Artículos (Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE))

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

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  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Use of international adaptive thermal comfort models as a strategy for adjusting the museum environments of the Mudejar Pavilion, Seville
    (MDPI, 2024-11-01) Gallego Maya, Inmaculada; Rubio Bellido, Carlos; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE); Universidad de Sevilla. RNM162: Composición, Arquitectura y Medio Ambiente
    Adaptive thermal comfort models are increasingly utilized to condition thermal environments by considering occupants’ adaptability. The most widely recognized models internationally are the ASHRAE 55-2020 and UNE-EN 16798-1:2020 standards, primarily applied in residential and office buildings. However, their use in heritage buildings such as museums has been very limited. These environments present unique challenges that complicate the implementation of conventional energy-saving methodologies due to restrictions on interventions in the buildings to safeguard their historical value. Therefore, it is essential to develop research that evaluates the applicability of these standards as an alternative strategy to the specific conditions of museums in heritage buildings in Spain. This study aims to explore the application of the international adaptive thermal comfort models of the ASHRAE 55-2020 and UNE-EN 16798-1:2020 standards in parallel with the preventive conservation conditions of the collections established by the UNE-EN 15757:2011 standard. The aim is to evaluate new strategies for environmental reconditioning to improve visitor comfort while ensuring the conservation of the collections in the exhibition spaces of the Museum of Popular Arts and Customs, housed in a 1914 building known as the Mudejar Pavilion in Seville. Field monitoring was conducted to assess the thermal environment and visitor comfort. The results revealed that the monitored environmental conditions of the exhibition spaces of the Mudejar Pavilion, in accordance with ASHRAE 55-2020 standards, showed high effectiveness in ensuring thermal comfort for visitors, achieving comfort 99% of the time annually, with an acceptability of 80%. High suitability for the conservation of collections was also observed, with optimal conditions achieved 87% of the time. However, under the standards of UNE-EN 15757:2011 for a Category III expectation level, comfort was only achieved 70% of the year, while stability of conservation conditions was achieved 88% of the time. Finally, the implementation of specific correction guidelines is proposed to achieve the acceptability limits of greater energy efficiency.
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Towards a multiple-indicator approach to energy poverty in the European Union
    (Elsevier, 2019) Castaño-Rosa, Raúl; Solís-Guzmán, Jaime; Rubio Bellido, Carlos; Marrero Meléndez, Madelyn; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE)
    The term energy poverty (EP), mostly used to capture problems related to an inadequate access to energy suppliers in developing countries, and that of fuel poverty (FP), commonly employed when households suffer from insufficient monetary resources to pay for their basic energy needs, are used interchangeably by many researchers. Energy poverty and/or fuel poverty are considered to be an indication of domestic energy deprivation or energy vulnerability and remain a global problem that has been accentuated in Europe due to the economic crisis. This work has made a comprehensive review of the current concepts and indicators of FP, and of current initiatives to tackle this issue, across Europe, thereby raising the discussion of how energy vulnerability factors fit FP situations: available infrastructure, energy efficiency, social and economic poverty, and wellbeing and health. In this context, the first weak spot of the FP indicators and initiatives analyzed is that most factors that influence the everyday activities of a household are not considered (comfort, health, and wellbeing), resulting in an incomplete analysis if these are used in an isolated way. This paper provides a multiple-indicator approach to understand an FP situation beyond its traditional definition, thereby establishing a starting point for the reflection of vulnerability in policy decisions and methodological implications.
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Heating energy performance gap in vulnerable households: identification and impact of associated variables
    (MDPI, 2024-10-08) Seguel Vargas, Sebastián; Rubio Bellido, Carlos; Pereira Ruchansky, Lucía; Pérez Fargallo, Alexis; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE); Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico (FONDECYT). Chile; Universidad de Sevilla. RNM162: Composición, Arquitectura y Medio Ambiente
    Reducing energy consumption in the construction sector is urgently needed. In Chile, where income distribution is unequal and the cost of energy is high, energy demand is seriously affected, especially in vulnerable households. Hence, it is essential to establish public policies with more realistic energy-saving goals to address this situation. However, reliably predicting the energy performance of buildings remains a challenge. For this reason, this study aims to identify and evaluate the impact of the variables associated with energy performance in vulnerable households in Central-Southern Chile and propose values that would reduce the gap. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to achieve this, adjusting the energy performance parameters in a base model with data analyzed using local standards. In addition, field information was collected in 93 households to obtain the actual energy consumption. The main results show that the variables that most impacted performance were infiltration, COP, heating setpoints, and schedules, which generated a 60% difference between the theoretical and actual consumption.
