Polytechnic University of Catalonia

About: Polytechnic University of Catalonia is a education organization based out in Barcelona, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Finite element method & Population. The organization has 16006 authors who have published 45325 publications receiving 949306 citations. The organization is also known as: UPC - BarcelonaTECH & Technical University of Catalonia.

Recycled aggregate concrete as structural material

Abstract: The use of recycled aggregates in concrete opens a whole new range of possibilities in the reuse of materials in the building industry. The utilisation of recycled aggregates is a good solution to the problem of an excess of waste material, provided that the desired final product quality is reached. The studies on the use of recycled aggregates have been going on for 50 years. In fact, none of the results showed that recycled aggregates are unsuitable for structural use. However, some hypothetical problems related to durability aspects resulted in recycled aggregates being employed practically only as base filler for road construction. This paper focuses on the possibility of the use of recycled aggregate concrete as a structural material. For that purpose an experimental study of the shear behaviour and strength of beams made with recycled aggregate concrete was studied. Twelve beam specimens with the same compression strength, four concrete mixtures using different percentages of recycled coarse aggregates (0%, 25%, 50% and 100%) and three different transverse reinforcement arrangements were cast and tested up to failure. Analytical predictions of the experimental results were carried out using a numerical model based on the modified compression field theory and simplified models such as those proposed by Cladera & Mari, the Canadian standard CSA and the Eurocode-2. The results obtained indicate that a substitution of less than 25% of coarse aggregate, scarcely affects the shear capacity of RC beams, provided that all measures related to dosage and durability aspects have been adopted.

Fractal multiband antenna based on the Sierpinski gasket

Abstract: Experimental and computed results show a multiband behaviour over five bands for the new fractal Sierpinski antenna. Such a behaviour is based on the self-similarity properties of the antenna's fractal shape, which might open an alternative way for designing new multiband and frequency independent antennas.

Tracking of Airborne Radionuclides from the Damaged Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Reactors by European Networks

Abstract: Radioactive emissions into the atmosphere from the damaged reactors of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant (NPP) started on March 12th, 2011. Among the various radionuclides released, iodine-131 ((131)I) and cesium isotopes ((137)Cs and (134)Cs) were transported across the Pacific toward the North American continent and reached Europe despite dispersion and washout along the route of the contaminated air masses. In Europe, the first signs of the releases were detected 7 days later while the first peak of activity level was observed between March 28th and March 30th. Time variations over a 20-day period and spatial variations across more than 150 sampling locations in Europe made it possible to characterize the contaminated air masses. After the Chernobyl accident, only a few measurements of the gaseous (131)I fraction were conducted compared to the number of measurements for the particulate fraction. Several studies had already pointed out the importance of the gaseous (131)I and the large underestimation of the total (131)I airborne activity level, and subsequent calculations of inhalation dose, if neglected. The measurements made across Europe following the releases from the Fukushima NPP reactors have provided a significant amount of new data on the ratio of the gaseous (131)I fraction to total (131)I, both on a spatial scale and its temporal variation. It can be pointed out that during the Fukushima event, the (134)Cs to (137)Cs ratio proved to be different from that observed after the Chernobyl accident. The data set provided in this paper is the most comprehensive survey of the main relevant airborne radionuclides from the Fukushima reactors, measured across Europe. A rough estimate of the total (131)I inventory that has passed over Europe during this period was <1% of the released amount. According to the measurements, airborne activity levels remain of no concern for public health in Europe.