Artículos (Construcciones Arquitectónicas II)

URI permanente para esta colecciónhttps://hdl.handle.net/11441/11312

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Environmental footprint of 3D-printed concrete using recycled materials
(MDPI, 2025-12-26) Muñoz Sanguinetti, Claudia; Vega Coloma, Mabel; Letelier, Viviana; Marrero Meléndez, Madelyn; García Alvarado, Rodrigo; Wegertseder Martínez, Paulina; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (Chile); TEP172: Arquitectura: Diseño y Técnica
The construction sector undeniably has an impact on sustainability in its three dimensions: economic, social, and environmental. In this context, 3D concrete printing (3DCP) has emerged over the last decade as an attractive technology for transforming this sector. It enables the manufacture of construction elements while saving time, reducing waste, and eliminating the need for molds. However, assessments of the environmental performance of implementing this technology are limited, particularly under representative production conditions. This study evaluates the footprint family indicators, carbon footprint (CF), ecological footprint (EF), and water footprint (WF), of different mixtures of 1 m3 of 3D-printed concrete, with 1m of a high printed wall. These mixtures were made with a proportion of fresh solid aggregates; brick and concrete rubble (as demolition waste (CDW) materials) were used as partial replacements for cement. In addition, the environmental impact of using two printing technologies, gantry and robotic arm systems, is analyzed. The results show that materials are the main source of environmental impacts; the replacement of some of the cement reduces CF and EF by up to 20% and 19%, respectively, while preserving printability and buildability, as demonstrated by the stable fabrication of 1 m-high printed wall elements. However, moderate increases in WF were observed, which were associated with the electricity consumption of waste processing. These results confirm the potential for valorizing CDW in 3D printing mixtures. This environmental assessment under full-scale printing conditions supports sustainability-oriented decision-making in the construction industry.
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.
Conservation and Preservation of Historic Plasterwork: the Study of Decorative Pineapples of the Royal Alcazar of Seville
(Taylor & Francis, 2024) Torres González, Marta; Blasco-López, Francisco Javier; Alejandre Sánchez, Francisco Javier; Alducín Ochoa, Juan Manuel; Moya Fierro, Marta; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; Expresión Gráfica y Arquitectónica
The study of materials and constructive systems for the conservation and preservation of architectural heritage is of great relevance in the case of the Royal Alcazar of Seville, a World Heritage Site since 1987. This palatial complex stands out for its plasterwork decorations and this work aims to study the most significant anomaly: the detachment of all the pineapples presented on the sebka surfaces. The present study focused on the organoleptic inspection of pineapples, together with a planimetric survey and the study of their environmental conditions. The study developed has allowed (i) to establish the hypothesis of the different fixation systems used over time; (ii) to identify anomalies present in decorative pineapples; and (iii) to analyse recent emergency actions undertaken in the pineapples to prevent their detachment. The results obtained represent novel information of historical, artistic, and constructive interest in these ornamental pieces in plaster, useful for future conservation and restoration interventions.
Workpiece coordinate system measurement for a robotic timber joinery workflow
(MDPI, 2025-07-31) Quitral Zapata, Francisco; García Alvarado, Rodrigo; Martínez Rocamora, Alejandro; González Böhme, Luis Felipe; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; TEP172: Arquitectura: Diseño y Técnica
Robotic timber joinery demands integrated, adaptive methods to compensate for the inherent dimensional variability of wood. We introduce a seamless robotic workflow to enhance the measurement accuracy of the Workpiece Coordinate System (WCS). The approach leverages a Zivid 3D camera mounted in an eye-in-hand configuration on a KUKA industrial robot. The proposed algorithm applies a geometric method that strategically crops the point cloud and fits planes to the workpiece surfaces to define a reference frame, calculate the corresponding transformation between coordinate systems, and measure the cross-section of the workpiece. This enables reliable toolpath generation by dynamically updating WCS and effectively accommodating real-world geometric deviations in timber components. The workflow includes camera-to-robot calibration, point cloud acquisition, robust detection of workpiece features, and precise alignment of the WCS. Experimental validation confirms that the proposed method is efficient and improves milling accuracy. By dynamically identifying the workpiece geometry, the system successfully addresses challenges posed by irregular timber shapes, resulting in higher accuracy for timber joints. This method contributes to advanced manufacturing strategies in robotic timber construction and supports the processing of diverse workpiece geometries, with potential applications in civil engineering for building construction through the precise fabrication of structural timber components.
