Optimización de los diseños de hormigón para la empresa HORMI CENTER mediante las curvas relación agua-cemento vs. resistencia a compresión para los agregados de Santa Isabel y Paute

Abstract

The purpose of this degree project is to determine optimal water/cement (W/C) ratios for the production of concrete designs that meet the most common compressive strength requirements for Hormi Center, a company. The designs are developed for two types of cement: Atenas HE and Atenas GU, as well as two types of aggregate combinations from different sources. The first combination consists of fine aggregate from Santa Isabel and coarse aggregate from Santa Isabel, while the second combination involves fine aggregate from Santa Isabel and coarse aggregate from Paute. The designs must have the required initial slump specified by the plant, and the compressive strengths are determined at 7 and 28 days. The work consists of several processes, such as aggregate characterization, optimal combination of aggregates using the Fuller Thompson method, obtaining proportions using the mix design method following the ACI 211.1 methodology. The designs obtained are tested in accordance with standardized laboratory tests according to NTE INEN to verify compliance with the requirements. Subsequently, the optimal water/cement ratio is identified for the established compressive strengths. Finally, the cost difference between the proposed designs and the ones currently used by the company is calculated.