Sostenibilidad y resiliencia de las infraestructuras a través de la planificación multinivel

Acaban de publicarnos un artículo en la revista International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (revista indexada en el JCR) sobre la aplicación de la planificación multinivel como herramienta para mejorar la sostenibilidad y la resiliencia de las infraestructuras. El trabajo se enmarca dentro del proyecto de investigación DIMALIFE que dirijo como investigador principal en la Universitat Politècnica de València.

Se aplica una metodología novedosa de control jerárquico con múltiples objetivos para abordar la vulnerabilidad urbana, la mejora del estado de la red de carreteras y la minimización del costo económico como objetivos en un proceso de planificación resistente en el que tanto las acciones como su ejecución se planifican para un desarrollo controlado y sostenible. Basándose en el Sistema de Apoyo al Planeamiento Urbano, una herramienta de planificación desarrollada previamente, el sistema mejorado de apoyo al planeamiento ofrece una alternativa de planificación en la red de carreteras española, con el mejor equilibrio multiobjetivo entre optimización, riesgo y oportunidad. El proceso de planificación formaliza entonces la capacidad de adaptación local como la capacidad de variar la alternativa de planificación seleccionada dentro de ciertos límites, y el control del riesgo global como las obligaciones que deben cumplirse a cambio. Por último, mediante la optimización multiobjetivo, el método revela los equilibrios multiobjetivo entre la oportunidad local, el riesgo global y los derechos y deberes a escala local, proporcionando así una comprensión más profunda para una toma de decisiones mejor informada.

El artículo se ha publicado en una revista de alto impacto internacional, Q1 de la WOS, Impact Factor = 2,468 (2018), en acceso abierto, que se puede descargar desde la siguiente dirección: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/3/962

Abstract

Resilient planning demands not only resilient actions, but also resilient implementation, which promotes adaptive capacity for the attainment of the planned objectives. This requires, in the case of multi-level infrastructure systems, the simultaneous pursuit of bottom-up infrastructure planning for the promotion of adaptive capacity, and of top-down approaches for the achievement of global objectives and the reduction of structural vulnerabilities and imbalances. Though several authors have pointed out the need to balance bottom-up flexibility with top-down hierarchical control for better plan implementation, very few methods have yet been developed with this aim, least of all with a multi-objective perspective. This work addressed this lack by including, for the first time, the mitigation of urban vulnerability, the improvement of road network condition, and the minimization of the economic cost as objectives in a resilient planning process in which both actions and their implementation are planned for a controlled, sustainable development. Building on Urban planning support system (UPSS), a previously developed planning tool, the improved planning support system affords a planning alternative over the Spanish road network, with the best multi-objective balance between optimization, risk, and opportunity. The planning process then formalizes local adaptive capacity as the capacity to vary the selected planning alternative within certain limits, and global risk control as the duties that should be achieved in exchange. Finally, by means of multi-objective optimization, the method reveals the multi-objective trade-offs between local opportunity, global risk, and rights and duties at local scale, thus providing deeper understanding for better informed decision-making.

Keywords:

Multi-scale assessment; hierarchical relational modeling; cascading impacts; adaptive capacity; infrastructure integrated planning; road network; decentralization optimization

Referencia:

SALAS, J.; YEPES, V. (2020). Enhancing sustainability and resilience through multi-level infrastructure planning. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17:962; DOI:10.3390/ijerph17030962

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Optimización del mantenimiento basado en la fiabilidad bajo una perspectiva de ciclo de vida

Nos acaban de publicar en la revista de Elsevier del primer cuartil, Environmental Impact Assessment Review, un artículo donde se optimiza el mantenimiento de un puente considerando el ciclo de vida. Este artículo forma parte de nuestra línea de investigación DIMALIFE en la que se pretenden optimizar estructuras atendiendo no sólo a su coste, sino al impacto ambiental y social que generan a lo largo de su ciclo de vida.