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Rehabilitation or demolition of small hydropower plants evaluation of the environmental and economic sustainability of the case study “El Cerrajón”
    (MDPI, 2024-08-22) Vázquez López, Eduardo; Matitos Montoya, Víctor; Marrero Meléndez, Madelyn; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE); Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Ingeniería Gráfica; Universidad de Sevilla. TEP172: Arquitectura: Diseño y Técnica
    During the 1950s, numerous small-capacity hydroelectric power plants were built in Spain. Seventy-five years on, it must now be decided whether to continue their operation or demolish them. In order to provide a valid answer, it is necessary to have access to decision-making tools that enable sustainable economic and environmental decision making. The present work proposes a methodology that employs an economic indicator of life cycle cost and environmental indicators of carbon footprint and embodied energy by means of life cycle data analysis. Quantification of the impacts was carried out with the support of construction cost databases and the PREDICE software tool for the quantification of environmental impacts incorporated into maintenance tasks. The case study of the “Cerrajón” power plant was analyzed, where historical hydrological cycles were considered. A life cycle scenario was evaluated in which renovation extended the life of the power plant by a further 75 years. The results show savings in environmental impacts with respect to the impacts of the Spanish energy mix of up to 175 kgCO2 per MWh produced, although no economic benefit was found. It was also shown that in climate change scenarios, the profit price breakeven increases. Rehabilitation appears to present the best choice when combining the two criteria.
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Methodology to determine the adequacy of indoor enclosures to use infrared thermography cameras and their application to medical emergency services
    (Elsevier, 2020) Marín García, David; Moyano, Juan; Bienvenido Huertas, José David; Antón García, Daniel; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE); Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Expresión Gráfica e Ingeniería en la Edificación
    When an infrared thermography camera is used inside buildings, the characteristics of the place where the camera is used should be considered since results could be affected. For this reason, the development of methodologies is of great interest to know, as accurate as possible, whether these spaces have the appropriate conditions to use those cameras. The goal of this research is to establish the possibility of applying quality management methodologies, such as the Quality Function Deployment, very known and usually used in other scopes. Thus, the characteristics of enclosures belonging to medical emergency units in Spain were used as the object of experimentation given the importance of these services for society and the possibility of using directly useful technologies for diagnosis. After collecting the starting information based on references, the consultation to 21 experts, and the characteristics of these enclosures included in regulations, standards and recommendations in Spain, and also after applying the methodology mentioned above, the results showed that air conditioning (13.6/100), the thermal insulation of the room (11.9/100), windows (10.5/100), dimensions of spaces (10.2/100), and humidity (10.1/100) are the most influential factors. Within the scope of medical emergency services, those triage, consultation, examination, treatment, and observation rooms fulfilling what is specified by Spanish regulations, standards and recommendations obtained positive assessments (≥3/5) in most cases. It was therefore concluded that this methodology is of great interest to assess generally the suitability of indoor enclosures to use infrared thermography cameras, and regarding the specific case of the main enclosures of medical emergency services fulfilling with Spanish standards and recommendations, their characteristics make them suitable for using infrared thermography cameras, at least in relation to the fulfilment of basic conditions.
