Browsing by Author "Parra Vargas, Juan Pablo"

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Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Compressed Earth Blocks with Stabilising Additives for Self-Build of Sustainable Housing
(2024) Narváez Berrezueta, Kevin; Pino Velázquez, Ángel Julver; Cárdenas Haro, Xavier Ricardo; Parra Vargas, Juan Pablo
Earth building technologies are increasingly being used to promote a natural and sustainable construction model and to empower self-building in resource-limited areas. This work focuses on investigating the use of different types of stabilising additives in compressed earth blocks (CEBs). To this end, empirical studies and laboratory analyses of earth samples taken from different sites in Ecuador were combined. Once the most suitable earth for use as a building material was determined, four types of CEBs were produced using equipment designed ad hoc to encourage self-building: earth-based, fibre additives, cementitious additives, and additives of other origin. The panels were characterised by means of compression tests to analyse their mechanical behaviour, obtaining the most promising results for the additivated samples with the highest percentage of cement and for the sample containing ground reeds, with a compressive strength of 3.3 MPa and 0.7 MPa, respectively. These samples were then subjected to more extensive tests using digital image correlation to analyse their full field strains and cracks, where the samples stabilised with cement showed a more homogeneous and consistent behaviour. Finally, an economic and comparative study with conventional construction systems was carried out to demonstrate the feasibility of using the proposed earth materials for cleaner and more economical buildings, mainly due to cost savings and lower pollution in terms of transport when using local resources.
Paneles de tierra comprimidos
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2023-04-04) Narváez Berrezueta, Kevin Alex; Parra Vargas, Juan Pablo; Cárdenas Haro, Xavier Ricardo
Construction changes due to context and tem- porality in which it is found; nevertheless, it res- pects basic design fundamentals. Therefore, the reinterpretation of constructive systems is a starting point to propose solutions to contem- porary problems. For example, the Sandino System developed in Cuba proposed low-cost light prefabricated housing; which makes use of concrete pillars and closure panels, based on structural modules of about 1 meter. Far- fán and López (2023) adapt this system to the Ecuadorian context by maintaining the cons- truction method, prefabrication and growth; at the same time they propose the change of pri- mary material (concrete) for others of lower en- vironmental cost. For this reason, this research focuses on the proposal of three options of BTC (Compressed Earth Block) closure panels that adapt to the Sandino System proposed by Far- fán and López (2023), respecting the proposed module of 30x90x6 cm. However, existing BTC regulations only consider dimensions similar to those of a conventional brick (200x100x50 mm). Therefore, additives together with pres- sure are the initial variables of experimentation to stabilize the BTC panels. Subsequently, the costs of the proposed panels are analyzed, which together with the system, are a profitable option compared to other types of economic housing. Finally, a BTC catalog is proposed as a methodological analysis guide to enhance earth construction.