Acabados: experimentación en pisos de tierra. Caso de estudio: sector de Guncay de la parroquia rural de El Valle del cantón Cuenca

Abstract

The construction of earthen floors represents a sustainable alternative to current construction processes that rely on concrete floors, which generate non-reusable debris and have a high environmental impact due to the production of prefabricated materials such as cement, ceramics, vinyl, and pvc. In this context, the present experimental study aims to design a mix formulation for stabilized earthen floors using local materials from the Guncay sector, a rural parish of El Valle, in the canton of Cuenca. The soil in the study area was characterized through field and laboratory tests, applying methodologies from the Peruvian Technical Standard E.080, the Ibero-American Protierra Network Protocol, and adapted studies from the NTE INEN standard. Based on these data, experimental formulations were developed incorporating natural stabilizers (such as cabuya fiber and rice husk) as well as other compounds such as lime, cement, and polyvinyl acetate. Subsequently, compression and moisture absorption tests were conducted on samples with different formulations to determine an optimal base mix, which was then used to construct six test panels on-site. Finally, waterproofing products were applied to the developed prototypes to evaluate their resistance to abrasion, moisture, stains, and chemical agents. In this way, a low environmental impact formulation was identified, allowing it to be considered as a viable flooring alternative in rural construction contexts.