El lenguaje de la estructura: Mies van der Rohe y la construcción con acero y hormigón

John Summerson, en El Lenguaje Clásico de la Arquitectura, defiende que los órdenes clásicos que empleaban los arquitectos romanos para decorar sus edificios, no tienen una función estructural pero hacen expresivos a los edificios. Les hacen hablar. Arthur Schopenhauer afirma que “el destino de la Bella Arquitectura es poner de manifiesto la lucha entre el peso y la rigidez de los elementos estructurales”. Y Auguste Perret define la Arquitectura como “el arte de hacer cantar al punto de apoyo”. El objetivo de esta Tesis Doctoral es profundizar en la capacidad de expresión de la estructura. A través del estudio de las estructuras históricas, que se realiza en la primera parte de la Tesis, podemos concluir que existen tres categorías, tres maneras de expresión de la Estructura. Estructuras Vistas, que hablan, Estructuras Ocultas, que se esconden y Estructuras Ilusorias, que fingen. El Partenón y la Sainte Chapelle de París se estudian en el apartado de Estructuras Vistas. El Panteón, el Palacio de Carlos V, la Catedral de San Pablo en Londres, y otras arquitecturas renacentistas y romanas, en el apartado de Estructuras Ocultas. Y como Estructuras Ilusorias, la Alhambra (Dos Hermanas, Comares, el Patio de los Leones), Santa Sofía, y otras arquitecturas del barroco italiano. En la segunda parte de la Tesis se analiza la obra completa de Mies van der Rohe desde el punto de vista de esas tres categorías. Lo visto, lo oculto y lo ilusorio en las estructuras de Mies. Se estudia la evolución en la estructura de la casa, desde las primeras casas con Estructura Oculta de muro de ladrillo, hasta las últimas casas con Estructura Vista y columnas adelantadas, pasando por una etapa intermedia de casas con estructura mixta de muro de ladrillo en la que el acero comienza a hacer su aparición. Se analizan también seis soluciones estructurales en los Bloques y en las Torres: Estructura Vista reverberante, expresiva o inexpresiva vs Estructura Oculta con vestido horizontal, vestido reticular o vestido vertical. Y por último, se estudian las tres soluciones de Estructura Ilusoria que emplea Mies en sus Pabellones. La metodología de trabajo que se ha empleado se divide en cuatro apartados: El análisis bibliográfico; el análisis in situ de los edificios, que nos permite comprobar, por ejemplo, los efectos lumínicos de la columna acanalada del Partenón, o el efecto reverberante de las columnas de la Weissenhofsiedlung; el análisis crítico de planos y detalles constructivos, que nos lleva a concluir que la disposición de pantallas del Pabellón de Barcelona anula la lectura de la crujía estructural, y que la columna del restaurante Cantor se dispone con su alma perpendicular a la cercha, y no paralela, como cabría suponer si se quisiera aprovechar toda la capacidad portante del perfil en H; y por último, el análisis numérico y estructural, que nos lleva a confirmar el sobredimensionado de la Estructura del Patio de los Leones de la Alhambra o el sobredimensionado de la Estructura de la Casa Farnsworth. Lo que se confirma con esta Tesis Doctoral es que la Estructura es algo más, mucho más, que sólo transmisión de las cargas. ABSTRACT John Summerson, in The Classic Language of Architecture, argues that the classic orders used by Roman architects in the decoration of their buildings did not have a structural function, but made buildings expressive. They make them speak. Arthur Schopenhauer affirms that “the goal of Great Architecture is to highlight the struggle between the gravity and rigidity of structural elements”. And Auguste Perret defines Architecture as “the art of making the points of support sing”. The objective of this Doctoral Thesis is to examine the expressive capacity of structure. Following a study of historic structures in the first part of the thesis, we conclude that three categories exist, three ways of expressing Structure. Visible Structures that speak, Concealed Structures that are hidden and Illusory Structures that pretend. The Parthenon and the Sainte Chapelle in Paris are studied in the section on Visible Structures. The Pantheon, the Palace of Charles V, Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London, and other Renaissance and Roman architectures are dealt with in the Concealed Structures section. And, as examples of Illusory Structures, we focus on the Alhambra (The Hall of the Two Sisters, the Comares and the Court of the Lions), Saint Sophia, and other Italian Baroque architectures. In the second part of the Thesis the complete work of Mies van der Rohe is analysed from the perspective of these three categories. The visible, the concealed and the illusory, in the structures of Mies. We study how the structure of the house evolves, from the first houses with the Hidden Structure of the brick wall, to the later houses with Visible Structures and columns, via an intermediate phase of mixed-structure houses with brick walls, where steel first began to make its appearance. We also analyse six structural solutions in the Blocks and Towers: reverberant, expressive or inexpressive Visible Structure vs Concealed Structure with horizontal cladding, reticular cladding or vertical cladding. And finally, we look at the three Illusory Structure solutions that Mies employs in his Pavilions. The methodology employed is divided into four sections: a bibliographic analysis; an analysis in situ of the buildings, which allows us to test, for example, the lighting effects of the fluted column in the Parthenon, or the reverberant effect of the Weissenhofsiedlung columns; a critical analysis of plans and constructive details, which leads us to conclude that the arrangement of panels in the Barcelona Pavilion cancels out the structural centreline, and that the column in the Cantor restaurant is placed with its web perpendicular to the truss, and not parallel to it, as one might expect if one wanted to avail of all the load-bearing capacity of the H beam; and lastly, a numeric and structural analysis, which confirms the oversizing of the Court of the Lions structure in the Alhambra or the oversized structure of Farnsworth House. All of which confirms in this Doctoral Thesis that structure is something more, much more, than a mere conveyor of loads.

