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CITEEC is a leader in civil and building engineering research, focusing on innovative solutions for sustainable infrastructure and advanced materials.
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Pioneering research for sustainable development
CITEEC carries out pioneering research in civil engineering, materials, sustainability and infrastructure. Thanks to multidisciplinary projects and international collaborations, scientific papers are being published that address key challenges facing the sector. This section presents the main papers and results produced by our research groups.
You can access a wide range of scientific publications, which can be filtered by subject, author, year and more. Use the filters provided to find relevant literature and learn more about each of our contributions to the advancement of knowledge.
2024
Galán-Díaz, Juan José; Pena-Mosquera, Luis; Puertas-Agudo, Jerónimo; Rodríguez, Jesús
Carbon and water footprint assessment of the production cycle of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) on a farm in Spain Journal Article
In: Environmental Development, vol. 51, pp. 101038, 2024, ISSN: 2211-4645.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Black soldier fly, Carbon footprint, Environment, Sustainability, Water footprint
@article{galan-diaz_carbon_2024,
title = {Carbon and water footprint assessment of the production cycle of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) on a farm in Spain},
author = {Juan José Galán-Díaz and Luis Pena-Mosquera and Jerónimo Puertas-Agudo and Jesús Rodríguez},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211464524000769},
doi = {10.1016/j.envdev.2024.101038},
issn = {2211-4645},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-09-01},
urldate = {2026-08-03},
journal = {Environmental Development},
volume = {51},
pages = {101038},
abstract = {A comprehensive investigation into the carbon and water footprint of a black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) farm in Murcia, Spain, was carried out following ISO 14064-1 standards. The study, utilizing data from BioflyTech, the managing company, spanned various departments to comprehensively analyze production and consumption. The results highlight that the carbon footprint associated with fresh larva production is approximately thirty times lower than that of conventional animal farming, aligning with sustainable practices and offering a promising alternative in the quest for eco-friendly protein sources. Moreover, the water footprint of the black soldier fly farm is significantly lower than that of traditional animal farms, underscoring the environmental advantages of this innovative approach to larva production over conventional livestock farming. These valuable insights contribute substantively to the ongoing discourse on sustainable and responsible agricultural practices, paving the way for more environmentally friendly solutions in the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable food production practices.},
keywords = {Black soldier fly, Carbon footprint, Environment, Sustainability, Water footprint},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
A comprehensive investigation into the carbon and water footprint of a black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) farm in Murcia, Spain, was carried out following ISO 14064-1 standards. The study, utilizing data from BioflyTech, the managing company, spanned various departments to comprehensively analyze production and consumption. The results highlight that the carbon footprint associated with fresh larva production is approximately thirty times lower than that of conventional animal farming, aligning with sustainable practices and offering a promising alternative in the quest for eco-friendly protein sources. Moreover, the water footprint of the black soldier fly farm is significantly lower than that of traditional animal farms, underscoring the environmental advantages of this innovative approach to larva production over conventional livestock farming. These valuable insights contribute substantively to the ongoing discourse on sustainable and responsible agricultural practices, paving the way for more environmentally friendly solutions in the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable food production practices.
2023
Martínez-García, Carolina; González-Fonteboa, Belén; Carro-López, Diego; Pérez-Ordóñez, Juan Luis; Martínez-Abella, Fernando
Bivalve Shells as a Building Material. A Real Case Application Book Section
In: Bienvenido-Huertas, David; Durán-Álvarez, Joaquín (Ed.): Building Engineering Facing the Challenges of the 21st Century: Holistic Study from the Perspectives of Materials, Construction, Energy and Sustainability, pp. 3–20, Springer Nature, Singapore, 2023, ISBN: 978-981-99-2714-2.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Aggregates, concrete, Mortar, Mussel shells, Sustainability, Thermal insulation
@incollection{martinez-garcia_bivalve_2023,
title = {Bivalve Shells as a Building Material. A Real Case Application},
author = {Carolina Martínez-García and Belén González-Fonteboa and Diego Carro-López and Juan Luis Pérez-Ordóñez and Fernando Martínez-Abella},
editor = {David Bienvenido-Huertas and Joaquín Durán-Álvarez},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-2714-2_1},
doi = {10.1007/978-981-99-2714-2_1},
isbn = {978-981-99-2714-2},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
booktitle = {Building Engineering Facing the Challenges of the 21st Century: Holistic Study from the Perspectives of Materials, Construction, Energy and Sustainability},
pages = {3–20},
publisher = {Springer Nature},
address = {Singapore},
abstract = {In a research project, Biovalvo Project, developed in the University of A Coruña, mussel shells by-products of the local canning industry were converted into a building material. The main milestone of the project was the construction of an experimental building as a real case application. This building used heat-treated and grinded mussel shells in all the building solutions: as aggregates in the foundation concretes and in the coating mortars as partial substitution for conventional aggregates. They were also used as the only thermal and acoustic insulation for the entire envelope. Derived from the project, a PhD thesis was developed where a deep analysis of the mussel shell materials was carried out. Properties of cement-based concrete were assessed including workability, mechanical strength, permeability, absorption, weight loss and microstructure. In the case of plasters and renders, mussel shells mortars were made with two binders: cement and air lime. The study included the analysis of mortars’ properties such as consistency, stiffening time, mechanical behaviour, air content, porosity, pore size distribution, microstructure, carbonation and hygric behaviour. Thermal and acoustic behaviour of mussel shells as loose fill insulation were assessed, and also their compaction and settling capacity were analysed. The potential environmental impact of the mussel shell product was performed using a cradle-to-gate approach. In the case of building solutions, the U-value calculation of the opaque elements, based on laboratory test, allowed to design an experimental building with a low energy consumption. This manuscript highlights the high potential that offers this by-product and summarizes the main results of the Biovalvo Project.},
keywords = {Aggregates, concrete, Mortar, Mussel shells, Sustainability, Thermal insulation},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
In a research project, Biovalvo Project, developed in the University of A Coruña, mussel shells by-products of the local canning industry were converted into a building material. The main milestone of the project was the construction of an experimental building as a real case application. This building used heat-treated and grinded mussel shells in all the building solutions: as aggregates in the foundation concretes and in the coating mortars as partial substitution for conventional aggregates. They were also used as the only thermal and acoustic insulation for the entire envelope. Derived from the project, a PhD thesis was developed where a deep analysis of the mussel shell materials was carried out. Properties of cement-based concrete were assessed including workability, mechanical strength, permeability, absorption, weight loss and microstructure. In the case of plasters and renders, mussel shells mortars were made with two binders: cement and air lime. The study included the analysis of mortars’ properties such as consistency, stiffening time, mechanical behaviour, air content, porosity, pore size distribution, microstructure, carbonation and hygric behaviour. Thermal and acoustic behaviour of mussel shells as loose fill insulation were assessed, and also their compaction and settling capacity were analysed. The potential environmental impact of the mussel shell product was performed using a cradle-to-gate approach. In the case of building solutions, the U-value calculation of the opaque elements, based on laboratory test, allowed to design an experimental building with a low energy consumption. This manuscript highlights the high potential that offers this by-product and summarizes the main results of the Biovalvo Project.
Sequeira, Lucas; Cantero-Chaparro, Blas; Bravo, Miguel; Brito, Jorge; Medina, César
The Influence of Recycled Cement, Fly Ash, and Magnesium Oxide on the Mechanical Performance of Sustainable Cementitious Materials Journal Article
In: Materials, vol. 16, no. 7, pp. 2760, 2023, ISSN: 1996-1944.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Fly ash, magnesium oxide, Mechanical properties, quaternary mortars, recycled cement, Sustainability
@article{sequeira_influence_2023,
title = {The Influence of Recycled Cement, Fly Ash, and Magnesium Oxide on the Mechanical Performance of Sustainable Cementitious Materials},
author = {Lucas Sequeira and Blas Cantero-Chaparro and Miguel Bravo and Jorge Brito and César Medina},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/7/2760},
doi = {10.3390/ma16072760},
issn = {1996-1944},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2026-08-13},
journal = {Materials},
volume = {16},
number = {7},
pages = {2760},
publisher = {Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute},
abstract = {In the construction industry, cement is the most widely used material. So, to achieve greater sustainability in this industry, it is imperative to improve the sustainability of this material. One way to reduce the ecological footprint of cement is to replace it, even if partially, with other more sustainable materials that can act as binders. This paper analyses the mechanical properties of more sustainable mortars containing recycled cement (RC), fly ash (FA), and magnesium oxide (MgO). Different types of binary, ternary, and quaternary mortars were used: containing recycled cement (5% and 10%), fly ash (10% and 20%), and MgO (7.5% and 15%). An experimental campaign was carried out analysing air content, density, compressive and flexural strengths, modulus of elasticity, and ultrasonic pulse velocity. The ternary mortars showed decreases between 0.4% (M-5RC10FA) and 35.3% (M-10RC15Mg) in terms of compressive strength at 365 days (compared to RM), when the theoretically expected decrease (the sum of the decreases obtained with the individual incorporation of these materials) would be between 16.6% and 41.5%, respectively. The results obtained allow for concluding that the joint use of these materials in ternary mortars improves the mechanical capacity, relative to the individual incorporation of each material in binary mortars.},
keywords = {Fly ash, magnesium oxide, Mechanical properties, quaternary mortars, recycled cement, Sustainability},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In the construction industry, cement is the most widely used material. So, to achieve greater sustainability in this industry, it is imperative to improve the sustainability of this material. One way to reduce the ecological footprint of cement is to replace it, even if partially, with other more sustainable materials that can act as binders. This paper analyses the mechanical properties of more sustainable mortars containing recycled cement (RC), fly ash (FA), and magnesium oxide (MgO). Different types of binary, ternary, and quaternary mortars were used: containing recycled cement (5% and 10%), fly ash (10% and 20%), and MgO (7.5% and 15%). An experimental campaign was carried out analysing air content, density, compressive and flexural strengths, modulus of elasticity, and ultrasonic pulse velocity. The ternary mortars showed decreases between 0.4% (M-5RC10FA) and 35.3% (M-10RC15Mg) in terms of compressive strength at 365 days (compared to RM), when the theoretically expected decrease (the sum of the decreases obtained with the individual incorporation of these materials) would be between 16.6% and 41.5%, respectively. The results obtained allow for concluding that the joint use of these materials in ternary mortars improves the mechanical capacity, relative to the individual incorporation of each material in binary mortars.
2022
Nduka, David O.; Olawuyi, Babatunde J.; Fagbenle, Olabosipo I.; González-Fonteboa, Belén
Assessment of the Durability Dynamics of High-Performance Concrete Blended with a Fibrous Rice Husk Ash Journal Article
In: Crystals, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 75, 2022, ISSN: 2073-4352.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: durability properties, high-performance concrete, Rice husk ash, superabsorbent polymers, Sustainability
@article{nduka_assessment_2022,
title = {Assessment of the Durability Dynamics of High-Performance Concrete Blended with a Fibrous Rice Husk Ash},
author = {David O. Nduka and Babatunde J. Olawuyi and Olabosipo I. Fagbenle and Belén González-Fonteboa},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/12/1/75},
doi = {10.3390/cryst12010075},
issn = {2073-4352},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
urldate = {2026-08-10},
journal = {Crystals},
volume = {12},
number = {1},
pages = {75},
publisher = {Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute},
abstract = {The present study examines the durability properties of Class 1 (50–75 MPa) high-performance concrete (HPC) blended with rice husk ash (RHA) as a partial replacement of CEM II B-L, 42.5 N. Six HPC mixes were prepared with RHA and used as 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% of CEM II alone and properties are compared with control mix having only CEM II. The binders (CEM II and RHA) were investigated for particle size distribution (PSD), specific surface area (SSA), oxide compositions, mineralogical phases, morphology, and functional groups using advanced techniques of laser PSD, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared/attenuated total reflection (FTIR/ATR), respectively, to understand their import on HPC. Durability properties, including water absorption, sorptivity, and chemical attack of the HPC samples, were investigated to realise the effect of RHA on the HPC matrix. The findings revealed that the durability properties of RHA-based HPCs exhibited an acceptable range of values consistent with relevant standards. The findings established that self-produced RHA would be beneficial as a cement replacement in HPC. As the RHA is a cost-effective agro-waste, a scalable product of RHA would be a resource for sustainable technology.},
keywords = {durability properties, high-performance concrete, Rice husk ash, superabsorbent polymers, Sustainability},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The present study examines the durability properties of Class 1 (50–75 MPa) high-performance concrete (HPC) blended with rice husk ash (RHA) as a partial replacement of CEM II B-L, 42.5 N. Six HPC mixes were prepared with RHA and used as 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% of CEM II alone and properties are compared with control mix having only CEM II. The binders (CEM II and RHA) were investigated for particle size distribution (PSD), specific surface area (SSA), oxide compositions, mineralogical phases, morphology, and functional groups using advanced techniques of laser PSD, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared/attenuated total reflection (FTIR/ATR), respectively, to understand their import on HPC. Durability properties, including water absorption, sorptivity, and chemical attack of the HPC samples, were investigated to realise the effect of RHA on the HPC matrix. The findings revealed that the durability properties of RHA-based HPCs exhibited an acceptable range of values consistent with relevant standards. The findings established that self-produced RHA would be beneficial as a cement replacement in HPC. As the RHA is a cost-effective agro-waste, a scalable product of RHA would be a resource for sustainable technology.
2021
De-La-Cruz-López, María Pilar; Cartelle-Barros, Juan José; Del-Caño-Gochi, Alfredo; Lara-Coira, Manuel
New Approach for Managing Sustainability in Projects Journal Article
In: Sustainability, vol. 13, no. 13, pp. 7037, 2021, ISSN: 2071-1050.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: competences, processes, project management, Sustainability
@article{de_la_cruz_lopez_new_2021,
title = {New Approach for Managing Sustainability in Projects},
author = {María Pilar De-La-Cruz-López and Juan José Cartelle-Barros and Alfredo Del-Caño-Gochi and Manuel Lara-Coira},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/13/7037},
doi = {10.3390/su13137037},
issn = {2071-1050},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
urldate = {2026-08-07},
journal = {Sustainability},
volume = {13},
number = {13},
pages = {7037},
publisher = {Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute},
abstract = {Despite the work done to date, project sustainability management (PSM) is still at an embryonic stage. The existing literature considers sustainability as a transversal aspect to be incorporated into the traditional management functions (scope, time, cost, quality, etc.). This article proposes sustainability as a key aspect of project management, with three essential components: principles, processes and competences. Regarding principles, the principle of sustainable development should be added to those generally suggested. As for processes, seven are proposed for (1) planning sustainability management; (2) establishing a sustainability breakdown structure; (3) defining the sustainability objective; (4) identifying project alternatives to achieve it; (5) planning and (6) implementing the sustainability strategy; and (7) monitoring and control. The main interrelationships between these processes and those of project initiation, planning, implementation, control, and closure are also analysed. In addition, the competences that the project manager should have in this field are identified, as well as the main criteria to take into account in order to adapt PSM processes to the characteristics of the project and the organisation. Finally, the results of a Delphi analysis carried out to validate these proposals are presented.},
keywords = {competences, processes, project management, Sustainability},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Despite the work done to date, project sustainability management (PSM) is still at an embryonic stage. The existing literature considers sustainability as a transversal aspect to be incorporated into the traditional management functions (scope, time, cost, quality, etc.). This article proposes sustainability as a key aspect of project management, with three essential components: principles, processes and competences. Regarding principles, the principle of sustainable development should be added to those generally suggested. As for processes, seven are proposed for (1) planning sustainability management; (2) establishing a sustainability breakdown structure; (3) defining the sustainability objective; (4) identifying project alternatives to achieve it; (5) planning and (6) implementing the sustainability strategy; and (7) monitoring and control. The main interrelationships between these processes and those of project initiation, planning, implementation, control, and closure are also analysed. In addition, the competences that the project manager should have in this field are identified, as well as the main criteria to take into account in order to adapt PSM processes to the characteristics of the project and the organisation. Finally, the results of a Delphi analysis carried out to validate these proposals are presented.
2020
Martínez-García, Carolina; González-Fonteboa, Belén; Carro-López, Diego; Pérez-Ordóñez, Juan Luis
Mussel shells: A canning industry by-product converted into a bio-based insulation material Journal Article
In: Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 269, pp. 122343, 2020, ISSN: 0959-6526.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Building acoustics, Building insulation, Mussel shell, Sustainability, Thermal conductivity
@article{martinez-garcia_mussel_2020,
title = {Mussel shells: A canning industry by-product converted into a bio-based insulation material},
author = {Carolina Martínez-García and Belén González-Fonteboa and Diego Carro-López and Juan Luis Pérez-Ordóñez},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652620323908},
doi = {10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122343},
issn = {0959-6526},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-10-01},
urldate = {2026-08-06},
journal = {Journal of Cleaner Production},
volume = {269},
pages = {122343},
abstract = {The canning industry in Galicia produces 25 thousand tonnes of mussel by-product (i.e. unconsumed shells) per year, having a significant environmental impact. Mussel shell becomes suitable for different uses after undergoing heat treatment such as poultry feed or bedding, etc. However, other end uses for this by-product must still be explored. Building insulation material (for instance expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene, polyurethane, etc.) has a significant harmful effect on the environment, which is especially seen when analysing its entire life cycle (use of large amounts of energy and water for production, difficulty recycling or reusing waste in the event of demolition or refurbishment, etc.). The aim of this research is to prove the feasibility of using mussel shell as a building solution. Mussel shell has been found to have thermal and acoustic characteristics suitable for using it as building insulation material. Mussel shell confined inside an enclosed space (e.g. a wooden box) has a thermal conductivity similar to that of a light conifer wood, so it can be considered a material with low thermal conductivity. Furthermore, several acoustic studies indicate that a section of confined mussel shell displays a behaviour similar to that of commercialised insulation material. The embodied energy of mussel shell as a loose-fill material is similar to that of other bio-based insulation materials. The main goal of this paper is to demonstrate that it is possible to design mussel shells building solutions, that actively participate in environmentally responsive architecture.},
keywords = {Building acoustics, Building insulation, Mussel shell, Sustainability, Thermal conductivity},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The canning industry in Galicia produces 25 thousand tonnes of mussel by-product (i.e. unconsumed shells) per year, having a significant environmental impact. Mussel shell becomes suitable for different uses after undergoing heat treatment such as poultry feed or bedding, etc. However, other end uses for this by-product must still be explored. Building insulation material (for instance expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene, polyurethane, etc.) has a significant harmful effect on the environment, which is especially seen when analysing its entire life cycle (use of large amounts of energy and water for production, difficulty recycling or reusing waste in the event of demolition or refurbishment, etc.). The aim of this research is to prove the feasibility of using mussel shell as a building solution. Mussel shell has been found to have thermal and acoustic characteristics suitable for using it as building insulation material. Mussel shell confined inside an enclosed space (e.g. a wooden box) has a thermal conductivity similar to that of a light conifer wood, so it can be considered a material with low thermal conductivity. Furthermore, several acoustic studies indicate that a section of confined mussel shell displays a behaviour similar to that of commercialised insulation material. The embodied energy of mussel shell as a loose-fill material is similar to that of other bio-based insulation materials. The main goal of this paper is to demonstrate that it is possible to design mussel shells building solutions, that actively participate in environmentally responsive architecture.
CITEEC
Centro de Innovación Tecnolóxica en Edificación e Enxeñería Civil
Campus de Elviña S/N - 15008 - A Coruña
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