Influence of polypropylene derivatives on soil mechanical properties

The implementation of natural and artificial fibers as a stabilization technique for construction materials has developed new trends in the last decade and has generated functionality. This research evaluates the implementation of fibers derived from polypropylene as element of soil reinforcement. These fibers have the advantage that they do not have biodegradation or oxidation processes, which makes it a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option. The fibers are used to reinforce samples of silty soil derived from a slope deposit. Specifically, the behavior of the soil under unconfined compressive stresses and penetration stresses in the CBR test is evaluated. Polypropylene fibers derived from industrial processes were used, bringing them to the same size and using the same proportion of these in the soil samples, different percentages of fiber with respect to soil weight were evaluated to identify which was optimal in the experiment. Additionally, the process of formation of the samples was controlled to maintain close values of maximum dry density and optimum moisture content. A comparison and analysis that quantifies the contribution of these fibers is proposed. The results obtained are supported by the laboratory tests performed. These results show that the reinforced material has higher unconfined compressive strength, higher ductility, and higher resistance to penetration. It is proposed to evaluate the effect of the fiber arrangement in future research

Granular subbase improvement with recycled concrete aggregates in tropical areas

Use of Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) for Granular Subbase (GSB) in the tropical area is evaluated in this work. Among the materials widely studied as replacements in granular and surface layers is RCA. Its mechanical behavior in granular layers has mainly been evaluated with tests such as California Bearing Ratio (CBR). However, abrasion is also a determining property in the strength of these materials. In this study, the performance of Natural Aggregates (NA) with replacement of RCA was evaluated for use as GSB in a tropical area. Even though several laboratory tests were performed, the focus of the article lies on the performance in the Los Angeles (LA) abrasion test. Two replacement percentages of coarse RCA were considered: 10 and 15 % by weight of aggregates. The RCA and NA were characterized according to different laboratory tests: Granulometry, Absorption, Atterberg Limits test, Plasticity, Specific Gravity, and LA abrasion. In turn, all results were compared with Colombian specifications for a typical GSB in the area. In addition, a simple Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was included to evaluate the environmental impacts of the base and alternative scenarios. The results show that GSB with 10% RCA present a higher abrasion resistance than the GSB with 15% RCA. Even better results are obtained with 10% RCA than with natural GSB. Specifically, average LA abrasion test losses of 30.86, 29.80 and 32.07% were obtained for NA, 10% RCA and 15% RCA, respectively. The LCA results show an increase of 50% and 75% in energy consumption by comparing the base scenario with 10 and 15% RCA replacement, respectively. This leads to an increase of 40 and 80% in carbon monoxide (CO) emissions for 10 and 15% RCA replacement respectively, and 100% in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for both alternative scenarios.Penggunaan Agregat Konkrit Kitar Semula (RCA) bagi Subtapak Butiran (GSB) bagi kawasan tropika telah dikaji dalam kajian ini. Antara bahan yang banyak dikaji sebagai bahan ganti dalam butiran dan lapisan permukaan adalah RCA. Ciri-ciri mekanikal dalam lapisan butiran telah diuji, terutamanya dengan ujian seperti Nisbah Bearing California (CBR). Walau bagaimanapun, pelelasan juga merupakan ciri penting dalam menentukan ketahanan material. Kajian ini merupakan prestasi Agregasi Semulajadi (NA) dengan ganti RCA yang diuji bagi penggunaan GSB di kawasan tropika. Walaupun pelbagai ujian makmal telah dijalankan, fokus artikel ini terletak pada prestasi ujian pelelasan Los Angeles (LA). Dua gantian bagi peratus RCA kasar telah diambil kira: iaitu pada agregat berat 10% dan 15%. Ciri-ciri RCA dan NA dikategori berdasarkan pelbagai ujian lab yang pelbagai: Granulometri, Penyerapan, ujian Had Atterberg, Keplastikan, Graviti Tertentu dan Pelelasan LA. Kemudian, kesemua dapatan kajian dibandingkan dengan ciri-ciri Kolombia bagi ciri tipikal GSB di kawasan itu. Tambahan, Pentaksiran Kitar Hidup (LCA) yang ringkas dimasukkan bagi menilai impak terhadap alam terhadap penggunaanya pada pangkal bijirin dan pada senario alternatif. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan GSB yang menggunakan RCA 10% mempunyai rintangan lelasan tertinggi berbanding GSB dengan RCA 15%. Tambahan, dapatan kajian yang lebih baik didapati daripada RCA 10% berbanding GSB semula jadi. Terutama pada purata ujian lelasan LA telah mengalami penyusutan sebanyak 30.86, 29.80 dan 32.07% bagi NA, RCA 10% dan RCA 15%, masing-masing. Dapatan LCA menunjukkan peningkatan sebanyak 50% dan 75% pada penggunaan tenaga dengan perbandingan senario Subtapak Butiran dengan gantian RCA 10% dan 15%, masing-masing. Ini membawa kepada peningkatan sebanyak 40% dan 80% emisi karbon monoksida (CO) bagi gantian RCA 10% dan 15% masing-masing, dan emisi karbon dioksida (CO2) 100% bagi kedua-dua senario alternatif

