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Determining the Safest Anchoring Knot in a Fall Arrest System by Means of Static Tests
No full textToday, rope access systems (RASs) and fall arrest systems (FASs) incorporate significant technological innovations. This research aims to determine the safest knot to be used in RASs. The most secure knots are those that leave the most resistance in the rope. Static laboratory tests, followed by an extensive statistical analysis of the obtained data, were carried out under controlled conditions. Five types of anchor knots were selected and studied using three rope models with similar diameters, and we analysed the symmetrical versions in the dextrorotational direction. Thirty break tests were performed for each rope model. The total number of breakage tests was 90. The double overhand knot proved to be the safest knot with an average efficiency of 61.82%. A better understanding of the behaviour of knots and their correct use in FASs will be key to accident prevention
The Historicist and Typological Eclecticism of the Church of Santa María Micaela by Ricardo Velázquez Bosco
No full textThe Church of Santa María Micaela is a work by Ricardo Velázquez Bosco built by order of Mrs. Diega Desmaisières y Sevillano within the complex built for charitable purposes in Guadalajara, which also includes the Asylums and its Family Pantheon. It is an eclectic work in which elements from different styles are masterfully combined. After pointing out the basic characteristics of eclectic architecture and the importance of Ricardo Velázquez Bosco within it, a work that is not excessively large in size but extremely interesting is studied and analyzed, although insufficiently known for being next to the most important building of those made by this architect for the Duchess of Sevillano, her magnificent Pantheon. The influences of the different architectural styles used and the differences between the exterior and interior of the temple are studied, and special emphasis is placed on the spatial model followed, which does not correspond to that of the Mudejar Christian temples of Guadalajara, a city in which This can be considered its most characteristic style, but rather to compositions of other types of temples, buildings with other needs for worship, in this case the synagogues that in Spain were frequently built using the Mudejar style. For this, suggestive architectural resources were used
Proposal of a Sensorization Methodology for Obtaining a Digital Model: A Case Study on the Dome of the Church of the Pious Schools of Valencia
No full textThe Church of the Pious Schools of Valencia (18th century) has the largest Valencian dome ever constructed, with its 24.5 m span, and it is included among the prestigious great European domes, inspired by the Pantheon and belonging to neoclassicism. Currently, this monument is undergoing a thorough study and restoration process to improve its management, especially to halt its deterioration due to moisture and cracks. An initial study included in the Master Plan (1995) determined that these cracks were caused by thermal effects, but recently, other studies have suggested that these failures originated from the walls. Additionally, environmental impacts and thermal behavior are among the causes, as excessive humidity due to high interior occupancy can cause damage to the dome, which has historic coatings. As a result of this study process, we propose sensorizing the dome of the church in order to enable comprehensive control of the temperature, humidity, and CO2, as well as installing accelerometers to monitor the movements of the structure. With this, after the restoration of the dome, the potential effects of temperature, humidity, and CO2 on the dome’s surfaces will be controlled, in addition to verifying if there is any correlation between the cracks and the temperature
Evaluation and Correlation of the Mechanical Characteristics Using Non-Destructive (NDT) and Destructive Techniques in Macael Marble
No full textThe environmental exposure that heritage buildings have suffered for centuries results in many cases in problems of alteration and modification of their original conditions that can cause deterioration and even building ruin. The necessary study and intervention require carrying out previous investigations that guarantee a correct diagnosis and a rehabilitation proposal according to the state of conservation and entity of the property. In the present investigation, once the incidence of temperature on the behavior of Macael marble is known, the analysis of its mechanical resistance and its possible alteration is proposed. The study is carried out on quarry material and in the material on which 50 cycles of accelerated aging have been applied, in which high thermal gradients are produced. Through the application of non-destructive (ultrasonic pulses measurement and Rebound Smith Hammer) and destructive (compression test) techniques, results are obtained that show a high reduction in compressive strength as the number of cycles applied increases and the thermal gradient applied increases. The correlation obtained shows a high index R both for the non-destructive tests with the destructive test, as well as the correlation between the two non-destructive tests, confirming the validity of this type of technique to carry out the analysis of the state of a building