Post-fracture behavior of laminated plates after human impact test

For safety barriers the load bearing capacity of the glass when subjected to the soft body impact should be verified. The soft body pendulum test became a testing standard to classify safety glass plates. The classification of the safety glass do not consider the structural behavior when one sheet of a laminated glass is broken; in situations when the replacement of the plate could not be very urgent, structural behavior should be evaluated. The main objective of this paper is to present the structural behavior o laminated glass plates, though modal test and human impact test, including the post fracture behavior for the laminated cases. A god reproducibility and repeatability is obtained. Two main aspects of the structural behavior can be observed: the increment of the rupture load for laminated plates after the failure of the first sheet, and some similarities with a tempered monolithic behavior of equivalent thickness.

Prediction of bendig load capacity of timber beams by finite element method simulation of knots and grain deviation

A finite element model was used to simulate timberbeams with defects and predict their maximum load in bending. Taking into account the elastoplastic constitutive law of timber, the prediction of fracture load gives information about the mechanisms of timber failure, particularly with regard to the influence of knots, and their local graindeviation, on the fracture. A finite element model was constructed using the ANSYS element Plane42 in a plane stress 2D-analysis, which equates thickness to the width of the section to create a mesh which is as uniform as possible. Three sub-models reproduced the bending test according to UNE EN 408: i) timber with holes caused by knots; ii) timber with adherent knots which have structural continuity with the rest of the beam material; iii) timber with knots but with only partial contact between knot and beam which was artificially simulated by means of contact springs between the two materials. The model was validated using ten 45 × 145 × 3000 mm beams of Pinus sylvestris L. which presented knots and graindeviation. The fracture stress data obtained was compared with the results of numerical simulations, resulting in an adjustment error less of than 9.7%

Analysis of the geometric altimetry to support aircraft optimal profiles within future 4D trajectory management

The use of barometric altimetry is to some extent a limiting factor on safety, predictability and efficiency of aircraft operations, and reduces the potential of the trajectory based operations capabilities. However, geometric altimetry could be used to improve all of these aspects. Nowadays aircraft altitude is estimated by applying the International Standard Atmosphere which differs from real altitude. At different temperatures for an assigned barometric altitude, aerodynamic forces are different and this has a direct relationship with time, fuel consumption and range of the flight. The study explores the feasibility of using sensors providing geometric reference altitude, in particular, to supply capabilities for the optimization of vertical profiles and also, their impact on the vertical Air Traffic Management separation assurance processes. One of the aims of the thesis is to assess if geometric altitude fulfils the aeronautical requirements through existing sensors. Also the thesis will elaborate on the advantages of geometric altitude over the barometric altitude in terms of efficiency for vertical navigation. The evidence that geometric altitude is the best choice to improve the efficiency in vertical profile and aircraft capacity by reducing vertical uncertainties will also be shown. In this paper, an atmospheric study is presented, as well as the impact of temperature deviation from International Standard Atmosphere model is analyzed in order to obtain relationship between geometric and barometric altitude. Furthermore, an aircraft model to study aircraft vertical profile is provided to analyse trajectories based on geometric altitudes.