The hidden cost of comfort: regulatory blindness to humidity and a new energy poverty index for tropical housing
(Elsevier, 2025) Delgado Gutiérrez, Evelyn Yaneth; Rubio Bellido, Carlos; Torres González, Marta; Ingeniería Gráfica; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II
Prevailing thermal comfort and energy efficiency standards such as ASHRAE 55 and NEC HS-EE are fundamentally misaligned with the climatic realities of tropical regions, where relative humidity—rather than temperature—constitutes the dominant factor influencing occupant comfort. Both frameworks rely primarily on-air temperature and running mean calculations, neglecting the substantial influence of relative humidity. This simplification is particularly problematic in tropical climates, where high humidity levels frequently amplify the perception of heat, impair natural cooling mechanisms, and significantly increase the need for mechanical systems. This study evaluates the performance of low-income housing in coastal Ecuador using dynamic simulations under current and future climate scenarios, comparing energy demand outcomes for envelope designs compliant with NEC and ASHRAE standards. The results show that these standards, while effective in temperate climates, lead to internal overheating and substantially increased cooling loads when applied to tropical settings. Moreover, the inclusion of relative humidity in comfort analysis reveals that actual thermal conditions often surpass acceptable thresholds—even when operative temperatures fall within the normative comfort bands. To better reflect the lived thermal experience, a modified energy poverty indicator is proposed, integrating relative humidity as a key variable. Findings show that achieving real comfort conditions under high humidity may require up to ten times more energy than estimated by temperature-only models, pushing household costs beyond affordability limits. These results highlight a critical mismatch between prevailing standards and tropical climatic conditions, underscoring the need for more context-sensitive frameworks that explicitly address humidity-driven discomfort and its socioeconomic consequences
Health-related quality of life and work ability among paid and family caregivers: A cross-sectional study in an industrially developing country
(Elsevier, 2025) Bernardes, João Marcos; Araújo, Laura; Chavari de Arruda, Rodrigo; Pereira de Oliveira, Adriano Paulo Aparecido; Alonso, Melissa Spröesser; Ruiz-Frutos, Carlos; Camacho Vega, Juan Carlos; El Khoury Moreno, Luis; Torrejón Martínez, Julio; Gómez Salgado, Juan; Dias, Adriano; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; Estomatología
Caregivers are essential for providing daily care to individuals with functional disabilities, but caregiving can negatively impact physical and mental health. This study assessed the health-related quality of life and work ability of 97 paid caregivers and 91 family caregivers, identifying factors associated with these outcomes. Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests were used to analyze differences between groups, along with logistic regression models to explore the relationship between caregiver burden, social support, and the outcomes. Results showed family caregivers experienced higher burden, lower social support, worse quality of life, and reduced work ability compared to paid caregivers. Longer caregiving hours were linked to poorer outcomes, while good physical fitness was a protective factor. Moderate to severe caregiver burden strongly correlated with poor outcomes, while social support had a protective effect. The findings highlight the importance of interventions to reduce caregiver burden, enhance social support, and promote physical fitness for caregivers.
Systematic methodology for estimating the social dimension of construction projects - assessing health and safety risks based on project budget analysis
(MDPI, 2025-07-01) Alba-Rodríguez, María Desirée; Lucas Ruiz, Valeriano; Marrero Meléndez, Madelyn; Ingeniería del Diseño; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; Junta de Andalucía; TEP172: Arquitectura: Diseño y Técnica
One of the major challenges in the construction sector involves achieving sustainability in all three of its dimensions: economic, social, and environmental. Economic and environmental assessments have already been unified, but social indicators are still excluded. In this line, it is important for a rapid introduction of sustainability indicators that the evaluations of its three dimensions are carried out simultaneously and without adding new training or a large workload to the project. In this work, it is proposed to use the definition of tasks in construction cost databases. These, due to their long tradition in the sector, have a clear definition of the contours of the problem and the inventory of resources. Therefore, based on this inventory that does not leave any unaccounted element, the evaluation of the social dimension is proposed through the use of the work units of the databases as an element of occupational risk assessment. The project cost and risk assessment are performed simultaneously in the construction of a social housing project in Andalusia, Spain. The costs of prevention measures represent 5% of the work units’ costs and reduce the risk indicator by 65%.
