5 oktober 2020

Heatwaves in Rotterdam, The Netherlands

The city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, have been experiencing an increase in negative effects caused by heat waves each year. The high temperatures are impacting the quality of life in the city, the local infrastructure and the environment. As temperatures are and will increase in the coming years, Rotterdam is and has been busy adapting by changing and planning in the urban infrastructure, by creating awareness through app and monitoring temperatures in and around the city. The sudden rise in high temperatures will mainly affect the more vulnerable in society and furthermore less income households will experience more negative effects as indoor cooling (e.g. air-conditioning) is costly. This report will present an overview of the shock heat waves in the city of Rotterdam, through: a problem statement, how it will impact the city, the development of the shock in the future and its solution strategies.

2 januari 2021

Urban Heat Island Effect

Natalie Theeuwes explains the Urban Heat Island effect and the variables that influence it. LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Explain shocks and stresses on critical services and infrastructures (CSIs) of STE systems resulting from a range of disastrous events. DURATION: 1 short video (~7 min long)

12 oktober 2025

Effective Thickness Method

In this video Martina Eliášová explains how the polymer interlayer between glass panes influences the performance of structural elements like floors and roofs. The key property is the interlayer's shear modulus, which is highly dependent on temperature and load duration. At high temperatures or under long-term loads, the shear modulus is low, and the glass panes behave more independently. At low temperatures or under short-term loads, the shear modulus is high, causing the panes to act as a single, monolithic unit. This variable behavior must be considered in design to accurately calculate stress and deflection. The video mentions that modern standards, like the effective thickness method in EN 16612, provide simplified analytical models to account for this partial shear interaction, leading to more economical and accurate designs than older, more conservative practices. The video was produced by the Open GLASSroom project. Special thanks to Martina Eliášová for contributing to the Open GLASSroom OER collection. The creation of these resources has been (partially) funded by the ERASMUS+ grant program of the European Union under grant no. 2022-1-DE01-KA220-HED-000089750. Neither the European Commission nor the project's national funding agency DAAD are responsible for the content or liable for any losses or damage resulting of the use of these resources.

28 november 2016

Societal Aspects of the Biobased economy

30 oktober 2025

Fire Resistant Glass

In this video, Aleksandra Sweryn explains the critical role of fire-resistant glass in building safety, particularly for compartmentalization in public spaces. Standard glass products like insulating or laminated units offer little fire protection, as they break quickly and can contribute to fire spread. In contrast, specialized fire-resistant glass, such as AGC's Pyropane (tempered with low-E coating) and Pyrobel (with intumescent gel), is designed to withstand high temperatures. These products work by reflecting radiant heat or by having the gel expand to form an insulating foam that blocks heat transfer. To be certified, glazing must pass rigorous standard tests (like EN1363/4) to achieve fire-resistance ratings (E, EW, EI) based on integrity and insulation performance, with even small changes in the gel's composition significantly impacting its effectiveness. The video was produced by the Open GLASSroom project. Special thanks to Aleksandra Sweryn for contributing to the Open GLASSroom OER collection. The creation of these resources has been (partially) funded by the ERASMUS+ grant program of the European Union under grant no. 2022-1-DE01-KA220-HED-000089750. Neither the European Commission nor the project's national funding agency DAAD are responsible for the content or liable for any losses or damage resulting of the use of these resources.