1,720,992 research outputs found
How can we stop the sewage?
No full textThe strength and ductility of high strength concrete columns improve with the addition of steel fiber. This paper reports the behavior of circular High Strength Concrete (HSC) columns reinforced with Hybrid Steel Fibers (HSF) under different loading conditions. In this study, HSF consisted of a combination of macro steel fibers and micro steel fibers. A total of eight circular specimens of 205 mm diameter and 800 mm height were cast and tested. All specimens were reinforced with same amount of steel reinforcements. The specimens were divided into two groups of four specimens. Group RC (reference group) contained no steel fibers. Group HSF (hybrid steel fibers) contained 2.5% by volume of HSF. From each group one specimen was tested under concentric loading, one under 25 mm eccentric loading, one under 50 mm eccentric loading, and one under four-point loading. The results showed that the specimens reinforced with HSF achieved higher strength and ductility compared to RC specimens under different loading conditions. It was also observed that the presence of HSF delayed the spalling of the concrete cover
End-of-life product management as a resilience driver for developing countries: A policy experiment for used tires in Ecuador
No full textOver the last decades, a number of new environmental policies have been designed to improve waste management. Among them, extended producer responsibility (EPR) has introduced a mechanism to shift the environmental and financial burden of end-of-life products from public management to producers. Recently, EPR has been adopted by a growing number of developing countries, but this policy often struggles in being effectively implemented in such contexts, missing the opportunity of using waste management as a sustainability driver. By discussing the EPR for end-of-life tires (ELTs) in Ecuador, this paper proposes a different approach in designing and implementing EPR schemes in developing countries: it recommends consideration of social sustainability, rather than merely copying foreign management frameworks. To address this point, two case studies on socially directed ELT applications were designed and carried out. The case studies aimed at improving resilience of vulnerable populations to natural disasters by increasing the resistance of housing and settlements against catastrophic events using civil engineering applications. The analysis of the case studies’ outcomes brings to light possible policy adjustments, in which social sustainability goals are taken into account within the national EPR scheme. The Ecuadorian case also highlights the benefit of employing an adaptive governance approach when dealing with challenging urban management topics, such as informality (a widespread phenomenon in developing countries) and resilience
An electrifying change: the need to introduce electric vehicles in Ecuador, and its potential impact on the energy sector
No full textPrivate cars are turning electric, with a global increase of 50% between 2013 and 2014. Additionally, Ecuador stands to greatly benefit from a move away from fossil fuels to electric transport. Transport makes up 49% of the national annual energy demand, the fuel for which needs to be imported into the country and is then heavily subsidized. This paper sets out to quantify the potential electricity demand that would be generated from a mass conversion to electric vehicles. Wind and solar power are then compared with hydropower potential to meet this demand. It is found that wind and solar are competitive with hydropower, but where large areas of between 1.24% to 2.51% of the Ecuador’s total territory would be required. Finally, the need is recognized to drastically reduce the potential energy demand from electric cars, by decreasing the number of private vehicles on the road in favor for electric public transport systems
Beyond petroleum: proposal to replace private vehicles with an efficient electric transport in Quito
No full textThis research addresses the issue between mobility and public space in the city of Quito, Ecuador, to determine if in Quito, it is feasible to switch the use of private vehicles into a more efficient electric form of transport? To answer the question, a case study was determined as a neuralgically example in the city, the Plaza Argentina. The research gathered data about the feasibility of such a change. To this extent, information was obtained on the transport preferences of users in the city (who currently prefer to use private cars) since public transport in Quito is unable to compete with private vehicles. Therefore, the research was expanded to encompass the quality of mobility and public space as cross-cutting issues for an integral transformation within the city. A transformation proposal was developed between citizens and academic students, which through interviews, surveys and focus groups, provided the basic ideas for redesigning the city's transport network related to the Plaza Argentina. The proposal consists of an intermodal transport network operating at several scales, which articulates the city and combines the advantages of private and public transportation. In terms of energy, this proposal contemplates the full operativity of the project as it includes the necessary data and calculation to ensure the performance and efficiency of a new transportation system
Más allá del petróleo: Quito y el desarrollo orientado al tránsito
No full textEste libro es una compilación de los estudios de caso presentados en el eje temático “Ciudad y transformaciones urbano-rurales” del XVII Encuentro de Geógrafos de América Latina (EGAL) , que se realizó en Quito – Ecuador entre el 09 y 12 de abril del 2019. La temática planteada para el congreso fue “Hacia geografías de la integración y la diversidad” fue organizado por la Facultad de Ciencias Humanas y la Escuela de Ciencias Geográficas de la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE). Este Encuentro se realiza de manera bianual hace más de 30 años, con el objetivo de promover el intercambio de la producción geográfica contemporánea entre investigadores, estudiantes y profesionales de América Latina. La temática del eje “ciudades y transformaciones urbano – rurales” analizó los procesos de metropolización y urbanización planetaria; el crecimiento de ciudades intermedias y su relación con asentamientos rurales; espacios híbridos y periurbanos. Se puso especial interés en el análisis de centralidades y redes de sistemas urbanos; en la segregación y fragmentación socio-espacial urbana y periurbana, el análisis las políticas públicas en relación con la producción social y ambiental del hábitat urbano y la disputas por espacios públicos. El libro contiene un total de nueve artículos: tres de Argentina, dos de Brasil, uno de Colombia, uno de Perú y dos de Ecuador. Se encuentran organizados por cuatro ejes, la primera que enlaza la reflexión sobre segregación urbana y el estudio de las regiones metropolitanas, el segundo eje se enmarca en la apropiación y transformación del territorio de rural a urbano. El tercero debate la verticalización de la ciudad y, para finalizar, en el cuarto se analiza las dinámicas urbanas que intervienen en el cambio de uso y tenencia del suelo