Abstract:

Sustainability is of paramount importance when facing the design of long-lasting, maintenance-demanding structures. In particular, a sustainable life cycle design for concrete structures exposed to aggressive environments may lead to significant economic savings and reduced environmental consequences. The present study evaluates 18 different design alternatives for an existing concrete bridge deck exposed to chlorides, analyzing the economic and environmental impacts associated with each design as a function of the maintenance interval chosen. Results are illustrated in the context of a reliability-based maintenance optimization on life cycle costs and environmental impacts. Maintenance optimization significantly reduces life cycle impacts if compared to the damage resulting from performing the maintenance actions when the end of the structure’s service life is reached. Using concrete with 10% silica fume is the most effective prevention strategy against corrosion of reinforcement steel in economic terms, reducing the life cycle costs of the original deck design by 76%. From an environmental perspective, maintenance based on the hydrophobic treatment of the concrete deck surface results in the best performance, allowing for a reduction of the impacts associated with the original design by 82.8%.

Keywords:

Life cycle assessment; Life cycle cost analysis; Chloride corrosion; Sustainable design; Maintenance optimization; Reliability

Reference:

NAVARRO, I.J.; MARTÍ, J.V.; YEPES, V.  (2019). Reliability-based maintenance optimization of corrosion preventive designs under a life cycle perspective. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 74:23-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2018.10.001

 

Análisis del ciclo de vida de las medidas preventivas a la corrosión aplicadas a puentes pretensados

Acaban de publicarnos un artículo en la revista Environmental Impact Assessment Review (primer decil del JCR), de la editorial ELSEVIER, en el que se realiza una valoración de las medidas preventivas consideradas en el proyecto a lo largo del ciclo de vida de un puente de hormigón sometido a un ambiente costero, donde los clorhídricos suponen una agresión que supone un mantenimiento de la infraestructura. En el artículo se analizan 15 diseños diferentes y se comprueba que no siempre ejecutar un mantenimiento mínimo supone menores impactos ambientales. Además, los tratamientos superficiales y la adición de humo de sílice supone una reducción del 70% en los impactos.

Asimismo, podéis solicitar al autor una copia en la plataforma Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325690791_Life_cycle_impact_assessment_of_corrosion_preventive_designs_applied_to_prestressed_concrete_bridge_decks

Referencia:

NAVARRO, I.J.; YEPES, V.; MARTÍ, J.V.; GONZÁLEZ-VIDOSA, F. (2018). Life cycle impact assessment of corrosion preventive designs applied to prestressed concrete bridge decks. Journal of Cleaner Production, 196:698-713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.06.110

Abstract:

Chloride corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete structures is a major issue in the construction sector due to economic and environmental reasons. Assuming different prevention strategies in aggressive marine environments results in extending the service life of the exposed structures, reducing the maintenance actions required throughout their operation stage. The aim of the present study is to analyze the environmental implications of several prevention strategies through a life cycle assessment using a prestressed bridge deck as a case study.

The environmental impacts of 15 prevention alternatives have been evaluated when applied to a real case of study, namely a bridge deck exposed to a chloride laden surrounding. The Eco-indicator 99 methodology has been adopted for the evaluation of the impacts. As some of the alternatives involve the use of by-products such as fly ash and silica fume, economic allocation has been assumed to evaluate their environmental impacts.

Results from the life cycle analysis show that the environmental impacts of the chloride exposed structure can be reduced significantly by considering specific preventive designs, such as adding silica fume to concrete, reducing its water to cement ratio or applying hydrophobic or sealant treatments to its surface. In such scenarios, the damage caused to the environment mainly due to maintenance operations and material consumption can be reduced up to a 30–40% of the life cycle impacts associated to a conventional design. The study shows how the application of life cycle assessment methodologies can be of interest to reduce the environmental impacts derived from the maintenance operations required by bridge decks subjected to aggressive chloride laden environments.

Keywords:

Life cycle assessmentChloride corrosionPreventive measuresEco-indicator 99Bridge deckSustainable designConcrete

Highlights:

  • Life cycle assessment of different design strategies for bridge decks in marine environments.
  • 15 different design alternatives were studied and compared with the conventional design.
  • Less maintenance does not always result in lower environmental impacts.
  • Steel and maintenance are main contributors to environmental burdens.
  • Surface treatments and the addition of silica fume reduce impacts up to 70%.