Recreational Center and Temporary Center for Emergency Care, Valle de Sinú

Montería es una de las ciudades con mayor desarrollo en infraestructura urbana, lo que ha traído consigo, según el MINCIT – CITUR (2017), entre el 2005 al 2015, un aumento en turismo de forma espontánea, por lo cual se espera que siga en aumento gracias a sus atractivos. Tristemente en la zona del bajo Sinú, muchas comunidades se han visto afectadas por las recientes inundaciones debido al invierno y a las condiciones topográficas, por ende muchas familias se han visto obligadas a abandonar sus hogares. Expuesto lo anterior, se propone diseñar un centro recreacional y refugio temporal para atención de emergencias en cercanías a la vía Montería – Cereté, cerca de la Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, el cual funcionara la mayor parte del tiempo como un centro de recreación en donde locales y extranjeros podrán disfrutar de diferentes actividades como ganadería, equitación, alimentación de animales, piscinas, deporte, educación, comedor y hostal, y en donde colegios y universidades puedan realizar salidas de campo donde puedan aprender acerca de las actividades económicas más importantes de la región; aunque cuando se den situaciones de emergencia por desastres naturales, el recinto tendrá prioridad para darle hospedaje provisional al personal afectado durante un tiempo determinado. El proyecto contará con zonas de servicios, donde se encuentra comedores y lavados; zona de viviendas, que tendrán 8 edificios de 4 pisos cada uno; zona educativa, en donde se construirá 11 aulas de clases; zona cultural agropecuaria, centro médico, zona administrativa y zona recreativa, que cuenta con piscinas, canchas, parques y comedor. El proyecto tiene ciertas limitaciones, como son la económica y la social. En lo económica se debe a que como es de gran envergadura, tiene un costo elevado, que contará con aportes públicos y privados; y social debido a que se construirá en una zona donde hay personas de bajos recursos, lo que puede traer un poco de inseguridad.Monteria is one of the cities with the most development in urban infrastructure, which has brought with it, according to the MINCIT - CITUR (2017), between 2005 to 2015, an increase in tourism spontaneously, which is expected to continue in increase thanks to its attractions. Sadly in the lower Sinu area, many communities have been affected by the recent floods due to winter and topographic conditions, so many families have been forced to leave their homes. Exposed the above, it is proposed to design a recreational center and temporary shelter for emergency care in the vicinity of the Monteria - Cereté road, near the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, which will function most of the time as a recreation center where local and foreigners can enjoy different activities such as livestock, horse riding, animal feed, swimming, sports, education, dining and hostel, and where colleges and universities can make field trips where they can learn about the most important economic activities in the region; although when there are emergency situations due to natural disasters, the site will have priority to give temporary accommodation to the affected personnel during a certain time. The project will have service areas, where there are dining rooms and washing rooms; housing area, which will have 8 buildings of 4 floors each; educational area, where 11 classrooms will be built; cultural agricultural area, medical center, administrative area and recreational area, which has swimming pools, courts, parks and dining. The project has certain limitations, such as economic and social. In the economic aspect, because it is of great importance, it has a high cost, which will have public and private contributions; and social because it will be built in an area where there are people with low resources, which can bring a little insecurity