Álvaro Blanca Hoyos | Rammed Earth | Innovative Research Award

Innovative Research Award

Álvaro Blanca Hoyos
Universidad de Granada, Spain

Álvaro Blanca Hoyos
Affiliation Universidad de Granada
Country Spain
Scopus ID 57218834514
Documents 9
Citations 34
h-index 2
Subject Area Rammed Earth
Event Metallurgical Engineering Awards
ORCID 0000-0002-1989-4812

Álvaro Blanca Hoyos is a Spanish architectural researcher affiliated with the Universidad de Granada whose research integrates structural engineering, architectural heritage conservation, rammed earth construction, sustainable materials, and digital heritage technologies. His work combines computational structural assessment with experimental material characterization to improve the preservation, resilience, and sustainability of historic and contemporary construction systems. His academic contributions include peer-reviewed publications on rammed earth mechanics, HBIM methodologies, recycled construction materials, and structural analysis education.[1]

Abstract

Álvaro Blanca Hoyos has developed an interdisciplinary research profile centered on structural mechanics, heritage preservation, earthen architecture, and sustainable construction. His investigations explore the mechanical performance of rammed earth, advanced numerical modelling, Bayesian characterization techniques, structural assessment of historical monuments, and the application of Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM). His publications contribute to improving the understanding of traditional building materials while supporting evidence-based conservation strategies and sustainable engineering practices.[2]

Keywords

Rammed Earth, Structural Engineering, Architectural Heritage, HBIM, Sustainable Construction, Clay Materials, Earthquake Assessment, Mechanical Characterization, Cultural Heritage, Innovative Research Award.

Introduction

Following academic training in Architecture at the University of Málaga and a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering at the University of Granada, Álvaro Blanca Hoyos has pursued research focused on integrating structural engineering principles with architectural conservation. His master’s research introduced the concept of “Structural Archaeoanalysis,” a methodology designed to evaluate the historical structural evolution of heritage buildings through multiple chronological stages. This framework has contributed to understanding the long-term structural behavior of monumental architecture exposed to seismic events.[3]

Research Profile

Currently serving as a research fellow within the Department of Structural Mechanics and Hydraulic Engineering at the Universidad de Granada, Álvaro Blanca Hoyos conducts research spanning structural analysis, sustainable construction materials, digital documentation of heritage assets, and engineering education. His work demonstrates collaboration across civil engineering, architecture, material science, and computational modelling while contributing to university teaching in structural analysis.[3]

Research Contributions

  • Experimental investigation of rammed earth mechanical properties.
  • Bayesian modelling for characterization of fiber-reinforced earth materials.
  • Development and review of HBIM methodologies for heritage conservation.
  • Assessment of recycled PET materials for sustainable building applications.
  • Structural analysis of historical towers subjected to seismic loading.
  • Research on innovative teaching methodologies in structural engineering.[5]

Publications

  • Clay Content of Soils as a Predictive Factor of the Compressive Strength of Unstabilised Rammed Earth (Buildings, 2026).
  • A Bayesian Framework for Mechanical Characterization of Unstabilized Rammed Earth Reinforced With Polypropylene Fibers (Results in Engineering, 2026).
  • Impact of Clay Content on the Fracture Behavior of Rammed Earth (Construction and Building Materials, 2025).
  • HBIM: Background, Current Trends, and Future Prospects (Applied Sciences, 2024).
  • Experimental Evaluation of Waste PET Bottles as a Sustainable Building Material (Journal of Architectural Engineering, 2024).
  • Ambient Vibration as a Basis for Determining Structural Behaviour of Watchtowers Against Horizontal Loads (2020).[2]

Research Impact

His scholarly output has contributed to international research on earthen construction, conservation engineering, and sustainable building materials. Indexed publications, interdisciplinary collaborations, and work published through leading engineering publishers have strengthened the scientific understanding of structural performance in both historical and sustainable construction systems. His work also supports engineering education through innovative learning methodologies.[4]

Award Suitability

Based on his documented academic achievements, peer-reviewed publications, interdisciplinary research activities, and contributions to sustainable structural engineering and heritage preservation, Álvaro Blanca Hoyos demonstrates qualifications consistent with recognition under the Innovative Research Award category. His research integrates theoretical innovation with practical engineering applications while addressing important challenges in conservation engineering and sustainable construction.[5]

Conclusion

Álvaro Blanca Hoyos represents an emerging researcher whose work bridges architecture, structural engineering, material science, and heritage conservation. Through investigations into rammed earth mechanics, digital heritage documentation, and structural assessment methodologies, he has contributed to advancing sustainable engineering knowledge while supporting preservation of historic built environments through scientifically rigorous approaches.[4]