Comportamiento estructural de elementos de fábrica reforzados con materiales compuestos avanzados solicitados a flexión y flexocompresión

El refuerzo de estructuras existentes mediante el encolado exterior de láminas de polímeros reforzados con fibras (FRP) se ha convertido en la aplicación más común de los materiales compuestos avanzados en construcción. Estos materiales presentan muchas ventajas frente a los materiales convencionales (sin corrosión, ligeros, de fácil aplicación, etc.). Pero a pesar de las numerosas investigaciones realizadas, aún persisten ciertas dudas sobre algunos aspectos de su comportamiento y las aplicaciones prácticas se llevan a cabo sólo con la ayuda de guías, sin que haya una normativa oficial. El objetivo de este trabajo es incrementar el conocimiento sobre esta técnica de refuerzo, y más concretamente, sobre el refuerzo a flexión de estructuras de fábrica. Con frecuencia el elemento reforzado es de hormigón armado y las láminas de FRP encoladas al exterior sirven para mejorar su resistencia a flexión, cortante o compresión (encamisados). Sin embargo su empleo en otros materiales como las estructuras de fábrica resulta muy prometedor. Las fábricas se caracterizan por soportar muy bien los esfuerzos de compresión pero bastante mal los de tracción. Adherir láminas de materiales compuestos puede servir para mejorar la capacidad resistente de elementos de fábrica sometidos a esfuerzos de flexión. Pero para ello, debe quedar garantizada una correcta adherencia entre el FRP y la fábrica, especialmente en edificios antiguos cuya superficie puede estar deteriorada por encontrarse a la intemperie o por el propio paso del tiempo. En el capítulo II se describen los objetivos fundamentales del trabajo y el método seguido. En el capítulo III se hace una amplia revisión del estado de conocimiento sobre el tema. En el apartado III.1 se detallan las principales características y propiedades mecánicas de fibras, matrices y materiales compuestos así como sus principales aplicaciones, haciendo especial hincapié en aspectos relativos a su durabilidad. En el apartado III.2 se incluye una revisión histórica de las líneas de investigación, tanto teóricas como empíricas, publicadas sobre estructuras de hormigón reforzadas a flexión encolando materiales compuestos. El apartado III.3 se centra en el aspecto fundamental de la adherencia refuerzo-soporte. Se hace un repaso a distintos modelos propuestos para prevenir el despegue distinguiendo si éste se inicia en la zona de anclaje o si está inducido por fisuras en la zona interior del elemento. Se observa falta de consenso en las propuestas. Además en este punto se relatan las campañas experimentales publicadas acerca de la adherencia entre materiales compuestos y fábricas. En el apartado III.4 se analizan las particularidades de las estructuras de fábrica. Además, se revisan algunas de las investigaciones relativas a la mejora de su comportamiento a flexión mediante láminas de FRP. El comportamiento mecánico de muros reforzados solicitados a flexión pura (sin compresión) ha sido documentado por varios autores, si bien es una situación poco frecuente en fábricas reales. Ni el comportamiento mecánico de muros reforzados solicitados a flexocompresión ni la incidencia que el nivel de compresión soportado por la fábrica tiene sobre la capacidad resistente del elemento reforzado han sido suficientemente tratados. En cuanto a los trabajos teóricos, las diferentes propuestas se basan en los métodos utilizados para hormigón armado y comparten los principios habituales de cálculo. Sin embargo, presentan diferencias relativas, sobre todo, a tres aspectos: 1) la forma de modelar el comportamiento de la fábrica, 2) el valor de deformación de cálculo del refuerzo, y 3) el modo de fallo que se considera recomendable buscar con el diseño. A pesar de ello, el ajuste con la parte experimental de cada trabajo suele ser bueno debido a una enorme disparidad en las variables consideradas. Cada campaña presenta un modo de fallo característico y la formulación que se propone resulta apropiada para él. Parece necesario desarrollar un método de cálculo para fábricas flexocomprimidas reforzadas con FRP que pueda ser utilizado para todos los posibles fallos, tanto atribuibles a la lámina como a la fábrica. En el apartado III.4 se repasan algunas lesiones habituales en fábricas solicitadas a flexión y se recogen ejemplos de refuerzos con FRP para reparar o prevenir estos daños. Para mejorar el conocimiento sobre el tema, se llevan a cabo dos pequeñas campañas experimentales realizadas en el Instituto de Ciencias de la Construcción Eduardo Torroja. La primera acerca de la adherencia de materiales compuestos encolados a fábricas deterioradas (apartado IV.1) y la segunda sobre el comportamiento estructural a flexocompresión de probetas de fábrica reforzadas con estos materiales (apartado IV.2). En el capítulo V se analizan algunos de los modelos de adherencia propuestos para prevenir el despegue del extremo del refuerzo. Se confirma que las predicciones obtenidas con ellos resultan muy dispares. Se recopila una base de datos con los resultados experimentales de campañas sobre adherencia de FRP a fábricas extraídas de la literatura y de los resultados propios de la campaña descrita en el punto IV.1. Esta base de datos permite conocer cual de los métodos analizados resulta más adecuado para dimensionar el anclaje de láminas de FRP adheridas a fábricas. En el capítulo VI se propone un método para la comprobación en agotamiento de secciones de fábrica reforzadas con materiales compuestos sometidas a esfuerzos combinados de flexión y compresión. Está basado en el procedimiento de cálculo de la capacidad resistente de secciones de hormigón armado pero adaptado a las fábricas reforzadas. Para ello, se utiliza un diagrama de cálculo tensión deformación de la fábrica de tipo bilineal (acorde con el CTE DB SE-F) cuya simplicidad facilita el desarrollo de toda la formulación al tiempo que resulta adecuado para predecir la capacidad resistente a flexión tanto para fallos debidos al refuerzo como a la fábrica. Además se limita la deformación de cálculo del refuerzo teniendo en consideración ciertos aspectos que provocan que la lámina adherida no pueda desarrollar toda su resistencia, como el desprendimiento inducido por fisuras en el interior del elemento o el deterioro medioambiental. En concreto, se propone un “coeficiente reductor por adherencia” que se determina a partir de una base de datos con 68 