Use of Polycarbonate Waste as Aggregate in Recycled Gypsum Plasters

The use of gypsum as an indoor coating material for buildings is very extensive. This means that huge amounts of gypsum waste are generated daily worldwide. Therefore, many researchers in the last years have been working on the generation of new gypsum-related materials and products that incorporate recycled gypsum waste as a replacement for the commercial one. On the other hand, trying to reduce the large amounts of plastic generated globally each year, several studies have used different types of plastic waste as aggregates for the development of new construction and building materials. However, up to now, no previous studies have been found in which any type of plastic waste has been used as an aggregate in a recycled gypsum matrix. This paper presents a study in which two different types of waste were mixed for the development of new gypsum plasters: unheated gypsum waste from industrial plasterboard production (GPW) and polycarbonate (PC) waste from rejected compact discs (CDs) and digital versatile discs (DVDs). In this sense, the mechanical and thermal performance of plasters was evaluated. Finally, in order to evaluate the changes in the microstructure of the composites, a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was conducted. The results showed a good performance of the new composites when both types of waste were combined in the mixes. New lightweight eco-efficient plasters, completely recycled, with enhanced flexural strength (by 14.8%), compressive strength (by 26.8%), and thermal conductivity (42.8% less), compared to the reference material, were achieved

Microstructure formation of cement mortars modified by superabsorbent polymers

The utilization of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) in cement-based materials has been found to be a promising means of mitigating the autogenous propagation of shrinkage and cracks. On the other hand, the undesired effects of SAPs’ application on functional properties, including mechanical strength, microstructure formation, and the evolution of hydration heat are not properly understood, given the variety in SAPs’ characteristics. To contribute to the present state-of-theart, cement mortars, modified with two grades of SAPs by dosages of 0.3%, 0.6%, and 0.9%, were designed and studied with emphasis on the relationship between the materials’ porosities and mechanical strengths. The obtained results are interpreted by scanning electron microscopy analysis and hydration heat evolution to elucidate the major changes and their driving factors. Besides the benefits associated with the mitigation of autogenous shrinkage, the achieved results point to an adverse effect of supplementation with SAP on mechanical strength at an early age, and an even more pronounced increase at a later age. The employed scanning electron microscopy images, together with mercury-intrusion porosimetry data, depict distortion in the material porosity as a result of the filling of formed voids and the closing of open ends by swelled hydrogels. Only the minor benefit of a greater cross-linking density was obtained by the formation of dense structures and the gains in mechanical strength therefrom.Czech Science Foundatio

re-habitar El Carmen : Un proyecto sobre patrimonio contemporáneo

El proyecto _re-HABITAR suponía para el propio proceder de la institución un avance más allá del reconocimiento, registro, inventario o protección patrimonial de la arquitectura del siglo XX y del Movimiento Moderno para posicionarse en la acción preventiva y conservativa de ese legado contemporáneo. Para ello, la praxis patrimonial se aferraba a un modelo: el de la vivienda social en España en la segunda mitad del siglo XX; a un caso concreto: el de la barriada de Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Recasens Méndez-Queipo de Llano, 1958); y a un requisito fundamental: analizar un objeto vivo y en uso, aún con la presencia de quienes lo vivieron y usaron desde su origen

Use of bioceramics enhanced with effective microorganisms as an additive for construction: study of physical and mechanical properties in cement mortars and gypsum plasters

Biomaterials are materials that are used to manufacture devices that interact with biological systems. According to their chemical composition, they can be classified as biometals, biopolymers, bioceramics, biocomposites and semiconductors. Thus, in the present work, the application of bioceramics, enhanced with effective microorganisms, to construction materials (cement mortars and gypsum plasters) was studied in order to see the benefits that its incorporation contributes to construction materials. This first work constitutes the first phase of an experimental campaign in which the influence of bioceramics on the physical and mechanical properties (flexural and compressive strength) of the studied materials was analyzed. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) techniques were used. According to the results, a slight improvement in the mechanical properties of the new composites was observed. Besides, a more compact matrix was observed when bioceramics were used as an aggregate to the mixtures