External Links

References

  1. Elsevier. Scopus Author Details: Álvaro Blanca Hoyos. Author ID: 57218834514.
    https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57218834514
  2. Blanca-Hoyos, A., et al. (2024). HBIM: Background, Current Trends, and Future Prospects. Applied Sciences.
    https://doi.org/10.3390/app142311191
  3. Blanca-Hoyos, A., et al. (2026). Clay Content of Soils as a Predictive Factor of the Compressive Strength of Unstabilised Rammed Earth.
    https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/16/11/2239
  4. Blanca-Hoyos, A., et al. (2024). Experimental Evaluation of Waste PET Bottles as a Sustainable Building Material.
    https://doi.org/10.1061/JAEIED.AEENG-1701
  5. Blanca-Hoyos, A., et al. (2025). Rammed earth in modern construction: Physical and mechanical properties.
    https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-97818-0_9

Brahim Safi | Green Construction | Sustainable Metallurgical Engineering Award

Prof. Brahim Safi | Green Construction | Sustainable Metallurgical Engineering Award

Professor at M’hamed Bougara University of Boumerdes | Algeria

Prof. Brahim Safi is highly suitable for the Sustainable Metallurgical Engineering Award due to his sustained and influential contributions to eco-efficient materials, waste valorization, and sustainability-driven engineering solutions. His research consistently advances sustainable metallurgical practices through recycling of industrial and metallurgical wastes, development of eco-materials, and reduction of environmental impact in construction and materials processing, aligning strongly with circular economy principles. His scholarly output demonstrates both depth and applied relevance, bridging metallurgical science with environmental stewardship and industrial sustainability. According to his Scopus profile, his work has achieved 715 citations across 52 published documents, reflecting strong academic visibility and real-world impact, with a solid h-index of 12, underscoring consistent citation performance and research quality. These metrics, combined with his focused publication portfolio on sustainable materials, recycling technologies, and resource efficiency, clearly position Prof. Safi as a deserving and credible recipient of the Sustainable Metallurgical Engineering Award.

Citation Metrics

1000

500

100

50

0

Citations
715

Documents
52

h-index
12

Featured Publications


The use of plastic waste as fine aggregate in self-compacting mortars: Effect on physical and mechanical properties


Construction and Building Materials (2013) · Cited by 330


The use of seashells as a fine aggregate (sand substitution) in self-compacting mortar


Construction and Building Materials (2015) · Cited by 231


Use of recycled plastic bag waste in concrete


Journal of International Scientific Publications (2014) · Cited by 138


Physico-chemical and rheological characterization of water-based mud in the presence of polymers


Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology (2015) · Cited by 57


Rheological behavior of an Algerian crude oil containing SDBS as a surfactant


Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering (2015) · Cited by 48

Yan Zhang | Green Building | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yan Zhang | Green Building | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer at Shanghai Polytechnic University | China

Dr. Yan Zhang is a Lecturer at Shanghai Polytechnic University, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, specializing in green building materials. He completed his Bachelor of Chemistry at Xinyang Normal University, followed by a Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Pharmacy at Nankai University. Since 2020, he has been engaged in teaching and research at Shanghai Polytechnic University. His work focuses on developing sustainable materials, particularly silica-encapsulated n-octadecane phase change microcapsules, which demonstrate high phase change enthalpy (~125 J/g), excellent thermal stability (185.2°C), and outstanding cycling performance. When integrated into cement boards, these microcapsules reduce thermal conductivity by 41.14% and temperature fluctuation by 21.9%, offering an innovative energy-saving solution for construction. He has successfully completed several funded research projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Shanghai Science and Technology Project  and the Shanghai Sailing Program, and contributed to 5 industry consultancy projects. His scholarly output includes 192 documents, cited 4,654 times according to Scopus, with an h-index of 33. He has published 10 SCI/Scopus-indexed journals, authored one book (ISBN available), and holds two patents under process. His contributions have been widely recognized in the field of eco-friendly construction materials, reflecting a strong blend of fundamental research, practical applications, and commitment to sustainable innovation

Profile: Scopus | ORCID

Feautured Publications

Tan, Y., Li, P., Yao, Y., Li, H., Zhong, J., Wu, J., Zhang, Y., & Wang, J. (2025). Green preparation and performance research of n-octadecane@silica phase change microcapsules for building energy conservation. Construction and Building Materials, 425, 143847.

Yao, Y., Li, H., Li, P., Tan, Y., Zhang, Y., & Wang, J. (2025). High-performance dual-network wood-based ionic conductive hydrogel for supercapacitors and sensitive sensors. Energy Technology, 13(10), 1501301.

Zhang, Y., Wu, J., Dang, S., Zhou, S., Wang, J., & Wang, R. (2024). Design, synthesis, and insecticidal activities of the novel sulfur-containing meta-amide compounds as potential pesticides. Journal of Chemical Research, 48(3), 1234629.

Wu, J., Dang, S., Zhang, Y., & Zhou, S. (2024). Novel meta-diamide compounds containing sulfide derivatives were designed and synthesized as potential pesticides. Molecules, 29(6), 1337.

Zhang, Y., Shang, J., Li, H., Liu, H., Song, H., Wang, B., & Li, Z. (2020). Synthesis of novel N-pyridylpyrazole derivatives containing 1,2,4-oxadiazole moiety via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and their structures and biological activities. Chinese Chemical Letters, 31(5), 1423–1430.