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En la Escuela Técnica Superior de Edificación de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, el profesorado ha detectado varios problemas que están relacionados con el aprendizaje del alumnado, entre otros nos encontramos con, el abandono de los estudios, el alto absentismo y la elevada compartimentación de los conocimientos. En muchas ocasiones los conocimientos adquiridos por los estudiantes en una asignatura concreta, no se aplican más allá de dicha asignatura o semestre. Con el fin de dar solución a los problemas anteriormente mencionados, varios docentes de distintas disciplinas han preparado cooperativamente varias asignaturas mediante el modelo de enseñanza de Aula Invertida. Tras aplicar la metodología de aula invertida propuesta en este trabajo y realizar encuestas al alumnado, se ha observado que en general los estudiantes están contentos con la técnica empleada. En concreto, del total de los encuestados se obtuvieron los siguientes porcentajes: el 3,5% muy en desacuerdo; el 8% en desacuerdo; el 21,5% no sabe; el 48% de acuerdo y el 19% muy de acuerdo. Por otro lado, a pesar de que el alumnado encuestado acepta la metodología empleada existe un 31% de estudiantes que no se muestra favorable a que sea ampliada a otras asignaturas. El trabajo realizado se enclava dentro del proyecto de innovación educativa “Conocimiento Transversal a través de Aula Invertida” realizado por varios integrantes del Grupo de Innovación Educativa UPM “Actitud Constructiva”.AbstractIn the School of Building Engineering of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), lectures have identified several problems that are related to student learning. Among others we can highlight the abandonment of studies, the high absenteeism, and the high compartmentalization of knowledge. There are many situations in which the knowledge acquired by students in a specific subject is only applied to pass the subject and it is forgotten at the end of the semester. In order to solve the issues, a group of lectures from different disciplines have cooperatively prepared some subjects through the Flipped Classroom model. After applying the flipped classroom methodology proposed in this work and conducting student surveys, it has been observed that in general the students are happy with the method used. Specifically, the following percentages were obtained from the total of the respondents: 3.5% strongly disagree; 8% disagree; 21.5% do not know; 48% agree and 19% strongly agree. On the other hand, even though the surveyed students accept the methodology used, there are 31% of students who are not in favor of it being extended to other subjects. The work included in this paper were developed by several members of the “Actitud Constructiva” UPM Innovative Education Group. The work has been supported by the “Transversal Knowledge through flipped classroom” educational innovation.

With the growing environmental awareness occurring worldwide, many industries, such as the construction sector, are setting their own measures to reduce their environmental impact. In addition, governments are forced to reduce emission and waste. For this reason, in the building sector, many efforts are being made to reduce the consumption of natural resources and energy in buildings and the materials manufacturers are introducing sustainable initiatives to achieve these objectives. In this sense, the current trend of the construction sector towards environmental impact reduction and protection involves the design and the manufacture of more sustainable and regenerative construction materials. In this context, many research works have been carried out on the mechanical characterization of new composites, specifically gypsum, aiming to improve the environmental performance of traditional materials used in building construction. Accordingly, it is essential to review previous works to understand the mechanical performance of these new gypsums so that they can be applied in building construction. This paper gives an overview of the mechanical characterization of gypsums containing waste and explores the effect of adding different waste categories in different percentages. Previous experimental studies on the mechanical characterization of recycled gypsum composites are presented as well as further suggestions for future works.

This article analyzes the effect of fire on plasterboards with aggregates of plastic cable waste, considering the plaster coating as a strategy to reduce the flammability of the added polymers. A real test was performed, using a direct fire set in a Madrid fire station, and a theoretical estimate of the composition of the gas emissions, focused in CO 2 and CO, during a fire in a type room is presented. The results reflect that there is no clear trend between the evolution of temperatures over time and the amount of plastic waste added to the plaster matrix in the different specimens, but a different behavior is obtained depending on the surroundings where they are located. Temperatures of 600 °C are reached between 5 and 10 min after the start of the fire if they are located in a place with heat containment, and they do not reach 400 °C in the same period of time in a place with less heat containment. It was also observed that gypsum can be considered a passive protection of polymers, as it retards the effect of the flame on them. Concerning the gases released, the theoretical calculations, based on the elemental and thermogravimetric analysis of the plastic cable waste, reveal that the amount of carbon dioxide generated in a fire would not pose a risk to people's health whereas the values obtained for the carbon monoxide exceed the limited considered dangerous to health for a period greater than 15 min. Using plastic cable waste as secondary raw material reduces the number of incinerations to be carried out in landfills with this type of waste, thereby decreasing the potential emission of contaminants into the atmosphere and contributing to the sustainability of our planet.

