Abstract:

The project that gives rise to this educational proposal is based on a twofold need: on the one hand, the training of students in construction in sustainability and resource management. On the other hand, the need to maintain and conserve the environment of urban centres by providing solutions to the problem of the management of end-of-life tyres (ELT).
For more than a decade, the master's degree in Technological Innovation in Building of the E.T.S. de Edificación de Madrid has been committed to the circularity of construction products and research into new sustainable construction materials. In this sense, the introduction of the Research Based Learning (RBL) methodology has enabled master's students to get involved in real research tasks that allow them to put into practice the concepts acquired. This methodology takes into account the interests of the students and links them with the objectives of the research groups active at the University. In this way, postgraduate students are prepared to move towards autonomous and creative learning, where innovative solutions are proposed and in line with the indications set out in the European Green Pact.
This work shows a practice carried out in the subject of Building Monitoring for Energy Certification, Safety and Rehabilitation, which has allowed studying the possible ways of recovering waste from end-of-life tyres (ELT). More specifically, work has been carried out to monitor the most relevant physical properties of construction conglomerate materials: humidity, temperature, mixing water, etc., so that they can be known in real time by technicians in the sector. It is thus committed to the recovery of ELT Textile fibre and recycled steel fibres from tyres, which in turn allow the mechanical properties of the materials made with them to be improved. All of this in accordance with the criteria of sustainability and development of the social and civic competence of the students in the future performance of their professional activity.
This proposal allows Master's students to get involved in laboratory tasks and discover new lines of research with which they can continue on to possible doctoral studies. At the same time, it improves the motivation of the students involved, who find a real application to the theoretical concepts acquired in the classroom. This methodology has been implemented during one academic semester of the course, and has resulted in excellent marks and the acquisition of specific and transversal competences. The evaluation techniques used and the timetable taken into account to develop this activity are also presented, with the aim that it can be adapted by university lecturers interested in including research activities and reformulating it for its application in other university degrees.

Keywords:

Research Based Learning, innovation, building degree, sustainability.