Artículos (Construcciones Arquitectónicas I)

URI permanente para esta colecciónhttps://hdl.handle.net/11441/11307

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Parameter-based optimization of the 3D clay-printability
(Elsevier, 2025-12) Diz Mellado, Eduardo María; Jiménez Guerrero, Adriano; Pérez Fenoy, José; Rivera-Gómez, Carlos; Galán-Marín, Carmen; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España; Junta de Andalucía; TEP206: SATH Sostenibilidad en Arquitectura, Tecnología y Patrimonio: Materialidad y Sistemas Constructivos
This study focuses on optimizing the 3D printability through Liquid Deposition Modelling (LDM) of ceramic clays, particularly addressing the challenges of processing low-moisture mixtures. The main objective was to assess how the chemical and physical composition of clays, along with some deflocculant additive, affects their performance during 3D printing. The plasticity and other properties of different types of clay were evaluated. The results showed that clays with higher plasticity, like White, allowed for easier printing with lower pressures, while Red clay, with lower plasticity, required Sodium Silicate to enhance printability at reduced moisture levels. The addition of deflocculates improved the fluidity of the clay, facilitating smoother extrusion without needing higher pressure. However, the study highlighted that reducing water content significantly could not be fully offset by additives, underscoring the importance of maintaining a balanced moisture level. In conclusion, the controlled use of additives and precise regulation of printing conditions greatly improved the efficiency and quality of 3D printing. This research contributes to advancements in ceramic additive manufacturing, offering important insights for improving material handling and print quality in clay-based 3D printing applications.
Optimized workflow for high-resolution urban microclimate modeling
(MDPI, 2025) Díaz-Borrego Algaba, Julia; Escandón Ramírez, Rocío; Alonso Carrillo, Alicia; Estructuras de Edificación e Ingeniería del Terreno; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I
Modeling urban microclimates is essential for assessing thermal comfort and the urban heat island (UHI) effect, particularly in the context of climate change. The UHI intensifies thermal discomfort, increases energy demand, and exacerbates health risks during extreme heat events. Accurate urban modeling is crucial for evaluating microclimatic conditions and developing effective mitigation strategies. However, traditional 3D modeling approaches often lack the efficiency and precision required to capture complex urban morphologies and integrating key environmental elements such as vegetation. This study presents an optimized workflow for large-scale 3D urban modeling that combines open-source geospatial data with programming and parametrisation tools to enhance the accuracy and scalability of urban studies. The methodology applied in Seville comprises data acquisition, processing, and modeling to produce a high-resolution urban environment model. Using Grasshopper and the ShrimpGIS plugin, spatial datasets of buildings and urban vegetation are processed to create a high-fidelity model. The resulting model is structured for integration into environmental analysis tools such as Ladybug Tools. This integration enables the direct assessment of design choices and morphological relationships for climate resilience, facilitating a detailed evaluation of urban microclimates and climate adaptation strategies. This approach provides urban planners and researchers with a replicable, efficient methodology to support evidence-based decisions for climate-responsive urban development.
Proposal for a simplified methodology for the integration of toxicity in Life Cycle Assessment
(IOP Publishing, 2025) Rey Alvarez, Belén; Sánchez-Montañés Macías, Benito; García Martínez, Antonio; Historia, Teoría y Composición Arquitectónicas; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I
The assessment of toxicity in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) remains a significant challenge in the sustainability of materials and products. While environmental impacts such as global warming potential have been widely incorporated into standard methodologies, toxicity evaluation is often hindered by the lack of specific data and standardized approaches. In this study, we propose a simplified methodological framework to integrate toxicity assessment into LCA effectively. Our hypothesis proposes that specific toxicity calculations can be developed by identifying key toxicological indicators and modelling emissions using environmental variables. This framework incorporates data from Environmental Product Declarations, safety data sheets, and regulatory toxicity lists, enhancing the accuracy of toxicological impact assessments. To validate the proposed approach, we apply it to a case study involving materials with significant volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. Our findings indicate that the proposed methodology improves toxicity characterization at each life cycle stage, providing a more precise evaluation of potential human health. These results demonstrate that integrating toxicity into LCA is feasible and provides a more comprehensive tool for sustainable decision-making. Future research should focus on refining toxicological databases and validating the methodology across various industrial sectors to optimize its applicability and effectiveness.
