Physical mechanical consolidation and protection of Miocenic limestone used on Mediterranean historical monuments: the case study of Pietra Cantone (southern Sardinia, Italy)

The present work aims to study the consolidating and protective chemical treatments of the Pietra Cantone, a Miocenic (lower Tortonian) limestone widely used in important monuments and historical buildings of Cagliari (southern Sardinia, Italy). Similar limestones of the same geological period have also been used in several important monuments of Mediterranean area, i.e., Malta and Gozo Islands, Matera (central Basilicata, Italy), Lecce (southern Puglia, Italy) and Balearic Islands (Spain). The Pietra Cantone limestone shows problems of chemical–physical decay, due to their petrophysical and compositional char- acteristics: high porosity (on average 28–36 vol%), low cemented muddy-carbonate matrix, presence of phyllosil- icates and sindepositional sea salts (\3%). So, after placed in the monument, this stone is easily alterable by weath- ering chemical processes (e.g., carbonate dissolution and sulfation) and also by cyclic mechanisms of crystalliza- tion/solubilization of salts and hydration/dehydration of hygroscopic phases of the clay component. To define the mineralogical-petrographic features (composition, texture) of limestone, the clay and salt crystalline phases, the optical microscope in polarized light and diffraction anal- ysis were used. To define the petrophysical characteristics (i.e., shape and size distribution of porosity, surface area(SBET), matrix microstructures, rock composition) and interactions of chemical treatments with rock, SEM–EDS analysis and N2 porosimetry with BET and BJH methods were used. To evaluate the efficacy of Na/K-silicates, ethyl silicate consolidants and protective nano-molecular silane monomer water repellent, the mechanical strengths (uni- axial compressive strength, point load and flexural resis- tance), water/helium open porosity, water absorption and vapour permeability data determined before and after the chemical treatments of the Pietra Cantone samples from monument were compared

Performance benchmark of Dutch local energy companies

According to binding European Union agreements, the Netherlands has to cover at least 14 percent of its total energy use with renewable energy sources by 2020. However, the share of renewable energy in the Netherlands is small and hardly increasing. In 2010, renewable energy in the Netherlands accounted for only 3.8% of the national energy use, and has decreased with 0.4% compared to 2009. A cause of the stagnating renewable energy generation in the Netherlands is the absence of a nation-wide, clear and consistent long-term policy on the introduction of renewable energy. In order to overcome the current standstill in renewable energy adoption, several Dutch municipalities take the initiative and establish Local Energy Companies (LECs). However, to date, it is unclear which LEC type performs best. This research aims to compare the performance of existing LECs on three aspects: technology, finance, and organization. Furthermore, the performance of existing LECs is compared with theoretical reference LECs, in order to estimate efficiencies and opportunities for improvements. Finally, the influence of the recent changes in the Dutch subsidy scheme on LEC performance is examined. In order to achieve these aims, the benchmark method Data Envelopment Analysis is employed

A Cradle to cradle (C2C) decision support model for the development of mixed functional areas

Designers and engineers are facing a challenge in their roles: to integrate the new Cradle To Cradle Philosophy in their practice, to develop C2C plans and to justify that the plan is C2C. In this paper the focus is on energy production and -consumption. Secondly, the focus is on urban area development, including the following functions: houses, offices, industry and greenhouses. There is a trend towards this type of functional mixture because they allow interesting new energy combinations. Traditionally energy systems are chosen after the main design decisions are made. Instead a model has been developed that can support the decision making process including the energy aspects at the start of the project. The model calculates what the total remaining energy demand is (if there is any) and it gives suggestions on how to resolve this energy shortage. The model utilizes reference data on energy consumption/production for buildings and energy systems. The model supports easy manipulation of the entered building function division, C2C ambition levels, the energy performance level and so on. With this model one can check if C2C goals can actually be realized within the plan area. An application of the model is illustrated by a Case Study. Finally some preliminary experiences are discussed

