Browsing by Keyword "Cultural Studies"
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Item 2016 terremoto en Ecuador: Mision tecnalia. Ayuda tecnica en la evaluacion de los edificios afectados(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2018) Marcos, Ignacio; Díez Hernández, Jesús; Lasarte, Natalia; Gandini, Alessandra; Garmendia, Leire; Egiluz, Ziortza; Villegas, Luis; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; Villegas, Luis; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; E&I SEGURAS Y RESILIENTES; LABORATORIO DE TRANSFORMACIÓN URBANAItem 3d-gis models to support the co-creation of energy efficient strategies for historic urban environments(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2020) Egusquiza, Aitziber; Izkara, Jose Luis; Prieto, Iñaki; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; LABORATORIO DE TRANSFORMACIÓN URBANA; Tecnalia Research & InnovationUrban models can be powerful tools for energy assessment of urban environments and dissemination of results. ENERPAT project has tested an approach where 3D-GIS support the cocreation of innovative eco-renovation strategies for traditional energy conservation measures from a life cycle perspective, as a way to work with local produced solutions linked with new local business models. Three living labs have been created in Porto, Vitoria and Cahors as demonstration buildings and long-term thinking frameworks including stakeholders of the whole value chain. The solutions based on local materials that are being monitored have been decided by co-creation strategies using multicriteria methodologies. A multiscale characterization, evaluation and monitoring methodology has been defined in order to extrapolate the results of the selected solutions to the whole urban environments. The methodology is based in a 3D-GIS model that interrelates three scales (building, historical centers and city) through a multiscale and multi-thematic set of common key indicators. The assessment identifies the current status and estimates the impact of the selected strategies in terms of the impact on the heritage; sustainability and energy efficiency; and improvement of the quality of life (comfort, air quality, reduction of energy poverty). An urban model of the historical center of Vitoria (Spain) have been created using CityGML standard format and are adapted to support the specifications for energy rehabilitation processes in historic centers. In order to do that, three application domain extensions (energy efficiency, heritage and indicators) has been generated. The resulting CityGML models will be made persistent by storing the information in one place in an XML-based format and in a geospatial data format through the 3DCityDB extension of PostGIS. As a result, the models allow the upscaling of the impact of the monitored strategies at city scale facilitating an agile and fast first estimation of the impact.Item Climate change risk assessment for the historic city(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2016) Gandini, Alessandra; Garmendia, Leire; Lasarte, Natalia; San Mateos, Rosa; Villegas, Luis; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; LABORATORIO DE TRANSFORMACIÓN URBANA; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; E&I SEGURAS Y RESILIENTESCities accommodate around three quarters of the population, a share which is expected to increase in the next future, concentrate major economic and innovative assets and, for these reasons, are becoming the focus of the fight against climate change. Historic centres are key pillars of their economy, contribute to welfare and quality of life and represent the expression of human culture. Impacts of climate change on historic cities are still uncertain, as they depend on the nature, specific characteristics, inherent vulnerability and geographical environment of the site. Historic cities are requested to adapt to climate change by developing resilient aptitudes to external attacks, such as extreme temperatures, precipitations, floods, landslides, storms and anthropogenic threats. The combination of multi risk assessment and climatic projections is essential for the establishment of the vulnerability of these complex systems, in order to guarantee effective management and adaptation measures, both at urban and building level. Conservation practices require for new holistic and adaptive strategies based on risks indicators with the objective of reducing losses and damages to cultural heritage towards new arising challenges. Aware of the increasing concern of climate change, this paper describes the on-going research activities on a comprehensive methodology for cultural heritage risk assessment for the subsequent implementation of solutions and strategies for the management, protection and adaptation of historic cities.Item Concrete pavements with electric arc furnace slag as aggregate(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2018) Ortega-López, Vanesa; Fuente-Alonso, José Antonio; Skaf, Marta; Fiol, Francisco; Manso, Juan Manuel; Chica, José Antonio; Villegas, Luis; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; Villegas, Luis; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; SGSteelmaking industry generates vast amount of