Self-heating and deicing conductive cement. Experimental study and modeling

This research studies the self-heating produced by the application of an electric current to conductive cement pastes with carbonaceous materials. The main parameters studied were: type and percentage of carbonaceous materials, effect of moisture, electrical resistance, power consumption, maximum temperature reached and its evolution and ice melting kinetics are the main parameters studied. A mathematical model is also proposed, which predicts that the degree of heating is adjustable with the applied voltage. Finally, the results have been applied to ensure that cementitious materials studied are feasible to control ice layers in transportation infrastructures.

Almonastires y rábitas: espiritualidad islámica individual y defensa colectiva de la comunidad. Espiritualidad y geopolítica en los orígenes de Almonaster la Real

Primeramente se describe el ŷihād, su origen coránico, la escatología asociada y el derecho musulmán asociado al mismo, para acabar explicando cómo el espíritu colectivo y estatal del ŷihād evolucionó hacia la espiritualidad individual del ribāṭ en Al-Andalus. En la segunda parte se enumeran los topónimos al-Munastīr en la península Ibérica, asociados a construcciones eclesiásticas visigodas precedentes, y se explica la geopolítica de Almonaster la Real: en la vía romana que comunicaba Sevilla y Huelva por la montaña onubense con Beja, esta vía de origen romano se usó hasta fin del s. X. La vigilancia en época omeya de este itinerario esencial de comunicación con Portugal dio origen a este “lugar de ribāṭ” que fue Almonaster, fundado sobre restos tardorromanos precedentes.

La arquitectura efímera de los kioscos para la música: memoria histórico-gráfica del Templete de la plaza "Carlos Navarro Rodrigo" de Alicante

Gran número de construcciones temporales del pasado se han mantenido hasta nuestros tiempos, evolucionando desde la motivación religioso-festiva o político-representativa hacia la función simbólica o referencial. Otras, sin embargo, han llegado a desaparecer tras décadas de abandono, como es el caso del Templete de Benalúa que documenta este artículo, fruto de las investigaciones realizadas principalmente en el Archivo Histórico Municipal de Alicante, con el fin de contribuir a subsanar, de forma científica y crítica, el vacío documental que antecedió la demolición de esta importante construcción. La investigación que se presenta muestra la siguiente información recopilada durante la realización del estudio: estado actual de los estudios tipológicos de los kioscos para la música; descripción del contexto socio-cultural y urbano alicantino de la época; memoria histórico-gráfica del Templete de Benalúa; construcción (1911) y reparación (1926); funciones, actividades y usos desarrollados en el mismo en las décadas previas a su demolición (1965).

La vivienda excavada: evolución tipológica, condiciones ambientales y adaptación geográfica. El caso de Crevillente (Alicante)

No cabe duda que la vivienda excavada constituye, dentro de la arquitectura popular, un fenómeno de incuestionable interés, si bien es cierto que, en muchos casos, ha sido una tipología a menudo menospreciada. Una arquitectura que ha resguardado y protegido al hombre desde hace siglos, gracias a una evolución tipológica perdurable en el tiempo y que se plantea como base formal y constructiva sencilla sin aporte extra de energía para el adecuado acondicionamiento interior en verano o en invierno. Hasta el gran desarrollo tecnológico del siglo XX, hace escasas décadas, la construcción tradicional seguía siendo aplicable a muchas edificaciones de nueva planta. A partir de ese momento, en los últimos años se ha insistido en la utilización de sofisticados planteamientos bioclimáticos para el acondicionamiento eficiente de los espacios habitables, sin poder evitar un excesivo aporte de energía en muchos de los proyectos actuales. Así, gracias al estudio pormenorizado de estas tipologías de viviendas más sencillas, podremos obtener conclusiones interesantes aplicables a los diseños actuales, sin dejar de lado los avances técnicos a nuestra disposición hoy en día. Por tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo es mostrar la evolución tipológica de la vivienda excavada en Crevillente, municipio ubicado en la costa sureste de España, en comparación con otras propuestas o soluciones de arquitectura a nivel mundial, mostrando su nivel de adaptación a la geografía regional. Para ello, se propone una metodología basada en el análisis de las principales tipologías de vivienda excavada existentes a nivel mundial, la identificación y el análisis de las casas-cueva de Crevillente y la evaluación de la influencia de los factores anteriores en las condiciones ambientales de las construcciones subterráneas. El presente trabajo forma parte de la tesis doctoral de la autora.

