Abstract

The circulation of newspapers that have both a “paper version” and a “free digital” version is analysed to determine whether there is a relationship between the two kinds of circulation. If there is an existing relationship we want to know how it works, what the overall effects are, and if these effects create some form of “cannibalization”. We studied the leading “free digital” publications in Spain for general information (El mundo), sports (Marca), and economics (Expansión). Sources for extracting data are Introl, OJD and OJD Interactiva. Data analysis was based on a descriptive statistics methodology and monthly series over 10 years, starting in June 1998, the first available date for electronic editions of these three newspapapers. The last month analysed is December 2008 because OJD Interactiva modified its measurement methods in January 2009 and this change could have affected the study results.

Abstract

Installing utility pipelines generates a significant amount of trench arisings, which are usually transported to landfills instead of being reused as backfill material. This practice generates CO2 emissions and wastes raw materials. This paper presents a more sustainable solution, an eco-trench, which is based on re-using trench arisings as backfill and adding a top layer of expansive concrete to improve the eco-trench’s structural performance. The technical feasibility of the eco-trench was evaluated through a finite element model, which identified the degree of expansion in concrete required to avoid failure or subside the stresses caused by traffic. The potential expansion of concrete was measured under confined conditions in the laboratory by means of a novel test developed for this purpose. The results showed that adding calcium oxide generates the required internal stress. The results were then confirmed in a pilot experience. Las zanjas para instalaciones de servicios generan un elevado volumen de materiales de excavación que son transportados a vertederos en lugar de ser reaprovechados como relleno. Esto conlleva un mayor consumo de materias primas y emisiones de CO2 asociadas al transporte. Este estudio presenta una solución más sostenible, denominada ecozanja, basada en la reutilización de los materiales de excavación como relleno de la zanja con una capa superficial de hormigón expansivo. Su aplicabilidad se evalúa mediante un modelo de elementos finitos que permite determinar el grado de expansión necesario en el hormigón para garantizar la resistencia de las tensiones debidas al tráfico de vehículos sobre la zanja. La expansividad del hormigón se evaluó mediante un ensayo desarrollado específicamente para tal objetivo. Los resultados indican que la adición de óxido de calcio genera las tensiones internas necesarias. Asimismo, la propuesta se validó mediante una experiencia piloto en obra. Document type: Article

Abstract

Procedural generation of urban environments is a very difficult problem to solve. Most solutions use predefined production rules which lock them into only few different variations of the result. This works well when producing new urban environments but fails when it comes to the expansion of them. Most cities are too complex to model using an approach which utilises predefined rules. By using an example based approach instead, it is possible to expand any city and still have the new street network follow the layout of the original city, regardless of complexity. This paper describes a method of extracting the necessary information from the GIS database OpenStreetMap and expanding the cities using an example based approach presented by Aliaga et al. The paper will also show how blocks, parcels and buildings can be generated to fit within the urban environment.