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Excess of Nutrients in Prefabricated or Compact Wastewater Treatment Plants: Review, Solution Alternative, and Modeling for Verification
No full textChile has numerous areas that lack sewage collection, including in the capital city. Sanitation in these cases is managed through individual solutions like septic tanks or small wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that use biological treatment, usually activated sludge with extended aeration. In general, the design of these systems adheres to the quality standards mandated by regulations for discharge, infiltration, or irrigation. In this scenario, traditional methods like increasing dissolved oxygen (DO) or hydraulic retention time (HRT) were unable to effectively reduce excessive nutrients. Therefore, literature related to nutrient excess and denitrification systems is consulted and reviewed to compile different solutions suitable for the presented issue. Potential solutions were modeled and verified using the free simulation software WRc STOAT. The software accurately predicted the unsatisfactory results of the current setup and provided parameters for the proposed modifications. Experience, precise user definition, influential characteristics, and modeling are essential in the design of WWTPs
Landscape and Heritage, Cave Dwellings, and Tourism in the Geopark of Granada as a Teaching Strategy for the Learning of Architecture
No full textThe initiative “Landscape, Heritage, Cave Dwellings, and Tourism” represents an ongoing teaching project at the School of Architecture in Granada since 2018. The project involves the active participation of the areas of architectural graphic expression, architectural projects, and architectural constructions. Within this framework, the task of teaching architecture has transformed into a genuine academic laboratory where diagnostics and proposals have been developed in various work areas. These have evolved into novel research projects due to the lack of rigorous prior documentation, becoming case studies that are now groundbreaking. The inclusion of cartographic contributions has been instrumental in guiding academic efforts towards student learning. This educational approach has delved into topics not previously explored in specialized literature. The educational outcomes carry a significant applicability intent, aiming to foster knowledge transfer to society at large and, particularly, to the Geopark. Moreover, they serve as a means of raising awareness about the crucial role of architecture in this distinctive territory. The continuous engagement in this dynamic teaching methodology contributes to the creation of a unique academic environment that integrates research, education, and the dissemination of valuable knowledge about the Geopark of Granada. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024
Efficiency assessment for the urban heat island mitigation measures in a city with an oceanic climate during the summer period: Case of Valdivia, Chile
No full textUrban heat islands are a phenomenon present around the world, affecting several areas of life. Various studies in Chile have considered this problem, but they are focused on the northern and central zones of the country. This phenomenon has been identified in cities in southern Chile as well; however, there is a lack of research to complement current information about urban heat islands in this region and present mitigation strategies. This study aims to analyse the urban heat island effect in a city in southern Chile during a warm season (southern hemisphere summer) using high-resolution computational fluid dynamic simulations and proposes efficient urban planning strategies to mitigate this effect. Four mitigation strategies were studied: tree cover, reflective pavements, water fountains, and a mixed strategy including all of the previous three. A representative urban area was selected, and through statistical analysis, a strong diurnal urban heat island was identified, principally due to the urban morphology of the case study. All strategies were effective, with the mixed one presenting the best results in this area. Tree cover could decrease the median urban heat islands intensity by 0.6 °C, changing the albedo decreased 0.94 °C, water fountains decreased 0.4 °C, and finally the mixed one could decrease 1.4 °C. However, the complexity of implementing these strategies must be taken into consideration. Our results can help urban planners to make better decisions according to available resources
Artificial Neural Network-Based Model for Assessing the Whole-Body Vibration of Vehicle Drivers
No full textMusculoskeletal disorders, which are epidemiologically related to exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV), are frequently self-reported by workers in the construction sector. Several activities during building construction and demolition expose workers to this physical agent. Directive 2002/44/CE defined a method of assessing WBV exposure that was limited to an eight-hour working day, and did not consider the cumulative and long-term effects on the health of drivers. This study aims to propose a methodology for generating individualised models for vehicle drivers exposed to WBV that are easy to implement by companies, to ensure that the health of workers is not compromised in the short or long term. A measurement campaign was conducted with a professional driver, and the collected data were used to formulate six artificial neural networks to predict the daily compressive dose on the lumbar spine and to assess the short- and long-term WBV exposure. Accurate results were obtained from the developed artificial neural network models, with R2 values above 0.90 for training, cross-validation, and testing. The approach proposed in this study offers a new tool that can be applied in the assessment of short- and long-term WBV to ensure that workers’ health is not compromised during their working life and subsequent retirement
An experimental methodology for the calibration of indoor building environment models using thermal point clouds and CFD simulation
No full textThis paper presents an experimental methodology employing thermal point clouds (TPCs) of indoor spaces to develop and calibrate Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models for simulating indoor building environments. TPCs, captured at various time intervals, provide geometry and surface temperatures of the space envelope are crucial for initial and final contrast parameters in model calibration. Segments from TPCs of interior surfaces serve as ground truth for calibrating theoretical CFD models. This involves adjusting boundary conditions to approximate real surface temperature distributions on selected walls. The innovative calibration approach incorporates automatic wall segmentation processes, enabling comparison between in-situ measured and simulated values. A case study assesses the similarity between real thermal orthoimages and CFD simulations, employing qualitative and quantitative analysis with a convergence criterion. Results validate the methodology, highlighting the need for further automation of manual processes
Enhancing BIM implementation in Spanish public procurement: A framework approach
