https://hdl.handle.net/10481/19659 2026-04-20T05:48:11Z 2026-04-20T05:48:11Z Wołukanis, Karolina Moreno Navarro, Fernando Manuel Gámiz Pérez, Francisco Jesús Rubio Gámez, María Del Carmen https://hdl.handle.net/10481/112689 2026-04-08T10:30:00Z

Design and laboratory evaluation of a low-cost, portable sensor-based system for pavement condition monitoring Wołukanis, Karolina; Moreno Navarro, Fernando Manuel; Gámiz Pérez, Francisco Jesús; Rubio Gámez, María Del Carmen Effective pavement condition monitoring is essential for road safety, maintenance planning, and sustainability. However, traditional monitoring systems are costly and complex, limiting their widespread deployment by road authorities. High cost and complexity encouraged the development of more affordable monitoring tools. Most of these existing low-cost monitoring systems rely on single-sensor configurations or simplified data processing methods, which limit their robustness and adaptability under real-world conditions. This study addresses this gap by developing a novel, low-cost, portable monitoring device for monitoring surface characteristics. This solution integrates multiple sensors (laser distance, accelerometer and temperature-humidity) into a single system supported by Internet of Things connectivity, with a total component cost under €100. The system addresses key barriers to adoption by offering an affordable and scalable solution suitable for municipalities, road maintenance contractors, infrastructure agencies, and smart city planners. Validation under laboratory controlled conditions using a Wheel Track machine demonstrates the device’s ability to reliably detect surface irregularities, measure environmental effects, and assess changes in surface texture and geometry under controlled conditions. The impact of environmental humidity on sensor performance was also quantified. These results confirm the system’s technical feasibility and measurement reliability. Given its affordability and modular design, the tool holds significant promise for enabling more frequent, data-driven road maintenance, ultimately reducing long-term infrastructure costs.

García Ruiz, Andrés Marcelo Leal, Gerardo Bermúdez, María Carpio Martínez, Manuel Verichev, Konstantin https://hdl.handle.net/10481/112595 2026-04-06T09:23:56Z

Assessing the effects of sea level rise on coastal wetlands and urban infrastructure using the SLAMM model: A case study in the Valdivia River, Chile García Ruiz, Andrés Marcelo; Leal, Gerardo; Bermúdez, María; Carpio Martínez, Manuel; Verichev, Konstantin Climate change poses a critical threat to coastal wetlands and urban infrastructure, especially in the Valdivia River basin in Chile. This study uses the Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) to project changes in land use and areas prone to flooding due to sea level rise. The results indicate that a loss of approximately 15 km2 of irregularly flooded wetlands is expected, which will be transformed into regularly flooded wetlands. This will increase flood risk to adjacent communities, with 12.06% of stormwater discharge points located in flood-prone areas by 2030, increasing to 15.51% by 2050 and 18.97% by 2100. In addition, it is estimated that 64% of existing discharge points will be obstructed by wetland expansion, underscoring the need for integrated water management and a proactive approach to urban planning. The economic repercussions include increased costs for flood mitigation and infrastructure repairs, while social impacts may manifest as heightened vulnerability for local populations, particularly those in low-income areas. The study underscores the need for significant investment in adaptive measures to protect both the environment and community well-being. This research not only enhances understanding of climate change impacts on coastal ecosystems but also provides essential tools for decision-making in managing urban infrastructure amidst future risk scenarios.

García Travé, Gema María Tauste Martínez, Raúl Moreno Navarro, Fernando Manuel Rubio Gámez, María Del Carmen https://hdl.handle.net/10481/111518 2026-02-25T13:49:00Z

Analysis of the Viability of Manufacturing MASAI Mixtures at Ambient Temperature García Travé, Gema María; Tauste Martínez, Raúl; Moreno Navarro, Fernando Manuel; Rubio Gámez, María Del Carmen The main goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of designing high-performance MASAI mixtures produced at ambient temperature. For this purpose, the impacts of certain variables, such as the type and amount of asphalt emulsion and the use or non-use of RAP, on its performance are evaluated. Subsequently, its stiffness modulus, tensile strength, permanent deformation, and resistance to thermal cracking were evaluated and compared against a conventional dense-graded asphalt concrete (AC 16) and an open graded (BBTM11B) hot-mix asphalt used for wearing courses. The results showed that these materials could represent more sustainable and good solutions for the rehabilitation of some types of pavements.

Ávila, Fernando Puertas, Esther Blanca-Hoyos, Álvaro Ordóñez García, Bonifacio Javier https://hdl.handle.net/10481/110222 2026-01-26T08:37:24Z

Experimental Evaluation of Waste PET Bottles as a Sustainable Building Material Ávila, Fernando; Puertas, Esther; Blanca-Hoyos, Álvaro; Ordóñez García, Bonifacio Javier Sustainable development and the preservation of the natural environment are two concepts that are becoming increasingly important in the construction sector, leading to a growing interest in the development of ecofriendly building solutions. In this regard, the use of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles as a construction material is an interesting alternative that can help to reduce the environmental impact of the building activity at little or no cost, while providing a second life to a material that is one of the main sources of pollution. The present study analyses the mechanical behavior of PET bottles for their use as construction materials, carrying compression tests to assess the elastic properties of PET bottles filled with sand or plastic waste, both alone and embedded in a concrete matrix. In asecond part of the study, a finite-element method model of an existing water tank built with PET bottles in Tanzania is developed and tested. The results obtained show the suitability of the composite bottle-and-concrete samples as a sustainable construction technique.

Parrado, Cristobal Fontalvo, Armando Ordóñez García, Bonifacio Javier Girard, Aymeric https://hdl.handle.net/10481/110030 2026-01-21T10:51:24Z

Optimizing dispatch strategies for CSP plants: A Monte Carlo simulation approach to maximize annual revenue in Chile's renewable energy sector Parrado, Cristobal; Fontalvo, Armando; Ordóñez García, Bonifacio Javier; Girard, Aymeric As Chile solidifies its position as a global leader in renewable energy, the intermittent and variable nature of solar and wind increasingly challenges grid stability. Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) with Thermal Energy Storage (TES) provides dispatchable, high-value electricity that can mitigate curtailment and enhance grid reliability. This study uses a Monte Carlo framework to evaluate 1,000,000 potential dispatch strategies for a 100 MW CSP facility in the Atacama, leveraging historical marginal cost data from the Cardones line (May 2023–April 2024). The best dispatch strategy achieves $60,103,253 in annual revenue, surpassing most scenarios. Specifically, the capacity factor rises 94.11% above average, while revenue increases 106.8%. Stable output under varying solar conditions underscores CSP’s ability to sustain steady generation, support higher renewable penetration, and strengthen the energy supply. Granting CSP plants greater autonomy in dispatch decisions can enhance profitability and grid resilience. By leveraging data-driven optimization, CSP technology could play a pivotal role in meeting Chile’s ambitious renewable goals, reducing curtailment, and bolstering overall system efficiency.