Manual para la aplicación de sistemas de reforzamiento en construcciones de tierra cruda - adobe

Abstract

Earthquakes are one of the natural phenomena that cause the most damage around the world, affecting most buildings or even, in the most serious cases, causing human losses. In Ecuador, several buildings are lost every year due to earthquakes, with earth-made constructions being the most affected. Among the most common earth-made houses are those made of adobe, a mixture of mud and straw. This is one of the oldest materials used in construction and still used nowadays, although on a smaller scale. It is a vernacular, ecological material that is part of the identity of the people of Ecuador and of several places in the world. However, since it is not as resistant and needs more maintenance, compared to contemporary materials, the interest in using its constructive system has been lost, and therefore the skilled labor to execute it. For this reason, the present study is focused on developing a Manual of Reinforcement systems for raw earth - adobe - walls. In this research we have investigated the most studied techniques by several researchers from universities and institutions, in addition to the ones that have been implemented, obtaining favorable results in structural resistance tests. We have also researched the techniques that will have the least impact on the vernacular identity of the building. As a result, we have obtained a clear and comprehensive manual, that covers the step-by-step procedure of a reinforcement system, which contains illustrations that allow the user to understand and execute it correctly, avoiding and preventing future damages caused by earthquakes, environmental factors, or the passage of time in the buildings