Investigating the effectiveness of a new indoor ventilation model in reducing the spread of disease: A case of sports centres amid the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textThe ventilation of buildings is crucial to ensure indoor health, especially when demanding physical activities are carried out indoors, and the pandemic has highlighted the need to develop new management methods to ensure adequate ventilation. In Spain, there are no specific ventilation regulations to prevent the spread of pathogens such as the coronavirus. Therefore, it is necessary to have a theoretical tool for calculating occupancy to maintain sports facilities in optimal safety conditions. The proposed theoretical method is based on the analysis of mathematical expressions from European standardisation documents and uses the concentration of CO2 as a bioeffluent. It is also based on the concept of background and critical concentration, which allows its application to be extrapolated to future crises caused by pathogens. This study presents a unique and novel dataset for sports centres. For this purpose, the calculation methods were applied to the data set provided by Mostoles City Council, Spain, during the pandemic years with the highest incidence of COVID-19, when the government introduced the assimilation of COVID-19 sick leave to occupational accidents. The data on this type of sick leave provided by the City Council correspond to the period between March 2020 and February 2022. Similarly, the data on the average use of sports facilities by activity, provided by the Sports Department, correspond to the years 2020 and 2021. In this way, it was possible to verify the effectiveness in preventing the spread of any type of coronavirus. In conclusion, the implementation of a theoretical occupancy calculation method based on the concentration of carbon dioxide as a bioeffluent can be an effective tool for the management of future crises caused by pathogens or hazardous chemicals in the air, and demonstrated its effectiveness in sports centres such as gyms, sports fields, and indoor swimming pools during the COVID-19 pandemic
Finnish glazed balconies: residents’ experience, wellbeing and use
No full textAmidst sustainability challenges and in an increasingly urbanised context, housing design qualities are crucial to promote residents’ wellbeing. Despite the role balconies play in establishing connections with the surrounding environment and enhancing housing qualities, questions around how to design balconies that meet users’ needs remain under-characterised. An online survey and analysis of Finnish residents’ (n = 393) attitudes to and uses of their balconies is presented. This provides improved insights into and understanding of the implications of glazed balcony design on housing qualities and users’ wellbeing. The subjective data are analysed in three steps via summary statistics, content analysis and co-occurrence analysis. Results reveal that balconies are greatly used, and that glazed enclosures of balconies—a specific characteristic in Finland—enhance the balconies’ space functionality throughout the year. However, glazed balconies are perceived to be potentially harmful to overall indoor environmental quality, increasing overheating risk, and reducing daylight and purge ventilation in the living space if not used as designed. This study shows the need for a user-oriented approach to design balconies that enhance housing qualities and users’ wellbeing
Closing the energy flexibility gap: Enriching flexibility performance rating of buildings with monitored data
No full textQuantifying and rating energy flexibility in existing buildings will become increasingly important as building energy services become electrified. Flexibility ratings based on building design specifications have shown potential to complement energy performance certificates and enable the comparison between buildings. However, relying on physical models and standard boundary conditions could lead to a ‘flexibility gap’: a difference between predicted and actual flexibility. This article investigates the incorporation of monitored data into design-based flexibility ratings, using an existing rating methodology and two UK case study domestic buildings. We firstly examine whether the current rating methodology can accept monitored data, and find it is able to apart from the final step of rating. We then devise two methods of calculating the metrics required for the flexibility rating, based not on physical models but on data. Using these methods, we examine the impact of the standard operational modelling assumptions on the flexibility metrics compared to using data-informed inputs, which highlights some discrepancies and some concepts in the flexibility rating methodology for which monitored data may be very difficult to obtain (e.g. recovery time). Finally, we suggest how to improve the usefulness of flexibility ratings by incorporating additional information based on monitored data