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Is the analysis scale crucial to assess energy poverty? Analysis of yearly and monthly assessments using the 2M indicator in the south of Spain
    (Elsevier, 2023) Bienvenido Huertas, José David; Sánchez García, Daniel; Marín García, David; Rubio Bellido, Carlos; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE); Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Expresión Gráfica e Ingeniería en la Edificación
    Energy poverty has been addressed as a global problem. Many studies have been conducted, and several indicators have been established to detect energy poverty. However, most analyses have been performed at a yearly level without considering the differences throughout the year. This study performed a sensitivity analysis to determine these differences using the 2 M indicator in 36,230,400 case studies in the south of Spain, which is a warm zone with great energy poverty, as well as vulnerable to climate change effects. The results showed that monthly assessment could increase energy poverty situations in the months with greater climate severity, compared to yearly assessment. That increase in winter and summer months raised energy poverty cases over 20 %, with these months being those with greater vulnerability due to cold and heat waves, respectively. The results also showed that variations were independent of both the technical characteristics of the dwelling and the use of HVAC systems. Energy poverty cases were reduced only in the summer months with the adaptive approach, which considers thermal adaptation. The use of the 2 M indicator in monthly scales can detect vulnerable family units that cannot be detected by yearly studies, so monthly scales are crucial for governments to adopt energy poverty policies and strategies
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Holistic analysis to reduce energy poverty in social dwellings in southern Spain considering envelope, systems, operational pattern, and income levels
    (Elsevier, 2024) Bienvenido Huertas, José David; Sánchez García, Daniel; Rubio Bellido, Carlos; Marín García, David; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE); Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Expresión Gráfica e Ingeniería en la Edificación
    Energy renovations carried out in energy poor households should consider a holistic view in the short-, mid- and long-term, especially in warm areas such as Andalusia, in the south of Spain. This study addresses the existing knowledge gap on technological and economic interactions in the energy poverty of family units in warm areas of Spain. To do this, the study performs a parametric analysis. In this parametric analysis, a dataset of 36,230,400 instances was developed considering envelope, HVAC systems, an operational pattern (based on static and adaptive thermal comfort models), and family units’ income levels. Likewise, the energy poverty ratio was compared based on the high share of energy expenditure in income (2 M). The results showed that improving envelope and establishing adaptive operational patterns did not effectively reduce energy poverty cases in lowincome families in the south of Spain. However, these strategies were appropriate in family units with greater incomes to remove energy poverty cases, regardless of the low reduction in energy consumption by improving the envelope. This study is a starting point to combine social aids, energy improvements and rational energy use through adaptive operational patterns.
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Analysing energy poverty in warm climate zones in Spain through artificial intelligence
    (Elsevier, 2023) Bienvenido Huertas, José David; Sánchez García, Daniel; Marín García, David; Rubio Bellido, Carlos; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE); Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Expresión Gráfica e Ingeniería en la Edificación
    Using automated tools to detect energy poverty (EP) is a developing field. Artificial intelligence and data mining could be used to provide solutions to reduce EP cases. As for Spain, there is no study addressing this characterization that could be significant in warmer zones of the country (i.e., the most exposed zones to climate change). Simulated energy consumption data were used with data of energy prices and family units' incomes based on the public income indicator of multiple effects (IPREM in Spanish). In addition, the high share of energy expenditure in income (2 M) was used to assess EP. A total of 36,230,400 cases were simulated to train and test 312 prediction models, 104 by each algorithm. The algorithms were multilayer perceptron (MLP), random forest (RF), and M5P. The results showed that these three algorithms were appropriate, with tree-type models obtaining better estimates. For greater effectiveness, prediction models should also be used for the income threshold considered in their development. The results also showed the utility of artificial intelligence in the prediction of EP without performing an energy analysis in detail, thus optimizing energy managers and social workers' work. In addition, prediction tools could be used to estimate monthly family units’ EP situation.