Contribution of circular economy levels to sustainable development goals: Literature review based on natural language processing techniques
(2025) Falah, Nadia; Falah, Navid; Solís-Guzmán, Jaime; Marrero Meléndez, Madelyn; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II
Nearly a decade after the establishment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Circular Economy (CE) action plan, the extent to which CE effectively drives sustainable development across its social, economic, and environmental dimensions remains unclear. This article explores the dynamic interaction between CE's micro, meso, and macro levels and the SDGs. It presents a visual framework to align traditional linear sustainability models with circularity while clarifying CE objectives and their connection to the 17 SDGs. The study employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to analyze the semantic similarity between SDGs and CE levels. This approach systematically determines their alignment degree and the probability distribution of SDG coverage within each strategic CE level, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of SDGs. The results reveal the macro level demonstrates a more profound alignment, with an almost 57.9 % coverage of the SDGs, while the meso level has a high discursively relate with 49.5 %. Additionally, SDG8, SDG11 and SDG17 are recognized as the most aligned goals with CE levels, and SDG4 is classed as the least. This finding underscores the significant conversancy of macro-level initiatives, particularly in social dimension, towards SD, maps the most circular SDGs and clarifies the links between the dimensions of sustainability and CE and discursively relate of them. If offers insights for stakeholders, highlighting the need for a cohesive, multi-tiered CE strategy to support the SDGs. The study also calls for further research to develop metrics assessing CE’s impact on SDGs across different contexts.
Cardiac rehabilitation for workers with ischemic heart disease: Benefits for cardiovascular health and quality of life
(Wolters Kluwer Health, 2025) Delgado-Calderón, Manuel; Jiménez-Ortega, Lara Estefanía; Ladisa, María; Camacho Vega, Juan Carlos; Vilches Arenas, Ángel; Luque Romero, Luis Gabriel; Palomo-Gómez, Rocío; Martín-Pereira, Jorge; Gómez Salgado, Juan; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública
Cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRPs) are multifactorial interventions defined by the World Health Organization as essential strategies to improve patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by enhancing their physical, psychological, social, and occupational well-being. These programs are a cornerstone in the comprehensive treatment of heart disease, facilitating the recovery of functional capacity and reintegration into the workforce through a multidisciplinary approach. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of CRPs in enhancing functional capacity (cardiac and psychological) and HRQoL in workers with ischemic heart disease. An observational pre-post study without a control group was conducted, focusing on actively employed individuals with ischemic heart disease. A total of 214 patients were included, selected according to specific inclusion criteria after excluding those not suitable for longitudinal follow-up. Participants were active workers aged 18 to 65 years who were prescribed a CRP between January 2020 and December 2021. Sociodemographic, occupational, cardiovascular risk, and clinical-therapeutic data were collected to evaluate changes following completion of the program. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was also assessed. A total of 214 patients were included, 83.9% male, with a mean age of 54.21 years. Most had a history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, low physical activity, overweight or obesity, and a family history of ischemic heart disease. Among those who started the program (94.4%), the most common diagnosis was acute myocardial infarction involving a single coronary vessel. Additionally, 77.1% underwent stent angioplasty, and 47.2% participated in a moderate-risk CRP. After completion, the SF-36 score improved significantly (46.92 vs 70.21), and depressive symptoms decreased (55.10% vs 38.22%). Significant benefits were observed in most modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, along with an increase in the proportion of patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (65.4% vs 72%) and in metabolic equivalent (MET) levels. In 157 participants (73.4%), MET gain was quantified, with a mean increase of 2.67 ± 1.64 METs. These findings suggest that cardiac rehabilitation, as a secondary prevention strategy, effectively improves cardiac function and HRQoL in working-age patients with ischemic heart disease.
