Open Access
Evaluation of the potential of natural mining by-products as constituents of stabilized rammed earth building materials
(MDPI, 2025-05-06) Martín Antunes, Miguel Ángel; Perlot, Céline; Villanueva Roldán, Pedro; Abdallah, Rafik; Seco Meneses, Andrés; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
In this investigation, different natural by-products were used to modify the Particle Size Distribution (PSD) of a soil to evaluate their potential in Stabilized Rammed Earth (SRE) building. Three different mixes were manufactured: (i) a mix composed entirely of a clayey soil, (ii) a mix consisting of mining by-products and clayey soil and (iii) a mix entirely based on mining by-products. Unstabilized and stabilized samples of the mixes were manufactured using two cement dosages (2.5% and 5%), and the samples were tested for Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), soaked UCS, and wetting and drying tests. Mining by-products demonstrated significant potential in SRE building, as their addition to the clayey soil resulted in higher UCS values compared to the UCS obtained from clayey soil alone. Unstabilized samples lost their integrity during exposure to water. The inclusion of mining by-products also showed potential as, although the mixes did not fully meet the requirements for soaked UCS and the wetting and drying tests, the mix containing both mining by-products and clayey soil retained its integrity in water, unlike the samples composed solely of clayey soil. M3C5 successfully met the requirements for soaked UCS and the wetting and drying tests, further highlighting the great potential of mining by-products in SRE building.
Open Access
Automatic trajectory determination in automated robotic welding considering weld joint symmetry
(MDPI, 2023) Curiel Braco, David; Veiga Suárez, Fernando; Suárez, Alfredo; Villanueva Roldán, Pedro; Aldalur, Eider; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
The field of inspection for welded structures is currently in a state of rapid transformation driven by a convergence of global technological, regulatory, and economic factors. This evolution is propelled by several key drivers, including the introduction of novel materials and welding processes, continuous advancements in inspection technologies, innovative approaches to weld acceptance code philosophy and certification procedures, growing demands for cost-effectiveness and production quality, and the imperative to extend the lifespan of aging structures. Foremost among the challenges faced by producers today is the imperative to meet customer demands, which entails addressing both their explicit and implicit needs. Furthermore, the integration of emerging materials and technologies necessitates the exploration of fresh solutions. These solutions aim to enhance inspection process efficiency while providing precise quantitative insights into defect identification and location. To this end, our project proposes cutting-edge technologies, some of which have yet to gain approval within the sector. Noteworthy among these innovations is the integration of vision systems into welding robots, among other solutions. This paper introduces a groundbreaking algorithm for tool path selection, leveraging profile scanning and the concept of joint symmetry. The application of symmetry principles for trajectory determination represents a pioneering approach within this expansive field.
Open Access
Monitoring of blind rivets installations: contributions from the manufacturing chain and time-series imaging
(Elsevier, 2025-10-01) Penalva Oscoz, Mariluz; Gil del Val, Alain; Martín, Ander; Villanueva Roldán, Pedro; Uralde Jiménez, Virginia; Veiga Suárez, Fernando; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Fastening is a crucial operation in the aircraft manufacturing cycle, and the demand for automated solutions has grown in recent years. Blind rivets are particularly suitable for automation due to their ease of use. However, fastening with blind rivets requires indirect evaluation of the formed head for in-line quality monitoring. This study presents two approaches to address this problem. Firstly, an analysis of the drilling-riveting chain assesses the impact of the previous operation on riveting outcomes. Secondly, time-dependent signals from the riveting process are coded into images and analysed using deep learning techniques. Despite some limitations, both methods for monitoring blind riveting have demonstrated high precision and accuracy values above 0.9, with 1 indicating perfect precision or accuracy, suggesting that they can reliably predict the quality of rivet installations.