 

 

 

Valoración social del ciclo de vida de un puente en un ambiente agresivo

Acaban de publicarnos un artículo en la revista Environmental Impact Assessment Review (primer decil del JCR), de la editorial ELSEVIER, en el que se realiza una valoración del impacto social a lo largo del ciclo de vida de un puente de hormigón sometido a un ambiente costero, donde los clorhídricos suponen una agresión que supone un mantenimiento de la infraestructura.

En el trabajo se analizan 15 alternativas diferentes durante el mantenimiento en relación con los impactos sociales. Los resultados indican que el uso de acero inoxidable en las armaduras y la adición de humo de sílice son preferibles a otras alternativas convencionales. Os dejo a continuación el resumen y las conclusiones.

Referencia:

NAVARRO, I.J.; YEPES, V.; MARTÍ, J.V. (2018). Social life cycle assessment of concrete bridge decks exposed to aggressive environments. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 72:50-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2018.05.003

Abstract:

Sustainable design of structures includes environmental and economic aspects; social aspects throughout the life cycle of the structure, however, are not always adequately assessed. This study evaluates the social contribution of a concrete bridge deck. The social performance of the different design alternatives is estimated taking into account the impacts derived from both the construction and the maintenance phases of the infrastructure under conditions of uncertainty. Uncertain inputs related to social context are treated through Beta-PERT distributions. Maintenance needs for the different materials are estimated by means of a reliability based durability evaluation. Results show that social impacts resulting from the service life of bridges are not to be neglected in sustainability assessments of such structures. Designs that minimize maintenance operations throughout the service life, such as using stainless steel rebars or silica fume containing concretes, are socially preferable to conventional designs. The results can complement economic and environmental sustainability assessments of bridge structures.

Keywords:

Social life cycle assessmentChloride corrosionPreventive measuresGuidelinesConcrete bridgeSustainable design

Highlights:

  • Social Life Cycle Assessment of different design strategies for bridge decks in marine environments.
  • 15 design alternatives were studied and compared according to the Guidelines methodology.
  • Less maintenance results in better social performance.
  • Impacts during maintenance phase are main contributors to social performance
  • Stainless steel and the addition of silica fume are socially preferable to conventional designs.

 

 

 

Towards sustainable civil engineering works using precast concrete solutions

CV ARTICULOMost of the achieved advances related to define standardized methodologies to quantify the contribution to “sustainabilize” the construction are linked to buildings rather than infrastructures, and much more in particular to housing. Global impact on housing is the widest and highest one, gathering the three sustainable axis: environmental (greenhouse gas emissions derived from heating or cooling to reach indoor comfort  conditions), social (home is a basic need for families) and economic (it usually represents the main expense over the life of people). Meanwhile civil engineering work has not evolved as long on this topic. Although we generally refer to greater constructions, sustainable impacts are more diffused and don´t have such a direct repercussion into the citizens and daily life. For this reasons, there are not as many assessment methods for civil engineering works as there are for buildings, or even any literature regarding this field. Therefore it may implies a technical and promotional handicap to promote a higher use of precast concrete elements in a sort of constructions governed by engineers that usually appreciate better their performance advantages. This article pretends to describe the strengths that precast concrete construction will have into the upcoming standards for civil engineering works, in order to enhance their possibilities to reach a greater market share. Sustainable indicators on current draft standards will be assessed.

Reference:

López-Vidal, A.; Yepes, V. (2015). Towards sustainable civil engineering works using precast concrete solutions. Concrete Plant International, 5: 18-24. (link)

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Cost and CO2 emission optimization of precast-prestressed concrete U-beam road bridges by a hybrid glowworm swarm algorithm

Esta es la versión post-print de autor. La publicación se encuentra en: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2014.10.013, siendo el Copyright de Elsevier.

El artículo debe ser citado de la siguiente forma:

Yepes, V.; Martí, JV.; García-Segura, T. (2015). Cost and CO2 emission optimization of precast prestressed concrete U-beam road bridges by a hybrid glowworm swarm algorithm. Automation in Construction. 49:123-134. doi:10.1016/j.autcon.2014.10.013.

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