resultados experimentales procedentes de publicaciones de varios autores y de los ensayos propios de la campaña descrita en el punto IV.2. También se revisa la formulación propuesta con ayuda de la base de datos. En el capítulo VII se estudia la incidencia de las principales variables, como el axil, la deformación de cálculo del refuerzo o su rigidez, en la capacidad final del elemento. Las conclusiones del trabajo realizado y las posibles líneas futuras de investigación se exponen en el capítulo VIII. ABSTRACT Strengthening of existing structures with externally bonded fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) has become the most common application of advanced composite materials in construction. These materials exhibit many advantages in comparison with traditional ones (corrosion resistance, light weight, easy to apply, etc.). But despite countless researches have been done, there are still doubts about some aspects of their behaviour and applications are carried out only with the help of guidelines, without official regulations. The aim of this work is to improve the knowledge on this retrofitting technique, particularly in regard to flexural strengthening of masonry structures. Reinforced concrete is often the strengthened material and external glued FRP plates are used to improve its flexural, shear or compressive (by wrapping) capacity. However the use of this technique on other materials like masonry structures looks promising. Unreinforced masonry is characterized for being a good material to support compressive stresses but really bad to withstand tensile ones. Glue composite plates can improve the flexural capacity of masonry elements subject to bending. But a proper bond between FRP sheet and masonry must be ensured to do that, especially in old buildings whose surface can be damaged due to being outside or ageing. The main objectives of the work and the methodology carried out are described In Chapter II. An extensive overview of the state of art is done in Chapter III. In Section III.1 physical and mechanical properties of fibers, matrix and composites and their main applications are related. Durability aspects are especially emphasized. Section III.2 includes an historical overview of theoretical and empirical researches on concrete structures strengthened gluing FRP plates to improve their flexural behaviour. Section III.3 focuses on the critical point of bonding between FRP and substrate. Some theoretical models to prevent debonding of FRP laminate are reviewed, it has made a distinction between models for detachment at the end of the plate or debonding in the intermediate zones due to the effects of cracks. It is observed a lack of agreement in the proposals. Some experimental studies on bonding between masonry and FRP are also related in this chapter. The particular characteristics of masonry structures are analyzed in Section III.4. Besides some empirical and theoretical investigations relative to improve their flexural capacity with FRP sheets are reviewed. The mechanical behaviour of strengthened walls subject to pure bending (without compression) has been established by several authors, but this is an unusual situation for real masonry. Neither mechanical behaviour of walls subject to bending and compression nor influence of axial load in the final capacity of the strengthened element are adequately studied. In regard to theoretical studies, the different proposals are based on reinforced concrete analytical methods and share common design principles. However, they present differences, especially, about three aspects: 1) the constitutive law of masonry, 2) the value of ultimate FRP strain and 3) the desirable failure mode that must be looked for. In spite of them, a good agreement between each experimental program and its theoretical study is often exhibited due to enormous disparity in considered test parameters. Each experimental program usually presents a characteristic failure mode and the proposed formulation results appropriate for this one. It seems necessary to develop a method for FRP strengthened walls subject to bending and compression enable for all failure modes (due to FRP or masonry). Some common damages in masonry subject to bending are explained in Section III.4. Examples of FRP strengthening to repair or prevent these damages are also written. Two small experimental programs are carried out in Eduardo Torroja Institute to improve the knowledge on this topic. The first one is concerned about the bond between FRP plates and damaged masonry (section IV.1) and the second one is related to the mechanical behaviour of the strengthened masonry specimens subject to out of plane bending combined with axial force (section IV.2). In the Chapter V some bond models to prevent the debonding at the FRP plate end are checked. It is confirmed that their predictions are so different. A pure-shear test database is compiled with results from the existing literature and others from the experimental program described in section IV.1. This database lets know which of the considered model is more suitable to design anchorage lengths of glued FRP to masonry. In the Chapter VI a method to check unreinforced masonry sections with external FRP strengthening subject to bending and compression to the ultimate limit state is proposed. This method is based on concrete reinforced one, but it is adapted to strengthened masonry. A bilinear constitutive law is used for masonry (according to CTE DB SE-F). Its simplicity helps to develop the model formulation and it has proven to be suitable to predict bending capacity either for FRP failures or masonry crushing. With regard to FRP, the design strain is limited. It is taken into account different aspects which cause the plate can’t reach its ultimate strength, like intermediate FRP debonding induced by opening cracking or environmental damage. A “bond factor” is proposed. It is obtained by means of an experimental bending test database that includes 68 results from the existing literature and from the experimental program described in section IV.2. The proposed formulation has also been checked with the help of bending database. The effects of the main parameters, like axial load, FRP design effective strain or FRP stiffness, on the bending capacity of the strengthened element are studied in Chapter VII. Finally, the main conclusions from the work carried out are summarized in Chapter VIII. Future lines of research to be explored are suggested as well.