Towards climate-just and sustainable schools: developing the level(s)+37 passive design framework
(MDPI, 2025-10-30) Díaz López, Carmen; Serrano Jiménez, Antonio José; Verichev, Konstantin; Barrios Padura, Ángela; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; European Union (UE); Universidad de Sevilla; TEP206: SATH Sostenibilidad en Arquitectura, Tecnología y Patrimonio: Materialidad y Sistemas Constructivos
This study presents the Level(s)+37 Framework, a decision-support tool consisting of 37 indicators designed to evaluate and enhance passive design performance, social equity, and climate resilience in primary and secondary schools. Aligned with the six macro-objectives of the European Level(s) scheme, the indicators are organised into seven thematic clusters—thermal comfort, indoor air quality, solar control and daylighting, environmental ergonomics, ecological sustainability and circular economy, climate justice and social equity, and educational value with stakeholder participation—covering all life-cycle stages from design to retrofit. The framework was developed through a six-phase mixed-methods protocol, including a systematic review of 210 scientific and regulatory sources, 24 semi-structured interviews with school stakeholders, and a Delphi–AHP involving 170 experts. The resulting hierarchy of indicators (CI < 0.10; Kendall’s W = 0.78) ensures methodological robustness and contextual relevance for the Spanish school building stock. By integrating environmental, technical, and pedagogical dimensions, the Level(s)+37 Framework serves as both an evaluation tool and a catalyst for sustainable transformation, promoting participatory governance and climate-responsive learning environments.
AI-driven morphological optimization for resilient retrofitting of mediterranean housing stock under compounded urban heat island and heatwave effects
(Elsevier, 2026-03-01) Karimi, Alireza; Moreno-Rangel, David; García Martínez, Antonio; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I; TEP1000: Comfort, Health and Energy Use in Buildings; TEP130: Arquitectura, Patrimonio y Sostenibilidad: Acústica, Iluminación, Óptica y Energía
The compounded effects of urban heatwaves (HW) and the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon threaten the thermal resilience of Mediterranean residential buildings; yet, few studies evaluate building performance under localized future climate conditions. This study addresses this gap by combining high-resolution climate projections (EUROsingle bondCORDEX) with UHI adjustments to generate localized weather files for Madrid across historical (2006–2020), mid-term (2040–2060), and long-term (2080–2100) periods under RCP8.5. Twenty residential building archetypes were simulated in EnergyPlus to evaluate energy use intensity (EUI) and operational carbon intensity (OCI) during peak thermal stress events. Key findings show that mean air temperature during HW events may increase by ∼3.5 °C by 2100, potentially doubling cooling energy demand. The results identify a significant "resilience gap": compact, well-oriented buildings achieved up to 27% lower EUI compared to less resilient typologies under identical code-compliant upgrades. Geometry-optimized designs identified via machine learning and genetic algorithms reduced EUI by up to 18% and OCI by up to 22% relative to baseline designs. Notably, up to 45% of today’s retrofitted buildings are projected to fail compliance with future CTE cooling limits, highlighting a critical need for regulatory reform. This study demonstrates the combined value of localized climate data and generative AI to inform "form-first" resilience strategies. We propose a three-tier reform for building codes, incorporating morphological resilience coefficients and AI-assisted compliance probes to ensure Mediterranean housing remains habitable and sustainable under 21st-century climatic extremes.