waste aggregates. The practical use of electric steelmaking furnaces is divided into two stages: the primary melting-oxidizing processes and the secondary-reducing processes. In the first, an Electric Arc Furnace will generate slag (EAFS) in proportions of 150 to 180 kg per ton of steel. In Spain, approximately 70% of total steel is produced in electric arc furnaces representing around 15% of total European EAF steel, and leaving more than 1 Million tons of EAFS every year. In order to reduce these EAFS, many researchers around the world are studying applications for their incorporation. In the present research, mixes of steel slag concrete (CEAFS) were reinforced with fibers, and their properties in fresh and the hardened state were analyzed; likewise, some real slabs were constructed. The results were very promising, reaching the CEAFS reinforced with around 0.5% of fibers, good mechanical behavior, appropriate toughness, and suitable impact resistance for its use in pavements and slabs of buildings.Item Criteria for NZEBR technologies and solutions(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2016) Garmendia, Leire; Pérez de Arrilucea, Ainhoa; Macías, Olga; Amaia, Uriarte; Riikka, Holopainen; Blanco, Jesús Mari; Villegas, Luis; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; E&I SEGURAS Y RESILIENTES; EDIFICACIÓN DE ENERGÍA POSITIVAIEE NeZeR-project (2014-2017) promotes the implementation and smart integration of Nearly Zero Energy Building Renovation (NZEBR) measures in the European renovation market by increasing knowledge of NZEBR concepts and benefits among institutional housing owners and in the whole building chain. This paper summarizes part of the results of the NEZER project focused on the development of energy efficient intervention packages for residential buildings under NZEB criteria. Because of the high energy saving potential of the building stock constructed between 1960-1980, the project targets the renovation of multifamily blocks since they are the most representative ones and with higher replication potential. Firstly, best available renovation solutions to reduce energy use and increase renewable energy sources share (RES) are gathered and analysed for optimal energy efficient renovation. Secondly, successful NZEBR best cases around Europe are presented to finally, design a NZEB renovation criteria for multifamily buildings. In order to reach energy saving objectives, packaged solutions for three renovation levels and four climatic zones have been defined.Item Development of a tool for technical damage and risk assessment in construction(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2020) Garmendia, Leire; Marcos, Ignacio; Rojí, Eduardo; Gandini, Alessandra; Losada, Ramón; Herrera, Jose; Atares, Fernando; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; LABORATORIO DE TRANSFORMACIÓN URBANAThe Spanish building construction and rehabilitation sector is regulated by the Law on Building Ordinance (Ley de Ordenación de la Edificación –LOE-) and the Building Technical Code (Código Técnico de la Edificación -CTE-). The former was enacted to protect users interests and it establishes the obligations of the agents that participate in the building process so that their responsibilities and guaranties are specified. The latter, translates the basic requirements of the LOE into technical objectives, defining the requirements to be fulfilled by buildings. With the entry into force of the LOE, the ten-year warranty is the only one that has been materialized through the hiring of a ten-year insurance. Since 2016, various meetings have taken place among the different agents involved in the construction sector, the Ministry of Development (Area of architecture, housing and soil), and representatives of political parties from the parliament, in order to study the opportunity of the compulsory subscription of three-year guarantees. Nevertheless, it still has not had a specific answer from insurers mainly due to the lack of definition of the extension of “damage” and uncertainty in the quantification of the risk. This paper presents the development of a tool that will allow to assess technical damages along the building process and manage technical risks by the implementation of a sustainable and continuous improvement to ensure adequate response (technically and economically) of the building agents to end users, in line with the guarantees required by law. The methodology identifies existing constructive typologies for every building components and their common pathologies, establishing their origin and the corresponding law compliance breaches. Then, an objective criterion to identify, assess and manage existing risk is presented.Item Exploring the interplay of climate and hygrothermal risk for insulated wall assemblies in the iberian peninsula(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2018) Arregi, Beñat; Villegas, Luis; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; Villegas, Luis; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; EDIFICACIÓN DE ENERGÍA POSITIVAOn the road towards an energy neutral building stock, increasingly demanding insulation levels are advised for both new and retrofitted buildings. While centuries of past experience have