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Evaluation of energy and lighting in schools considering solar protections
    (Elsevier, 2024-12) Muñoz Viveros, Cristián; Rubio Bellido, Carlos; Pérez Fargallo, Alexis; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE); Universidad de Sevilla. RNM162: Composición, Arquitectura y Medio Ambiente
    The implementation of the solar protections laid out in the regulations and certification systems decreases cooling demands, although it has an uncontrolled and even unforeseen effect on daylighting. Achieving a balance between both requirements is a challenge for facade design, energy behavior, and lighting performance since restricting solar radiation contributions decreases daylight's contribution. This research aims to define a methodology that allows, in the early design stage, the evaluation of solar protection solutions that consider the optimal performance of daylight using annual dynamic indicators while maintaining adequate energy-saving levels. For this purpose, cooling energy consumption and dynamic indicators have been considered as the primary indicators, namely Spatial daylight autonomy (sDA), Annual Sunlight Exposure (ASE), and useful daylight illuminance (UDI) with variations of the Modified Solar Factor (MSF). Thermal and light performance assessments were made using energy modeling for two types of solar protection. The case study is a school classroom located in the city of Talca, in central Chile, considering window-to-wall ratios (WWR) of 40 %, 50 %, and 60 %. The premise's thermal and light behavior were obtained with both types of solar protection. The sDA and UDI results allowed making an approximation of optimal solutions, however, the ASE values in all cases, were classified as unsuitable for classroom use. The analysis suggests that better limit values for both requirements are obtained by organizing the results by WWR instead of by the MSF that each solution identifies. This methodology compared solar protection options at an early design stage, reaching recommended light performance levels and energy savings of 70 % or more, for the two types of solar protection. It is concluded that to achieve minimum acceptable daylighting levels, in balance with cooling energy consumption, it is necessary to consider annual dynamic assessments with sDA and UDI as relevant indicators.
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Risk of bioaerosols in small and poorly ventilated indoor places with low concurrent use
    (Publicaciones Dyna, 2024) Marín García, David; Espino Pérez, Manuel Ubaldo; Bienvenido Huertas, José David; Fernández-Valderrama, Pedro; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE); Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Expresión Gráfica e Ingeniería en la Edificación
    Currently, the risk of aerosol transmission of respiratory viruses such as SARS-Cov-2 indoors is recognised. Therefore, the objective of this work is focused on the study of small and poorly ventilated indoor spaces with low concurrent use, to find out if it is possible in a simple way to obtain at least an orientation of the potential risk for users at each moment of use. The methodology is based on the study of the existing bibliography, analysing models, equations, and calculations to find out if it is possible to use any of them to the case and that at the same time does not present excessive complexity. The results and conclusions indicate that there are clear limitations (fluid dynamics- aerodynamic, influence by temperature, light and humidity, or situations in which the user speaks, sings, shouts, coughs, or sneezes), but useful approximations can be offered regarding the risk of use.
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Linguistic descriptions of thermal comfort data for buildings: definition, implementation and evaluation
    (Springer, 2018) Pérez Fargallo, Alexis; Rubio-Manzano, Clemente; Martínez Rocamora, Alejandro; Rubio Bellido, Carlos; Trebilcock, Maureen; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE)
    Building Simulation Software tools support designers to analyse and identify certain users´ behavioural patterns; besides, they can predict future trends about the energy demand and consumption in buildings, as well as CO2 emissions, design analysis, energy efficiency, or lighting. These tools allow to collect and report information about such processes. However, understanding the results from simulations usually implies interpreting an extremely large amount of data or graphs, which can be a complex task. Therefore, there is a need of alternatives that ease this interpretation of results, hence complementing classic simulation tools. Under the widespread EN 15251 model criteria, this paper presents a novel technology to improve reporting tools of building simulation software by using linguistic description of data and timespan computational perceptions. A data-driven software architecture for automatically generating linguistic reports is here proposed, which provides designers with a better understanding of the data from building simulation tools. In order to show and explore the possibilities of this technology, a software application has been designed, implemented and evaluated by experts. The survey showed that usefulness and clarification were better evaluated than simplicity and time-saving for the three kinds of report, though always above 7 points out of 10, being most of p-values of contingency below 0.05.