Caracterización del hormigón elaborado con áridos reciclados producto de la demolición de estructuras de hormigón
(CSIC, 2007) Rolón Aguilar, Julio; Nieves Mendoza, D.; Huete Fuertes, Ricardo; Blandón González, Begoña; Terán Gilmore, A.; Pichardo Ramírez, R.; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I
The present study aimed: to characterize the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of recycled aggregate from construction and concrete structure demolition waste, processed before and after crushing; to characterize fresh and hardened concrete made with such recycled aggregate; and to design different doses varying the water/cement ratio, the amount of cement and the use of superplasticizing admixtures to offset the effects of absorption. The ultimate objective was to provide a broader perspective of the use of recycled aggregate in the manufacture of new concrete.
Sustainable strategies for improving passive survivability of the traditional Pol House in Ahmedabad, India
(Elsevier, 2022) López Cabeza, Victoria Patricia; Agarwal, Aditi; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I
Demand for cooling is increasing globally as a result of economic and population growth, as well as higher temperatures. Emerging economies like India contribute to half of this growth. Adaptation of cities to changing climatic conditions is needed, along with a reduction in cooling demand to limit the greenhouse emissions that are affecting climate change. This study proposes a methodology of analysis and adaptation of a traditional dwelling, the Pol House, in the Indian city of Ahmedabad. The use of various low carbon strategies to improve passive survivability, and increase indoor and outdoor comfort is studied through a simulation model. Results show that passive strategies like increased insulation in walls and roof, a seasonal shading schedule for the windows and courtyard, when coupled with increased air movement using simple fans have proven to be very effective. Indoor comfort time increased from 39% to 90–100% and Wet Bulb Globe Temperature in comfortable categories increased between 9% and 16% in all the rooms, during the periods analyzed. In conclusion, the adaptation of traditional dwellings to current climatic conditions can be achieved with low carbon emission strategies, using adaptive comfort method, and contributing to reducing global cooling demand.
Rock imagery and acoustics at the White River Narrows (WRN), Lincoln County, Nevada
(MDPI, 2025-05-30) Díaz Andreu, Margarita; Álvarez Morales, Carmen Lidia; Benítez Aragón, Daniel; Moreno Iglesias, Diego; Loubser, Johannes H. N.; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I; TEP130: Arquitectura, Patrimonio y Sostenibilidad: Acústica, Iluminación, Óptica y Energía
This study explores the archaeoacoustics of rock imagery at Site 26LN211, the northernmost petroglyph site in the White River Narrows (WRN) Archaeological District, Nevada, USA. The research examines the relationship between rock writing placement and acoustic properties, considering their potential significance to indigenous groups such as the Southern Paiute and Western Shoshone. Fieldwork conducted in 2024 employed impulse response recordings to analyze sound behavior in various spatial configurations, including near and distant measurements. The results indicate that, unlike other WRN sites with strong echoes and reverberation, Site 26LN211 exhibits clear sound transmission with limited acoustic reflections. This suggests its suitability for oral storytelling, song recitatives, and ritual practices rather than sound-enhanced ceremonial performances. Additionally, the presence of vision quest structures above the site implies spiritual significance, although the results do not show a significant acoustic relationship between them and the petroglyph zone. Comparative studies with other indigenous sites reinforce the role of acoustics in shaping cultural landscapes. These findings contribute to broader discussions on the interplay between rock writing, sound, and indigenous traditions, emphasizing the need for preservation.
Is evaporative cooling an efficient solution for ensuring air quality and thermal comfort in overheated classrooms in a dry Mediterranean climate?
