Architectural design and construction costs, tools towards territorial sustainability

This paper is presented in CIB: Management and Innovation Sustainable Built Environment 2011, as the study and analysis of the residential model of a rural area from the Iberian Peninsula, specifically applied to the case of the province of Cáceres, in the autonomous region of Extremadura, in Spain. To this end, from a database made up of building projects whose real costs are known, it is intended to establish the links of the different parameters studied through the corresponding functions of statistical analysis. One of the main objectives of this process is constituted by the possibility of establishing those design variables of higher economic importance, so as to keep an economic control of these parameters, generally geometrical and typological, from the very start of the project. And, in general, a higher optimization of resources in the construction of dwellings in the rural environment from their design is intended.

Earth Architecture and Construction in the colonial archaeological site of Piura la Vieja, La Matanza (Piura, Perú)

Ponencia en el congreso internacional RESTAPIA 2012 que recoge los resultados de los trabajos de investigación realizados en el yacimiento arqueológico colonial de Piura la Vieja, La Matanza (Piura, Perú).

Understanding landscape and the values of traditional architecture and construction

Ponencia presentada en el congreso internacional organizado por el Comité Internacional de Arquitectura Vernácula de ICOMOS - UNESCO.

High speed railroad bridges. Conception, bases of design, typological possibilities and construction methods

Diseño conceptual de puentes de alta velocidad ferroviarios. Railroad bridges, in general, and those for high speed railways, in particular, demand very special conditions. The traffic loads are much higher than for road bridges. Loads due to braking and acceleration determine, due to their magnitude, the structural layout. Because of the speed of the vehicles there are specific dynamic effects which need to be considered. In order to ensure passenger comfort, compatible with speeds of up to 350 km/h, it is necessary to meet very demanding conditions with respect to stiffness, displacements and dynamic behavior. In this paper these conditions are briefly described and different typological possibilities to satisfy them are presented as well as the main construction methods applicable to this kind of bridges.

Languages for safety-certification related propertis

The Safety Certification of Software-Intensive Systems with Reusable Components project, in short SafeCer (www.safecer.eu),is targeting increased efficiency and reduced time-to-market by composable safety certification of safety- relevant embedded systems. The industrial domains targeted are within automotive and construction equipment, avionics, and rail. Some of the companies involved are: Volvo Tech- nology, Thales, TTTech, and Intecs among others. SafeCer includes more than 30 partners in six different countries and has a budget of e25.7 millions. A primary objective is to provide support for system safety arguments based on arguments and properties of system components as well as to provide support for generation of corresponding evidence in a similar compositional way. By providing support for efficient reuse of certification and stronger links between certification and development, compo- nent reuse will be facilitated, and by providing support for reuse across domains the amount of components available for reuse will increase dramatically. The resulting efficiency and reduced time to market will, together with increased quality and reduced risk, increase competitiveness and pave the way for a cross-domain market for software components qualified for certification.

Design, development and construction of an outdoor testing facility for semi-transparent photovoltaic modules

Building-integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) is one of the most promising technologies enabling buildings to generate on-site part of their electricity needs while performing architectural functionalities. A clear example of BIPV products consists of semi-transparent photovoltaic modules (STPV), designed to replace the conventional glazing solutions in building façades. Accordingly, the active building envelope is required to perform multiple requirements such as provide solar shading to avoid overheating, supply solar gains and thermal insulation to reduce heat loads and improve daylight utilization. To date, various studies into STPV systems have focused on their energy performance based on existing simulation programs, or on the modelling, normally validated by limited experimental data, of the STPV modules thermal behaviour. Taking into account that very limited experimental research has been conducted on the energy performance of STPV elements and that the characterization in real operation conditions is necessary to promote an energetically efficient integration of this technology in the building envelope, an outdoor testing facility has been designed, developed and built at the Solar Energy Institute of the Technical University of Madrid. In this work, the methodology used in the definition of the testing facility, its capability and limitations are presented and discussed.

Design and construction of the Barriga Dam spillway through an improved wedge-shaped block technology

The Barriga Dam (Burgos, Spain) is a unique case study because its trapezoid spillway is located on the dam body and is composed of wedge-shaped concrete blocks (WSB) that include certain relevant improvements. This note summarizes the main features of the studies, the key aspects of the final design of the WSB and their placement on the dam, and important details of the spillway design. The design team concluded the study by showing the suitability of this enhanced technology for application to small dams and ponds in the short term, even with unit flows above 5 m2/s.