Construction of 17-19th century domes in the province of Alicante (Spain): the case of San Juan Bautista in Cox

From the late seventeenth to early nineteenth centuries, many religious temples have been built in the province of Alicante (south east of Spain) with brick domes as their main characteristic feature. Often, the limited data available about these remarkable constructions make rehabilitation interventions become into real research projects, with a high value for their historic conservation over time. The aim of this paper is to show a detailed refurbishment analysis of a religious temple built in 1778, showing the need of preservation of historic buildings as a part of the architectural heritage by establishing a common pattern of materials, geometry and constructive systems, specifically in their domes. In most cases, there was not an architectural project for the construction, that is why the analysis of any documentary and archival sources available is essential to find different ways to proceed on the use and maintenance of these religious buildings.

La expresión gráfica del proyecto arquitectónico en la provincia de Alicante. Evolución en documentos de archivo desde finales del siglo XIX hasta la actualidad

Es indiscutible que, desde hace varios siglos, la documentación exigida a la hora de formalizar oficialmente un Proyecto de Arquitectura ha evolucionado constantemente hacia nuevos criterios, bien establecidos por la administración o bien por la sociedad donde se inserta. Una evolución que se ha desarrollado tanto en el ámbito gráfico como en el ámbito documental, incluyendo nueva información a medida que aparecen determinadas normativas, requerimientos o herramientas gráficas. El objetivo del presente trabajo es el estudio de la evolución en la documentación existente en los proyectos arquitectónicos de la provincia de Alicante desde finales del siglo XIX hasta la actualidad. La comprensión y análisis sintético de sus características materiales permitirá discernir las necesidades de generación de documentación gráfica y su materialización según distintas décadas, analizando siete ejemplos de épocas diferentes. Así, el trabajo sintetiza la información existente en varios ejemplos edificatorios, mostrando las transformaciones que han formado parte de los Proyectos de Arquitectura en Alicante en el último siglo.

La construcción de sistemas abovedados en la iglesia de Santiago Apóstol de Albatera (Alicante)

A lo largo del siglo XVIII, en la provincia de Alicante se construyeron multitud de templos con elementos abovedados ejecutados mediante ladrillo y yeso, encontrándose similitudes en cuanto a construcción, materiales y geometría. En muchos de ellos, el paso del tiempo ha ocasionado lesiones, siendo necesario realizar distintas intervenciones que, además de solucionar temporalmente el problema, son una valiosa fuente de información arquitectónica al permitir estudiar, analizar y comprender sus características constructivas. Dentro de los citados templos, la iglesia de Santiago Apóstol en Albatera [Alicante] es un ejemplo representativo de dichos elementos abovedados; por tanto, el estudio pormenorizado de sus intervenciones a lo largo del tiempo, atendiendo a los archivos gráficos y documentales existentes, permitirá conocer en profundidad las características principales de estos elementos constructivos singulares.

Restoration of religious temples: intervention in the church “Nuestra Señora de Belén” in Crevillente (Alicante)

Heritage conservation has raised historical problems usually centered in defects resulting from water leaks. Thus, any intervention is presented as a difficult task, both due to building techniques to be used and the lack of economic resources in many cases. In relation to the temples existing in Alicante (Spain), water drainage is solved with pitched roofs on slope formation (in vaulted naves) or directly supported on the vaulted elements (in the domes). Since those construction systems are composed by brick and plaster, the presence of moisture is problematic, and represents a risk of losing the strength capacity and therefore the stability of the dome. An example of this problem is the dome of the church “Nuestra Señora de Belén” in Crevillente, built with solid bricks, it has the highest diameter of the province (18th century). This historic building has been restored on several occasions in the recent years due to moisture, cracks or fissures. The study of these works give an idea of the difficulties of maintenance, conservation and proper restoration of such kind of buildings as unique and valued constructions in our heritage.

Radon gas. Environmental concentration measures and remediation actions in exposed buildings

The main contribution to the radiological impact from natural radiation received by general population is due to the emission of radon (222Rn). The objective of this project is the study of radon gas as a radioactive element in our buildings (existing and future constructions) to avoid its influence in interior rooms. The proposed methodology reflects different aspects of natural radioactivity in buildings, their sources, their control criteria and regulatory framework; aspects related to the presence of radon in our constructions, entryways, measurement methodology for indoor environmental concentration are studied; other protection solutions and remediation measures in both existing buildings and new construction projects are analyzed. In conclusion, the paper presents previous evaluation tools, the analysis of existing concentration and the choice of the most appropriate mitigation / remediation measures depending on each case, through the establishment of different architectural proposals to plan actions against radon where necessary.