The objective of this study was to analyze the physico-mechanical properties of gypsum boards including plastic waste aggregates from cable recycling. The plastic cable waste is incor-porated into the gypsum matrix without going through any type of selection and/or treatment, as it is obtained after the cable recycling process. In the experimental process, gypsum boards of different dimensions were manufactured and tested for their Young’s modulus, shock-impact resistance, flexural strength, thermal conductivity, and thermal comfort. The results obtained show a significant increase in the elasticity of the boards with plastic waste (limited cracking), compliance with the minimum value of flexural strength, and a slight improvement in the thermal conductivity coefficient (lower energy demand) and surface comfort (reduced condensation and greater adher-ence). Therefore, the analyzed material could provide a suitable alternative to currently marketed gypsum boards, contributing to sustainable construction not only in new constructions, but also in building renovations. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Nowadays, nobody can deny that climate change is a reality and that the life cycle of buildings contributes greatly to that reality. Therefore, proposals such as the circular economy must be integrated into the construction sector. This article shows part of the results of a research project whose objective is to introduce circular economy criteria in building materials, seeking new uses for construction and demolition waste from buildings. In particular, this article analyses the possibility of replacing fibres currently used to reinforce cement mortars with recycled fibres. After consulting the bibliography, we can conclude that some studies analyse the behaviour of cement mortars reinforced with different types of fibres, but none has been found that analyses the behaviour of these mortars for the application of continuous coatings. For this purpose, a two-stage experimental plan is designed to test cement mortar samples with different types of fibres, recycled fibres and commercial fibres, taking into consideration the characteristics that these mortars have to comply to be applied as continuous coatings. Moreover, a detailed study about the porosity of these mortars and its influence on how the mortars behave with regard to compression, water vapour permeability and impermeability has been conducted. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the mortars containing recycled fibres have very similar resistance, absorption and permeability values to those containing commercial fibres, so that they might be suitable for application as external coatings.

ResumenEn este artículo se describe la estrategia seguida para generar e impulsar procesos de aprendizaje, participación e indagación en el ámbito de las Instalaciones. Se aplica a las asignaturas de Instalaciones I y II del Grado de Edificación impartido en la Escuela Técnica Superior de Edificación de Madrid, con el fin de contribuir a la mejora del aprendizaje en niveles superiores de educación.La investigación desarrolla la creación y el estudio del método a seguir, con el análisis de cada una de las partes que lo forman. Este método se basa en un Aprendizaje por Descubrimiento Significativo realizado en cuatro fases: el Descubrimiento, la Investigación, la Visualización y la Ejecución.Se dan a conocer posteriormente los resultados obtenidos hasta la fecha con la metodología desarrollada para, de esta manera, poder desvelar el desarrollo interno de la propia estrategia dando cuenta de los resultados derivados de ella.AbstractThis article describes the strategy followed to generate and promote processes of learning, participation and inquiry in the field of Facilities. It is applied to the subjects of Installations I and II of the Degree of School of Building Engineering imparted in the Superior Technical School of Building of Madrid, in order to contribute to the improvement of learning in higher levels of education.The research develops the creation and study of the method to be followed, with the analysis of each of the parts that form it. This method is based on a Significant Discovery Learning realized in four phases: the Discovery, the Investigation, the Visualization and the Execution.The results obtained to date with the methodology developed to reveal the internal development of the strategy itself, giving an account of the results derived from it, are presented later.