Tower of Martín González or castle of La Raya (Soria): territory, history, defense and construction / La torre de Martín González o castillo de La Raya (Soria): territorio, historia, defensa y construcción

Abstract The Tower of Martín González, also known as castle of La Raya, is placed in the actual border between the Spanish provinces of Soria and Zaragoza and in the historical limit between the Crowns of Castile and Aragon: this is the reason for its name. The castle dominates the hedge of the plain-moors that surround the Valley of Nágima River. It is a castle with courtyard and a high tower in the western flank. The paper analyzes the castle in four main levels. All references about the castle are studied to draw a historical narration and to relate with the territory and other fortifications, both Castilian and Aragonese. Despite its advanced state of ruin, it preserves many rests that allow making an analysis of its defensive elements and constructive aspects. Resumen La torre de Martín González, también conocida como el castillo de La Raya, se sitúa en el límite actual entre las provincias de Soria y Zaragoza y en el límite histórico entre las coronas de Castilla y Aragón. Domina el extremo de los páramos que circundan el río Nágima. Es un castillo de tipo torrejón con patio de armas y una torre del homenaje adosada a su flanco occidental. El análisis contempla cuatro niveles fundamentales para el entendimiento de la arquitectura fortificada. La comunicación revisa la documentación existente sobre los elementos históricos que se ponen en relación, mediante el análisis territorial, con el sistema fortificado de frontera. A pesar de su avanzado estado de ruina, conserva restos que permiten realizar una lectura interpretativa de sus elementos defensivos y de sus aspectos constructivos.

Chamber of valves in the Arenoso reservoir

Of the south of Spain, near the province of Cordova, in a tributary of the Guadalquivir River it has been constructed during the years 2004 to 2007 the reservoir called El Arenoso. El Arenoso reservoir that belongs to Environment Ministry is destined to downstream Guadalquivir’s water supply and the general regulation of the river. The dam is located on the same name river and it is next to the Montoro’s municipal district, 41 km northeast of Cordova. The main work consists on an embankment dam, with central clay core, and slates and greywacke shoulders. The core is covered downstream with a filter material and upstream with a transition material. The dimensions of the dam are 80 m high, 1.480 m long at its crest, and it has been needed more than 3 million m3 of materials, creating a waterproof barrier able to keep 160 hm3 as a useful reservoir. In the zone of the core is located the chamber of valves with a horizontal clearance of 10 m and a vertical clearance of 14,517 m. The present article exposes the most important characteristics of project and construction, of valves chamber of the Arenoso reservoir.

Bridge for the airbus A-380 in Barajas airport (Spain)

During the years 2004 and 2005 is has been constructed in Barajas airport of Madrid a special bridge for the new plane AIRBUS A380. This new airplane has a weight of 1,500,000 pounds and 18 wheels with a reaction of 39.2 tonnes per each one and the braking force is about 600 tonnes. The enormous loads transmitted for the airplane made this bridge a special structure. The present article exposes the most important characteristics of project and construction, of one of the special bridges in the airport Brajas of Madri. This bridge was constructed for the access to the hangar of airplanes in Barajas, known "La Muñoza". The structure has a width of 48m, two spans of 13 m each one and a vertical clearance of 5.50 m to allow passing vehicles under it, along thhe new motorway in Brajas (Madrid).

Espacios máximos con recursos mínimos : edificio Central Lechera CLESA, Alejandro de la Sota

