Antonio Navarro-Manso

An extended method for comparing watertightness tests for facades

Watertightness tests for building facades attempt to simulate the most relevant climatic exposures for water penetration by reproducing standard conditions. Such conditions do not represent all possible climatic exposures, hence a new method was recently presented that relates test severity to watertightness performance of a facade under any operating conditions. In addition, test conditions vary for each regulatory framework (i.e. the results generated for one test cannot necessarily be extrapolated to other tests). A process is presented for considering the influence of exposure time. This allows a comparison of the severity of the conditions imposed by different watertightness tests independently of the exposure parameters. This comparison, which is based on a performance criterion, can enable a global certification of watertightness of any facade design under any operating conditions using results from only one watertightness test. The method developed herein was applied to facades under various operational conditions at a reference location, comparatively evaluating the conditions recreated by different international watertightness tests. The results suggest that American tests are more appropriate for recreating high climatic exposures, while European tests are more suitable for evaluating moderate and protected conditions of wind-driven rain and wind pressure.

Improvement of a System for Catchment, Pretreatment, and Treatment of Runoff Water Using PIV Tests and Numerical Simulation

AbstractThis paper studies how to improve the efficiency of a new system for catchment, pretreatment, and treatment of runoff water (SCPT). This system is integrated into an urban sustainable gravity settler that can decrease diffusive pollution. This study provides important advantages for the ecosystem by improving new sustainable drainage to clean runoff water. In this paper, an investigation methodology known as hybrid engineering (HE) was used. HE combines experimental tests and numerical simulations, both of them conducted on a 1:4-scale prototype. In this study, numerical simulations by the finite-volume method (FVM) and experimental tests by particle image velocimetry (PIV) were compared. A strong correlation between the numerical and experimental analysis was found. Next, the efficiency of the SCPT was optimized by design of experiments (DOE). Analysis of experimental and numerical results and their comparison are presented in this paper.

Design and feasibility study of a microgeneration system to obtain renewable energy from tidal currents

Tidal energy to obtain electrical energy is yet an unexploited renewable energy. Existing generator designs and prototypes are not feasible due to the high investment conditioned by their high rated powers and off-shore locations. In addition, these prototypes are not readily available. This investigation presents a design of a microgeneration system with vertical axis microturbines. The design of the microturbines utilizes off-the-shelf electronic components, thus reducing the initial investment. The nominal data for selection of power electronic components and the total energy that can be obtained in a year are calculated. The investigation also studies the feasibility of an 80 kW microgeneration system to be applied in Spain, taking advantage of the actual electricity prices. The feasibility study quantifies the influence of the parameters: initial investment, tidal current speed, operation hours, turbine efficiency, price of electricity, and number of microturbines obtaining the limiting values of the...

Nonlinear analysis of the pressure field in industrial buildings with curved metallic roofs due to the wind effect by FEM

HighlightsReliable results for pressure were obtained by using steady RANS-CFD simulations.We have determined the forces and moments on the cover with accurateness.A standard k-e model is integrated to investigate the wind effect by FEM. In this paper, an evaluation of distribution of the air pressure is determined throughout the laterally closed industrial buildings with curved metallic roofs due to the wind effect by the finite element method (FEM). The non-linearity is due to Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations that govern the turbulent flow. The Navier-Stokes equations are non-linear partial differential equations and this non-linearity makes most problems difficult to solve and is part of the cause of turbulence. The RANS equations are time-averaged equations of motion for fluid flow. They are primarily used while dealing with turbulent flows. Turbulence is a highly complex physical phenomenon that is pervasive in flow problems of scientific and engineering concern like this one. In order to solve the RANS equations a two-equation model is used: the standard k-? model. The calculation has been carried out keeping in mind the following assumptions: turbulent flow, an exponential-like wind speed profile with a maximum velocity of 40m/s at 10m reference height, and different heights of the building ranging from 6m to 10m. Finally, the forces and moments are determined on the cover, as well as the distribution of pressures on the same one, comparing the numerical results obtained with the Spanish CTE DB SE-AE, Spanish NBE AE-88 and European standard rules, giving place to the conclusions that are exposed in the study.

New Bidirectional Heavy Device for Launching Bridges Based on Inverted Caterpillar Mechanism

The authors would like to acknowledge the help of the Spanish Ministry of Economics and Competitiveness through the Research Project ALCANZA, IPT-380000-2010-012 INNPACTO program. Furthermore, the authors are grateful to project GRUPIN14-004, co-financed with FEDER funds.