The aim of this article is to analyse the water-resistant properties of gypsum compounds with plastic cable waste added in order to determine the suitability of their use as an alternative to combat moisture problems in buildings. In the experimental process, test samples were made and subjected to capillary water absorption, water vapour permeability, wet chamber, water-stove cycle and total water absorption tests, and their porosimetry was also studied using the mercury porosimetry test. The results showed a significant decrease in water absorption and retention capacity. This is due in part to the reduced pore volume of the compounds that is achieved without affecting the hygrothermal properties of the gypsum products and keeping their mechanical properties above the minimum values indicated in the regulations. Thus, the material studied is a good alternative to the gypsums currently available on the market to be applied in the areas of buildings most exposed to water and it contributes to reduce environmental impacts. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The objective of this research is to analyse the fire resistance of cement mortars with mineral wool from construction and demolition waste (CDW) recycling. The recycled mortars are therefore exposed to direct fire reaching a maximum temperature of 700 °C, and an experimental plan is designed to analyse thermo-mechanical behaviour before and after the testing of the mortars with different types of recycled fibres. The results show that the surface hardness of all mortars is practically unchanged after the fire, whereas the incorporation of fibre residues produce a significant improvement in the flexural strength after fire test compared with the reference mortar. The compressive strength values of all mortars decrease after the fire although they remain at optimum values for use according to regulatory requirements. The values of thermal conductivity are lower or remain unchanged after the fire test. Results show that the addition of these recycled fibres can be a sustainable alternative to the commercial ones currently being used, improving mechanical-thermal behaviour after the fire and preventing the explosive behaviour of the mortars. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

This research analyzes the durability of mineral wool waste from insulation materials used in the construction industry as reinforcement elements in cements matrices . In order to do this, an experimental plan was drawn up, detailing the production of cement mortar samples containing different types of fibers from insulation waste, on which freeze-thaw, salt crystallization , water vapor permeability, occluded air content and workability period tests were performed, in order to assess their use as raw materials. The test results show that the properties of these new mortars, containing insulation waste, remain optimal over time making them a sustainable alternative for use in outdoor settings.

This research analyses the viability of the valuation of mineral wool waste from construction and demolition waste (CDW) as reinforcement of cement matrices. The objective is to analyse the mechanical behaviour of a material composed of a cement mortar matrix to which the aforementioned waste is incorporated. For this purpose, an experimental plan is made in which cement mortar specimens are made with different % of different types of waste, on which Shore D surface hardness, Module of Young, fracture energy, flexural and compressive strength and microscopy tests are carried out, to evaluate their viability as a reinforcement material. The results of the tests show that although the mechanical resistance decreases there is a good connection between the cementitious matrix and the waste resulting in a sustainable alternative to the fibres used today. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