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    LCA databases focused on construction materials: a review
    (Elsevier, 2016) Martínez Rocamora, Alejandro; Solís-Guzmán, Jaime; Marrero Meléndez, Madelyn; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE)
    Evaluation of the environmental impact caused by construction materials frequently presents such obstacles as the mismatch between the construction project location and where the LCA database was made, lack of transparency, and/or the unsuitability of the data to the building project conditions, thereby making it necessary to establish a state-of-the-art review for researchers in order to facilitate selection between the wide variety of databases available. A review of existent LCA databases containing data for building materials has been performed. A list of features and criteria for their evaluation is developed, and subsequently applied in order to compare the various databases. Their methodology, documentation, data quality and comprehensiveness are thereby analysed. Despite the existence of a considerable number of databases, only a few contain data on construction materials. Some projects have been abandoned and several more can be considered incomplete. However, GaBi Database and Ecoinvent stand out for their integrity, usability and dedicated resources. A starting point in the selection of an LCA database for construction materials is provided. With all the information gathered herein, researchers are equipped to make a well-founded choice, and the selection process is certainly improved.
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Ecological Footprint of the use and maintenance phase 2 of buildings: Maintenance tasks and final results
    (Elsevier, 2017) Martínez Rocamora, Alejandro; Solís-Guzmán, Jaime; Marrero Meléndez, Madelyn; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE)
    According to numerous studies, approximately 90% of energy consumption in the life cycle of buildings occurs during the use and maintenance phase. The main aim of this study is to propose a method for the detailed calculation of costs and environmental impact corresponding to this phase,thus providing useful data for Facility Managers. The organization of the consumption of resources into three fundamental elements (manpower, materials, and machinery) enables the cost to be broken down and the Ecological Footprint [1] indicator (EF) to be applied. In previous advances of this research, the development of the model was focused on the utility consumption and cleaning tasks. On this occasion, the model is completed with the handling of maintenance tasks and a detailed assessment of the results, in which the factors that mark the cost and environmental impact are identified, as well as the specific moments of this phase in which peaks occur. In order to compare the costs and impacts produced each year, economic and environmental discount rates are used with respect to a baseline year. The methodology is applied to the case of a college hall of residence that houses up to 139 guests. The results show that cleaning tasks represent 6% of the annual EF and 63% of the annual cost, and maintenance 14% and 17%, respectively, thereby justifying the need for quantification. Finally, seven tasks are identified that together generate half of the EF and cost of cleaning, and nine other actions that incur more than a third of the annual cost and EF of maintenance
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Contribution of energy efficiency standards to life-cycle carbon footprint reduction in public buildings in Chile
    (Elsevier, 2021) Kairies-Alvarado, Daniela; Muñoz Sanguinetti, Claudia; Martínez Rocamora, Alejandro; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE)
    Public policy in Chile proposes reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. Regarding the construction sector, the application of energy efficiency standards in public buildings has been encouraged. However, the contribution of these standards to life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction still remains unknown. This study aims to determine the impact of implementing the Standardized Reference Terms of Energy Efficiency (TDRe for its Spanish acronym) on the reduction of the Carbon Footprint (hereafter CF) during the life cycle of public buildings. To that end, a theoretical calculation and analysis of the CF of four case studies is performed comprising the construction and use phases of their life cycle. The inclusion of the construction phase allows understanding the actual implications of implementing TDRe in buildings. The results show that TDRe can reduce the use phase CF of the case studies in 82%, in contrast with the increase of the construction phase CF in 14%. Such increase is mostly associated to construction materials of the thermal envelope and the type of fuel used for heating. This leads to conclude that limiting the energy demand of buildings from the design phase is not enough to reduce the building’s entire life cycle CF, and therefore a life-cycle approach that considers the aforementioned elements must be applied in the analysis in order to produce eco-efficient buildings
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Parametric Programming of 3D Printed Curved Walls for Cost-Efficient Building Design
    (ASCE, 2020) Martínez Rocamora, Alejandro; García Alvarado, Rodrigo; Casanova-Medina, Euro; González-Böhme, Luis Felipe; Auat Cheein, Fernando; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE)
    3D-printed construction allows elaborating building elements with diverse shapes that are digitally controlled. This paper exposes the modeling of 3D-printed curved walls through parametric programming in building information modeling (BIM) in order to support a cost-efficient building design. The advantage of using curved walls is based on the possibility of reducing their thickness with respect to straight walls of similar length given their higher resistance to overturning forces. The programming developed here can propose a considerable set of solutions using curved walls for a rectangular enclosure of dimensions given by the user. A case study for a vehicle sale pavilion is shown, for which a set of 1,600 solutions with curved walls of different curvature angles and lengths is generated and subsequently analyzed. From this analysis, those models with lower material consumption and execution time are selected to be more thoroughly studied in the design process. Thus, a novel strategy is provided to researchers and practitioners for developing more efficient and expressive building designs based on 3D-printed construction. The most efficient solution identified in the example reduces material consumption by 61%, with an estimated cost saving of 53%.