3D teaching: the ideal complement for professionals in design and construction

Today, the requirement of professional skills to university students is constantly increasing in our society. In our opinion, the content offered in official degrees need to be nourished with different variables, enriching their global professional knowledge in a parallel way; that is why, in recent years, there is a great multiplicity of complementary courses at university. One of the most socially demanded technical requirements within the architectural, design or engineering field is the management of 3D drawing software, becoming an indispensable reality in these sectors. Thus, this specific training becomes essential over two-dimension traditional design, because the inclusion of great possibilities of spatial development that go beyond conventional orthographic projections (plans, sections or elevations), allowing modelling and rotation of the selected items from multiple angles and perspectives. Therefore, this paper analyzes the teaching methodology of a complementary course for those technicians in the construction industry interested in computer-aided design, using modelling (SketchupMake) and rendering programs (Kerkythea). The course is developed from the technician point of view, by learning computer management and its application to professional development from a more general to a more specific view through practical examples. The proposed methodology is based on the development of real examples in different professional environments such as rehabilitation, new constructions, opening projects or architectural design. This multidisciplinary contribution improves criticism of students in different areas, encouraging new learning strategies and the independent development of three-dimensional solutions. Thus, the practical implementation of new situations, even suggested by the students themselves, ensures active participation, saving time during the design process and the increase of effectiveness when generating elements which may be represented, moved or virtually tested. In conclusion, this teaching-learning methodology improves the skills and competencies of students to face the growing professional demands of society. After finishing the course, technicians not only improved their expertise in the field of drawing but they also enhanced their capacity for spatial vision; both essential qualities in these sectors that can be applied to their professional development with great success.

Infrared termography application in energy audits of buildings

The main objectives of this research are (i) to determine the correct use of infrared thermography in the energy analysis of buildings and to verify its application in conducting energy audits thereof; (ii) to conduct a proposal for a standard methodology (with its corresponding final report) for energy audit of buildings based on currently applicable regulations, specifying the parts of the audit process where the authors propose to include thermal inspections by using infrared thermography.

Workshops in “Construction of Structures I”: A new teaching methodology in the Building Engineering Degree

Both the current economic situation in the construction sector and the continuous normative changes in the building area imply the use of new methodologies to enhance students’ competences in the degree of Building Engineer. The aim of this paper is to present, analyse and discuss the development of constructive workshops as a new teaching methodology used in the subject of Construction of Structures I at the University of Alicante to complement the constructive and technical knowledge acquired by our students and to enhance their communicative and representation skills essential for their professional practice in the future. The used methodology is based on the development of three-dimensional construction details (in groups of 3 or 4 students) to be shown in two A1-pannels exposed in the corridors of the Polytechnic School. Thus, students’ work approaches constructive problems in a global way by discussing simultaneously with teachers and other groups about the most suitable solution on each case. This contribution has multiperspective results and improves criticism of students in different areas, encouraging new learning strategies and active participation. What is more, on-line information and web applications have been used to prepare and organize this kind of workshops, allowing students to use new technologies as a complementary learning methodology. In conclusion, the use of these new workshops in the Degree of Building Engineer stimulates an interactive class versus a traditional lecture where the participative groups´ attitude and the development of oral presentations dissolve the traditional boundaries regarding public communication skills of the students in the Degree.

The other architecture: From natural caves to excavated housing

Excavated towns are an attractive example of underground urbanism that managed to solve, in a very interesting way, thermal problems thanks to natural ground inertia or transition spaces. The aim of this paper is to show the typological evolution of excavated dwellings worldwide, as an architectural proposal and urban solution. The proposed methodology provides an analysis of underground architectures from natural caves to excavated housing, focusing on the study of global constructive solutions to specific problems. Thus, architectures as a natural geography correction (horizontal excavation), buried underground architectures (vertical excavation), subtractive architectures (shallow excavation) and combined architectures (mixed excavation) are studied. In conclusion, there are many examples of typological combinations since troglodyte architects tried to adapt the most elementary constructive rules to get greatly enriched results. These proposals of different underground structures deal with each territory and its geographical features, and obtain urban and architectural solutions transferable to current configurations.