led to vernacular construction methods suited to local climates, the incorporation of thermal insulation to existing walls fundamentally alters their moisture balance and drying capacity. The impact of insulation assemblies on moisture risk is relatively well studied for cold climates; however, research and case studies are scarce for the warmer climates of Southern Europe, where such highly insulated walls have been unusual up to now. This paper presents a parametric study evaluating the hygrothermal performance of 3 types of insulated wall assemblies exposed to 5 climates of the Iberian Peninsula. In particular, the influence of climatic parameters on hygrothermal risk is investigated, using transient numerical simulation methods. Results show that the impact of solar irradiation and wind-driven rain over different orientations can outweigh that of temperature and humidity. Moreover, their combined effect can be either beneficial or detrimental, depending on the interplay of the specific climate and type of assembly. Hence, it has been found that simplified assessment methods that do not consider the impact of wind-driven rain underestimate risk significantly for certain scenarios. Finally, the hygrothermal performance of the assessed wall assemblies is evaluated in the context of Iberian climates, discussing possible improvements.Item Heat transfer through anchoring elements in a rear-ventilated rainscreen insulation system for façade retrofit(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2018) Arregi Goikolea, Beñat; Garay Martinez, Roberto; Riverola Lacasta, Alberto; Chemisana Villegas, Daniel; Villegas, Luis; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; Villegas, Luis; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; EDIFICACIÓN DE ENERGÍA POSITIVA; Tecnalia Research & InnovationRear-ventilated rainscreen façade insulation systems are becoming a popular retrofit solution in Southern European climates, due to their good thermal performance in both winter and summer conditions. In these assemblies, the substructure of the new cladding is anchored to the original building, thus puncturing the thermal insulation. This study assesses the impact of such thermal bridges on the overall thermal performance of the external wall. The renovation of a conventional Spanish wall construction with a ventilated façade is used as a case study, featuring an anchoring system with L-shaped aluminium brackets. Two scenarios have been assessed: in the first one these brackets are fixed onto both the reinforced concrete slabs and the existing brickwork of the building, while in the second one they are anchored solely to the structural slabs. Simplified one-dimensional calculations are compared with two-and three-dimensional numerical models. Results indicate that anchoring elements can account for a substantial increase in heat flow. If the additional heat transfer through the anchoring elements is not taken into account, the energy savings delivered by the renovation could be considerably lower than expected by calculations, resulting in an increase of energy consumption over predicted values.Item The historic city in the climate change. Mives methodology approach(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2018) Gandini, Alessandra; Garmendia, Leire; San Mateos, Rosa; Prieto, Iñaki; Sanjosé, José Tomás; Piñero, Ignacio; Villegas, Luis; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; Villegas, Luis; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; LABORATORIO DE TRANSFORMACIÓN URBANA; E&I SEGURAS Y RESILIENTES; Tecnalia Research & InnovationA large number of historic structures are over risks in cities due to weather patterns and global climate change: sea-level rise, increasing frequency of storms and other extreme precipitation events. Conservation of urban areas of historic value implies the management of these changes, by ensuring the protection of social values as well as the authenticity and integrity of heritage sites. Disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change should be seen as components of conservation, as they all share the objective of addressing the challenges of sustainable urban development. This research presents a methodological approach (MIVES-Integrated Value Model for Sustainability Assessment) for vulnerability and risk assessment, supported by an information strategy and a multi-scale urban model, in order to provide decision-making with objective and justified prioritization. A decision tree is built as a basis for future developments in specific urban case studies, supplying in present work some partial discussion by delivering a balanced solution in terms of accurate results and data requirements, by using a categorization method for urban modelling. The information is organized and structured in hierarchical levels, permitting the comparison of building vulnerabilities and risks through the use of a unique index, thus facilitating the decision-making that is needed for the prioritization of efficient interventions.Item Housing habitability: A determinant factor of heritage management in ecuador. preliminary studies for its comprehension(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2016) Usobiaga, Elena; de Cos Guerra, Olga; de