(Elsevier, 2026-01-01) Aruta, Giuseppe; Escandón Ramírez, Rocío; Calama-González, Carmen María; Ascione, Fabrizio; Suárez, Rafael; Estructuras de Edificación e Ingeniería del Terreno; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I; TEP999: HABITAE: Habitabilidad, Acondicionamiento y Energía en Arquitectura
A large percentage of school buildings in Mediterranean climates that rely solely on natural ventilation face critical issues related to indoor overheating and poor air quality. Despite the severity of these challenges, there is limited research quantifying the problem and exploring viable cooling solutions that align with nearly zero-energy building (nZEB) standards. This study aims to fill that gap by presenting a case study on the environmental performance of a classroom with a direct evaporative cooling system. The school is located in southern Spain, a region characterised by a hot and dry Mediterranean climate. The primary objective is to assess whether such a system can ensure both thermal comfort and adequate indoor air quality during periods of overheating. Based on on-site monitoring data, an EnergyPlus simulation model was calibrated and validated. This model was then used to test a range of current and future climate conditions, as well as different ventilation strategies, including natural ventilation and evaporative cooling with different air change rates. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the direct evaporative cooling system compared to conventional natural ventilation, reducing overheating hours by up to 26% and lowering indoor temperatures by as much as 6 °C.
Architectural Rehabilitation Methodology with sustainability criteria according to the European Level(s) framework. The case of the Polígono San Pablo
(IOP Publishing, 2025) Borrallo Jimenez, Milagrosa; López de Asiain Alberich, María; Morales Guisande, Ana; Herrera-Limones, Rafael; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I; Historia, Teoría y Composición Arquitectónicas
The building sector is one of those responsible for a large part of the impacts caused to the environment, being also the sector with the greatest potential to solve the problem of climate neutrality set by the European Commission for the year 2050. More than 35% of buildings in the EU are more than 50 years old. In addition, more than 94% of the current buildings in Europe will stand in 2050, subject to rehabilitation guidelines. Most of these buildings are old and energy inefficient, with more than half of them in the three lowest energy classes (E, F and G) marked by the EU. Level(s) is a voluntary and common framework for assessing the environmental performance and sustainability of buildings during their life cycle that has been developed by the European Commission. Level(s) contributes to the circular economy, offering a step-by-step procedure for life cycle assessment through a set of basic sustainability indicators for residential and office buildings, which address not only their environmental performance but also other key aspects in sustainability linked to health, comfort, well-being, the cost of the life cycle or future risks in behaviour. This article presents the research work developed for the study of different passive strategies for the rehabilitation of residential buildings in obsolete neighbourhoods of Seville, specifying the Polı́gono San Pablo as a case study. An Architectural Rehabilitation Methodology with sustainability criteria is proposed, according to the Macro Objectives of the European Level(s) framework. The work is included within the Project “Direct application of the Aura Strategy of the SD-US Team, for the rehabilitation of obsolete Andalusian neighbourhoods”.
GIS-ENVImet interoperability as a predictive tool for urban microclimate spatial assessment
(IOP Publishing, 2025) Sola Caraballo, Javier de; Fiorito, Francesco; Rivera-Gómez, Carlos; Galán-Marín, Carmen; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; European Union (UE)
In the current context of rising temperatures, adapting our cities to overheating has become a crucial issue. This adaptation necessarily involves mitigating urban heat through passive designs and energy-free techniques. This research explores the possibilities of two methodologies for approaching, assessing, and predicting the urban environment: GIS technology and microclimatic modelling of the environment using CFD software such as ENVI-met. The latest updates of both software allow for effective interoperability, making this coupled methodology a powerful tool for evaluating and previously predicting the effects of urban interventions on the microclimate. To test its potential, an entire residential neighbourhood in the Mediterranean city of Seville was selected, where improvement scenarios were modelled and evaluated for their microclimatic effects. This greatly facilitates the work of professionals and administrations, allowing for prediction of the potential benefits or detriments of an existing or proposed urban design. The case study application spatially assessed the mitigation capacity in terms of comfort (UTCI) and air temperature in the district, observing an improvement of up to -8°C of UTCI and a mean reduction of -0.63°C in air temperature with peaks of -2°C in the hottest hours.