La tesis aborda el estudio de la Central lechera CLESA, uno de los edificios industriales de Alejandro de la Sota más significativos de la década de los años cincuenta en España. Las centrales lecheras fueron abordadas por Sota en distintas ocasiones entre 1955 y 1969, siendo CLESA la única de todas ellas que llega a construirse. Se trata de uno de los exponentes más brillantes de la arquitectura moderna industrial española de la posguerra, incluido en "La arquitectura de la industria, REGISTRO DOCOMOMO IBÉRICO”1 entre la veintena de edificios seleccionados de la arquitectura madrileña de este periodo. Plantea una solución singular para alcanzar la diafanidad exigida en la implantación del proceso de producción. La estructura de las naves se realiza con hormigón pretensado, siendo uno de los pioneros en la utilización de esta técnica. La hipótesis de partida considera la realidad del proyecto construido como respuesta desde la arquitectura a un programa industrial resuelto con sencillez, que partiendo de una economía de recursos que le es inherente, consigue desde la coherencia del planteamiento, soluciones donde la complejidad espacial constituye una respuesta eficaz y del máximo interés. Los objetivos de esta tesis son contribuir a un conocimiento riguroso del edificio, que permita descubrir la particularidad de su entramado espacial y el interés de las soluciones adoptadas en su configuración final, en aras de contrastar su calidad arquitectónica. El edificio de la Central Lechera CLESA, si bien es un edificio muy conocido, lo es de una manera superficial. Aparece en numerosas publicaciones, en muchas ocasiones formando parte de un relato extenso de la obra de su autor. El libro monográfico publicado en 2007 por la Fundación Alejandro de la Sota, cuya edición está a cargo de Teresa Couceiro, es la única publicación específica sobre él. Tras una breve introducción, en la que se destaca la intensa dedicación de Sota a esta obra, reúne una colección de planos, fotografías y croquis, junto a la memoria del proyecto. Ofrece una visión fragmentada, que permite vislumbrar el interés de esta obra, pero no facilita comprenderla en su integridad. Es importante destacar la publicación de CLESA en el libro editado por Pronaos (1989), que incluye una selección, realizada por el autor, de plantas, alzados y secciones que corresponden al proyecto construido junto a fotografías de la obra terminada, además de un breve texto tan conciso como esclarecedor. Sobre Alejandro de la Sota se han escrito, tesis doctorales, numerosos artículos, varios libros así como realizado exposiciones que recogen su obra global, reflejados en este documento en las consiguientes bibliografías específicas. Cabe destacar la exposición realizada en la sede del COAM en 2014, con ocasión de su centenario, que el edificio CLESA protagoniza en cierto modo, por su riesgo de desaparición.2 La tesis se estructura en cuatro capítulos: descripción, análisis, síntesis y conclusiones. El primer capítulo contempla la descripción del edificio objeto de la tesis, con una introducción que nos sitúa en el contexto histórico, económico, cultural y social en el que se desarrolla el encargo, proyecto y obra de la central lechera. La descripción propiamente dicha del conjunto industrial, partiendo del encargo de la central lechera al autor del proyecto, pasando por el anteproyecto, el proyecto visado y llegando a la obra realizada. Se compara el proyecto visado, la obra terminada y la CLESA publicada, así como el devenir del edificio. La segunda parte corresponde al análisis, en primer lugar desde el programa como planteamiento general, estudiando las circulaciones, relaciones espaciales, geométricas, esqueléticas, geográficas -parte a parte- que integran el conjunto de la central. La estructura, introducción explicativa de las soluciones adoptadas por Alejandro de la Sota; análisis del sistema esquelético del edificio por partes, operaciones geométricas y espaciales. Construcción, análisis de la materialización de la obra, sistemas constructivos empleados en cerramientos, cubiertas, lucernarios; de lo general a lo particular, estudiando los sistemas. Finalmente a través de la pequeña escala se compendian elementos singulares que forman parte de sistemas complejos, como las múltiples escaleras, barandillas, carpinterías, miradores. Se recapitula en una síntesis que configura un todo con la suma de las partes, mediante la utilización de recursos de enlace de esa arquitectura aditiva, como es el módulo, los recorridos y los enlaces visuales. El capítulo final de Conclusiones contrasta la hipótesis de partida de la tesis en cuanto a una arquitectura de espacios máximos con recursos mínimos. Recoge también diversas reflexiones como la dialéctica entre el espacio fragmentado y el espacio único; crecimiento expansivo o inclusivo; imagen singular y representación; escala doméstica y escala industrial; renuncias estructurales o limitaciones de medios. Quizás, el mayor interés de esta tesis reside los dibujos realizados en axonométrica del complejo CLESA, que han permitido restituir y reconstruir idealmente la fábrica al inicio de su actividad. Teniendo en cuenta su posible desaparición total o