A GIS-based common data environment for integrated preventive conservation of built heritage systems
(MDPI, 2025-08-21) Hidalgo Sánchez, Francisco Manuel; Ruiz Moreno, Ignacio; Canivell, Jacinto; Soriano-Cuesta, Cristina; Kada, Martin; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; Estructuras de Edificación e Ingeniería del Terreno; Universidad de Sevilla; TEP018: Ingeniería del Terreno; TEP211: Conservación Preventiva del Patrimonio Construido
Preventive conservation (PC) of built heritage has proved to be one of the most efficient and sustainable approaches to ensure its long-term preservation. Nevertheless, the management of all the areas involved in a PC project is complex, often resulting in poor interaction between them. This research proposes a GIS-based methodology for integrating data from different PC areas into a centralised digital model, establishing a Common Data Environment (CDE) to optimise PC strategies for heritage systems in complex contexts. Applying this method to the pavilions of the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition in Seville (Spain), the study addresses five key PC areas: active follow-up, damage detection and assessment, risk analysis, maintenance, and dissemination and valorisation. The approach involved designing a robust relational database structure—using PostgreSQL—tailored for heritage management, defining several data standardisation criteria, and testing semi-automated procedures for generating multi-scale 2D and 3D GIS (LOD2 and LOD4) entities using remote sensing data sources. The proposed spatial database has been designed to function seamlessly with major GIS platforms (QGIS and ArcGIS Pro), demonstrating successful integration and interoperability for data management, analysis, and decision-making. Geographic web services derived from the database content were created and uploaded to a WebGIS platform. While limitations exist, this research demonstrates that simplified GIS models are sufficient for managing PC data across various working scales, offering a resource-efficient alternative compared to more demanding existing methods.
Multidisciplinary Approach in the Structural Diagnosis of Historic Buildings: Stability Study of the Bullring of Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda (Spain)
(MDPI, 2025) Pachón García, Pablo; Garduño Ferreras, Carlos; Vázquez Vicente, Enrique; Baeza Álvarez, Juan Ramón; Compán Cardiel, Víctor Jesús; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; Estructuras de Edificación e Ingeniería del Terreno; Ingeniería del Diseño
The structural health monitoring of historic buildings represents one of the most significant challenges in contemporary structural analysis, particularly for large-scale structures with accumulated damage. Obtaining reliable diagnostics is crucial yet complex due to the inherent uncertainties in both geometric definition and material properties of historic constructions, especially when structural stability may be compromised. This study presents a comprehensive structural assessment of the Bullring of the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda (Spain), an emblematic 18th-century structure, through an innovative multi-technique approach aimed at evaluating its structural stability. The methodology integrates various non-destructive techniques: 3D laser scanning for precise geometric documentation, operational modal analysis (OMA) for global dynamic characterisation, experimental modal analysis (EMA) for local assessment of critical structural elements, and sonic tests (ST) to determine the elastic moduli of the principal materials that define the historic construction. The research particularly focuses on the inner ring of sandstone columns, identified as the most vulnerable structural component through initial dynamic testing. A detailed finite-element (FE) model was developed based on high-precision laser-scanning data and calibrated using experimental dynamic properties. The model’s reliability was validated through the correlation between numerical predictions and experimental observations, enabling a thorough stability analysis of the structure. Results reveal concerning stability issues in specific columns of the inner ring, identifying elements at significant risk of collapse. This finding demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in detecting critical structural vulnerabilities in historic buildings, providing crucial information for preservation strategies.
A novel Index of Vulnerable Homes: findings from application in Spain
(SAGE Publications, 2020) Castaño Rosa, Raúl; Solís-Guzmán, Jaime; Marrero Meléndez, Madelyn; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II
This paper develops a novel index of vulnerable homes in terms of fuel poverty that is based on the analysis of different existing fuel poverty indicators and their relationship to the residential sector. The new index of vulnerable homes unifies the many indicators hitherto employed, and assesses the home vulnerability situation regardless of whether or not it is in fuel poverty by using three dimensions: monetary cost, energy and thermal comfort. The monetary dimension analyses vulnerability in relation to the available net income to face everyday life. The energy variable assesses the vulnerability related to the constructive characteristics of the dwelling. Finally, the introduction of the thermal-comfort variable enables the evaluation of the vulnerability related to the inner temperature of the dwelling and its perception by occupants. The combination of the different resulting values in each dimension and its relationship to the quality of life of occupants establishes a hierarchy of vulnerable levels. As a result, a multi-dimensional index is defined which relates technical aspects (characteristics of the dwelling) and social aspects (quality of life of households). The index of vulnerable homes provides a more complete assessment of the home situation than the existing fuel poverty indicators by identifying which variables require a greater assistance.