Meer Lecha-Marzo, Ángela; Revilla, Igone; Zubiaga, Mikel; Villegas, Luis; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; LABORATORIO DE TRANSFORMACIÓN URBANAThe lack of social engagement negatively affects conservation of the built cultural heritage. As dwellings represent 75% of immovable heritage in Ecuador it is imperative to understand social needs and economic conditions of their residents in order to establish protection regulations and to manage these important resources. Traditional housing is one type of cultural heritage where the social and conservation needs strongly coexist and where proper management is critical for the benefit of both. Therefore it is essential to understand the socio-economic-cultural needs, aspects and motivations of the inhabitants through preliminary analysis. This paper presents results from one experience aimed towards measuring habitability in San Gabriel, a medium sized city of Ecuador. This study describes the field work results implemented to test previously analysed data, and the methodological approach that combined different socio-economic, geographical and participatory tools (interviews, observations, surveys) in order to improve heritage management with a mutual benefit for society and cultural heritage.Item Impact of self-consumption and electric vehicle recharging policies on energy communities(2021) Alvaro-Hermana, Roberto; Fraile-Ardanuy, Jesús; Merino, Julia; Castano-Solis, Sandra; Tecnalia Research & InnovationSelf-consumption is a key element to integrate renewable energies and foster consumer participation in the energy sector. To expand it, self-consumption regulation needs to incorporate policies such as shared self-consumption, energy communities, storage and electric vehicles. In this article, an optimization problem for the total cost of an energy community considering different self-consumption and electric vehicle management policies is presented. The problem is applied to a set of electric vehicle usage scenarios with diverse work schedules and daily consumptions. Results show that the involved policies have a greater impact on the community’s energy cost than the usage of the electric vehicles.||El autoconsumo es una herramienta fundamental para integrar energías renovables y fomentar la participación activa de los consumidores en el sector energético. Para ello, la regulación del autoconsumo debe expandirse, incorporando figuras como el autoconsumo compartido, las comunidades energéticas, el almacenamiento y los vehículos eléctricos. En este artículo se presenta un problema de optimización del coste energético de una comunidad que considera diferentes políticas de autoconsumo compartido y gestión del vehículo eléctrico. El problema se aplica a una comunidad de energía compuesta por cinco consumidores domésticos para escenarios de uso del vehículo eléctrico con diferentes horarios de trabajo y consumos diarios. Los resultados muestran que las políticas involucradas tienen mayor impacto en el precio de la comunidad que el uso dado a los vehículos eléctricos.Item The opportunity for smart city projects at municipal scale: Implementing a positive energy district in Zorrozaurre(2021) Martín, Cristina; Castillo-Calzadilla, Tony; Zabala, Kristina; Arrizabalaga, Eneko; Hernández, Patxi; Mabe, Lara; López, José Ramón; Casado, Jesús Ma; Santos, Ma Nélida; Guardo, Jordán; Molinete, Begoña; PLANIFICACIÓN ENERGÉTICAThe urgency of climate change is demanding new urban energy transition processes that will be accelerated by the implementation of innovative urban solutions. This paper proposes a three-step methodology to encompass the energy transition in cities. Firstly, the design of urban spaces in accordance to Positive Energy District (PED) concept is defining a very ambitious objective that will lead the development and implementation of innovative urban approaches. Secondly, the implementation of Urban City Labs is proposed for testing and demonstrating urban innovations at real scale as reasonable approach for consolidated urban landscapes. Thirdly, energy transition is demanding new governance mechanisms where top-down and bottom-up perspectives are continually combined and harmonized. ATELIER H2020 is accelerating the demonstration of this methodology at the recently defined PED in Zorrozaurre (Bilbao, Basque Country).Item AN OVERVIEW OF SUSTAINABLE CONCRETES WITH MAXIMIZED AGGREGATE CONTENT: NATURAL LIMESTONE VERSUS STEEL-MAKING SLAGS(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2022) García-Cortés, Verónica; Garcia, David; Revilla-Cuesta, Victor; Romera, Jesús María; San-José, José Tomás; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; Lombillo, Ignacio; TRAZABILIDAD CIRCULARThe conversion of various industrial by-products from Spanish factories into co-products used in partial substitution of cement and concrete aggregate has been extensively studied since the 1990s. Building on that research effort, the present investigation is focused on improving the packing density of concrete aggregates, with special emphasis on two central objectives: Firstly, the reduction of cement and natural aggregate content within concrete; secondly, the validation of their substitution by Electric Arc Furnace Slag (black-slag) aggregate. To