Virtual web-based instruments in the evaluation of functional degradation of heritage timber buildings
No full textThe construction engineering and management sector is facing rapid technological disruption due to the extensive adoption of digital tools. The main aim of this research was to assess the accuracy and usefulness of web-based instruments used for the evaluation and mensuration of built environment characteristics. Through on-site visits and two web-based tools, a digital management system based on fuzzy logic was used to evaluate the functional service life of two heritage timber buildings in Valdivia (Chile). The assessments of 40 professional experts (4 on-site visual inspections and 36 virtual inspections) were compared to evaluate the relative accuracy and usefulness of the on-site and web-based instruments. Web-based audits, which used Google Street View and Google Maps, tended to agree strongly with on-site audits on the functional degradation of the timber structures (vulnerabilities and external hazard affections). While web-based tools do not offer a perfect substitute for on-site audits, they do allow for preliminary audits to be performed accurately from remote locations, potentially saving time and cost and increasing the effectiveness of subsequent on-site visits. The study findings may be useful to industry stakeholders in understanding the early impacts of the use of new remote digital inspection tools on the construction industry
Optimización de la relación ventana-pared para diferentes clasificaciones de Koppen-Geiger: Un estudio de revisión
No full textAs a result of their function in heat exchange processes and solar gain management, window systems are commonly regarded as the most important component for energy efficiency. Thus, the window-to-wall ratio (WWR) of a building plays an important role in estimating total energy consumption (TEC). A variety of articles published between 2016 and 2022 have been analyzed to determine the optimal WWR by focusing on the TEC approach. This review investigates the optimal range for WWR based on minimizing total energy consumption for 46 cities with 10 different Köppen-Geiger classification (K-G) for 50 buildings , including office, residential, school, and hospital buildings. The suggested range for WWR is the minimum and maximum quantity for each orientation; so, a wide range of WWR is seen in the results.Debido a su función en los procesos de intercambio de calor y gestión de la ganancia solar, los sistemas de ventanas suelen considerarse el componente más importante para la eficiencia energética. Así, la relación ventana-pared (WWR) de un edificio desempeña un papel importante en la estimación del consumo total de energía Se han analizado diversos artículos publicados entre 2016 y 2022 para determinar la WWR óptima centrándose en el enfoque del consumo total de energía. Esta revisión analiza el rango óptimo de WWR basado en la minimización del consumo total de energía para 46 ciudades con 10 clasificaciones Köppen-Geiger (K-G) diferentes para 50 edificios, incluyendo edificios de oficinas, residenciales, escuelas y hospitales. El rango sugerido para la relación ventana-pared de un edificio es la cantidad mínima y máxima para cada orientación, siendo por tanto este intervalo muy amplio
Eco-efficiency and economic assessment of gypsum-based precast with polymeric waste: A case study
No full textThe adoption of sustainable building policies and the society’s increasing emphasis on sustainability underscore the urgent need to evaluate the environmental and economic impact of construction materials. This study examines the effects of incorporating polyurethane foam waste into gypsum-based ceiling tiles. It compares its economic performance and eco-efficiency with conventional alternatives. Methodologically, Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) quantifies total life cycle costs, followed by Eco-Efficiency Assessment (EE), considering results from both Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and LCCA. Our findings reveal a compelling 5.91% cost advantage for the novel precast, driven by enhanced production capacity resulting from shorter drying times. The economic benefits of this approach are underscored by a detailed breakdown of cost savings in production phases. Furthermore, the EE remarks a substantial 7.5% boost, emphasizing the positive environmental impact achieved through reduced resource consumption and lower emissions combined with lower life-cycle costs. These results highlight the economic viability and eco-efficiency of polymeric waste-integrated gypsum ceiling tiles for environmental sustainability. The specific percentage improvements in cost and eco-efficiency provide a quantitative basis for understanding the advantages of adopting these innovative materials