Mar Alonso-Martínez

Assessment of water penetration risk in building facades throughout Brazil

ABSTRACT The penetration of atmospheric water (rain) into facades creates problems for building habitability and the durability of construction materials. This study analyses the exposure of Brazilian facades to the two main climate factors responsible for this penetration: wind-driven rain and driving rain wind pressure. Daily weather records (spanning 2005–14, from 171 weather stations) were analysed. Both exposure factors were combined to assess the risk of water penetration at each site. The relationships between the different exposure indices calculated from daily, monthly and annual records were determined and compared with results from other countries. From this analysis, detailed isopleth maps are provided that allow a graphical characterization of the moisture exposure conditions of facades anywhere in Brazil. A comprehensive characterization of the water penetration exposure in Brazilian enclosures is created and can be used to establish normative design requirements for actual climatic conditions in each area of the country. In general, an increased risk of penetration was identified in the flat areas of the South and Northeast regions of the country. The sites located in the Amazon basin present comparatively lower risks, despite a greater amount of rainfall, because the wind intensity is less in these inland areas.

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.

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.

Bending and Shear Experimental Tests and Numerical Analysis of Composite Slabs Made Up of Lightweight Concrete

The aim of this paper is to understand the structural behaviour of composite slabs. These composite slabs are made of steel and different kinds of concrete. The methodology used in this paper combines experimental studies with advanced techniques of numerical simulations. In this paper, four types of concrete were used in order to study their different structural strengths in composite slabs. The materials used were three lightweight concretes, a normal concrete, and a cold conformed steel deck which has embossments to increase the adherence between concrete and steel. Furthermore, two lengths of slabs were studied to compare structural behaviours between short and long slabs. m-k experimental tests were carried out to obtain the flexural behaviour of the composite slabs. These tests provide dimensionless coefficients to compare different sizes of slabs. Nonlinear numerical simulations were performed by means of the finite element method (FEM). Four different multilinear isotropic hardening laws were used to simulate the four concretes. Coulomb friction contact was used to model the coefficient of friction between steel and concrete. Finally, a chemical bond was included to consider sliding resistance in the contact surface between steel and concrete. Experimental and numerical results are in good agreement; therefore, numerical models can be used to improve and optimize lightweight composite slabs.