do so, several experimental campaigns were conducted, in which 4 compaction procedures were applied under dry conditions to: 4 sieved fractions of natural limestone and 3 sieved fractions of black-slag aggregates. The physical properties of the 7 sieved fractions had previously been characterized and compared with theoretical models, in order to validate their dosing in the experimental tests: Fuller curve, Funk and Dinger curve, Compressible Packing Model, and the 3-Parameter Packing model. The aggregate-packing densities were experimentally and theoretically studied with dry methods. Our findings showed that, unlike natural aggregates, other methods based on aggregate shape are preferable for black-slag mixtures, due to the specific textures and their abrupt particle contours. The conclusions from the investigations were that both the Compressible Packing Model and the 3- Parameter Packing models produced valuable packing-density predictions for the binary mixes.Item REHABILITACIÓN DEL PUENTE DE TXATXARRAMENDI EN BUSTURIASUKARRIETA (BIZKAIA)(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2022) Pérez Salazar, Laura; Barroso Prados, Fran; Piñero Santiago, Ignacio; Orbe Mateo, Aimar; Ezquerro Andreu, Mikel; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; Lombillo, Ignacio; E&I SEGURAS Y RESILIENTES; Tecnalia Research & InnovationItem Review of the European dwelling stock and its potential for retrofit interventions using solar-assisted heating and cooling(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2018) Elguezabal, Peru; Arregi, Beñat; Schuetz, Philipp; Gwerder, Damian; Scoccia, Rossano; Tsatsakis, Konstantinos; Biosca, Javier; Bortkiewicz, Anna; Waser, Remo; Sturzenegger, David; Villegas, Luis; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; Villegas, Luis; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; ECOEFICIENCIA DE PRODUCTOS DE CONSTRUCCIÓN; EDIFICACIÓN DE ENERGÍA POSITIVAThis study provides a characterization of the existing European stock of residential buildings, with a specific focus on their energy performance. Eight countries with different characteristics and climates have been selected as a representative sample. After identifying relevant parameters, data has been compiled from several sources, including national statistical bodies and European datasets from official and unofficial bodies, as well as previous research projects. Based on those projects as initial source of information, the study is complemented with energy efficiency related regulations as well as with external climate data. The collected information has been subject to a critical review and analysed to identify insights and trends related to the energy performance of European dwellings. The information gathered is intended to provide a general view about the current status for each of the assessed countries and by extension a global picture of the European stock. The outcomes of this study will constitute a realistic baseline scenario for identifying needs, potentials and constraints for renewable energy technologies, and will assist the development of a novel software tool for planning energy-efficient retrofits of residential buildings.Item SIDERURGICAL MORTARS IN SPAIN: REHABILITATION OPPORTUNITIES AND AN OVERVIEW OF PROGRESS(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2022) Santamaría, Amaia; Esteban, Alberto; Skaf, Marta; García-Cortés, Verónica; González, Javier Jesús; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; Lombillo, Ignacio; TRAZABILIDAD CIRCULARIn the present paper, waste products from the steel-making industry are reused as fine raw material in rehabilitation mortars for construction works. Two cement mixes are evaluated: Masonry mortars and structural mortars. The study is focused on two steel-making by-products: Electric arc furnace slag and ladle furnace slag. The mortar design proposed here incorporates the former in partial substitution of fine aggregates (sand) and the ladle furnace slag in partial substitution of Portland cement and, in some cases, as aggregate (filler). Several partial substitutions of mortar binders/aggregates were prepared which yielded different mixes: 8 masonry mortars whose compressive strengths were below 20 MPa and 12 structural mortars whose compressive strengths were over 50 MPa. At the lab scale, various physical and chemical tests were performed on batches in both the fresh and the hardened state (densities, spreading, mechanical strength, porosity and weathering studies). Our results fully support the use of these siderurgical mortars for architectural (non-structural) rehabilitation purposes and in structural refurbishments for strengthening reinforced concrete elements.Item Sustainable masonry mortars based on ladle furnace slags from the steel-making industry(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2020) Santamaría, Amaia; Fiol, Francisco; García, Verónica; Setién, Jesús; González, Javier Jesús; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; TRAZABILIDAD CIRCULARMasonry mortars are applied to concrete and brickwork to form structural bonds. Partial substitution of their natural raw materials by waste products from the steel industry represents a sustainable approach towards the ecological