parcial, esta restitución cobra relevancia como testimonio de lo que fue. ABSTRACT The thesis deals with the study of CLESA's Dairy Plant, one of the most significant industrial buildings of the Decade of the fifties in Spain, by Alejandro de la Sota. The Dairies were addressed by Sota at various occasions between 1955 and 1969, being the CLESA plant the only one that is has been built. This is one of the most brilliant exponents of Spanish industrial post-war modern architecture, included in "The architecture industry, IBERIAN DOCOMOMO RECORD"3 between the score of selected buildings of Madrid architecture of this period. It poses a singular solution to achieve the openness of the space required in the implementation of the manufacturing process. The structure of the nave is done with prestressed concrete, being one of the pioneers in the use of this technique. The initial hypothesis considers the reality of the project built from the architecture in response to an industrial program solved with simplicity, that from a resource economy that is inherent, gets from the consistency of the approach, solutions where the space complexity is an effective response of great interest. The objectives of this thesis are to contribute to a rigorous knowledge of the building, which allows to discover the particularity of its space lattice and the interest of the solutions adopted in its final configuration, in order to contrast its architectural quality. The building of the Central Lechera CLESA, despite it is a well known building, is in a superficial way. It appears in several publications, often as part of an extensive account of the work of its author. The monograph published in 2007 by the Foundation Alejandro de la Sota, whose edition is run by Teresa Couceiro, is the only specific publication about it. After a brief introduction, in which Sota's intense dedication to this work stands out, it brings together a collection of drawings, photographs and sketches, along with the project report. It offers a fragmented view, which enable to glimpse the interest of this work, but not helps to understand it in full. It is important to highlight the publication of CLESA in the book edited by Pronaos (1989), which includes a selection made by the author of plants, elevations and sections corresponding to the project built, next to photographs of the finished construction, in addition to a brief text as concise as enlightening. About Alejandro de la Sota have been written doctoral thesis, numerous articles, several books as well as held exhibitions collecting his global work, which have been reflected in this document in the resulting specific bibliographies. It should be noted the exhibition in COAM headquarters in 2014, on the occasion of its Centennial, where the building CLESA has a leading role, in a certain way, because of its risk of disappearance.4 The thesis is structured in four chapters: description, analysis, synthesis, and conclusions. The first chapter provides the description of the building object of this thesis. Includes an introduction that puts us in the historic, economic, cultural and social context in which it is developed the commission, the project and construction of the dairy building. The description itself of the industrial complex, starts with the order of the dairy to the author of the project, moves through the draft, the visa project and reaches the completion of the work. The visa project, CLESA's finished and published work, as well as the future of the building is compared. The second part corresponds to the analysis, first from the program as a general approach, studying the circulations, geometric, spatial, skeletal, geographical relations - bit by bit - comprising the manufacturing plant ("la central"). The structure, explanatory introduction of the solutions adopted by Alejandro de la Sota; analysis of the skeletal system of the building by parts, geometric and spatial operations. Construction, analysis of the realization of the work, constructive systems used in the building enclosures, roofs, skylights; from the general to the particular and studying the systems. Finally through small scale unique elements that are part of complex systems, such as multiple stairs, railings, carpentry, viewpoints are summarized. It is recapitulated in a synthesis which forms a whole with the sum of the parts, using linking resources that belongs to the additive architecture, such as the module, tours and visual links The final chapter of Conclusions contrast the hypothesis of the thesis regarding the maximum space architecture with minimal resources. It also includes various reflections as the dialectic between the fragmented space and the single space; expansive or inclusive growth; unique image and representation; domestic and industrial scale; structural abandonment or limitation of means. Perhaps the greatest interest of this thesis lies in the axonometric drawings made of the CLESA complex, which ideally have allowed to restore and rebuild the factory back to the beginning of its activity. Considering its potential full or partial disappearance, such recovery becomes relevant as a testimonial evidence of what it was.

