The effect of exposure to high temperature on rock strength is a topic of interest in many engineering fields. In general, rock strength is known to decrease as temperature increases. The most common test used to evaluate the rock strength is the uniaxial compressive strength test (UCS). It can only be carried out in laboratory and presents some limitations in terms of the number, type and preparation of the samples. Such constrains are more evident in case of rocks from historical monuments affected by a fire, where the availability of samples is limited. There are alternatives for an indirect determination of UCS, such as the point load test (PLT), or non-destructive tests such as the Schmidt’s hammer, that can also be performed in situ. The aims of this research are: (i) measuring the effect of high temperatures and cooling methods on the strength and hardness of a limestone named Pedra de Borriol widely used in several historic buildings on the E of Spain, and (ii) studying the possibility of indirectly obtaining UCS by means of PLT and Leeb hardness tests (LHT), using Equotip type D. Limestone samples were heated to 105 (standard conditions), 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 and 900 ºC and cooled slowly (in air) and quickly (immersed in water). After that, UCS, PLT and LHT tests were performed to evaluate the changes as temperature increases. Results show decreases over 90% in UCS, of between 50 and 70% in PLT index and smaller than 60% in LHT index. Insignificant differences between cooling methods were observed, although slowly cooled samples provide slightly higher values than quickly cooled ones. The results indicate that LHT can be used to indirectly estimate UCS, providing an acceptable prediction. Research on correlating strength parameters in rocks after thermally treated is still scarce. This research novelty provides correlations to predict UCS in historic buildings if affected by a fire, from PLT and non-destructive methods such as LHT whose determination is quicker and easier.

Landslide susceptibility maps are widely used in land management and urban planning to delimit potentially problematic areas. In this article we improve their reliability by acting on the frequency ratio method and map classification systems. For the frequency ratio method, we have worked with continuous variables and established intervals grouped by probability according to the landslide inventory and based on the characteristics of the data rather than on standard divisions. For map classification systems, we have compared the efficacy of conventional classifications and those based on the concepts of sensitivity and specificity, with the specificity classifications being supported by the information offered by available comparative data. Both strategies make it possible to avoid subjective and repetitive procedures that are alien to the nature of the data being assessed. We present a case study in the 23,000 km² Region of Valencia where a total of 48 different susceptibility maps were generated. We demonstrate that the methods applied in this study to calculate the frequency ratio provide an improvement in specificity in areas of high susceptibility while maintaining good sensitivity. In particular, the Area Under Curve (AUC) values increase from 0.67 for the conventional methods to 0.76 with the methods proposed in this work. This improvement is transferred to susceptibility mapping much more clearly when classifications that incorporate sensitivity, and especially specificity parameters, are used.

Urban expansion is a phenomenon that has been observed since the mid-20th century in more developed regions. One aspect of it is the urban development of holiday resorts with second homes that generally appeared following world political stabilisation. This residential expansion has often happened with scarce control, especially in its early stages, allowing areas to be occupied that are not so suitable in terms of the environment, culture and landscape, not to mention the very geological risks of flooding, earthquakes and landslides. Indeed, the risk of landslides for buildings occupying land in zones at such risk is not a matter solely attributable to the geomorphological characteristics of the land itself, nor is it simply a question of chance; it is also due to its management of such land, generally because of a lack of specific regulations. This study aims to lay down objective criteria to find how suitable a specific local entity's risk management is by looking at the evolution of its urban development procedures. It also aims to determine what causes the incidence of landslide risk (geomorphology, chance, land management, etc.) and finally to suggest control tools for the public bodies tasked with monitoring such matters.

Teaching sustainability and ethics to engineering students is a challenging but necessary task that has been increasingly investigated during the last few years. In this research, a systematic method to identify the level of awareness in students about sustainability and ethics is developed. Here, it is applied to students studying the Civil Engineering bachelor’s degree at the School of Civil Engineering of Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), though this method is potentially applicable to equivalent ABET and EUR-ACE accredited bachelor’s degrees. A survey was performed, and data was analyzed using Analytical hierarchical process technique; this technique determines the relative importance of each criterion, as well as the consistency of the emitted judgements, in an objective manner. These results allowed to discover that students do not have a robust opinion related to sustainability and ethics, except those students with previous experience in the construction sector. Environmental and social dimensions of sustainability and ethics were identified as the main focuses to emphasize in the civil engineering curriculum. Finally, actions to boot these principles are also proposed; potential courses where sustainability and ethics concepts could be explicitly included were selected and the inclusion of an environmental budget in the bachelor thesis was recommended, among others suggestions.