Assessing the performance of Dutch local energy companies

According to binding European Union agreements, the Netherlands has to cover at least 14% of its total energy use with renewable energy sources by 2020. However, the share of renewable energy in the Netherlands is small and hardly increasing. In 2010, renewable energy in the Netherlands accounted for only 3.8% of the national energy use, and has decreased with 0.4% compared to 2009. A cause of the stagnating renewable energy generation in the Netherlands is the absence of a nation-wide, clear and consistent long-term policy on the introduction of renewable energy. In order to overcome the current standstill in renewable energy adoption, several Dutch municipalities take the initiative and establish Local Energy Companies (LECs). However, to date, it is unclear which LEC type performs best. This research aims to compare the performance of existing LECs on three aspects: technology, finance, and organization. Furthermore, the performance of existing LECs is compared with theoretical reference LECs, in order to estimate efficiencies and opportunities for improvements. Finally, the influence of the recent changes in the Dutch subsidy scheme on LEC performance is examined. In order to achieve these aims, the benchmark method Data Envelopment Analysis is employed

A Cradle to cradle (C2C) decision support model for the development of mixed functional areas

Designers and engineers are facing a challenge in their roles: to integrate the new Cradle To Cradle Philosophy in their practice, to develop C2C plans and to justify that the plan is C2C. In this paper the focus is on energy production and -consumption. Secondly, the focus is on urban area development, including the following functions: houses, offices, industry and greenhouses. There is a trend towards this type of functional mixture because they allow interesting new energy combinations. Traditionally energy systems are chosen after the main design decisions are made. Instead a model has been developed that can support the decision making process including the energy aspects at the start of the project. The model calculates what the total remaining energy demand is (if there is any) and it gives suggestions on how to resolve this energy shortage. The model utilizes reference data on energy consumption/production for buildings and energy systems. The model supports easy manipulation of the entered building function division, C2C ambition levels, the energy performance level and so on. With this model one can check if C2C goals can actually be realized within the plan area. An application of the model is illustrated by a Case Study. Finally some preliminary experiences are discussed

Andaman ophiolites : an overview

The Andaman Ophiolite remained little explored for long but recent studies yielded important first-order findings that hold promise for further research. Here we summarise these first-order constraints on the structure, geochemistry, and evolution of the Andaman Ophiolite and identify key frontiers for future research. The uniqueness of Andaman Ophiolite is their petrological and geochemical diversity in a close spatial association. Among many unresolved issues the age, stratigraphic coherence, and emplacement mechanisms of Andaman Ophiolite remain enigmatic. In particular, although many of the elements of the typical ophiolitic pseudostratigraphy are present, they are not found in structural coherence, and available geochronological constraints suggest a much longer than normal time window for the amalgamation of the ophiolite’s crust. We raise questions on the plate tectonic setting and evolution of the ophiolite, suggesting that a multi-phase history of magmatism and ophiolite evolution is one of the key questions that deserves international geoscientific attention

Andaman ophiolites : an overview

The Andaman Ophiolite remained little explored for long but recent studies yielded important first-order findings that hold promise for further research. Here we summarise these first-order constraints on the structure, geochemistry, and evolution of the Andaman Ophiolite and identify key frontiers for future research. The uniqueness of Andaman Ophiolite is their petrological and geochemical diversity in a close spatial association. Among many unresolved issues the age, stratigraphic coherence, and emplacement mechanisms of Andaman Ophiolite remain enigmatic. In particular, although many of the elements of the typical ophiolitic pseudostratigraphy are present, they are not found in structural coherence, and available geochronological constraints suggest a much longer than normal time window for the amalgamation of the ophiolite’s crust. We raise questions on the plate tectonic setting and evolution of the ophiolite, suggesting that a multi-phase history of magmatism and ophiolite evolution is one of the key questions that deserves international geoscientific attention

Andaman ophiolites : an overview

The Andaman Ophiolite remained little explored for long but recent studies yielded important first-order findings that hold promise for further research. Here we summarise these first-order constraints on the structure, geochemistry, and evolution of the Andaman Ophiolite and identify key frontiers for future research. The uniqueness of Andaman Ophiolite is their petrological and geochemical diversity in a close spatial association. Among many unresolved issues the age, stratigraphic coherence, and emplacement mechanisms of Andaman Ophiolite remain enigmatic. In particular, although many of the elements of the typical ophiolitic pseudostratigraphy are present, they are not found in structural coherence, and available geochronological constraints suggest a much longer than normal time window for the amalgamation of the ophiolite’s crust. We raise questions on the plate tectonic setting and evolution of the ophiolite, suggesting that a multi-phase history of magmatism and ophiolite evolution is one of the key questions that deserves international geoscientific attention