Estudio del comportamiento físico-mecánico de rollos de totora comprimidos y sujetos con cuerda de forma helicoidal como elemento con potencial aplicación en la construcción sostenible

Abstract

The cat-tail (Schoenoplectus californicus) is a natural fiber that grows in wetlands across the Americas; it is characterized by a short regeneration cycle, making it a highly available renewable resource in Andean. The search for sustainable materials has become a priority due to the environmental impact of the construction industry. Although wood is a renewable resource, it cannot be considered sustainable because it is sourced from native forests. In this context, the need arises to determine whether Totora can serve as an alternative to conventional materials. This study is part of the broader project "Development of construction elements using Totora stalks joined by mechanical means (continuation)," which aims to analyze the physical-mechanical behavior of Totora bundles compacted via mechanical compression. This analysis allows for the evaluation of their potential application as a sustainable, renewable construction resource with a low environmental footprint, as well as the generation of technical data for comparison with similar studies.