Escuela de Politécnica Superior

The VEM project ( Emergency house project ) aims a series of objectives based on energy efficiency through the study of basic parameters, by natural systems, to reach climatic comfort: the influence of the form factor in the climatic performance, the orientation, ventilation, and an adequate performance towards the temperature and humidity conditions that the different climate zones offer. From the resulting data, the validity in the performance of the VEM project’s constructive system is verified based on its energy simulation. The study begins with the energy simulation of the project with the Ecotect Analysis program, in five locations: continental Mediterranean climate (Madrid), monsoon climate (New Delhi), tropical climate (Brasilia), continental humid climate (Montreal), and semiarid climate (Karachi); considering its constructive system, materials, orientation, ventilation, incident solar radiation, environmental conditions (temperature, wind, rainfall), generating a study on technical control and the degree of environmental influence on the project. In every location, the behavior is simulated for both a cold and a warm day, recollecting data on Wh (energy gains and losses) and interior temperature, considering the variations throughout the day. The second part of the study goes beyond the simulation, with the aim to improve the first results and delve more deeply into the materials of the envelope, the color and the material’s reflection, studying the effects produced on the interior temperature, taking into account the region and climate of the simulation. It also addresses the positive effect produced by the form factor applied in the VEM project, its advantages compared to other designs with different form factors; all to amend possible thermal tolerances and allow comfort in the interior of the living space.

According to the need of emergency houses all around the world, thedevelopment of a prototype (low cost and high strength structure) whichcould be placed anywhere becomes essential. This placement could be insusceptible areas to earthquakes, floods or armed conflicts. It has been studiedthe behaviour of a steel-bamboo hybrid structure compared with a steel-aluminiumhybrid one(in termsof strength).Finite elementssoftware hasbeenused to simulate both models. It has been obtained the maximum quantity ofbamboo which can be placed in the prototype achieving the optimum design.As far as strength is concerned, steel-aluminium is better than steel-bamboo;even though, it exists minimum difference (9.16%), which is despicableconsidering the advantages of bamboo. When using bamboo as alternativematerial, displacement varies because of the density of the elements. Thestructuralmodel becomeslighter and,according to that,it supposesan increasein the displacement (about 0.4 mm).

Researchers are investigating eco-friendly binders like coconut shell ash (CSA), metakaolin (MK), and calcined clay (CC) as supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) in high-strength concrete (HSC). Abundantly available as industrial or agricultural waste, these materials, when combined with Portland cement (PC), offer synergistic benefits. This not only improves concrete performance but also addresses waste disposal issues, presenting a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for long-term use in HSC production. However, this study performed on fresh and mechanical characteristics of HSC blended with CSA, MK, and CCA alone and together as SCM after 28 days of curing. A total of 504 samples of standard concrete were cast and the cubical samples were tested to achieve the targeted compressive strength about 80 MPa after 28 days. The experimental results indicated that the rise in tensile, flexural and compressive strengths of 9.62%, 8.27%, and 10.71% at 9% of CSA, MK, and CC as SCM after 28 days of curing. As SCM content increases, the density, porosity and water absorption of concrete decrease. Moreover, the workability of fresh concrete is getting reduced when the concentration of SCMs increases in HSC. In addition, the concrete’s sustainability assessment revealed that employing 18% MK, CC, and CSA as SCM reduced carbon emissions by approximately 11.78%. It is suggested that using 9% CC, MK and CSA together in HSC yields the best results for practical applications in civil engineering.

Recently, studies on sustainability and ecology have become widespread in almost all sectors. One of the most important reasons for this spread is the rapid increase in industrialization and, thus, the increase in waste caused by industries. In this context, significant efforts are being made to evaluate some of these wastes. One of these efforts is the production of geopolymers. In this research, metakaolin and slag-based geopolymer mortar samples were manufactured, and polyvinyl Alcohol, basalt, and macro synthetic polypropylene fibers were used to enhance the physical, mechanical, and high-temperature resistance of the sample. Physical and mechanical tests of the produced samples were performed after 28 days. Then, elevated-temperature experiments were conducted to evaluate the behavior of the fibers under the influence of high temperature. Following the high-temperature test, physical, mechanical and microstructure tests of the samples were performed. As a result, basalt fiber enhanced the compressive strength of 800 ◦C-exposed samples by 7.72% compared to the fiber-free sample. Also, polyvinyl Alcohol fiber increased the energy absorption capacity of the samples by increasing Charpy impact values to 72.22% compared to fiber-free sample. Moreover, macro synthetic polypropylene fiber reduced capillary water absorption value up to 12.44% compared to fiber-free sample.