management of those materials in Spain, where iron and steelmaking is a highly developed heavy industrial sector. Additionally, a somewhat more traditional industrial sector, the building industry, also consumes large amounts of natural resources and energy, likewise resulting in high CO2 emission levels. The present research is focused on solid waste from the steelmaking industry and its addition in significant amounts to masonry mortars. Labelled as “white” slag, the waste (saturated in alumina) is commonly known as ladle furnace slag. To do so, several lab tests are presented, which investigate the partial substitution of fillers and hydraulic binders in regular masonry mortars. Firstly, the study of ladle furnace slag and its overall properties and, secondly, studying the feasibility of producing Ladle Furnace Slag mortars, yielded interesting and positive results.Item VALIDATION OF ULTRASONIC PULSE TO QUALITY CONTROL OF RECYCLED AGGREGATE SELF-COMPACTING CONCRETE(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2022) Revilla-Cuesta, Víctor; Santamaría, Amaia; Espinosa, Ana B.; Chica, José A.; Manso, Juan M.; Ortega-López, Vanesa; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; Lombillo, Ignacio; SGOne of the main operations in any civil work is to verify that the concrete supplied and placed on site reaches the required minimum compressive strength. This verification is usually performed statistically through the preparation and testing of a large number of specimens. However, its indirect control is also useful due to its simplicity, ease of execution, and low cost. One of the most common methods to perform this operation is the measurement of the Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) of the cast concrete, checking that its value corresponds to the necessary concrete’s strength class. This study aims to analyze whether this indirect measurement, widely used in vibrated concrete produced with natural aggregate, is also valid when large quantities of Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) are added to Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC). For this purpose, six SCC mixes were produced with 100% coarse RCA and variable fine RCA contents (0%, 50%, and 100%). In addition, two different types of powder were used: Limestone filler <0.063 mm and limestone fines 0/0.5 mm. The determination of the compressive strength and the UPV at 7 and 28 days in all mixes allowed demonstrating the existence of a close relationship between these two magnitudes in this type of concrete. It was even possible to develop highly accurate simple-regression models to interrelate both variables. These findings show that the use of SCC with RCA in engineering works would still allow the control of compressive strength using one of the most common traditional techniques, the ultrasonic pulse.Item Web-based tool for prioritization of areas for energy efficiency interventions in historic districts(University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group, 2016) Egusquiza, Aitziber; Prieto, Iñaki; Izkara, Jose Luis; Villegas, Luis; Lombillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Haydee; Boffill, Yosbel; LABORATORIO DE TRANSFORMACIÓN URBANA; Tecnalia Research & InnovationDecision making processes are about managing and exploiting the right information in the proper way. The decision making regarding improvements of the energy performance of historic urban districts (HUD) has to take into account information that is spatial, multiscalar and crossthematic. 3D Urban models can be used to support the decision making if the complex urban reality is abstracted into a manageable, accurate, coherent, comprehensible, predictive, and low cost model. However, the generation and management of this kind of urban models are time demanding and resource intensive. Moreover, if the proposed modelling strategy has to integrate energy planning and cultural conservation approaches, it is necessary to use a progressive and flexible information management strategy regarding the modelling that allows starting with a very low level of detail. One of these strategies is to identify the most vulnerable areas, and based on that, the priority areas within the district; allowing to focus the decision making in these areas. The REACT Project (“Resilience, Accessibility and Sustainability for Historic Cities”, partially funded within the INNPACTO programme) has developed a web based application backed by a multiscale model to support the identification of priority areas in a HUD for energy efficiency interventions. The application is based on a methodology that provides a vulnerability map using basic data, which has been obtained in an automatic or semi-automatic way. Those data regarding the vulnerability are weighted with the information regarding the density of those buildings obtaining an opportunity map or a priority map. This map highlights the priority areas, that is, the most vulnerable building blocks with the highest impact due to their density. In this way, and based on a low level of information, blocks or groups of buildings can be prioritized for energy interventions according to their conservation state, their energy performance and the concerns of the citizens.