Role-Play como estrategia docente en el aprendizaje de la construcción

The presented teaching experience is framed within the subject of “Construcción 6”, of the Degree in Architecture of the University of Seville. Until now, the theoretical part of the subject followed a master class procedure using the traditional way. However, and with the aim of breaking a bit with the prevailing monotony of classes, it is decided to replace one of the theoretical sessions with a role-play entitled "civil liability judgement trial". With it, it was possible to bring students closer to the knowledge of a real situation of the profession in a pleasant and attractive way, as well as to facilitate their understanding of the roles of the different agents involved. Students have made a very positive assessment of this methodology, even denying the ability to obtain this learning by the traditional model.La experiencia docente que se presenta se enmarca dentro de la asignatura de Construcción 6, del Grado en Fundamentos de Arquitectura de la Universidad de Sevilla. Hasta el momento, en la parte teórica de la materia se seguía un procedimiento de clase magistral mediante la forma tradicional. Sin embargo, y con el objetivo de romper un poco con la monotonía de clases magistrales imperante, se opta por sustituir una de las sesiones teóricas por un role-play titulado “simulacro de juicio de responsabilidad civil”. Con él se consigue acercar de una manera amena y atractiva al alumnado al conocimiento de una situación real de la profesión así como facilitarle la comprensión de los papeles de los distintos agentes en él intervienen. Los estudiantes han hecho una valoración muy positiva de esta metodología, incluso negando la capacidad de obtener este aprendizaje con el modelo tradicional

JIDA'20. Bloque 4. Role-Play como estrategia docente en el aprendizaje de la construcción | Filomena Pérez Gálvez

Comunicación a cargo de Filomena Pérez Gálvez; Manuel Alejandro Pedreño Rojas; María Jesús Morales Conde; Paloma Rubio de Hita. Universidad de Sevilla. Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura. Modera el Bloque 4 Daniel García-Escudero (ETSAB-UPC)

Role-Play as a teaching strategy in construction learning

La experiencia docente que se presenta se enmarca dentro de la asignatura de Construcción 6, del Grado en Fundamentos de Arquitectura de la Universidad de Sevilla. Hasta el momento, en la parte teórica de la materia se seguía un procedimiento de clase magistral mediante la forma tradicional. Sin embargo, y con el objetivo de romper un poco con la monotonía de clases magistrales imperante, se opta por sustituir una de las sesiones teóricas por un role-play titulado “simulacro de juicio de responsabilidad civil”. Con él se consigue acercar de una manera amena y atractiva al alumnado al conocimiento de una situación real de la profesión así como facilitarle la comprensión de los papeles de los distintos agentes en él intervienen. Los estudiantes han hecho una valoración muy positiva de esta metodología, incluso negando la capacidad de obtener este aprendizaje con el modelo tradicional.The presented teaching experience is framed within the subject of “Construcción 6”, of the Degree in Architecture of the University of Seville. Until now, the theoretical part of the subject followed a master class procedure using the traditional way. However, and with the aim of breaking a bit with the prevailing monotony of classes, it is decided to replace one of the theoretical sessions with a role-play entitled "civil liability judgement trial". With it, it was possible to bring students closer to the knowledge of a real situation of the profession in a pleasant and attractive way, as well as to facilitate their understanding of the roles of the different agents involved. Students have made a very positive assessment of this methodology, even denying the ability to obtain this learning by the traditional model.El autor Manuel Alejandro Pedreño Rojas agradece el apoyo económico proporcionado por el programa FPU del Ministerio de Educación del Gobierno de España (FPU15/02939).Peer Reviewe