Evaluating a web-based clinical decision support system for language disorders screening in a nursery school

Background: Early and effective identification of developmental disorders during childhood remains a critical task for the international community. The second highest prevalence of common developmental disorders in children are language delays, which are frequently the first symptoms of a possible disorder. Objective: This paper evaluates a Web-based Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) whose aim is to enhance the screening of language disorders at a nursery school. The common lack of early diagnosis of language disorders led us to deploy an easy-to-use CDSS in order to evaluate its accuracy in early detection of language pathologies. This CDSS can be used by pediatricians to support the screening of language disorders in primary care. Methods: This paper details the evaluation results of the ?Gades? CDSS at a nursery school with 146 children, 12 educators, and 1 language therapist. The methodology embraces two consecutive phases. The first stage involves the observation of each child?s language abilities, carried out by the educators, to facilitate the evaluation of language acquisition level performed by a language therapist. Next, the same language therapist evaluates the reliability of the observed results. Results: The Gades CDSS was integrated to provide the language therapist with the required clinical information. The validation process showed a global 83.6% (122/146) success rate in language evaluation and a 7% (7/94) rate of non-accepted system decisions within the range of children from 0 to 3 years old. The system helped language therapists to identify new children with potential disorders who required further evaluation. This process will revalidate the CDSS output and allow the enhancement of early detection of language disorders in children. The system does need minor refinement, since the therapists disagreed with some questions from the CDSS knowledge base (KB) and suggested adding a few questions about speech production and pragmatic abilities. The refinement of the KB will address these issues and include the requested improvements, with the support of the experts who took part in the original KB development. Conclusions: This research demonstrated the benefit of a Web-based CDSS to monitor children?s neurodevelopment via the early detection of language delays at a nursery school. Current next steps focus on the design of a model that includes pseudo auto-learning capacity, supervised by experts.