Semantic HBIM for heritage conservation: a methodology for mapping deterioration and structural deformation in historic envelopes
(MDPI, 2025-06-10) Nieto Julián, Juan Enrique; Robador González, María Dolores; Moyano, Juan; Bruno, Silvana; Expresión Gráfica e Ingeniería en la Edificación; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; TEP970: Innovación Tecnológica, Sistemas de Modelado 3d y Diagnosis Energética en Patrimonio y Edificación; TEP172: Arquitectura: Diseño y Técnica
The conservation and intervention of heritage structures require a flexible, interdisciplinary environment capable of managing data throughout the building’s life cycle. Historic building information modeling (HBIM) has emerged as an effective tool for supporting these processes. Originally conceived for parametric construction modeling, BIM can also integrate historical transformations, aiding in maintenance and preservation. Historic buildings often feature complex geometries and visible material traces of time, requiring detailed analysis. This research proposes a methodology for documenting and assessing the envelope of historic buildings by locating, classifying, and recording transformations, deterioration, and structural deformations. The approach is based on semantic segmentation and classification using data from terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), applied to the Palace of Miguel de Mañara—an iconic 17th-century building in Seville. Archival images were integrated into the HBIM model to identify previous restoration interventions and assess current deterioration. The methodology included geometric characterization, material mapping, semantic segmentation, diagnostic input, and temporal analysis. The results validated a process for detecting pathological cracks in masonry facades, providing a collaborative HBIM framework enriched with expert-validated data to support repair decisions and guide conservation efforts.
Historical "Sebka" Plaster Claddings: Geometric Analysis, Construction Insights, Conservation Status, and Digital Recreation of Polychrome
(Taylor and Francis, 2025-07-03) Torres González, Marta; Blasco-López, Francisco Javier; Alejandre Sánchez, Francisco Javier; Ingeniería Gráfica; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España
Historic plasterwork façades, particularly sebka panels in UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Courtyard of the Maidens, represent outstanding examples of Islamic and Mudéjar decorative traditions. Despite their cultural significance, these ornamental claddings are highly susceptible to environmental degradation, structural vulnerabilities, and inappropriate restoration practices. This research adopts an interdisciplinary approach to the preventive conservation of historical plasterwork, combining geometric analysis, environmental monitoring, and material characterisation. Non-destructive techniques, such as infrared thermography (IRT), allowed for the diagnosis of concealed pathologies and construction systems, while XRD analysis provided unprecedented insight into the original polychrome finishes. The study identified typological variations in sebka panels and underscored the role of temperature and relative humidity fluctuations in the mechanical failure of decorative elements, such as pineapples and metal fixings. Crucially, the analysis of the remaining polychromies revealed the original colour palette — featuring azurite blue, vermilion, red ochre, and organic black — thereby recovering the chromatic richness of these unique plasterworks. The outcomes of this research offer innovative preventive conservation strategies and a comprehensive diagnostic methodology that can serve as a reference for the preservation of Islamic-Mudéjar plasterwork in Spain and beyond, ensuring the safeguarding of their material authenticity and artistic integrity.
Thermal comfort in social housing in Ecuador: do free-running buildings work in current and future climates?
(MDPI, 2025-06-12) Delgado Gutiérrez, Evelyn Yaneth; Rubio Bellido, Carlos; Canivell, Jacinto; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; RNM162: Composición, Arquitectura y Medio Ambiente; TEP211: Conservación Preventiva del Patrimonio Construido
Ecuador faces a significant housing deficit, prompting government policies aimed at improving access to social housing for vulnerable families. Despite its relatively small geographic size, the country exhibits substantial climatic diversity, encompassing ten distinct Köppen–Geiger climate zones. These range from tropical rainforests to high-altitude Andean regions, each requiring specific housing strategies. However, social housing units are typically designed using a standardized model that disregards regional climatic variations, leading to suboptimal thermal performance and energy inefficiencies. This study evaluates the thermal comfort performance of standardized free-running social housing across six distinct cantons, using the ASHRAE 55-2020 adaptive comfort model. Dynamic simulations were conducted for both current climatic conditions and future scenarios for 2050 and 2100, employing tools such as Meteonorm 8.1 (for weather data), EnergyPlus 9.4.0, and DesignBuilder 7.0 (for thermal modeling). The findings reveal significant differences in indoor comfort levels among identical housing units due to localized climate conditions. Notably, high-altitude regions showed improved thermal performance under future scenarios, whereas coastal lowland areas experienced increased discomfort. These results underscore the urgent need for climate-responsive, adaptive housing designs tailored to local climatic realities across all regions of Ecuador.