La toma de conciencia ambiental está generando un nuevo concepto de organización social pues se está modificando desde la forma de vivir y consumir, hasta el modo de desplazarse de un sitio a otro. Es en esta nueva forma de pensar de la sociedad donde tiene cabida la construcción sostenible que, de algún modo, tiene como finalidad el minimizar todos los posibles impactos ambientales causados por la industria de la construcción. Una forma de conseguirlo es a través del estudio y desarrollo de materiales y técnicas que permitan una disminución del uso de recursos naturales, la reducción de generación de residuos y/o su reutilización y la minoración de emisiones de CO2. La reutilización, el reciclaje o la valoración de los residuos, por tanto, desempeñan un papel primordial que pasa por un cambio de actitud en el modelo de economía lineal predominante y real hacia un modelo de economía circular. La economía circular levanta los cimientos de un nuevo paradigma de diseño inteligente basado en el cierre del ciclo de vida de los productos, como ocurre en la naturaleza. Para las empresas de materiales de construcción, la incorporación de residuos en los llamados "materiales tradicionales" es una alternativa que debe aprovecharse, en línea con el objetivo establecido en la actual Directiva Marco de Residuos 2008/98/CE. En este sentido, se realiza esta Tesis Doctoral con el objetivo de contribuir al desarrollo sostenible mediante el diseño de un nuevo material más eficiente. Se trata de un compuesto de matriz de yeso/escayola al que se añaden cargas de residuos plásticos procedentes del reciclaje de cables que, de otra manera, serían enviados a vertedero o incinerados. El propósito es obtener un material con propiedades mejoradas con el que reducir la cantidad de materia prima utilizada (piedra de aljez y agua) y reutilizar el residuo plástico tal cual se obtiene de la empresa de reciclaje, logrando, con ello, uno de los propósitos de la mencionada Directiva. Para el diseño del compuesto y previo análisis de otras investigaciones, se ha utilizado una metodología basada en la caracterización de la materia prima y la comprobación de viabilidad y caracterización de las mezclas yeso-residuo plástico planteadas tanto en estado fresco como en estado endurecido. Asimismo, y una vez seleccionado el compuesto óptimo, se ha realizado una propuesta de la aplicación más adecuada y el estudio de su impacto ambiental. Para la constatación de la hipótesis, se ha diseñado y desarrollado un plan experimental basado en cuatro fases en las que se han realizado ensayos para determinar propiedades químicas, físicas, mecánicas, térmicas y de comportamiento ante la acción de agua y de fuego, así como una simulación energética del compuesto incluido en dos sistemas constructivos. Los resultados finales muestran compuestos con densidad y propiedades higrotérmicas similares al compuesto de referencia de yeso que no incorpora residuo, resistencias mecánicas ajustadas a normativa, mucho más elásticos, con mejor adherencia superficial, mayor dureza superficial y una excelente mejora en el comportamiento ante la acción del agua. Además el coeficiente de conductividad térmica obtenido es menor que el de la referencia y presenta un aceptable comportamiento frente a la acción del fuego debido al recubrimiento de yeso. Por otra parte, del análisis de la viabilidad de su fabricación también se deduce que se consigue reducir entre un 25-30% la utilización de los recursos naturales empleados (aljez y agua), así como la reutilización del 100% del residuo plástico siguiendo con ello el criterio de economía circular. ----------ABSTRACT---------- Environmental awareness is generating a new concept of social organization as it is changing the way people live, their consumption habits, and how they travel from one place to another. This new form of social thinking that encompasses sustainable building seeks to minimize all possible environmental impacts caused by the construction industry. One way to achieve this is through the study and development of materials and techniques with a view to decreasing the use of natural resources, minimising CO2 emissions, and reducing or reusing waste. The reuse, recycling or evaluation of waste therefore plays a primary role that implies a change of attitude in the prevailing linear economy model towards a circular economy. The circular economy paves the way for a new paradigm of intelligent design based on closing the circle at the end of a product’s life, as occurs in nature. For construction material companies, the incorporation of waste into socalled "traditional materials" is an alternative that must be used, in line with the objective established in the current Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC. Therefore, the objective of this Doctoral Thesis is to contribute to sustainable development by designing a new more efficient material. It is a gypsum/plaster matrix compound to which plastic waste is added from the recycling of cables that would otherwise be sent to landfills or incinerated. The purpose of this is to obtain a material with improved properties, to reduce the amount of raw material used (gypsum and water) and reuse the plastic waste, as it is obtained from the recycling Company, to fulfil one of the purposes of the aforementioned Directive. After an analysis of prior studies, a methodology was developed based on the characterisation of the raw material as well as the verification of the viability and the characterisation of the gypsum-plastic waste mixtures presented in both their fresh and hardened states. Once the best compound was selected, a proposal was also made for the most appropriate application and the study of its environmental impact. To confirm this theory, an experimental plan based on four phases was designed and developed in which tests were carried out to determine chemical, physical, mechanical, thermal characteristics and the material’s resistance to water and fire. A simulation of energy consumption of the compound included in two construction systems was also carried out. The results show that the compounds have a similar density and hygrothermal properties as the reference gypsum compound that does not incorporate waste. Additionally they have a mechanical resistance that complies with regulations, a much greater elasticity and better surface adhesion, greater surface hardness and higher water resistance. The thermal conductivity coefficient obtained is also lower than that of the reference value and presents sufficient fire resistance due to its gypsum coating. A viability analysis of the manufacturing process also shows that it is possible to reduce the amount of natural resources used by 25-30% (gypsum and water) and to reuse 100% of the plastic waste based on the principle of circular economy.