Analytical bearing capacity of strip footing in weightless materials with power-law failure criteria

Sokolovskii’s method of characteristics is extended to provide analytical solutions for the ultimate load at the moment of plastic failure under plane-strain conditions of shallow strip foundations on weightless rigid-plastic media with a noncohesive power-law failure envelope. The formulation is made parametrically in terms of the instantaneous friction angle, and the key idea to obtain the bearing capacity is that information can be transmitted from the free surface (where external loads are known) to the contact plane of the foundation. The methodology can consider foundations adjacent to a slope, external surcharges at the free surface, and inclined loads (both on the slope and on the foundation). Sensitivity analyses illustrate the influence on bearing capacity of changes in the different geometrical parameters involved. An application example is presented and design plots are provided, and model predictions are compared with results of bearing capacity tests under low gravity.

Enhancing Guideline-based decision support with distributed computation through local mobile application

We introduce the need for a distributed guideline-based decision sup-port (DSS) process, describe its characteristics, and explain how we implement-ed this process within the European Union?s MobiGuide project. In particular, we have developed a mechanism of sequential, piecemeal projection, i.e., 'downloading' small portions of the guideline from the central DSS server, to the local DSS in the patient's mobile device, which then applies that portion, us-ing the mobile device's local resources. The mobile device sends a callback to the central DSS when it encounters a triggering pattern predefined in the pro-jected module, which leads to an appropriate predefined action by the central DSS, including sending a new projected module, or directly controlling the rest of the workflow. We suggest that such a distributed architecture that explicitly defines a dialog between a central DSS server and a local DSS module, better balances the computational load and exploits the relative advantages of the cen-tral server and of the local mobile device.

Service capacity reserve under uncertainty by hospital's ER's analogies: a practical model for car services

El objetivo de esta investigación consiste en definir un modelo de reserva de capacidad, por analogías con emergencias hospitalarias, que pueda ser implementado en el sector de servicios. Este está específicamente enfocado a su aplicación en talleres de servicio de automóviles. Nuestra investigación incorpora la incertidumbre de la demanda en un modelo singular diseñado en etapas que agrupa técnicas ARIMA, teoría de colas y simulación Monte Carlo para definir los conceptos de capacidad y ocupación de servicio, que serán utilizados para minimizar el coste implícito de la reserva capacidad necesaria para atender a clientes que carecen de cita previa. Habitualmente, las compañías automovilísticas estiman la capacidad de sus instalaciones de servicio empíricamente, pero los clientes pueden llegar bajo condiciones de incertidumbre que no se tienen en cuenta en dichas estimaciones, por lo que existe una diferencia entre lo que el cliente realmente demanda y la capacidad que ofrece el servicio. Nuestro enfoque define una metodología válida para el sector automovilístico que cubre la ausencia genérica de investigaciones recientes y la habitual falta de aplicación de técnicas estadísticas en el sector. La equivalencia con la gestión de urgencias hospitalarias se ha validado a lo largo de la investigación en la se definen nuevos indicadores de proceso (KPIs) Tal y como hacen los hospitales, aplicamos modelos estocásticos para dimensionar las instalaciones de servicio de acuerdo con la distribución demográfica del área de influencia. El modelo final propuesto integra la predicción del coste implícito en la reserva de capacidad para atender la demanda no prevista. Asimismo, se ha desarrollado un código en Matlab que puede integrarse como un módulo adicional a los sistemas de información (DMS) que se usan actualmente en el sector, con el fin de emplear los nuevos indicadores de proceso definidos en el modelo. Los resultados principales del modelo son nuevos indicadores de servicio, tales como la capacidad, ocupación y coste de reserva de capacidad, que nunca antes han sido objeto de estudio en la industria automovilística, y que están orientados a gestionar la operativa del servicio. ABSTRACT Our aim is to define a Capacity Reserve model to be implemented in the service sector by hospital's emergency room (ER) analogies, with a practical approach to passenger car services. A stochastic model has been implemented using R and a Monte Carlo simulation code written in Matlab and has proved a very useful tool for optimal decision making under uncertainty. The research integrates demand uncertainty in a unique model which is built in stages by implementing ARIMA forecasting, Queuing Theory and a Monte Carlo simulation to define the concepts of service capacity and occupancy, minimizing the implicit cost of the capacity that must be reserved to service unexpected customers. Usually, passenger car companies estimate their service facilities capacity using empirical methods, but customers arrive under uncertain conditions not included in the estimations. Thus, there is a gap between customer’s real demand and the dealer’s capacity. This research sets a valid methodology for the passenger car industry to cover the generic absence of recent researches and the generic lack of statistical techniques implementation. The hospital’s emergency room (ER) equalization has been confirmed to be valid for the passenger car industry and new process indicators have been defined to support the study. As hospitals do, we aim to apply stochastic models to dimension installations according to the demographic distribution of the area to be serviced. The proposed model integrates the prediction of the cost implicit in the reserve capacity to serve unexpected demand. The Matlab code could be implemented as part of the existing information technology systems (ITs) to support the existing service management tools, creating a set of new process indicators. Main model outputs are new indicators, such us Capacity, Occupancy and Cost of Capacity Reserve, never studied in the passenger car service industry before, and intended to manage the service operation.