StainView: A Fast and Reliable Method for Mapping Stains in Facades Using Image Classification in HSV and CIELab Colour Space
(MDPI, 2023-06-01) Torres González, Marta; Valença, Jónatas; Santos, Bruno O.; Silva, Ana; Mendes, Maria P.; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (Portugal)
The new Construction 4.0 paradigm takes advantage of existing technologies. In this scope, the development and application of image-based methods for evaluating and monitoring the state of conservation of buildings has shown significant growth, including support for maintenance plans. Recently, powerful algorithms have been applied to automatically evaluate the state of conservation of buildings using deep learning frameworks, which are utilised as a black-box approach. The large amount of data required for training, the difficulty in generalising, and the lack of parameters to assess the quality of the results often make it difficult for non-experts to evaluate them. For several applications and scenarios, simple and more intuitive image-based approaches can be applied to support building inspections. This paper presents the StainView, which is a fast and reliable method. The method is based on the classification of the mosaic image, computed from a systematic acquisition, and allows one to (i) map stains in facades; (ii) locate critical areas; (iii) identify materials; (iv) characterise colours; and (v) produce detailed and comprehensive maps of results. The method was validated in three identical buildings in Bairro de Alvalade, in Lisbon, Portugal, that present different levels of degradation. The comparison with visual inspection demonstrates that StainView enables the automatic location and mapping of critical areas with high efficiency, proving to be a useful tool for building inspection: differences were of approximately 5% for the facade with the worst and average state of conservation, however, the values deteriorate for the facade under good conditions, reaching the double of percentage. In terms of processing speed, StainView allows a facade mapping that is 8–12 times faster, and this difference tends to grow with the number of evaluated façades.
Study of interior hygrometry profiles for the hygrothermal assessment of social housing envelopes in humid temperate climates
(Elsevier, 2025-06-01) Arriagada Bustos, Roberto; Bobadilla Moreno, Ariel; Rubio Bellido, Carlos; Pérez Fargallo, Alexis; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; RNM162: Composición, Arquitectura y Medio Ambiente
The building sector has focused on energy efficiency to promote sustainable development. However, incorporating energy efficiency measures in buildings usually affects their hygrothermal performance and can cause condensation and mold growth in their envelopes. These phenomena are related to the indoor climate, the enclosure setup, and the outdoor climate, so properly characterizing these parameters is fundamental for making hygrothermal assessments. From this perspective, the indoor climate is usually defined based on hygrometry classes or profiles, such as those in the ISO13788, EN15026, WTA, and DIN4108 standards. These standards have different limit values that seek to reflect the practices and cultures of use for buildings. The novelty of this research is to make new indoor hygrometry profiles based on post-occupational measurements. The indoor and outdoor humidity and temperature of 67 social housing units were monitored to build the new indoor hygrometry profiles, with 74,440 indoor and 4089 outdoor records. The excess indoor humidity was determined from these parameters, and the distribution of indoor variables using the outdoor temperature was analyzed. Subsequently, three types of new indoor hygrometry profiles were made that link outdoor temperature to excess indoor humidity, indoor relative humidity, and indoor air temperature. To test the new profiles, a comparative analysis of the hygrothermal performance of a built element was made using the WUFI Pro 6.4 software (168 simulations), considering the profiles of the ISO13788 standard and those developed in this study. The results show indoor environmental conditions are outside commonly accepted comfort ranges or more critical conditions from the hygrothermal point of view, with mean temperatures of 17 °C and relative humidities exceeding 80 % during 33.1 % of the monitored timespan. The results also show that the profiles developed in this study are more rigorous and properly reflect the indoor climate of the studied homes than the international standards commonly used. This research paves the way for new specific studies in similar climate conditions.