No full textThe European Union supports the use of technology to improve public procurement, acknowledging Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a catalyst for cost-effective public works and innovation. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate BIM implementation practices in Spanish public procurement. The methodology used in this study is a mixed research method involving a questionnaire survey and semi-structured expert interviews. The findings reveal market maturity as a barrier to BIM adoption in Spanish public procurement throughout the asset lifecycle. Selecting the right instrument for implementation proves challenging for public organizations. This study has contributed to the development of more practical and effective strategies to ensure full adoption of BIM within the public procurement sector of Spain. It proposes a framework approach for the pre-contractual phase, helping contracting authorities to make the optimal instrument selection. Two criteria are considered: the maturity of the public client and sector, and the economic value classification of tenders
A Systematic Review of BIM-Based Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment for Buildings
No full textThe construction industry has enormous impacts on the three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, economic, and social. To mitigate these impacts, several researchers have explored a variety of methods that link Building Information Modeling (BIM) with methodologies for a holistic evaluation of sustainability, such as Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA). However, the complete integration of BIM-LCSA still remains unresolved, with a series of challenges that must be overcome. Consequently, the aim of this article is to identify the advances and challenges of BIM-LCSA integration focused on buildings through a literature review of the existing solutions presented by researchers worldwide. The PRISMA 2020 protocol is used. A total of 135 articles published between 2010–2023 are reviewed for bibliometric analysis. Furthermore, an exhaustive analysis of the case studies is carried out, by taking into account the structure proposed by ISO 14040. The authors identify a gap in the literature mainly regarding the full integration of the three dimensions with BIM that facilitates a simultaneous on-the-air assessment, in addition to the lack of a standardized LCSA method of calculation
Assessing the energy saving potential of using adaptive setpoint temperatures: The case study of a regional adaptive comfort model for Brazil in both the present and the future
No full textIt has been found in recent years that using setpoint temperatures based on adaptive thermal comfort models is a successful method of energy conservation. Recent studies using adaptive setpoint temperatures incorporate international models from ASHRAE Standard 55 and EN16798-1. This study, however, has instead considered a regional Brazilian adaptive comfort model. This study investigates the energy demand arising from the use of a local Brazilian comfort model in order to assess the energy implications from the use of the worldwide ASHRAE Standard 55 adaptive model and various fixed setpoint temperatures. All of Brazil’s climate zones, full air-conditioning, mixed-mode building operating modes, present-day climate change scenarios, and future scenarios—specifically Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5 for the years 2050 and 2100—have all been taken into account in building energy simulations. The use of adaptive setpoint temperatures based on the Brazilian local model considering mixed-mode has been found to significantly reduce energy consumption when compared to static setpoint temperatures (average energy-saving values ranging from 52% to 58%) and the ASHRAE 55 adaptive model (average values ranging from 15% to 21%). Considering climate change and the mixed-mode Brazilian model, the overall energy demand for the three groups of climatic zones (annual average outdoor temperatures ≤ 21 °C, > 21 and ≤ 25 °C and > 25 °C) ranged between 2% decrease and 5% increase, 4% and 27% increase, and 13% and 45% increase, respectively. It is concluded as a consequence that setting setpoint temperatures based on the Brazilian local adaptive comfort model is a very efficient energy-saving method
Enhancing performance evaluation of low-cost inclinometers for the long-term monitoring of buildings
No full textThe development of low-cost structural and environmental sensors has revolutionized monitoring practices across numerous fields, enabling cost-effective solutions for infrastructure and building health assessment. However, a critical challenge associated with these sensors is their long-term durability and reliability. Surprisingly, despite the significant interest in these low-cost devices, the literature does not present any solutions for ensuring their long-term performance. To address this gap, this study proposes an innovative artificial intelligence-based approach for evaluating the long-term performance of low-cost inclinometers using a low-cost adaptable reliable anglemeter. This method automatically compares the inclinations of actual onsite measurements with predicted values under real environmental conditions. Over time, if the discrepancies between both measurements surpass a predefined statistical threshold, it may signal potential inaccuracies in the low-cost inclinometer, thereby suggesting the need for recalibration or presence of structural anomalies. The effectiveness and applicability of the proposed tool were demonstrated through a long-term study conducted on a real steel frame in Spain
Occupational risk prevention in the European Union construction sector: 30 Years since the publication of the Directive
No full textThe construction sector is a key industry in the economy of the European Union (EU), with a significant impact on the Gross Domestic Product and employs approximately 30 % of the industrial workforce. Despite this positive economic impact, the construction sector suffers from high accident rates which result in significant economic costs. In 1992, the EU introduced the Directive 92/57/EEC, which aimed to establish minimum Safety and Health (S&H) requirements for construction sites. The Directive lists a number of premises that justify the need to incorporate risk prevention from the design stage of a project and to strengthen coordination throughout the project’s life. For these reasons, the Directive created the role of the Coordinators for S&H matters during the project preparation stage and execution stage, as well as the definition of a S&H Plan. The current paper analyses the state of the accident rate in the construction sector 30 years after publication of the Directive, the changes that have been made to the original text, as well as the identification of the difficulties that have been detected, both in terms of lack of definition and problems in implementation. It is possible to conclude that the management of prevention in the early stages of a project remains a persistent challenge for the industry. Additionally, it is essential to address the sector's adaptation to the new working methods required for its transition to Construction 4.0. This discussion can serve as a valuable tool for future decision-making aimed at improving the regulatory framework