El modelo constructivo: la influencia de la técnica en la teoría de la arquitectura (1840-1899)

La hipótesis de partida de esta tesis es que existe una influencia directa entre la técnica que se desarrolla durante el segundo período del s. XIX y el cambio sustancial de los conceptos y de la teoría arquitectónica que se da en esos mismos años. Dicha influencia genera nuevos modelos constructivos que serán la base de la arquitectura moderna. Para llegar a la confirmación de la hipótesis, se han planteado tres objetivos principales que responden a los tres capítulos principales de la misma. En primera instancia, se establecen las condiciones teóricas del debate arquitectónico entre las fechas estudiadas. Se analiza el concepto de modelo y «estilo» para evaluar si, efectivamente, hubo cambio o no. También se analizará si los arquitectos eran conscientes de la necesidad de una nueva arquitectura que respondiese a la funcionalidad que el progreso requería. Para comprobar que dicho cambio se ha producido a todos los niveles hasta el punto de redefinir el modelo constructivo se escoge un ejemplo práctico que cumpla las condiciones necesarias para sustentar o no la tesis y se investiga sobre si sucede o no el cambio. A continuación, se analizará la situación de la técnica y de los avances tecnológicos en el período estudiado. Es importante contrastar que realmente hay un conocimiento y una conciencia verdadera de cambio entre los teóricos y los arquitectos que están construyendo en ese momento. Confirmar que dicha conexión existe es vital para la investigación; para eso, se analizará y se profundizará en las conexiones entre la arquitectura y la ingeniería (o los avances tecnológicos) para entender la implicación de uno con el otro. Con este fin, se han estudiado las distintas publicaciones periódicas de la época; sobre todo la más relevante y la que primero se editó, que fue La revue générale de l’architecture; me he apoyado en ella. Es un documento que mensualmente recoge cambios, avances y debates. Tuvo una grandísima divulgación; todo docente, arquitecto e ingeniero de la época tenía un acceso fácil y directo a dicha publicación. Por último, a raíz de una construcción ideal proyectada por uno de los grandes arquitectos teóricos de la época, se reflexiona sobre si esa arquitectura supone realmente una comprensión y una conciencia de los nuevos modelos arquitectónicos, definidos por una técnica en progreso, o si responde exclusivamente a una utopía arquitectónica como tantas otras se habían esbozado con anterioridad por grandes teóricos. Para poder definir la geometría de este elemento estructural, se ha realizado un modelado tridimensional que permite calcular la estructura a través de un proceso de elementos finitos. El propósito de este cálculo no es exclusivamente saber si la estructura era viable o no en aquella época, sino también comprender si la definición de estos originales elementos estructurales implicaba una concepción nueva de las estructuras tridimensionales y eso significa que empezaba a germinar un cambio sustancial en la teoría de la arquitectura, con la búsqueda de un nuevo modelo constructivo derivado de los avances técnicos. De este modo queda demostrado que el modelo constructivo ha cambiado definitivamente por un modelo mucho más versátil y sobre todo con una gran capacidad de adaptación, esto combinado a su vez con una proliferación de patentes que intentan y buscan una estandarización del modelo constructivo y que no son, en ningún caso, un modelo en sí. Como última conclusión, queda argumentado que en aquella época ya se tenía una gran intuición estructural; a pesar de que el cálculo matemático era todavía algo relativamente nuevo, se manejaban de forma instintiva líneas de cargas, combinación de materiales y nuevas formas, que ayudarán a crear los modelos de los próximos años y que serán la base del cálculo numérico posterior. ABSTRACT The hypothesis of this thesis is that there is a direct influence between the technique developed during the second period of the XIX century and the substantial change in the concepts and in the architectural theory that occurs in those years. This influence develops new building models that will be the basis of modern architecture. To confirm this hypothesis, we present three principal objectives that corresponds to the three principals chapsters of the text. First, we establish the theoretical conditions of the architectural debate between the dates studied. We analyze the concepts of model and “style” to assess whether