Identifying Low-Embodied Carbon Façade Solutions for Residential Buildings in Spain
(IOP Publishing, 2025) Soust-Verdaguer, Bernardette; Gutiérrez Moreno, José Antonio; Fernández Gálvez, María Dolores; Quiñones Rodríguez, Rocío; Montes Delgado, María Victoria de; Cortés Albalá, Isidro; Palumbo, Elisabetta; Llatas, Carmen; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; Expresión Gráfica e Ingeniería en la Edificación; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; European Union (UE)
The building sector plays a crucial role in global decarbonisation efforts, with façades serving as a key component in reducing both embodied and operational carbon emissions, particularly in the context of Spain. This study provides a detailed analysis of construction solutions for the most commonly used building envelope types and materials in Spain. The study conducted the LCA of more than 30,000 combinations of layers (including different materials and thickness) and covering façade types (including ETICS, ventilated, traditional, and bio-based façades). The findings highlight the significance of each façade layer in calculating embodied carbon emissions, noting that finishing materials contribute most to the embodied carbon footprint for those with the highest impacts. Notably, the highest carbon footprint values do not always correlate with the coldest winter climate zones; rather, they depend more on the materials used and the construction solution type. The study concludes with recommendations to enhance façade design and minimise environmental impact, providing actionable insights to advance sustainable design practices in Spain.
Towards a Circular Residential Stock in Spain: In-Depth Assessment of Building Structure Scenarios
(IOP Publishing, 2025) Vásquez Cabrera, Alicia Isolina; Montes Delgado, María Victoria de; Llatas, Carmen; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; European Union (UE)
The construction sector plays a pivotal role in global economic development, contributing nearly 9% of the European Gross Domestic Product and employing approximately 18 million people. However, its reliance on a linear economic model has led to excessive resource extraction and severe waste management challenges, resulting in significant environmental and social impacts. In response, the European Commission has established a policy framework that places the transition to a Circular Economy (CE) at its core. This model promotes closed-loop systems by encouraging the use of secondary raw materials, extending the lifespan of building elements, and minimizing environmental degradation. In Spain, rising housing demand has driven a 6.7% increase in residential construction, primarily involving the construction of new multi-story buildings. Despite this momentum, circularity strategies remain focused on the End-of-Life phase, limiting integration across the whole building lifecycle. This study employs the CARES Framework , a Building Circularity Index specifically developed to evaluate structural systems, providing a multi-scalar, life-cycle-based evaluation. It assesses the circular performance of three representative new-build configurations: 3-story, 4-story, and 6-story building structures located in Barcelona, Seville, and Madrid, respectively. The findings identify key design strategies to enhance the circular performance of residential structures and support the broader transition toward sustainable construction practices.
Comparative study of Mediterranean school ventilation systems based on a predictive model for integrated assessment of energy use, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality
(Wiley, 2025) Llanos-Jiménez, Jesús; Alonso Carrillo, Alicia; Sendra, Juan J.; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; TEP999: HABITAE: Habitabilidad, Acondicionamiento y Energía en Arquitectura; TEP130: Arquitectura, Patrimonio y Sostenibilidad: Acústica, Iluminación, Óptica y Energía
In the context of climate change, the increase in frequency and intensity of heat waves, as well as air pollution, poses a challenge for environmental conditioning in buildings. This fact is of concern in schools given the special vulnerability of their occupants and the frequent energy-environmental gap of these buildings in southern Spain. The objective of this research is the assessment of different energy efficient ventilation and thermal conditioning systems in typical classrooms in warm Mediterranean climate. For this purpose, a predictive model capable of comprehensively assessing energy consumption, thermal comfort, and air quality is proposed. This model has been generated in TRNSYS and validated by analyzing discrepancies with monitoring data. The introduction of mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery and simple mechanical ventilation supplemented with a novel evaporative cooling system, with limited implementation in schools, has been evaluated and compared. In addition, the reduction of energy consumption through the installation of a photovoltaic energy production system has been evaluated. The results show that the model is effective for the proposed comprehensive assessment including detailed analysis of indoor air quality. They also prove that the novel mechanical ventilation with evaporative cooling system achieves the best balance between thermal comfort, air quality, and energy efficiency, especially in climate change scenarios with less than 28.4% of school time in discomfort. Its integration with a photovoltaic energy installation, with an installed peak power between 0.45 and 1.35 kWp, would allow covering the ventilation and lighting energy demand, proposing itself as a viable, sustainable and replicable solution for schools in hot-dry climates.