As a primary goal, Inadequate energy consumption and outdated construction systems are causing financial losses for homeowners. Spain’s failure to meet European guidelines on CO2 emissions highlights the urgent need to address the energy inefficiency of buildings, responsible for 40% of such emissions. This article presents a comprehensive refurbishment project undertaken in the Lagos Park residential building in Madrid. The paper offers a detailed analysis of common building issues related to excessive humidity in the surrounding areas and deficiencies in the energy performance of the building envelope, including facades and roofs. Precise measures for achieving compliance with the Spanish Technical Building Code (CTE), as well as enhancing energy efficiency and functionality, are explained through the renovation of the building envelopes. The study also encompasses improvements made to the domestic hot water supply systems and the air-conditioning system, which contribute to the building’s attainment of an optimal energy rating (energy Class A). The extensive renovation undertaken in the complex has transformed Lagos Park homes into “zero energy consumption” residences. The strategies employed, ranging from electrical appliances to the house’s structural design, are all geared towards maximizing energy usage efficiency, resulting in significantly reduced monthly electricity bills by 65%–75%.

Concrete made with Portland cement is by far the most heavily used construction material in the world today. Its success stems from the fact that it is relatively inexpensive yet highly versatile and functional and is made from widely available raw materials. However, in many environments, concrete structures gradually deteriorate over time. Premature deterioration of concrete is a major problem worldwide. Moreover, cement production is energy-intensive and releases a lot of CO2; this is compounded by its ever-increasing demand, particularly in developing countries. As such, there is an urgent need to develop more durable concretes to reduce their environmental impact and improve sustainability. To avoid such environmental problems, researchers are always searching for lightweight structural materials that show high performance during both processing and application. Among the various candidates, Magnesia (MgO) seems to be the most promising material to attain this target. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the characteristics and developments of MgO-based composites and their applications in cementitious materials and energy-efficient buildings. This paper starts with the characterization of MgO in terms of environmental production processes, calcination temperatures, reactivity, and micro-physical properties. Relationships between different MgO composites and energy-efficient building designs were established. Then, the influence of MgO incorporation on the properties of cementitious materials and indoor environmental quality was summarized. Finally, the future research directions on this were discussed.

As the disposal of materials and commodities in the management of construction projects has evolved into a critical issue, certain building materials are likely to be thrown away as rubbish at the end of a structure’s useful life. However, tearing down houses and dumping huge amounts of garbage in landfills are not the best feasible solutions to the problem. The depletion and loss of building materials on the project site are exacerbated by the significant amount of waste generated during construction. The tearing down and rebuilding of previously existing buildings are two other methods contributing to rubbish production. Trash management that is as effective as possible has become a need in light of the depletion of natural resources and raw materials, as well as the rise in the pollution brought on by waste from construction projects. One technique that might be taken to address these challenges is the implementation of concepts related to reverse logistics (RL). By considering energy management in construction utilizing sustainability and environmental criteria, this study aims to identify the inverse logistics issues of construction management and smart building. An integrated method of multi-criteria decision-making called MARCOS and ordinal priority approach (OPA) for ranking solutions and weighing criteria is presented in this study. The findings indicate that out of the 23 challenges that must be overcome to implement reverse logistics effectively and achieve sustainability in the construction industry, the one with the most weight and impact on sustainability is “Workforce errors and mistakes during execution. Out of the ten potential solutions, “determining reverse logistics as a part of a sustainability program” and “strategic collaboration with reverse logistics partners” offer the most viable options for resolving the issue and overcoming the obstacles.