there was a change or not. We consider as well if architects were aware of the need for a new architecture to respond to the functionality needs that progress demanded. To verify that the change occurred at all levels to the extent of redefining the building model we choose a practical example that fulfills the necessary conditions to support or not the thesis and we investigate whether or not the change happens. Next, we analyze the status of technical and technological advances in the study period of study. It is important to contrast that there is a real knowledge and awareness of change between the theorists and architects who are building at the time. Confirming that that connection exists is vital for the research; for that, we will analyze and deepen into the connections between architecture and engineering (or technological progress) to understand the implication of one into the other. To this end, we have studied various publications of the time; especially the most relevant and the first published, La Revue générale de l’architecture; I have relied on it. This is a monthly document that includes changes, developments and debates. It had a very great disclosure; every teacher, architect and engineer of the time had a direct and easy access to this publication. Finally, following theoretical ideal construction projected by one of the great architects of the time, we reflect on whether that architecture really represents an understanding and awareness of the new architectural models defined by a technique in progress, or if it only responds to an architectural utopia as the ones outlined earlier by the great theorists. To be able to define the geometry of this structural item, we have carried out a three-dimensional modeling that enables us to calculate the structure through a process of finite elements. The purpose of this calculation is not exclusively understanding whether the structure was viable or not at the time, but also understanding if the definition of these original structural elements involved a new concept of three-dimensional structures and if that involved the beginning of a substantial change in theory of architecture, with the search for a new construction model derived from technical advances. In this way it is demonstrated that the building model has definitely changed for a much more versatile one and above all with a high adaptation capacity, this combined in turn with a proliferation of patents that try and seek a standardization of the building model and are not, in any case, a model in itself. As a final conclusion, it is argued that at the time a major structural intuition was present; even though the math calculation was still relatively new, in an instinctively way load lines, combination of materials and new forms were taken into account, that will help to create models in the coming years and which will form the basis of subsequent numerical calculation.

Development in Rural Areas Through Capacity Building and Education for Business

This paper is based on a case study located in Avila, central Spain. Its main objectives are to implement an entrepreneurship program and design a plan of capacity building and education for business in order to promote the development of rural areas. The methodological approach of the program is based on the use of tools that permit involving the various actors of the area from the early planning stages. The university's group that is carrying out the field work has relied on these participatory tools in very different areas and contexts for over 25 years. This has allowed the development of an advanced planning model called ?Working With People? that connects expert and experience knowledge in the territories where it is applied. With this methodological approach, the diagnosis of the territory and the design of the program's strategy has been carried out. Once completed the first phase of the program and in order to ensure the sustainability and applicability of future entrepreneurial initiatives, it is necessary to support and strengthen potential entrepreneurs through training activities and capacity building. It relies on ?How to learn from people who live there? to promote investment projects and to teach them with adequate educational skills. In this context, this article aims to study the implementation strategy of these training and capacity building activities studied from an academic perspective, as well as analyzing the potential effects of these actions in promoting entrepreneurship in the territories