Deployable Arches Based on Regular Polygon Geometry

This paper discusses a deployable-arch-structure design that is built using articulated bars, commonly called a scissor-system, and is based on the regular polygon geometry. The deployed-arch shape can be determined by inscribing regular polygon geometry in a circle. It is defined by the: a. number of bars required, b. position of the pivots, c. pivot-point distances, d. bar length, and e. open-geometry angle of the arches. The goal is a deployable half dome made up of semi-arches. Traditional arch construction depends on external structures to provide stability until the keystone is set, which then allows the supports to removed. Deployable structures avoid the need for these external supports greatly simplifying the assembly process and deployment time.Postprint (published version

Sustainability Assessment of Household Waste Based Solar Control Devices for Workshops in Primary Schools

Part of the large amounts of waste generated by human activities could have a second use while solving social problems. In this sense, the authors are carrying out a research project involving the participative development of innovative solar control devices integrated into school architecture using household waste. In general, the objectives of this research project are to: (a) optimize pupils’ learning process by improving lighting and thermal comfort levels and (b) reduce the generation of Spanish household waste by reusing part of it and increase the teaching community’s awareness about this waste. This research article reports on the steps taken to achieve these objectives by characterizing the most sustainable types of the waste-based solar control device. In this sense, this research paper defines and applies a new methodology which combines General Morphology Analysis (GMA), a new tool based on The Integrated Value Model for Sustainable Assessment and Focus groups. First, up to 96 different types of solar control devices composed of household waste have been defined using GMA and, second, these 96 types and conventional roller shutters have been assessed using this new tool. Based on these article results, one of the best alternatives has been prototyped during an initial workshop.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Experimental workshop in unconventional structures: deployable & tree-like structures SMiA -training and research at Barcelona Tech

The purpose of this paper is to share the experience, training and teaching students in non conventional structures area. The research group SMiA Structural Morphology in Architecture performed a practical and theoretical workshop designed to learn unconventional structures in architecture. The main objective was to propose a practical teaching method, the students gain the necessary tools to design lightweight and membrane structures developing an architectural project. Physical and digital tools are utilized, including WinTess3, Sketch Up, Grasshopper, a parametric-geometry-development-and-testing software.Lightweight Construction Course is an elective architecture program at ETSAV School of Architecture of "El Vallès", leading by Professor Dr.-Arch. Ramon Sastre. The main topics that were developed are: Deployable, Tree-Like, Reciprocal Frame, and Tensegrity Structures. In the present article we explain the practical experience in Deployable and Tree-like Structures. The course was offered to students in the last year of career at UPC, international students (Erasmus) and Master students.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

V Concurso Internacional Estudiantil sobre el Diseño de Tensoestructuras

Primer premiPostprint (published version

Deployable Arches Based on Regular Polygon Geometry

This paper discusses a deployable-arch-structure design that is built using articulated bars, commonly called a scissor-system, and is based on the regular polygon geometry. The deployed-arch shape can be determined by inscribing regular polygon geometry in a circle. It is defined by the: a. number of bars required, b. position of the pivots, c. pivot-point distances, d. bar length, and e. open-geometry angle of the arches. The goal is a deployable half dome made up of semi-arches. Traditional arch construction depends on external structures to provide stability until the keystone is set, which then allows the supports to removed. Deployable structures avoid the need for these external supports greatly simplifying the assembly process and deployment time

New sustainability assessment model for Intelligent Façade Layers when applied to refurbish school buildings skins

In regard to increasing reports toward severe comfort problems and high energy consumption by educational buildings in many countries, a sustainable refurbishment for these edifices is urgently required. Using Intelligent Façade Layers as a protective cover with a variety of possible energy sources would be an innovative rehabilitation alternative, which until now has had outstanding performances in other architectural applications. This research paper, overcoming the lack of comprehensive assessments on Intelligent Façades, develops a new model to quantitatively assess the sustainability of these façades when applied to optimize existing educational architecture. This model combines the multi-criteria decision-making MIVES method with the Delphi technique, relying on literature, real projects and sensitivity analyses. The model considers the main economic, environmental and social aspects in its steps: 1) model boundaries, 2) experts’ qualification, 3) requirements tree, 4) weights assignment, 5) value functions, 6) sustainability indexes and 7) most sustainable alternatives. This model has been applied and validated in five Intelligent Façade Layers alternatives and three case studies at schools in Barcelona, Spain. This new approach proved highly reliable, showing the need for optimizations in both economic and environmental impacts applied to refurbishment scenarios. In this sense, future steps will design optimized alternatives.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Towards more sustainable schools incorporating new solar control devices assembled during workshops recycling waste materials

This research paper presents part of a research project that develops the participative design of innovative solar control devices integrated in school architecture using low-cost tensed structures, composed of reused household waste and renewable energy systems. In consequence, these devices are designed to be built during workshops about waste management and sustainability by elementary and high school students and teachers. In general, this project aims to reduce the negative environmental impacts by educational architecture and, at the same time, increase students and teachers´ comfort levels and sustainability awareness. The specific case studies in this project occur in Spanish schools, which have a particular endemic problem in terms of user comfort due to lack of solar control. The main novelty of this project is the aforementioned design of solar control devices composed of household waste to be assembled during workshops by students and teachers. Although there have already been previous workshops in which students learn about school buildings, this project moves a step forward and involves students and teachers in the construction process of a solar control device. This article presents three solar control waste based device prototypes, the main steps followed to design and assess them and the first workshop

Towards more sustainable schools incorporating new solar control devices assembled during workshops recycling waste materials

This research paper presents part of a research project that develops the participative design of innovative solar control devices integrated in school architecture using low-cost tensed structures, composed of reused household waste and renewable energy systems. In consequence, these devices are designed to be built during workshops about waste management and sustainability by elementary and high school students and teachers. In general, this project aims to reduce the negative environmental impacts by educational architecture and, at the same time, increase students and teachers´ comfort levels and sustainability awareness. The specific case studies in this project occur in Spanish schools, which have a particular endemic problem in terms of user comfort due to lack of solar control. The main novelty of this project is the aforementioned design of solar control devices composed of household waste to be assembled during workshops by students and teachers. Although there have already been previous workshops in which students learn about school buildings, this project moves a step forward and involves students and teachers in the construction process of a solar control device. This article presents three solar control waste based device prototypes, the main steps followed to design and assess them and the first workshop.Postprint (published version

Towards more sustainable schools incorporating new solar control devices assembled during workshops recycling waste materials

This research paper presents part of a research project that develops the participative design of innovative solar control devices integrated in school architecture using low-cost tensed structures, composed of reused household waste and renewable energy systems. In consequence, these devices are designed to be built during workshops about waste management and sustainability by elementary and high school students and teachers. In general, this project aims to reduce the negative environmental impacts by educational architecture and, at the same time, increase students and teachers´ comfort levels and sustainability awareness. The specific case studies in this project occur in Spanish schools, which have a particular endemic problem in terms of user comfort due to lack of solar control. The main novelty of this project is the aforementioned design of solar control devices composed of household waste to be assembled during workshops by students and teachers. Although there have already been previous workshops in which students learn about school buildings, this project moves a step forward and involves students and teachers in the construction process of a solar control device. This article presents three solar control waste based device prototypes, the main steps followed to design and assess them and the first workshop

Proposals for Transport of Dangerous Goods (Safety Advisers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 Consultative document

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:99/35949 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo