ACCIONA’s R & D department develops new construction processes, including the following:

• GEOCYT: A polymeric product for ground stabilization, dust control and embankment rosion control.

GEOCYT is an polymer-based emulsion used mainly for ground stabilization, dust control and embankment erosion control. It is not harmful to either health or the environment, and is designed specifically for use not only in large-scale projects but also for smaller-scale household situations.

GEOCYT is easy to apply – it is sprayed directly onto the ground. The result is a thick, hard and stable protective coating. Once the curing process is completed, it becomes totally transparent and blends in perfectly with the natural surroundings.

The results depend on the amount of product used: in small amounts it forms a layer on the surface that helps to control dust; when applied in larger quantities, it considerably enhances ground stabilization.

This polymeric product offers a number of advantages, such as lower construction and O&M costs and a considerably lower concentration of particulate matter in the atmosphere. GEOCYT is not toxic or harmful to health.

• Project Design using Virtual Construction Technology in 5D (BIM).

The design, monitoring and control of projects are facilitated not only with projections of geometric elements, but also of the time and costs of the project. This is made possible through the technology known as BIM (Building Information Model).

• Fabrication of semi hot-mix asphalt markings.

ACCIONA’s development of this technology allows for the fabrication of asphalt mixes at lower temperatures than those currently required, as well as its positioning and use. This allows for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, improving quality standards when laying the asphalt, increasing its transport distances and use in cold climates.

• Reuse and recycling of mud from the excavation of cut off walls and tunnels with tunnelling machines.

This new construction process enables recycling of excavation mud through dry treatment and allows for its appreciation, optimizing its transportation, reusing it in the same work for the execution of embankments or even moving it to landfills.

• MLG track system for Light Subway, Subway and Trams..

The MLG Track System is the first track system in concrete panels developed in Spain and patented by ACCIONA. Systems to muffle sound and shock absorbers for vibrations for the track systems are manufactured with granulated rubber from disused tyres and a variable composition of resins according to the rigidity of the track.

There are two types of systems implemented: one with the rail embedded, based on the idea of encasing the muffling materials between the concrete slab and the rail groove; and another, with the mix is located between the concrete block, which holds the rail, and the interior concrete tray.

• Ground stabilizing with biological products.

This method takes advantage of the stabilizing properties of enzymes (liquid proteins, bio-emulsified, water-soluble, completely biodegradable, non toxic, non flammable and non corrosive) to increase the ground load capacity.

Also, the reductive capacity of the organic matter derived from bacteriological activity is utilised to eliminate organic matter from the soil, as is the hardening property derived from the production of calcium carbonate. In both cases the geotechnical requirements are met and most importantly: absolute respect is paid to the environment as the products used are harmless.

• Embankments and land fills made from disused tyres.

We have the technology and experience of filling embankment cores with shredded NFU (tyres no longer in use), which offers a significant revaluation of a waste resource that deteriorates the environment and is and will be used in the long term.

• Reduction of the terms of removal of formwork and uncasing, through control of maturity.

Equipment that allows transmission of the temperature from a large mass that has been recently concreted, to a series of test tubes (independently from the ordinary series corresponding to quality control), has been developed. The temperature of the test tubes remains constant at the temperature of the concreted component, through heating “hoods”, in such a way that the maturity and so, the resistance of the test tubes, evolves along with the hardening concrete. With this system, it can be proved how concrete has acquired adequate resistance to enable early removal of formwork. This cannot be proved using a series of ordinary test tubes (since these are subject to the variations of temperature of day-night cycles).

• CARBOTEK: Using composite materials to reinforce existing structures.

By using composite materials (resins mixed with fibres), we can reinforce concrete structures which traditionally could only be reinforced with large and heavy metallic structures. The resins and fibres can be of a different nature to each other, but the properties they contribute to metallic reinforcement, are essentially the same: lightness, durability, easy and quick to assemble, ad-hoc adaptability to the needs of the structure.

For further information on any of these topics, please contact:

José Daniel García Espinel. Head of the Department of Implantation and Innovation

ACCIONA Infrastructure R&D and Innovation Centre.
Phone: +34 91 791 20 20
Fax: +34 91 791 21 21 
e-mail: jgarcia@acciona.es // josedaniel.garcia.espinel@acciona.es