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Toward the ecological footprint of the use and maintenance phase ofbuildings: utility consumption and cleaning tasks
    (Elsevier, 2016) Martínez Rocamora, Alejandro; Solís-Guzmán, Jaime; Marrero Meléndez, Madelyn; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE)
    Due to poor design of buildings in terms of maintenance, there are a number of buildings today thatremain extremely expensive to maintain, both economically and environmentally. In order to mitigatethese overheads, the development of a cost database is needed with which the resources required to cleanand maintain buildings can be estimated. This paper presents a methodology to estimate these costs andthe environmental impact, in terms of Ecological Footprint (EF), associated to the utility consumptionand to the cleaning tasks necessary during the service life of buildings. Given the numerous peculiaritiesidentified for this type of activity compared to the construction of buildings, it is necessary to definea new methodology of calculation, with its own assumptions and formulae. This methodology is thenapplied to the case of a college hall of residence that houses up to 139 residents. The results show thatthe annual EF of cleaning tasks accounts for 11.42% of the EF of utility consumption. Together they total67.334 global hectares per year (gha/yr), 88% of which corresponds to the carbon footprint. Within theEF of cleaning, about 71% is due to food consumed by labor, while 26% is due to the manufacture ofcleaning products and tools, which are equally divided among the six categories of productive land.The development of this methodology is essential for the detailed quantification of the environmentalimpact of utility consumption and cleaning tasks that occur during the service life of buildings. The use ofdiscount rates on results is included in terms of the EF of a baseline year, as an equivalent to the discountrate in economic terms
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Holistic model for the assessment of restoration projects of heritage housing. Case studies in Lisbon
    (Elsevier, 2021-04) Alba Rodríguez, María Desirée; Machete, Rita; Gomes, Maria Glória; Falcão, Ana Paula; Marrero Meléndez, Madelyn; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE); Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Ingeniería del Diseño; Junta de Andalucía; Universidad de Sevilla. TEP172: Arquitectura: Diseño y Técnica
    In urban centres across Europe, a large number of old dwellings, some of which are heritage buildings, fail to meet the current habitability standards. In order to achieve sustainable urban restoration, it is necessary to act from social, economic, and environmental standpoints, and also to promote socio-cultural sustainability and to prevent depopulation. The environmental assessment is a particularly complicated task in restoration projects of heritage buildings. Economic control, however, is often carried out, especially in publicly funded projects. The model proposed simultaneously enables the economic-environmental assessment of rehabilitation actions carried out on heritage housing. Three case studies of heritage housing in Lisbon (Portugal) are evaluated. The tool proposed is based on standardisation criteria and on conversion factors of work actions that transform them into cost and environmental impact. New work units related to seismic reinforcement are included, due to Lisbon’s history of earthquakes. The model also compares restoration costs to those of demolition and new construction; the cost is only 5–15% lower, but the environmental impact is 70 % lower than in a new construction. Furthermore, a reduction of over 50 % in annual CO2 emissions and 80 % in energy consumption for heating and cooling are also verified. The model evaluates the rehabilitation of heritage buildings from a holistic perspective in order to assist in the future planning and definition of urban political strategies.