Innovative proposal in the Official Master in Diagnosis and Repair of Buildings

La experiencia presentada se enmarca dentro de las asignaturas del Módulo de Envolventes de la titulación. Debido al carácter profesional de los estudios, se pretende con esta actividad acercar al estudiante a la práctica profesional. Para ello, se puso en marcha una experiencia piloto en las sesiones referidas a cubiertas planas, empleando técnicas de aprendizaje basado en problemas y de clase invertida. En las dos sesiones de la experimentación, los estudiantes tuvieron que enfrentarse a un ejercicio cotidiano del día a día de un arquitecto, el cual debían resolver con los apoyos teóricos aportados por los docentes. Destacar la presencia de una empresa líder del sector, que aportó soluciones realistas y extendidas. Los estudiantes mostraron un alto grado de satisfacción con el ejercicio, conscientes de la utilidad que posee de cara a futuros encargos en su actividad profesional.The presented experience is framed within the subjects of the Envelopes´ Module of the title. Due to the professional nature of the studies, this activity is intended to bring the student closer to their professional practice. To do this, a pilot experience was launched in the sessions related to flat roofs, using learning techniques based on problems and the flipped classroom one. In the two experimentation sessions, the students had to face a daily exercise of an architect's day-to-day life, that they had to solve with the theoretical support provided by the teachers. It is important to highlight the presence of a leading company in the sector, which provided realistic and extended solutions. Students showed a high degree of satisfaction with the  exercise, specially because of the usefulness that it has for future assignments in their professional activity.El autor Manuel Alejandro Pedreño Rojas agradece el apoyo económico proporcionado por el programa FPU del Ministerio de Educación del Gobierno de España (FPU15/02939).Peer Reviewe

Microstructure Formation of Cement Mortars Modified by Superabsorbent Polymers

The utilization of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) in cement-based materials has been found to be a promising means of mitigating the autogenous propagation of shrinkage and cracks. On the other hand, the undesired effects of SAPs’ application on functional properties, including mechanical strength, microstructure formation, and the evolution of hydration heat are not properly understood, given the variety in SAPs’ characteristics. To contribute to the present state-of-the-art, cement mortars, modified with two grades of SAPs by dosages of 0.3%, 0.6%, and 0.9%, were designed and studied with emphasis on the relationship between the materials’ porosities and mechanical strengths. The obtained results are interpreted by scanning electron microscopy analysis and hydration heat evolution to elucidate the major changes and their driving factors. Besides the benefits associated with the mitigation of autogenous shrinkage, the achieved results point to an adverse effect of supplementation with SAP on mechanical strength at an early age, and an even more pronounced increase at a later age. The employed scanning electron microscopy images, together with mercury-intrusion porosimetry data, depict distortion in the material porosity as a result of the filling of formed voids and the closing of open ends by swelled hydrogels. Only the minor benefit of a greater cross-linking density was obtained by the formation of dense structures and the gains in mechanical strength therefrom

Eco-efficient false ceiling plates made from plaster with wood and plastic residues

Large amounts of different types of waste are generated each day in the world. Most of them do not receive proper management at the end of its useful life. In that sense, and trying to apply eco-efficiency criteria, the construction sector has recently been working on the design of new building materials that incorporate some types of residues. Those new construction materials improve some of the properties given by traditional options, such as thermal conductivity or lightness. However, many types of research in which new building products are generated do not exist. Subsequently, this paper aims at generating new gypsum plaster false ceiling plates by incorporating two different types of residues: wood waste from the demolition of traditional wooden slabs and polycarbonate (plastic) waste from crushed rejected CDs and DVDs. The flexural strength of the developed plates is tested using the procedure described by UNE-EN 14246. Furthermore, the thermal conductivity of the new pieces is obtained following the method defined by ASTM D5930-09. The results show that for all the scenarios under study when wood and plastic waste is added to the plates, the lightness and the thermal conductivity of the pieces improved. In addition, in some scenarios, the incorporation of polycarbonate waste is linked to an improvement in the mechanical behaviour of the pieces compared to the reference plate. On the other hand, when wood waste is added to the mixtures, the flexural behaviour of the plates decreases, but always achieving the minimum requirements made by the standards. Finally, it must be said that adding waste to the plasters, the amount of gypsum powder used to generate the plates decreases considerably, which represents a significant improvement in the eco-efficiency of new products