El análisis de la construcción sin pérdidas (Lean Construction) y su relación con el Project & Construction Management : propuesta de regulación en España y su inclusión en la ley de la ordenación de la edificación

El presente trabajo se basa en la filosofía de la Construcción sin Pérdidas (“Lean Construction”), analizando la situación de esta filosofía en el sector de la edificación en el contexto internacional y español, respondiendo las siguientes preguntas: 1. ¿Cómo surge el “Lean Construction”? 2. ¿Cuáles son sus actividades, funciones y cometidos? 3. ¿Existe regulación del ¨Lean Construction” en otros países? 4. ¿Existe demanda del ¨Lean Construction” en España? 5. ¿Existe regulación del ¨Lean Construction” en España? 6. ¿Cómo debería ser la regulación ¨Lean Construction” en España? 7. ¿Cuál es la relación del “Lean Construction” con el “Project & Construction Management”? 8. ¿Cómo debería ser la regulación de “Lean Construction” en España considerando su relación con el “Project & Construction Management”? Las preguntas indicadas las hemos respondido detalladamente en el presente trabajo, a continuación se resume las respuestas a dichas preguntas: 1. El “Lean Construction” surge en agosto de 1992, cuando el investigador finlandés Lauri Koskela publicó en la Universidad de Stanford el reporte TECHNICAL REPORT N° 72 titulado “Application of the New Production Philosophy to Construction”. Un año más tarde el Dr. Koskela invitó a un grupo de especialistas en construcción al primer workshop de esta materia en Finlandia, dando origen al International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) lo que ha permitido extender la filosofía a EEUU, Europa, América, Asia, Oceanía y África. “Lean Construction” es un sistema basado en el enfoque “Lean Production” desarrollado en Japón por Toyota Motors a partir de los años cincuenta, sistema que permitió a sus fábricas producir unidades con mayor eficiencia que las industrias americanas, con menores recursos, en menor tiempo, y con un número menor de errores de fabricación. 2. El sistema “Lean Construction” busca maximizar el valor y disminuir las pérdidas de los proyectos generando una coordinación eficiente entre los involucrados, manejando un proyecto como un sistema de producción, estrechando la colaboración entre los participantes de los proyectos, capacitándoles y empoderándoles, fomentando una cultura de cambio. Su propósito es desarrollar un proceso de construcción en el que no hayan accidentes, ni daños a equipos, instalaciones, entorno y comunidad, que se realice en conformidad con los requerimientos contractuales, sin defectos, en el plazo requerido, respetando los costes presupuestados y con un claro enfoque en la eliminación o reducción de las pérdidas, es decir, las actividades que no generen beneficios. El “Last Planner System”, o “Sistema del Último Planificador”, es un sistema del “Lean Construction” que por su propia naturaleza protege a la planificación y, por ende, ayuda a maximizar el valor y minimizar las pérdidas, optimizando de manera sustancial los sistemas de seguridad y salud. El “Lean Construction” se inició como un concepto enfocado a la ejecución de las obras, posteriormente se aplicó la filosofía a todas las etapas del proyecto. Actualmente considera el desarrollo total de un proyecto, desde que nace la idea hasta la culminación de la obra y puesta en marcha, considerando el ciclo de vida completo del proyecto. Es una filosofía de gestión, metodologías de trabajo y una cultura empresarial orientada a la eficiencia de los procesos y flujos. La filosofía “Lean Construction” se está expandiendo en todo el mundo, además está creciendo en su alcance, influyendo en la gestión contractual de los proyectos. Su primera evolución consistió en la creación del sistema “Lean Project Delivery System”, que es el concepto global de desarrollo de proyectos. Posteriormente, se proponen el “Target Value Design”, que consiste en diseñar de forma colaborativa para alcanzar los costes y el valor requerido, y el “Integrated Project Delivery”, en relación con sistemas de contratos relacionales (colaborativos) integrados, distintos a los contratos convencionales. 3. Se verificó que no existe regulación específica del ¨Lean Construction” en otros países, en otras palabras, no existe el agente con el nombre específico de “Especialista en Lean Construction” o similar, en consecuencia, es un agente adicional en el proyecto de la edificación, cuyas funciones y cometidos se pueden solapar con los del “Project Manager”, “Construction Manager”, “Contract Manager”, “Safety Manager”, entre otros. Sin embargo, se comprobó la existencia de formatos privados de contratos colaborativos de Integrated Project Delivery, los cuales podrían ser tomados como unas primeras referencias para futuras regulaciones. 4. Se verificó que sí existe demanda del ¨Lean Construction” en el desarrollo del presente trabajo, aunque aún su uso es incipiente, cada día existe más interesados en el tema. 5. No existe regulación del ¨Lean Construction” en España. 