Structural assessment of the medieval city wall of Seville (Spain) using low-cost accelerometers
(Elsevier, 2025-06) Serrano Chacón, Álvaro Rubén; Mascort-Albea, Emilio J.; Romero Hernández, Rocío; Canivell, Jacinto; Muñoz Chavero, Fernando; Hidalgo Fort, Eduardo; Jaramillo Morilla, Antonio; Ingeniería del Diseño; Estructuras de Edificación e Ingeniería del Terreno; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; Ingeniería Electrónica; Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (MECD). España; TEP018: Ingeniería del Terreno; TEP211: Conservación Preventiva del Patrimonio Construido; TIC192: Ingeniería Electrónica
The remains of fortifications are commonly found embedded in the contemporary urban fabric of historic cities. Due to their typological nature, these heritage assets are usually elements of great size and impact on the urban landscape. Their location within cities exposes them to very specific risks, such as pollution, vibration, biodegradation, and anthropic factors, which must be taken into account for the proper conservation and maintenance of such remains. The case of the medieval wall of Seville (Spain), built on rammed earth, shows specific factors of vulnerability, degradation, and erosion which prompt the need for non-destructive techniques (NDT). In the present research, vibration-based inspection is used and, specifically, when subjected to ambient vibrations. The collection of accelerations, which covered a period of nine months, was conducted in different parts of the structure under study by using mainly high-resolution accelerographs. These data allowed to perform an exhaustive dynamic characterisation of this defensive structure. Among other findings, it was determined that the filling of cracks and voids in the walls increased the fundamental frequency by about 2 %. In addition, no serious damage to the structure was found. Knowledge of the historic buildings' condition is essential in order to determine the most appropriate intervention. To this end, a protocol for the global structural diagnosis of these buildings has been proposed. It is based on the recording of accelerations with low-cost accelerographs. Besides being an inexpensive protocol, it allows a quick decision making, since the dynamic characterization of the structure is performed by means of the fast Fourier transform. Basically, the designed protocol is based on the variation of the fundamental frequency of the structure between two time instants. These values are used for the calculation of a damage index. By means of an exhaustive review of conventional masonry buildings tested in the laboratory, the damage index has been correlated with the state of the structure prior to collapse. Specifically, this threshold, which ranges from DS4 to DS5 according to the criteria of the European Macroseismic Scale 1998 (EMS-98), provides a valuable reference point for the structural assessment of historical box-shaped constructions with conventional masonry load-bearing walls. This simplified procedure for structural diagnosis was applied in its initial phase at the White Tower. It was found that this protocol is able to identify the fundamental frequency of the structure with an error of <0.65 % in comparison to the results obtained through operational modal analysis methods.
Investigación: Evaluación de la huella hídrica del uso y mantenimiento de los edificios. Aplicación a viviendas en Andalucía, España
(Colegio Oficial de Aparejadores y Arquitectos Técnicos de Sevilla, 2025-01) Rivero Camacho, Cristina; Marrero Meléndez, Madelyn; Ingeniería del Diseño; Construcciones Arquitectónicas II; TEP172: Arquitectura: Diseño y Técnica
Las empresas de construcción pueden lograr el éxito financiero y reducir los impactos ambientales de los proyectos mediante la gestión cuidadosa de los presupuestos de los proyectos y la consideración simultánea de los costos económicos y los impactos ambientales. Sin embargo, durante su uso y mantenimiento, los edificios incurren en ramificaciones que van más allá de su construcción y que pueden ser igualmente significativas. En este trabajo se evalúa la huella hídrica (HH) de la etapa de mantenimiento y uso de los edificios a partir de la información de los presupuestos de los proyectos de construcción. Para ello, se emplea la herramienta computacional PREDICE. La herramienta pronostica los impactos ambientales indirectos, cuantificando los impactos incorporados en los materiales de construcción y la maquinaria a partir de su análisis de ciclo de vida. En este trabajo también se evalúan los impactos directos derivados del consumo de agua de los ocupantes a partir de los datos reportados. El capítulo explora la construcción de edificios residenciales en Andalucía, España, utilizando la base de datos de costos de construcción y el sistema de desglose de obras de la región. Se analiza el proyecto de construcción, concretamente su presupuesto (BoQ), para predecir las tareas de mantenimiento a lo largo de su ciclo de vida. Noventa y cinco unidades de trabajo de mantenimiento y su coste están definidos e integrados en la herramienta PREDICE. Se estudia un proyecto real: un edificio plurifamiliar de 4 plantas que proporciona vivienda social. Los resultados demuestran cómo el uso de la herramienta permite localizar las fuentes de mayor impacto a lo largo del ciclo de vida, facilitando así la toma de decisiones en cuanto a la reducción de costes económicos y ambientales. La huella hídrica de las viviendas consiste en torno al 80% de consumo directo por parte de los habitantes, mientras que un 20% se debe al agua incorporada en los materiales de construcción y la producción de energía. Además, el agua incorporada en la producción de energía es significativamente tan alta como la huella de materiales de construcción.

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