En el estudio se utilizó un método de flexión de tres puntos para determinar la tenacidad de la fractura de los hormigones con fibras de basalto. Las propiedades de fractura y el comportamiento posterior al agrietamiento del hormigón, se analizaron sobre la base de las curvas de desplazamiento de la abertura de grietas de carga (P-CMOD). Las fibras de basalto cortadas (50 mm de longitud, 0,02 mm de diámetro) se agregaron al hormigón de cemento con un contenido de 2,0; 4,0 y 8,0 kg/m3 . La adición de la fracción volumétrica considerada de fibras de basalto tuvo una influencia significativa en las propiedades de fractura del hormigón, mientras que las fibras tuvieron un ligero efecto en las propiedades de resistencia del hormigón. Las fibras de basalto causaron la mejora de los parámetros de fractura como KIc, CTODc y la energía de fractura total GF. El análisis de los diagramas P-CMOD demostró que el comportamiento de la fractura después de la fractura del haz se mejoró mucho mediante la adición de fibras de basalto. Los resultados de la medición de la dureza y las características de absorción de energía mostraron que las muestras de hormigón reforzado con fibrasmejoran su comportamiento dúctil y su capacidad de absorción de energía, en comparación con las muestras de hormigón ordinario. ----------ABSTRACT---------- A three-point bending method was used in the study to determine the fracture toughness of concretes with basalt fibers. The post-cracking behavior and fracture properties of concrete were analyzed on the basis of load–crack mouth opening displacement (P–CMOD) curves. The chopped basalt fibers (50 mm length; 0.02 mm diameter) were added to cement concrete at the contents of 2,0; 4,0 and 8,0 kg/m3 . The addition of the considered volume fraction of basalt fibers had significant influence on the fracture properties of concrete, while the fibers had slight effect on the strength properties of concrete. The basalt fibers caused the improvement of the fracture parameters as KIc, CTODc and total fracture energy GF. The analysis of P-CMOD diagrams proved that the post-cracking fracture behavior of the beam was greatly improved by the addition of basalt fibers. The results of measuring the toughness and energy-absorption characteristics showed that fiber reinforced concrete specimens acquire a great ductile behavior and energy absorption capacity, compared to ordinary concrete specimens.

This article summarises the first phase of a research project that analyses the feasibility of re-using plastic cable waste (pellets) as a means of reducing the environmental impact of buildings. The aim is to find a use for this plastic waste in construction materials, specifically gypsum matrices, by characterising the physical and chemical properties of the raw material and the physical and mechanical properties of the compounds. The results obtained show that the addition of up to 70% of the weight of the gypsum in aggregate improved some of the properties tested, such as surface hardness and capillary absorption, and significantly reduced the use of gypsum and water. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This research is focused on the use of gamification as a strategy to enhance students' motivation, effort and concentration in the classroom. For this, mobile platforms - allowing online questionnaires-were proposed, as nowadays all students have a cell phone in their pockets. Also, this type of activity was chosen because students are digital natives and the use of platforms in which a dynamic competition is presented in real time makes them actively participative in activities, which generally require an effort. The main objective of this research is to verify the level of satisfaction from students after applying gamification technique in the classroom and explore the motivation, predisposition and the approach of the student to the most tedious subjects. The research was carried out in the Escuela Tecnica Superior de Edificacion of the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid. The methodology was to implement several knowledge tests using Kahoot platform, once the theoretical explanations were completed. This process was done in different groups of students in the same subject. Once the Kahoot's questionnaires were completed, a satisfaction survey was carried out in order to obtain data and make a quantitative evaluation of the experience.

Mineral wool is currently the most used insulation in the European Union, and quantities of this waste have increased alarmingly in the last decade, making it essential to recycle or reuse the material, which is not current practice. This study aims to verify the feasibility of compounds of a cement base with additives of insulating mineral fibre residues recovered from the recycling of construction and demolition waste (CDW). For this purpose, experiments were designed to classify the physical-chemical behaviour of architectural mineral wool waste, and that of mortars incorporating them to determine their porosity due to the effects of these fibres on the properties of the compounds. The results obtained show that both the structure and chemical composition as well as the microstructure of the reinforced mortars are viable, and that they would therefore be a sustainable alternative to the current mortars of composite materials. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.