Open Access
Pugh's total design: the design of an electromagnetic servo brake with ABS function - a case study
(SAGE, 2016) Villanueva Roldán, Pedro; Lostado Lorza, Rubén; Corral Bobadilla, Marina; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
Open Access
Residual stresses with time-independent cyclic plasticity in finite element analysis of welded joints
(MDPI, 2017) Lostado Lorza, Rubén; Corral Bobadilla, Marina; Martínez Calvo, María Ángeles; Villanueva Roldán, Pedro; Proyectos e Ingeniería Rural; Landa Ingeniaritza eta Proiektuak
Due to the intense concentration of heat in a reduced area when Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) is used to join mechanical components, the regions near the weld bead are subjected to severe thermal cycles. Firstly, the region close to the weld bead that is heated tends to be in compression and, when it cools, tends to be in tension. According to Pilipenko, the material is exposed to elastic compression and, then, reaching the yield limit, undergoes plastic deformation with the appearance of residual stresses followed by elastic-plastic unloading. This could be considered as a strain-stress cycle. This paper applies plastic-strain-range memorization based on time-independent cyclic plasticity theory for butt joints with single V-groove Finite Element (FE) models that were manufactured by GMAW. The theory combines both the isotropic hardening and the nonlinear kinematic hardening rule (Chaboche model) to reproduce the behavior of cyclic plasticity and thus to obtain the residual stresses in welded joint FE models. As a practical example, the proposed theory is validated by three welded joint specimens that were manufactured with different input parameters of speed, voltage, and current. An agreement between the residual stresses obtained by the FE model proposed and those obtained experimentally by the hole drilling method at different depths demonstrates that the proposed theory could be valid for modelling the residual stresses in welded joints when cyclic plasticity is considered over the range of speed, voltage, and current studied.
Open Access
Design and optimization of an electromagnetic servo braking system combining finite element analysis and weight-based multi-objective genetic algorithms
(Springer, 2016) Lostado Lorza, Rubén; Villanueva Roldán, Pedro; Fernández Martínez, Roberto; Mac Donald, Bryan J.; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
Open Access
Weld joint reconstruction and classification algorithm for trajectory generation in robotic welding
(Trans Tech Publications, 2023) Curiel Braco, David; Veiga Suárez, Fernando; Suárez, Alfredo; Villanueva Roldán, Pedro; Aldalur, Eider; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
Open Access
Design of an electromagnetic servo brake with ABS function
(Trans Tech Publications, 2015) Lostado Lorza, Rubén; Somovilla Gómez, Fatima; Corral Bobadilla, Marina; Villanueva Roldán, Pedro; Fernández Martínez, Roberto; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
Open Access
The integration of mechanical energy absorbers into rollover protective structures to improve the safety of agricultural tractors in the event of rollover
(MDPI, 2024) Alfaro López, José Ramón; Pérez Ezcurdia, Amaya; Latorre Biel, Juan Ignacio; Arana Navarro, Ignacio; Benito Amurrio, Marta; Villanueva Roldán, Pedro; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa, PJUPNA1912
The combination of safety belts and rollover protective structures (ROPSs) is key in improving the safety of agricultural tractors in the event of rollover. However, we also have the opportunity to enhance the security provided by each ROPS; one such example is the combination of this safety device with adequate mechanical energy absorbers (MEAs). Inexpensive disc-shaped MEAs can be included in the anchoring points of a ROPS onto the chassis of a tractor. Three configurations of ROPS combined with MEAs were tested during the application of loads that simulated the effects of side rollover in the vehicle. The tested configurations included a blank MEA as a reference case alongside a single MEA and a stack assembly containing both elements. The results of the tests show that both the deformation of the ROPS itself and the strain energy are larger in the case of blank MEAs; thus, there is also a risk that the clearance zone will be infringed upon and that the protective structure will collapse. We can conclude that the implementation of an appropriate MEA in ROPS reduces the deformation of the ROPS itself and its strain energy in cases of vehicle rollover; hence, the safety provided by such protection systems may be improved at a low cost.
Open Access
Recovered foam impact absorption systems
(MDPI, 2024-10-19) Marcelino Sádaba, Sara; Benito Hernández, Pablo; Martín Antunes, Miguel Ángel; Villanueva Roldán, Pedro; Veiga Suárez, Fernando; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
The use of foam materials in environments where they come into contact with individuals often results in deterioration, necessitating periodic replacements to maintain safety and hygiene standards. Foam, a lightweight, porous plastic formed by aggregated bubbles, possesses excellent impact-absorbing properties; however, its inherent porosity and susceptibility to wear present challenges. This project aims to develop a technological application for repurposing spent polyurethane (PU) foam from leisure facilities into effective impact absorption systems. By focusing on the reuse of deteriorated foam materials, this initiative seeks to minimize environmental impact while leveraging their beneficial technical characteristics. Addressing issues related to foam degradation, this project endeavors to create sustainable solutions by reintegrating spent foam into new systems. This innovative approach promotes sustainability while enhancing safety through the provision of high-quality, impact-resistant elements. Ultimately, this work aims to contribute to environmental conservation and the advancement of effective impact protection measures in leisure facilities.