Open Access
Design of optical fiber Bragg grating-based sensors for flow measurement in pipes
(Taylor & Francis, 2023) Diéguez Elizondo, Pedro; Rodríguez Rodríguez, Armando; Urroz Unzueta, José Carlos; López Rodríguez, José Javier; López-Amo Sáinz, Manuel; Ingeniería; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
In this work, optical Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors were used to measure water flow in pipes. Several types of coatings were incorporated into the design of the sensors to examine their effects on the elastic strain that the fiber underwent as a result of the water flow. ANSYS-CFX V2020 R2 software was used to model the elastic strain encountered by the fiber under various flow rates in order to assess the performance of the FBG sensors. The calculations and experimental data exhibited good convergence, demonstrating the accuracy of the FBG sensors in determining water flow. These calculations and procedures can be extrapolated to any other fluid.
Open Access
Dynamic prediction of effective runoff sediment particle size for improved assessment of erosion mitigation efficiency with vegetative filter strips
(Elsevier, 2023) Reichenberger, Stefan; Sur, Robin; Sittig, Stephan; Multsch, Sebastián; Carmona Cabrero, Álvaro; López Rodríguez, José Javier; Muñoz Carpena, Rafael; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertstitate Publikoa
The most widely implemented mitigation measure to reduce transfer of surface runoff pesticides and other pollutants to surface water bodies are vegetative filter strips (VFS). The most commonly used dynamic model for quantifying the reduction by VFS of surface runoff, eroded sediment, pesticides and other pollutants is VFSMOD, which simulates reduction of total inflow (ΔQ) and of incoming eroded sediment load (ΔE) mechanistically during the rainfall-runoff event. These variables are subsequently used to calculate the reduction of pesticide load by the VFS (ΔP). Since errors in ΔQ and ΔE propagate into ΔP, for strongly-sorbing compounds an accurate prediction of ΔE is crucial for a reliable prediction of ΔP. The most important incoming sediment characteristic for ΔE is the median particle diameter (d50). Current d50 estimation methods are simplistic, yielding fixed d50 based on soil properties and ignoring specific event characteristics and dynamics. We derive an improved dynamic d50 parameterization equation for use in regulatory VFS scenarios based on an extensive dataset of 93 d50 values and 17 candidate explanatory variables compiled from heterogeneous data sources and methods. The dataset was analysed first using machine learning techniques (Random Forest, Gradient Boosting) and Global Sensitivity Analysis (GSA) as a dimension reduction technique and to identify potential interactions between explanatory variables. Using the knowledge gained, a parsimonious multiple regression equation with 6 predictors was developed and thoroughly tested. Since three of the predictors are eventspecific (eroded sediment yield, rainfall intensity and peak runoff rate), predicted d50 vary dynamically across event magnitudes and intensities. Incorporation of the improved d50 parameterization equation in higher-tier pesticide assessment tools with VFSMOD provides more realistic quantitative mitigation in regulatory US-EPA and EU FOCUS pesticide risk assessment frameworks. The equation is also readily applicable to other erosion management problems.
Open Access
Optical fiber sensor for water velocity measurement in rivers and channels
(Nature Research, 2024) Rodríguez Rodríguez, Armando; Diéguez Elizondo, Pedro; Urroz Unzueta, José Carlos; Bravo Acha, Mikel; López Rodríguez, José Javier; López-Amo Sáinz, Manuel; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
In this work, optical fiber Bragg grating sensors were used to measure water velocity and examine how it was distributed in open channels. Several types of coatings were incorporated into the design of the sensors to examine their effects on the strain that the fibers experienced as a result of the water flow. Due to their low elastic coefficient, which reduced the hysteresis, the results indicated that the aluminum- and acrylate-coated fibers had the best performance. ANSYS-CFX V2020 R2 software was used to model the strain encountered by the fibers under various flow rates to assess the performance of the FBG sensors. The calculations and actual data exhibited good convergence, demonstrating the accuracy of the FBG sensors in determining water velocity. The study illustrated the usability of the proposal in both scenarios by contrasting its application in rivers and channels.
Open Access
Aluminum coated fiber optic sensor for enhancing flow rate measurement
(SPIE, 2023) Rodríguez Rodríguez, Armando; Urroz Unzueta, José Carlos; Diéguez Elizondo, Pedro; Bravo Acha, Mikel; López-Amo Sáinz, Manuel; López Rodríguez, José Javier; Ingeniería; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
A water flow and velocity aluminum-coated Fiber Bragg Grating sensor system for open channels was designed, simulated and tested. The sensing head was designed, ruggedized and customized to measure velocities at different depths, in order to calculate the discharge in open channels. This paper shows, for the first time to our knowledge, the simulation of such kind of fiber sensors in open channels.
Open Access
Development of a water flow and velocity optical fiber sensor for field testing
(Optica Publishing Group, 2022) Rodríguez Rodríguez, Armando; Urroz Unzueta, José Carlos; Diéguez Elizondo, Pedro; Bravo Acha, Mikel; López-Amo Sáinz, Manuel; López Rodríguez, José Javier; Ingeniería; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
A water flow and velocity fiber optic sensor system was developed and tested. The sensing head was especially developed and ruggedized to measure velocities at different depths, in order to calculate the discharge in channels.
Open Access
The transformation of a trade fair and exhibition centre into a field hospital for COVID-19 patients via multi-utility tunnels
(Elsevier, 2021) Valdenebro García, José Vicente; Gimena Ramos, Faustino; López Rodríguez, José Javier; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
This article exposes, through the case study of the IFEMA trade fair and exhibition centre in Madrid (Spain), the benefits of using a multi-utility tunnels (MUTs) system as a smart and sustainable solution for the distribution of utility networks in buildings, or in complexes made up of several buildings, to enable their quick and continuous adaptation. The saturation of the health system in the capital of Spain, motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic, forced the authorities in Madrid to improvise an emergency centre in this building. The multi-utility tunnels system was the key enabling element to deploy the necessary networks, including those for medical gases, to convert several exhibition halls into a field hospital with a maximum capacity of 5000 conventional beds and another 500 Intensive Care Unit beds, in just 100 h.
Open Access
Assessment of the flood mitigation ecosystem service in a coastal wetland and potential impact of future urban development in Chile
(Elsevier, 2022) Rojas, Octavio; Soto, Evelyn; Rojas, Carolina; López Rodríguez, José Javier; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
A worldwide increase in flooding due to climate change and population growth in exposed areas is expected, especially in coastal areas; therefore, nature-based solutions (NBS) for risk reduction are necessary to increase the resilience of cities, particularly in developing countries, which usually lack large budgets for structural measures but have natural areas such as wetlands that can be used as NBS. The flood mitigation ecosystem service of a coastal wetland in central Chile was analyzed. Using hydrological and topo-bathymetric data, two flood hazard scenarios were modeled: (i) S1 current and (ii) S2 projected, which was established based on land-use planning instruments and urban projects developed since 1954. Flood hazard maps for different return periods were obtained and indicators related to the mitigation potential of the wetland were calculated. It was proven that urban project development has intensified since 2000, mainly in the form of real estate development, with an increase in occupation of 50%, and the wetland area is projected to be further reduced by around one third, decreasing potential flood mitigation. Thus, for an extreme return period, in this case 500 years, the water volume stored by the wetland would decrease by more than 38% and the flooded area of the wetland by 30%, increasing flooding and vulnerability of the urban area, with various repercussions for surrounding neighborhoods and infrastructure. The number of people and homes affected would increase by around 6% and 8%, respectively, such that the affected land value would reach an additional US$55 million, which would be very detrimental in a city that has seen its natural spaces encroached upon by gray infrastructure. This research reaffirms the need to support the restoration and conservation of coastal wetlands under pressure from urban development in an area with a lack of green infrastructure planning.
Open Access
Dynamic testing in columns for soil heavy metal removal for a car park SUDS
(Elsevier, 2020) López Rodríguez, José Javier; Echeverría Morrás, Jesús; San Martín González, Iban; Delgado Zabala, Oihane; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2; Universidad Pública de Navarra/Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
The increase in urban runoff brought about by a rise in impermeable surfaces has triggered the alteration and pollution of many aquatic systems. The overall goal of this research was to design a ‘Sustainable Urban Drainage System’ (SUDS) for the retention of heavy metals from a car park consisting of mixing autochthonous soil (70%) with sand (30%) to improve the hydrological conductivity and adsorption capacity. To quantify the retention of metals we characterize the adsorption kinetics and isotherms of the soil mixture and perform dynamic experiments. The proposed methodology allowed us to work out the amount of heavy metal retention by the adsorbent and the retention mechanisms. The retention capacity of the adsorbent mixture was as follows: Cr3+ ≈ Cu2+ ≫ Zn2+ N Ni2+ N Cd2+. Chromium and copper ions were mainly retained by precipitation, whereas zinc, nickel and cadmium were retained by ionic exchange with calcium ions that saturate the soil colloids. The soil mixture buffered pH was found to change when fed with an acid solution of metallic ions.
Open Access
Distributed humidity sensor for moisture-front monitoring in soils
(Optica, 2020) Leandro González, Daniel; Delgado Zabala, Oihane; López Rodríguez, José Javier; Bravo Acha, Mikel; López-Amo Sáinz, Manuel; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación
In this contribution, high spatial resolution distributed humidity sensing was demonstrated for moisture-front monitoring in soils by using polyimide coated optical fiber.
Open Access
Analysis of the effect of climate change on the characteristics of rainfall in Igeldo-Gipuzkoa (Spain)
(MDPI, 2023) López Rodríguez, José Javier; Ayuso-Muñoz, José Luis; Goñi Garatea, Mikel; Gimena Ramos, Faustino; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
In recent years, numerous studies have been carried out on changes in the temperature and precipitation regimes and in the frequency of the extreme events that are a result of climate change. While there is evidence of an increase in temperature at a global level, this globality does not seem to occur with precipitation. The Igeldo weather station (San Sebastian) has one of the longest recorded rainfall intensity series in Spain and can be considered as representative of the Cantabrian coast. This circumstance makes it the ideal place to analyse the trend of the pluviometric regime of this area, and this was precisely the objective of this study. A total of 165 series of pluviometric parameters were obtained to characterise the pluviometric regime. The Mann–Kendall and Spearman tests were applied to evaluate the trends of the different parameters, and the Pettitt test was applied to detect the existence of change points. In all the series, it was proven that there were no significant trends or change points. Significant increasing trends were only detected in the series of maximum winter precipitation. In general terms, it can be concluded that the precipitation regime in Igeldo is quite stationary in the context of climate change.