Sonic heritage of medieval bells from the Valdres region of Norway
(MDPI, 2025-09-03) Đorđević, Zorana; Álvarez Morales, Carmen Lidia; Novković, Dragan; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I; European Union (UE); TEP130: Arquitectura, Patrimonio y Sostenibilidad: Acústica, Iluminación, Óptica y Energía
Bells have long been a defining feature of Christian culture, shaping the soundscapes of medieval Europe. This article examines the sonic heritage of active medieval bells in the Valdres region of Norway. We analyze the tonal structure of bells from Slidredomen, Lomen, Hegge, Reinli, and Hedalen churches based on acoustic measurements taken during fieldwork in the summer of 2024. We collected acoustic data using a Sound Level Meter Cesva 202 and a Zoom H4n recorder, which we then used for tonal analysis of the bells with Wavanal software. The results revealed the distinctive voices of individual bells while highlighting tonal similarities among certain bells and patterns in bell selection within specific churches. Based on the study’s valuable insights into the sound character of medieval bells in Valdres, we discussed medieval bell tuning and the implications for the preservation of medieval church bells as sonic heritage.
Retrofit strategies to mitigate overheating linking urban climate modeling and urban building simulations with outdoor comfort. An urban sector in Malaga (Spain)
(Elsevier, 2023) Camporeale, Patricia Edith; Mercader-Moyano, Pilar; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I
This work evaluates the cooling effect of retrofit strategies on urban buildings and outdoor comfort in an urban sector in Málaga on one of the hottest days. The methodology links urban climate modeling and urban building simulations with outdoor comfort. The solar reflectance (SR) of roofs, urban surfaces and green areas and their forestation increases after the retrofit. Only the SR façade remains the same, be it in the current or the retrofit scenarios: 0.3. Both façade retrofit strategies consist of an opaque double skin façade (ODSF) with ceramic or metal tiles. Energy cooling is reduced by 52.51% with ceramic and by 52.57% with metal ODSF while urban comfort improves after retrofit: Universal Thermal Comfort Index (UTCI) decreases by 0.62 °C and Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT) decreases by 2.58 °C. Simultaneously, seven points at the pedestrian level assess outdoor comfort in different urban canyons. UTCI decreases more with the metal than with the ODSF ceramic. Regardless the canyon height, the width ratio or the orientation, the UTCI decreases between 2.45 °C and 4.86 °C when under a tree and it decreases more as S/N canyons narrow. This methodology and insights help stakeholders, designers, planners, and policy-makers make data-driven decisions to mitigate overheating and UHI in Mediterranean cities with similar urban building and canyon morphology.
A GIS-based methodology to increase energy flexibility in building cluster through deep renovation: A neighborhood in Seville
(Elsevier, 2021) Camporeale, Patricia Edith; Mercader-Moyano, Pilar; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I
Natural resource depletion, global warming and pollution pose substantial threats in prioritizing environmental policy, both for private organizations and for governments. Half the EU building stock is prior to energy efficiency standards, thus making it an urgent challenge for the EU to aim at decarbonized cities by 2050. Urban energy retrofitting at cluster level represents a major opportunity, as its current rate is lower than an annual 1%, 3% being the EU desirable rate. This paper presents a bottom-up methodology to assess energy flexibility of building clusters within a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework, applied on a district scale. Energy performance certificates and GIS-based data permit diagnosis and neighborhood selection. The methodology evaluates building cluster energy flexibility via energy demand reduction and PV production. The results show the building cluster hourly load profile for heating and cooling, and thermal comfort indexes. It is expected that this GIS-based methodology will become part of a wider spatial decision support tool for environmental public policies contributing to building stock transformation, from energy consumer to prosumer through deep renovation and renewable energy use. Finally, this methodology is adaptable to other climates, particularly within Spain.