6. Uno de los objetivos fundamentales de esta tesis es el de regular esta figura cuando actúe en un proyecto, definir y realizar una estructura de Agente de la Edificación, según la Ley de Ordenación de la Edificación (LOE), y de esta manera poder introducirla dentro de la Legislación Española, protegiéndola de eventuales responsabilidades civiles. En España existe jurisprudencia (sentencias de los tribunales de justicia españoles) con jurisdicción civil basada en la LOE para absolver o condenar a agentes de la edificación que son definidos en los tribunales como “gestores constructivos” o similares. Por este motivo, en un futuro los tribunales podrían dictaminar responsabilidades solidarias entre el especialista “Lean Construction” y otros agentes del proyecto, dependiendo de sus actuaciones, y según se implemente el “Lean Project Delivery System”, el “Target Value Design” y el “Integrated Project Delivery”. Por otro lado, es posible que el nivel de actuación del especialista “Lean Construcción” pueda abarcar la gestión del diseño, la gestión de la ejecución material (construcción), la gestión de contratos, o la gestión integral de todo el proyecto de edificación, esto último, en concordancia con la última Norma ISO 21500:2012 o UNE-ISO 21500:2013 Directrices para la dirección y gestión de proyectos. En consecuencia, se debería incorporar adecuadamente a uno o más agentes de la edificación en la LOE de acuerdo a sus funciones y responsabilidades según los niveles de actuación del “Especialista en Lean Construction”. Se propone la creación de los siguientes agentes: Gestor del Diseño, Gestor Constructivo y Gestor de Contratos, cuyas definiciones están desarrolladas en este trabajo. Estas figuras son definidas de manera general, puesto que cualquier “Project Manager” o “DIPE”, gestor BIM (Building Information Modeling), o similar, puede actuar como uno o varios de ellos. También se propone la creación del agente “Gestor de la Construcción sin Pérdidas”, como aquel agente que asume las actuaciones del “gestor de diseño”, “gestor constructivo” y “gestor de contratos” con un enfoque en los principios del Lean Production. 7. En la tesis se demuestra, por medio del uso de la ISO 21500, que ambos sistemas son complementarios, de manera que los proyectos pueden tener ambos enfoques y ser compatibilizados. Un proyecto que use el “Project & Construction Management” puede perfectamente apoyarse en las herramientas y técnicas del “Lean Construction” para asegurar la eliminación o reducción de las pérdidas, es decir, las actividades que no generen valor, diseñando el sistema de producción, el sistema de diseño o el sistema de contratos. 8. Se debería incorporar adecuadamente al agente de la edificación “Especialista en Lean Construction” o similar y al agente ¨Especialista en Project & Construction Management” o DIPE en la Ley de Ordenación de la Edificación (LOE) de acuerdo a sus funciones y responsabilidades, puesto que la jurisprudencia se ha basado para absolver o condenar en la referida Ley. Uno de los objetivos fundamentales de esta tesis es el de regular la figura del “Especialista en Lean Construction” cuando actúa simultáneamente con el DIPE, y realizar una estructura de Agente de la Edificación según la LOE, y de esta manera protegerlo de eventuales responsabilidades solidarias. Esta investigación comprueba que la propuesta de definición del agente de edificación DIPE, según la LOE, presentada en la tesis doctoral del Doctor Manuel Soler Severino es compatible con las nuevas definiciones propuestas. El agente DIPE puede asumir los roles de los diferentes gestores propuestos en esta tesis si es que se especializa en dichas materias, o, si lo estima pertinente, recomendar sus contrataciones. ABSTRACT This work is based on the Lean Construction philosophy; an analysis is made herein with regard to the situation of this philosophy in the building sector within the international and Spanish context, replying to the following questions: 1. How did the concept of Lean Construction emerge? 2. Which are the activities, functions and objectives of Lean Construction? 3. Are there regulations on Lean Construction in other countries? 4. Is there a demand for Lean Construction in Spain? 5. Are there regulations on Lean Construction in Spain? 6. How should regulations on Lean Construction be developed in Spain? 7. What is the relationship between Lean Construction and the Project & Construction Management? 8. How should regulations on Lean Construction be developed in Spain considering its relationship with the Project & Construction Management? We have answered these questions in detail here and the replies are summarized as follows: 1. The concept of Lean Construction emerged in august of 1992, when Finnish researcher Lauri Koskela published in Stanford University TECHNICAL REPORT N° 72 entitled “Application of the New Production Philosophy to Construction”. A year later, Professor Koskela invited a group of construction specialists to Finland to the first workshop conducted on this matter; thus, the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) was established, which has contributed to extending the philosophy to the United States, Europe, the Americas, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. Lean Construction is a system based on the Lean Production approach, which was developed in Japan by Toyota Motors in the 1950s. Thanks to this system, the Toyota plants were able to produce more units, with greater efficiency than the American industry, less resources, in less time, and with fewer manufacturing errors. 