José María del Campo

Comments on “Confirmation of beach accretion by grain-size trend analysis: Camposoto beach, Cádiz, SW Spain” by E. Poizot et al. (2013) Geo-Marine Letters 33(4)

This Discussion provides comments on the application of grain-size trend analysis to Camposoto beach (SW Spain) reported by Poizot et al. (2013) in Geo-Marine Letters 33(4):263–272. Some of their results are updated or complemented by existing data from other studies carried out on Camposoto and other nearby beaches. For example, a detailed breakdown of beach nourishment volumes and costs is presented, and the influence of a horizontal reef flat on the tilting of the beach profile around the mean or the low water level is highlighted. Moreover, data from the displacement of dyed samples are used to evaluate the relationship between sediment transport speed (va) and current speed (V), the corresponding ratio being consistent with the range of values reported by several other authors. Finally, some minor, although still significant, differences are detected in some granulometric parameters as well as in the profile shape. Determining the reason for these discrepancies could enhance our current knowledge about the factors controlling short-term beach profile responses.

Review of coastal Land Reclamation situation in the World

ABSTRACT Martín-Antón, M.; Negro, V.; del Campo, J.M., López-Gutiérrez, J.S., and Esteban M.D., 2016. Review of coastal Land Reclamation situation in the World. In: Vila-Concejo, A.; Bruce, E.; Kennedy, D.M., and McCarroll, R.J. (eds.), Proceedings of the 14th International Coastal Symposium (Sydney, Australia). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, No. 75, pp. 667–671. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Land reclamation from the sea has been occurring since ancient times, especially in harbors. The vast majority of the worlds docks now occupy spaces that were once water and this heavily influences the coastal landscape. Japan has been one of the countrys most needing to expand into the sea due to its topography and land requirements for agriculture, urbanization and, especially, industries and port facilities. Ninety per cent of Tokyo Bays coastline is reclaimed land, which is almost 250 km2 of new land. In the 21st century, this disproportionate conquest of the sea has shifted to other countries. In the Persian Gulf, the coast has been indiscriminately occupied with artificial island projects for residential purposes. Some of them are finding some difficulties, such as “The Palms” and “The World” in Dubai, with a loss of sand, which is effect of currents and waves. In China, due to economic expansion and export needs, industrial areas are spreading on the coast. Caofeidian (Bohai Bay) is the largest landfill island in the world with 150 km2, more than twice the sum of Dubai islands area. This disproportion of public works in Asia contrasts with the rest of the world. For example, the Bay of Algeciras (Spain-UK) is the largest container traffic Port in the Mediterranean with 2.5 km2 of reclaimed land, 100 times less than Tokyo Bay. A further problem associated with this practice is liquefaction, caused mainly by earthquakes, leading to ground subsidence in buildings, such as in Niigata (1964) or in San Francisco (1989), all on reclaimed land. This research paper aims to study land reclamation in the World with current statistics, geotechnical problems, the impact on the coastal landscape and future developments.

Study of the applicability of TiO2 as a decontaminating agent over treated metal surfaces

The progressive deterioration we cause to the environment by exhalation of pollutants into our atmosphere is not sustainable. The degradation of air quality and pollution, caused by human activity, is endangering the very life of our species and the planet. For this reason, research and application of photocatalytic products with decontamination purposes has exponentially increased in recent years. In this article, the research and study of the use of vehicles is developed not as pollutants, but as decontaminating substances through direct application to the bodywork of a product holding a Titanium Dioxide base, whose effectiveness has been demonstrated over asphalt pavements. The results show values with a proven effectiveness, higher than products currently being marketed and used in different means. Once completed the analysis, several lines of research are initiated to improve the uses proposed.

Comparative study on high-strength structural elements and CNT additions

Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) show extraordinary properties such as high strength and stiffness, the highest among known materials. This is what makes them potential candidates for concrete reinforcement. This paper explores the applicability of CNT in cementitious matrices comparing results derived from high-strength concrete and conventional concrete, as well as conventional concrete. For the execution of this research, and in order to analyze cement mortars with additions when compared to high-strength concrete, different types of CNT have been depicted and selected. After the characterization of different cement pastes obtained, structural elements have been measured. This analysis leads us to the conclusion that the most suitable mechanical strengthening agent for laboratory scale small samples is the use of CNT, since we do not detect significant differences between the structural elements dimensions and high-strength concrete regarding pastes with CNT

Comparative study on porosity and permeability of conventional concrete and concrete with variable proportions of natural zeolite additions

With the use of special additives, the concrete benefits over its product life increase, both in terms of mechanical properties and durability. Zeolites are used in the field of building work for, thank to their properties, they lend to the concrete enhanced features. This paper explores the physical and mechanical properties improvements of hardened concrete and its permeability. To this aim, on the one hand a concrete of control and another with Zeolite additions between 5% and 10% have been measured out with respect to the weight of cement, while on the other Compressive strength and permeability testing have been carried out through the Mercury intrusion porosimetry test. After these tests, it was possible to obtain concrete with Zeolite proportions of 5% and 10% that showed a suitable workability. With respect to the already analyzed mechanical properties, the inclusion of Zeolites as an additive was an improvement. In that respect, the durable features related to this type of concrete were also similarly improved, being also remarkable the lack of alkali-silica reactions.