Urban and social vulnerability assessment in the built environment: an interdisciplinary index-methodology towards feasible planning and policy-making under a crisis context
(Elsevier, 2021) Mercader-Moyano, Pilar; Morat, Oswaldo; Serrano Jiménez, Antonio; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I; Universidad de Sevilla
The current global crisis on Covid-19 has an adverse impact on urban regeneration of the built environment in emerging countries, with a recent world GDP drop of around 4.9 % and around 20–30 % decrease in economic funds intended for renovation policies, being required new decision support mechanisms to diagnose and quantify the vulnerability of existing neighbourhoods, aiming to conduct feasible and adjusted regeneration strategies. This research contributes with a novel interdisciplinary index-methodology for assessing the adequacy of housing environments with social backwardness, based on a dual weighting procedure of four main dimensions: Building, Urban, Environmental and Social (BUES), calculated through technical inspections, from technicians, together with social questionnaires, from users, with respect to 32 variables related to housing environments, urban services, and environmental issues. The operation and replicability of the system are tested in two representative neighbourhoods from Mexico and Spain, identifying most important weaknesses and needs according to each variable and displayed results, discussing a 0.7 points of deviation average from technicians and users in a 1–5 Likert scale. Conclusions incorporate important outcomes for urban policy-makers and technicians, providing methodological implications for adjusting public aids to promote effective regeneration guidelines based on a proper decision-making under an austere economic context.
Housing and neighbourhood diagnosis for ageing in place: Multidimensional Assessment System of the Built Environment (MASBE)
(Elsevier, 2020) Mercader-Moyano, Pilar; Flores-García, Mariana; Serrano Jiménez, Antonio; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I; Universidad de Sevilla
Current urban, health and social challenges demand new multidisciplinary assessment systems for decision-making in the built environment from the perspective of the elderly, as an even more vulnerable population. This research contributes with a Multidimensional Assessment System of the Built Environment (MASBE) that provides an integral diagnosis on the perceived suitability of urban and housing environments for an ageing population, whose novel approach is structured and weighted through 35 multidisciplinary variables that are organised in seven dimensions: design, accessibility, comfort, maintenance, security and health, use and control, and stimulus. The system is applied and tested in reference case studies from Spain and Mexico, in order to demonstrate its operation and replicability. The weighted and displayed results help to identify the weaknesses and strengths of each application scale, obtaining average values far from 7.50, as the ideal value for ageing in place, and certain dimensions below 5.00, discussing through a sensitivity analysis the main influencing factors, health risks and major demands of elderly residents before deciding action strategies. The key outcomes incorporate useful implications for policy-makers, promoters and construction firms by enabling assessment procedures to adapt urban and housing spaces for the elderly, thereby ensuring satisfactory proposals in the built environment.
Characterization of gypsum composites with polypropylene fibers from non-degradable wet wipes
(Elsevier, 2021) Romero Gómez, María Isabel; Pedreño-Rojas, M. Alejandro; Pérez Gálvez, Filomena; Rubio de Hita, Paloma; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España
The research carried out studies how the addition of plastic polypropylene fibers from recycled non-degradable wet wipes can influence on the physical and mechanical behavior of composites with a gypsum binder matrix. Four different plaster blends were studied, corresponding to percentages of 2, 2.5, 3 and 3.5% by weight of recycled plastic fibers. To characterize the different test specimens, properties such as density and strength (flexural and compressive) were determined. Also, in order to find out about the internal structure of the different composites developed at a microscopic level, a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) test was performed. The results show that more efficient materials can be obtained with a little decrease in their density compared to the reference material (gypsum). However, the improvement in the novel composites’ mechanical properties represents one of the most notable achievement of the study. A flexural strength rise of a 19% was achieved for mixtures with 2,5% of recycled PP fibers compared to the reference specimen. These results confirm the feasibility of using the gypsum composites produced for the design of new construction products and its application in building systems as wall and ceiling lining.

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