Beyond petroleum: proposal to replace private vehicles with an efficient electric transport in Quito
No full textThis research addresses the issue between mobility and public space in the city of Quito, Ecuador, to determine if in Quito, it is feasible to switch the use of private vehicles into a more efficient electric form of transport? To answer the question, a case study was determined as a neuralgically example in the city, the Plaza Argentina. The research gathered data about the feasibility of such a change. To this extent, information was obtained on the transport preferences of users in the city (who currently prefer to use private cars) since public transport in Quito is unable to compete with private vehicles. Therefore, the research was expanded to encompass the quality of mobility and public space as cross-cutting issues for an integral transformation within the city. A transformation proposal was developed between citizens and academic students, which through interviews, surveys and focus groups, provided the basic ideas for redesigning the city's transport network related to the Plaza Argentina. The proposal consists of an intermodal transport network operating at several scales, which articulates the city and combines the advantages of private and public transportation. In terms of energy, this proposal contemplates the full operativity of the project as it includes the necessary data and calculation to ensure the performance and efficiency of a new transportation system
Beyond Petroleum: A Study of the Potential Impacts from the Introduction of Electric Cars In Ecuador
No full textPrivate cars are turning electric the world over. Additionally, Ecuador stands to benefit by moving away from fossil fuels to electric transport. Transport makes up 46% of the national annual energy demand, the fuel for which needs to be mostly imported into the country, and is then subsidized by the government (3.883 million USD representing 3.94% GDP in 2012). This paper sets out to quantify the potential electricity demand that would be generated from a mass conversion to electric cars, with a particular look at the country’s three main cities. Wind and solar power are then compared with the hydropower potential to meet this demand. It is found that wind and solar are competitive with hydropower, but where large spaces would be required. Additionally, decentralized solar photovoltaic power could meet the electricity demands created from electric cars in Quito for example, if under 30% of available roof space in the city could be harnessed to this effect. Further work is needed in looking at how best to balance intermittent renewable energies with a variable electric transport demand. Overall, electrified vehicles entail big changes in the energy sector, and where the need to reduce cars should not be forgotten
Más allá del petróleo: Quito y el desarrollo orientado al tránsito
No full textEste libro es una compilación de los estudios de caso presentados en el eje temático “Ciudad y transformaciones urbano-rurales” del XVII Encuentro de Geógrafos de América Latina (EGAL) , que se realizó en Quito – Ecuador entre el 09 y 12 de abril del 2019. La temática planteada para el congreso fue “Hacia geografías de la integración y la diversidad” fue organizado por la Facultad de Ciencias Humanas y la Escuela de Ciencias Geográficas de la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE). Este Encuentro se realiza de manera bianual hace más de 30 años, con el objetivo de promover el intercambio de la producción geográfica contemporánea entre investigadores, estudiantes y profesionales de América Latina. La temática del eje “ciudades y transformaciones urbano – rurales” analizó los procesos de metropolización y urbanización planetaria; el crecimiento de ciudades intermedias y su relación con asentamientos rurales; espacios híbridos y periurbanos. Se puso especial interés en el análisis de centralidades y redes de sistemas urbanos; en la segregación y fragmentación socio-espacial urbana y periurbana, el análisis las políticas públicas en relación con la producción social y ambiental del hábitat urbano y la disputas por espacios públicos. El libro contiene un total de nueve artículos: tres de Argentina, dos de Brasil, uno de Colombia, uno de Perú y dos de Ecuador. Se encuentran organizados por cuatro ejes, la primera que enlaza la reflexión sobre segregación urbana y el estudio de las regiones metropolitanas, el segundo eje se enmarca en la apropiación y transformación del territorio de rural a urbano. El tercero debate la verticalización de la ciudad y, para finalizar, en el cuarto se analiza las dinámicas urbanas que intervienen en el cambio de uso y tenencia del suelo
Diseño de participación comunitaria para proyectos de energía fotovoltaica
No full textEste estudio se desarrolló en Llano Chico, una parroquia periurbana perteneciente al Distrito Metropolitano de Quito, en Ecuador. Se eligió la energía fotovoltaica debido a la cercanía del lugar con la línea ecuatorial y sus condiciones solares óptimas. El objetivo fue desarrollar una metodología relacionada a la participación comunitaria, para determinar la configuración espacial de un posible proyecto fotovoltaico. La participación de la comunidad fue clave. Los métodos de investigación cualitativos se basaron en: observación, bola de nieve, entrevistas semiestructuradas y un taller participativo. Los resultados respaldan la oportunidad de producir energía fotovoltaica comunitaria para la instalación de alumbrado público en áreas residenciales inseguras y sin base legal, mediante la intervención de las empresas públicas que no pueden operar dada la informalidad de los terrenos. Las estrategias de participación comunitaria promovidas desde la academia pueden descubrir oportunidades contundentes que fomenten el desarrollo en una comunidad
An electrifying change: the need to introduce electric vehicles in Ecuador, and its potential impact on the energy sector
No full textPrivate cars are turning electric, with a global increase of 50% between 2013 and 2014. Additionally, Ecuador stands to greatly benefit from a move away from fossil fuels to electric transport. Transport makes up 49% of the national annual energy demand, the fuel for which needs to be imported into the country and is then heavily subsidized. This paper sets out to quantify the potential electricity demand that would be generated from a mass conversion to electric vehicles. Wind and solar power are then compared with hydropower potential to meet this demand. It is found that wind and solar are competitive with hydropower, but where large areas of between 1.24% to 2.51% of the Ecuador’s total territory would be required. Finally, the need is recognized to drastically reduce the potential energy demand from electric cars, by decreasing the number of private vehicles on the road in favor for electric public transport systems
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