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Building rehabilitation versus demolition and new construction: economic and environmental assessment
    (2017-09) Alba Rodríguez, María Desirée; Martínez Rocamora, Alejandro; González-Vallejo, Patricia; Ferreira Sánchez, Antonio; Marrero Meléndez, Madelyn; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE); Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Ingeniería del Diseño; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Ingeniería Gráfica; Universidad de Sevilla. TEP172: Arquitectura: Diseño y Técnica
    Since the end of the twentieth century, discussion on dwelling rehabilitation versus its demolition and new construction has been steadily increasing in intensity, which is especially due to the necessity for the regeneration of urban centres. However, rehabilitation is not always considered the most economical solution, and demolition and new construction may constitute a better option. In the present work, a multi-family building in Seville, Spain, is used as a case study. After having suffered damage from a construction failure, it is assessed for its complete rehabilitation. Defective maintenance has worsened the bad condition of the building. A model is proposed, from the project budget perspective, that allows the environmental (Ecological Footprint indicator) and the economic (project's bill of quantities) assessment of the recovery of the dwelling. In the case study, the rehabilitation Ecological Footprint and the project cost are 0.06 gha/m2 of floor area (457.22 EUR/m2) and 0.14 gha/m2 (576.33 EUR/m2) for a new building on the same plot, respectively. It can be deduced that, even with a severely damaged building, the repair and retrofit work incurs a lower economic and environmental impact than that of the total replacement with a new construction.
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Influence of BIM-Based Teaching Methodology on the Spatial Abilities of Construction Engineering Students
    (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 2021) Pulido Arcas, Jesús Alberto; Martínez Rocamora, Alejandro; Folgar Erades, Alejandro; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE)
    Spatial visualization skills are considered essential for a variety of professional careers, especially those related with architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). A number of studies have proven that these skills are progressively acquired by AEC students during their years in college, being necessary specific pedagogical approaches for this purpose. Other 3D native design software has been proved to exert a positive influence on the spatial abilities of students in several fields, such as fine arts or civil engineering. In the field of AEC, BIM software stands out as an appropriate tool for this purpose, as it supports 3D-native design. This study was conducted to clarify the influence that working with BIM models has on the spatial abilities of the students to visualize constructive components in 3D; it was hypothesized that the effect would be positive to some extent, as in similar disciplines. To that end, an experiment was conducted with 73 undergraduate students in construction engineering, who attended an intensive 4-week workshop where they had to work with BIM models. The improvement in their spatial abilities was measured by the Mental Rotation Test (MRT) and, besides, a satisfaction survey was conducted. The results indicate that MRT scores improved between 3.8% and 15.5% and that students felt highly satisfied with this pedagogical approach. These results aim to help in implementing BIM in the academic curricula to maximize the educational outcomes of the students while gathering their assessment of BIM-based teaching methodologies
  • Acceso AbiertoArtículo
    Behavior and Performance of BIM Users in a Collaborative Work Environment
    (MDPI, 2020) Forcael, Eric; Martínez Rocamora, Alejandro; Sepúlveda Morales, Javier; García Alvarado, Rodrigo; Nope Bernal, Alberto; Leighton, Francisco; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas II (ETSIE)
    Collaborative work in Building Information Modeling (BIM) projects is frequently understood as the interaction of modelers in an asynchronous way through modification requests or via e-mail/telephone. However, alternative work methodologies based on creating a common and synchronous environment allow solving issues instantaneously during the design process. This study aimed to analyze the behavior and performance of BIM users with different specialties who were subjected to an experimental exercise in a collaborative environment. For this purpose, a process was devised to collect, sort, and select the data from the log files generated by the BIM software. A timeline of the experiment was populated with data on the intensity and types of commands used by each specialist, which allowed determining behavioral patterns, preferred commands, indicators of their experience, further training needs, and possible strategies for improving the team’s performance. In the experiment, the mechanical designer’s performance was 49% and the rest approximately 64%, with respect to that of the architect. An average rate of 1.66 necessary or auxiliary commands for each contributory command was detected. The average performance was 200–400 commands per hour, which intensified by the end of the experiment. Further training needs were detected for the plumbing designer to reduce the use of backwards commands. Conversely, the electrical designer showed a positive evolution regarding this aspect during the experiment. The analysis methods here described become useful for the aforementioned purposes. Nevertheless, combinations with methods from existing research might improve the outcomes and therefore the specificity of recommendations.