Earthen vernacular architecture in flood-prone areas: characteristics and typologies in the Ebro basin

[EN] Earthen architecture is one of Spain's longest-standing construction traditions, used from antiquity to the mid-twentieth century. Given its hygroscopic nature, earthen architecture is generally seen as barely resistant to water and as more associated with geographical areas with hot and dry climates. However, it is found in different places with different climate and geographical characteristics. In these surroundings, its survival over time has been ensured by a process of adaptation and modification producing architectural and constructive forms which reflect the identity of the geographical areas in question. One of the main risks to earthen architecture are floods, which have always represented a threat to this architectural heritage. The increased frequency and intensity of floods due to climate change have in turn gradually given rise to an increasing risk of disappearance for this architectural heritage. This paper aims to study the typologies and features of earthen vernacular architecture in flood-prone areas through the analysis of case studies in the Ebro basin. The study of earthen buildings in the area under study provides information on the most recurrent architectural features and vulnerabilities, as well as the inherent resistance which has enabled this earthen architectural heritage to survive. Moreover, a study of the pathologies and structural damage visible on buildings highlights those which are a direct consequence of the action of water and can potentially affect structural behaviour during a flood. Aiming to establish conservation strategies for earthen architectural heritage the data collected are analysed using a qualitative vulnerability assessment methodology, establishing the degree of influence of individual characteristics on the response of earthen structures to floods.This work is part of the research project “Earthen architecture in the Iberian Peninsula: study of natural, social and anthropic risks and strategies to improve resilience” Risk-Terra (ref. RTI2018-095302-B-I00; main researchers: Camilla Mileto and Fernando Vegas), funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and University.Trizio, F.; Torrijo Echarri, FJ.; Mileto, C.; Vegas López-Manzanares, F. (2022). Earthen vernacular architecture in flood-prone areas: characteristics and typologies in the Ebro basin. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 205-212. https://doi.org/10.4995/HERITAGE2022.2022.1450320521

Preliminary Approach for a Prototype of Sustainable Antiseismic Dwelling in Nepal Based on the Historic Vernacular Tradition

The effects of the 2015 Gorkha earthquake in Nepal revealed deficiencies in the most recent vernacular architecture, which no longer uses wooden reinforcements due to national anti-deforestation laws. It also highlighted the shortcomings found in reinforced concrete architecture, which is generally scanty and poorly reinforced due to the high import cost of construction steel. The geography of Nepal has led to the development of a wide variety of vernacular architecture using local materials such as stone, brick or earth in the form of rammed earth and adobe walls [1]. Moreover, although its tradition in the construction of vaults is not as prominent as in neighbouring regions of India, Nepal has developed its own tradition in the construction of vaults and domes, which are generally self-supporting and made of brick or adobe with lime mortar. The design of a prototype of seismic house in Nepal aims to use a modular housing unit with rammed earth walls and/or walls made of materials recycled from previous earthquakes, as well as tile vaults with bamboo sleepers, and possibly vegetable fibre grids. These avoid the use of imported materials, favouring km0 and sustainable materials while following local tradition. Several potential housing units have undergone linear seismic analysis on finite element models, with variations in planimetric layout and the types of tile vault, from the simpler barrel vault to the sail vault. Both are analysed searching for the best shape in terms of seismic efficiency, evaluating stress and strain state. The results obtained from this preliminary study clearly show that, under seismic actions, the response from the construction system using depressed sail vaults and rammed earth walls with bamboo reinforcements is more efficient and homogeneous in terms of tension and deformation. This is due to the geometric symmetry which determines the same response in several directions, unlike vaults with a characteristically strong directionality (barrel vault). The seismic response of the prototype described is examined by assessing the influence in terms of thrust and deformation of bamboo reinforcements inside the walls. For this, laboratory tests are used to identify the mechanical characteristics of bamboo to be employed in the finite element modelling and calculation, as the values found in the literature vary depending on the physical and chemical characteristics of the material. This study therefore proposes a more sustainable architectural model with greater antiseismic resistance, always in keeping with local constructive tradition

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Coherent QED, Giant Resonances and (e+e−)(e^{+}e^{-}) Pairs in High Energy Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions

We show that the coherent oscillations of the e.m. field induced by the collective quantum fluctuations of the nuclear matter field associated with the giant resonances, with frequencies $\omega_{A}\simeq 78A^{-{1/3}}$ MeV, give rise to a significant $(e^+e^-)$ pair production in high energy Heavy Ion collisions. The approximate parameterless calculation of such yield is in good agreement with recent experimental observations.Comment: 27 pages, 13 figure

THE EUROPEAN PROJECT "VERSUS+ / HERITAGE FOR PEOPLE". OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY

Abstract. The project "VerSus+ / Heritage for PEOPLE", founded by the European Commission as part of the Creative Europe Culture Programme (Ref. 607593-CREA-1-2019-1-ES-CULT-COOP1) during the period 2019–2023, focuses on the transmission of knowledge to all branches of society and the general public. Its aim is to raise awareness on what constitutes the basis for the conservation of the tangible and intangible heritage as well as for a more sustainable contemporary architecture. This in-depth transmission of the lessons from vernacular heritage to future society is to be carried out in specific defined contexts, such as islands and archipelagos (geographically limited territories that are accessible to collaborators and administrative, technical and social agents), where vernacular heritage is under pressure, subjected to the transformations of contemporary life, particularly mass tourism. These pilot experiences should serve as a real testing ground for the implementation of actions for social participation, dissemination, education, communication, and promotion in different contexts and through different media. This project aims to reach out to society in order to showcase the sustainable qualities of the examples identified, through the establishment of an operative approach that can be adjusted to different contexts. The experiences on each island are expected to have repercussions throughout the region and, in turn, throughout the country in question, improving the perspectives and opportunities starting from best practices, and promoting the development of local skills. In addition, promotion and support from partners and associate partners will allow these experiences to be applied in other similar European and international contexts

Widespread exploitation of the honeybee by early Neolithic farmers.

This is the author's version of an article subsequently published in Nature. The definitive version is available from the publisher via: doi: 10.1038/nature15757.Copyright © 2015, Rights Managed by Nature Publishing GroupThe pressures on honeybee (Apis mellifera) populations, resulting from threats by modern pesticides, parasites, predators and diseases, have raised awareness of the economic importance and critical role this insect plays in agricultural societies across the globe. However, the association of humans with A. mellifera predates post-industrial-revolution agriculture, as evidenced by the widespread presence of ancient Egyptian bee iconography dating to the Old Kingdom (approximately 2400 BC). There are also indications of Stone Age people harvesting bee products; for example, honey hunting is interpreted from rock art in a prehistoric Holocene context and a beeswax find in a pre-agriculturalist site. However, when and where the regular association of A. mellifera with agriculturalists emerged is unknown. One of the major products of A. mellifera is beeswax, which is composed of a complex suite of lipids including n-alkanes, n-alkanoic acids and fatty acyl wax esters. The composition is highly constant as it is determined genetically through the insect's biochemistry. Thus, the chemical 'fingerprint' of beeswax provides a reliable basis for detecting this commodity in organic residues preserved at archaeological sites, which we now use to trace the exploitation by humans of A. mellifera temporally and spatially. Here we present secure identifications of beeswax in lipid residues preserved in pottery vessels of Neolithic Old World farmers. The geographical range of bee product exploitation is traced in Neolithic Europe, the Near East and North Africa, providing the palaeoecological range of honeybees during prehistory. Temporally, we demonstrate that bee products were exploited continuously, and probably extensively in some regions, at least from the seventh millennium cal BC, likely fulfilling a variety of technological and cultural functions. The close association of A. mellifera with Neolithic farming communities dates to the early onset of agriculture and may provide evidence for the beginnings of a domestication process.Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)English HeritageEuropean Research Council (ERC)Leverhulme TrustMinistère de la Culture et de la CommunicationMinistère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la RechercheRoyal SocietyWellcome Trus

Use of Dual-Energy Computed Tomography for Evaluation of Genitourinary Diseases

Since its clinical inception a decade ago, dual-energy computed tomography has expanded the array of computed tomography imaging tools available to the practicing abdominal radiologist. Of note, diagnostic solutions for imaging-based evaluation of genitourinary diseases, foremost kidney calculi and renal tumors characterization, represent the apogee applications of dual-energy computed tomography in abdominal imaging. This article reviews clinical applications of dual-energy computed tomography for the assessment of genitourinary diseases