2. The Lean Construction system aims at maximizing the value of projects while reducing waste, producing an effective coordination among those involved; it manages projects as a production system, enhancing collaboration between the parties that participate in the projects while building their capacities, empowering them, and promoting a culture of change. Its purpose is to develop a construction process free of accidents, without damages to the equipment, facilities, environment and community, flawless, in accordance with contractual requirements, within the terms established, respecting budgeted costs, and with a clear approach to eliminating or reducing waste, that is, activities that do not generate benefits. The Last Planner System is a Lean Construction system, which by its own nature protects planning and, therefore, helps to maximize the value and minimize waste, optimizing substantially the safety and health systems. Lean Construction started as a concept focused on the execution of works, and subsequently the philosophy was applied to all the stages of the project. At present it considers the project’s total development, since the time ideas are born until the completion and start-up of the work, taking into account the entire life cycle of the project. It is a philosophy of management, work methodologies, and entrepreneurial culture aimed at the effectiveness of processes and flows. The Lean Construction philosophy is extending all over the world and its scope is becoming broader, having greater influence on the contractual management of projects. It evolved initially through the creation of the Lean Project Delivery System, a global project development concept. Later on, the Target Value Design was developed, based on collaborative design to achieve the costs and value required, as well as the Integrated Project Delivery, in connection with integrated relational (collaborative) contract systems, as opposed to conventional contracts. 3. It was verified that no specific regulations on Lean Construction exist in other countries, in other words, there are no agents with the specific name of “Lean Construction Specialist” or other similar names; therefore, it is an additional agent in building projects, which functions and objectives can overlap those of the Project Manager, Construction Manager, Contract Manager, or Safety Manager, among others. However, the existence of private collaborative contracts of Integrated Project Delivery was confirmed, which could be considered as first references for future regulations. 4. There is a demand for Lean Construction in the development of this work; even though it is still emerging, there is a growing interest in this topic. 5. There are no regulations on Lean Construction in Spain. 6. One of the main objectives of this thesis is to regulate this role when acting in a project, and to define and develop a Building Agent structure, according to the Building Standards Law (LOE by its acronym in Spanish), in order to be able to incorporate it into the Spanish law, protecting it from civil liabilities. In Spain there is jurisprudence in civil jurisdiction based on the LOE to acquit or convict building agents, which are defined in the courts as “construction managers” or similar. For this reason, courts could establish in the future joint and several liabilities between the Lean Construction Specialist and other agents of the project, depending on their actions and based on the implementation of the Lean Project Delivery System, the Target Value Design, and the Integrated Project Delivery. On the other hand, it is possible that the level of action of the Lean Construction Specialist may comprise design management, construction management and contract management, or the integral management of the entire building project in accordance with the last ISO 21500:2012 or UNE-ISO 21500:2013, guidelines for the management of projects. Accordingly, one or more building agents should be appropriately incorporated into the LOE according to their functions and responsibilities and based on the levels of action of the Lean Construction Specialist. The creation of the following agents is proposed: Design Manager, Construction Manager, and Contract Manager, which definitions are developed in this work. These agents are defined in general, since any Project Manager or DIPE, Building Information Modeling (BIM) Manager or similar, may act as one or as many of them. The creation of the Lean Construction Manager is also proposed, as the agent that takes on the role of the Design Manager, Construction Manager and Contract Manager with a focus on the Lean Production principles. 7. In the thesis it is demonstrated that through the implementation of the ISO 21500, both systems are supplementary, so projects may have both approaches and be compatible. A project that applies the Project & Construction Management may perfectly have the support of the tools, techniques and practices of Lean Construction to ensure the elimination or reduction of losses, that is, those activities that do not generate value, thus designing the production system, the design system, or the contract system. 8. The Lean Construction Specialist or similar and the Specialist in Project & Construction Management should be incorporated appropriately into the LOE according to their functions and responsibilities, since jurisprudence has been based on such Law to acquit or convict. One of the main objectives of this thesis is the regulate the role of the Lean Construction Specialist when acting simultaneously with the DIPE, and to develop a structure of the building agent, according to the LOE, and in this way protect such agent from joint and several liabilities. This research proves that the proposal to define the DIPE building agent, according to the LOE, and presented in the doctoral dissertation of Manuel Soler Severino, Ph.D. is compatible with the new definitions proposed. The DIPE agent may assume the roles of the different managers proposed in this thesis if he specializes in those topics or, if deemed pertinent, recommends that they be engaged.

