the processing of some of these raw materials is highly polluting. The search for minimizing the environmental impacts of this activity motivates the study of materials that may integrate the concrete in order to supply the sector demands. The present study aims to analyze the use of rice husk ash  as a replacement for cement, and of recycled aggregate, in partial replacement of aggregate. Two types of concrete were evaluated through physical and mechanical tests, the first using only cement and natural aggregates, and the second using 10% rice husk ash and 25% mixed recycled aggregate. The results indicate that there are significant differences between the natural and recycled aggregates, especially absorption and porosity. These differences reflected in lower resistance and lower modulus of elasticity, however, it is possible to confirm the feasibility to use the recycled aggregates in the manufacture of structural concrete.

The university extension has been consolidated over the last years as an essential activity of academic practice, expressing the importance of the indissociability of teaching, research and extension. In João Monlevade, in the district Baú, are located the Faculty of Engineering of the Estate University of Minas Gerais (UEMG) and the prison of the city. While the UEMG is an institution that offers teaching, research and extension for the development of science, the prison confront with problems of overcrowding, recidivism and lack of support from society. The objective of this paper is to present the project Constructing Future that made possible the change of experiences between UEMG’s teachers and students with the prisoners, through meetings with lectures, dynamics and activities of making models. The lectures addressed main themes of Civil Construction such as Bridges, Wooden Roofs, Metallic Structures, Foundations, Stairs and Electrical Installations. Constructing models allowed improving the knowledge acquired in the lectures for the construction of models that will be used during the classes, in the engineering courses of the UEMG. As a result of the meetings, it can be observed the importance of education as an instrument for rehabilitation and social reintegration of the prisoners was highlighted, during the development of the project. The project made it possible to break paradigms, reducing the prejudice that exists in working with the prison population, evidencing the high potential for the execution of jobs qualified by the prisoners. In addition, the project allowed greater integration, helping to promote the physical and mental health of the individual deprived of liberty.