The Ciborium or Lantern Tower of Valencia Cathedral: Geometry, Construction and Stability

Early 18th century treatise writer Tomas Vicente Tosca1 includes in his Tratado de la montea y cortes de Canteria [On Masonry Design and Stone Cutting], what is an important documentary source about the lantern of Valencia Cathedral. Tosca writes about this lantern as an example of vaulting over cross arches without the need of buttresses. A geometrical description is followed by an explanation of the structural behavior which manifests his deep understanding of the mechanics of masonry structures. He tries to demonstrate the absence of buttresses supporting his thesis on the appropriate distribution of loads which will reduce the "empujos" [horizontal thrusts] to the point of not requiring more than the thickness of the walls to stand (Tosca [1727] 1992, 227-230). The present article2 assesses T osca' s appreciation studying how loads and the thrusts they generate are transmitted through the different masonry elements that constitute this ciborium. In order to do so, we first present a geometrical analysis and make considerations regarding its materials and construction methods to, subsequently, analyze its stability adopting an equilibrium approach within the theoretical framework of the lower bound limit analysis.

The Ciborium or Lantern Tower of Valencia Cathedral: Geometry, Construction and Stability

Early 18th century treatise writer Tomas Vicente Tosca1 includes in his Tratado de la montea y cortes de Canteria [On Masonry Design and Stone Cutting], what is an important documentary source about the lantern of Valencia Cathedral. Tosca writes about this lantern as an example of vaulting over cross arches without the need of buttresses. A geometrical description is followed by an explanation of the structural behavior which manifests his deep understanding of the mechanics of masonry structures. He tries to demonstrate the absence of buttresses supporting his thesis on the appropriate distribution of loads which will reduce the "empujos" [horizontal thrusts] to the point of not requiring more than the thickness of the walls to stand (Tosca [1727] 1992, 227-230). The present article2 assesses T osca' s appreciation studying how loads and the thrusts they generate are transmitted through the different masonry elements that constitute this ciborium. In order to do so, we first present a geometrical analysis and make considerations regarding its materials and construction methods to, subsequently, analyze its stability adopting an equilibrium approach within the theoretical framework of the lower bound limit analysis.

Health and safety in the construction : subject pending to be included in the curriculum of architecture in Spain

The art of construction is a risky activity that directly affects the life and physical integrity of persons. Since the approval of Law 31/1995, of November 8, Prevention of Occupational Risks was the first legislation that established the current basis in all sectors and then transposed into Spanish law Directive 92/57/CEE called Royal Decree 1627/1997 of October 24, on minimum safety and health dispositions in construction works, measures have been proposed to develop a mixed body of scientific literature composed of researchers and professionals in the field of occupational safety and health, but even today there is still no clear and firm proposal, showing a lack of awareness in the occupational risk prevention and, therefore, a consolidation of the culture of prevention in society. Therefore, the technicians, who make up the building process, can incur in very high responsibilities, such as: Author of the project, Coordinator of Safety and Health during the preparation of the project and during the execution of works, Site Management: Site Manager. This involves the immediate creation of a general training in prevention for all architects starting when still studying, as well as specific training, appropriate and complementary to all the architects that will be devoted to the specialty of occupational safety and health in construction works. That is, first, we must make the responsible bodies aware of the urgent need to integrate risk prevention in the curricula of architecture and later in the continuing education of the profession. It is necessary that our teaching must conform to the laws on safety and health, due to the fact that the law recognizes our academic degrees and professional qualifications to perform functions in that area