Conference Agenda

Accurate estimation of the markup factor (FSC) is critical because it links the project direct cost to the expected total selling price and, therefore, to profitability. This study evaluates FSC practices in housing construction projects executed in Distrito Central, Honduras, by comparing company-provided markup factors against factors computed through a method that explicitly estimates indirect costs associated with both central office administration and project administration. Data was obtained from project budgets and structured interviews with the professionals involved. Three real projects were analyzed and anonymized as A, B, and C. Results show that applying a fixed FSC without formally quantifying indirect costs can significantly distort expected profit. For Project A, the recommended FSC increases from 1.16 to 1.21, with profit dropping from 10.00% to 4.95% if the original FSC is kept; for Project B, the recommended FSC rises from 1.20 to 1.23, reducing profit from 12.00% to 9.57% under the original FSC. In contrast, Project C indicates potential overestimation: a recommended FSC of 1.28 (instead of 1.30) maintains the target profit while lowering the selling price. The findings support computing indirect costs from the outset rather than relying on a single heuristic factor.

This research experimentally evaluates the combined effect of microsilica and copper slag on the compressive strength and density of structural concrete designed for F’c = 280 kg/cm². The study addresses the need to incorporate industrial by-products as a sustainable technical alternative in the construction industry. A quantitative experimental design was developed using 120 cylindrical specimens (10×20 cm), produced according to the ACI 211.1 mix design method. Microsilica was incorporated at proportions of 4%, 6%, and 8% by weight of cement, while copper slag replaced fine aggregate at levels of 10%, 20%, and 30%. The specimens were tested at 7, 14, and 28 days in accordance with ASTM C39. The results indicated that the optimal combination was 6% microsilica and 10% copper slag, achieving an average compressive strength of 351.43 kg/cm² at 28 days, representing a 25.56% increase compared to the control mix. Additionally, a 3.95% increase in density was observed, indicating improved matrix compactness. It is concluded that the proper incorporation of these materials significantly enhances the mechanical performance of structural concrete and represents a technically viable alternative within the framework of sustainable construction.

Peru is situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it one of South America's most seismically active regions due to the subduction of the Nazca Plate. Significant historical events, such as the Tacna earthquakes in 2010 (M_w 6.5) and 2012 (M_w 6.1), and the 1974 La Molina-Lima earthquake (M_w 6.0), demonstrate the vulnerability of urban infrastructure. This study evaluates the dynamic response of a reduced-scale physical model representative of rigid masonry buildings typical of self-construction, analyzed as a Single-Degree-of-Freedom (SDOF) system. The methodology integrates real seismic records processed with SeismoSignal and the Newmark numerical integration method. The experimental model is characterized by a natural period of = 0.4 s and a natural frequency of = 15.79 rad/s representative of low-rise masonry housing. Results indicate that despite the Tacna 2010 event having a larger magnitude, the structural response was significantly higher for the Lima 1974 earthquake, attributed to the latter’s shallower focal depth and shorter epicentral distance. Peak structural accelerations reached 343.27 cm/s² with maximum displacements of 1.09 cm for the Lima event. These findings validate the numerical methodology on a controlled physical model, establishing a fundamental baseline for future complex structural assessments in high-risk seismic regions of Peru.

This research addresses the problems affecting land transport routes due to the use of extra-wide tires on heavy-duty vehicles, as they cause significant damage that considerably reduces the lifespan of flexible pavement. The objective of this investigation is to analyze the damage factor of extra-wide tires on flexible pavement and determine its impact on the design of Equivalent Axles on the Paracas-to-San Martín Highway. Experimental data on the deflection caused by the heavy load on this section will be analyzed, KEMPAVE software will be used to calculate the damage factor, and WinDEPAV 2.6 will be used to determine the thicknesses of the flexible pavement layers. The study concludes that the damage factor of T3S3 vehicles increased by 41% compared to that calculated using the MTC Standard. For 10-year designs, the dimensions of the pavement layers were increased as follows: Asphalt layer by 6%, the base by 17% and the total structure by 7%, while for a 20-year period, they were increased as follows: Asphalt layer by 8%, base by 17% and the total structure by 8%.

This research focuses on analyzing the impact of the inclusion of shredded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) on the mechanical properties of a sandy soil, specifically in the Oasis 1st Sector Pachacutec Human Settlement, located in Ventanilla, Callao. It was necessary to carry out laboratory tests following the guidelines of RNE-E.050 to evaluate the changes in the friction angle and bearing capacity of the soil; in addition, to obtain an optimum dosage of PET - sandy soil. The experiments involved the addition of different proportions of shredded PET to the sandy soil, specifically 2%, 4% and 6%, and direct shear tests were carried out under two loading conditions to obtain the friction angle and subsequently the bearing capacity. In addition, Proctor tests were carried out to determine the optimum moisture content and maximum dry density of the PET - sandy soil dosage that optimizes the mechanical properties of the standard soil. Preliminary results suggest that the addition of shredded PET could significantly improve the bearing capacity of the soil, which would indicate its viability as a stabilizing material in the study area; however, the proportion of PET - sandy soil varies according to the study region.

This research develops a nonlinear numerical model of the structural behavior of a one-story adobe house using the finite element method in DIANA FEM. The study is based on representative mechanical properties of traditional adobe reported in the scientific literature, considering compressive strength between 0.8–2.5 MPa, tensile strength between 0.08–0.20 MPa, and a modulus of elasticity in the range of 250–450 MPa. The Total Strain Crack Model, suitable for quasi-brittle materials, was implemented, incorporating principal tension cracking criteria (Rankine), a softening law regularized by fracture energy, and shear retention to capture the progressive stiffness degradation. The analysis was performed using an incremental nonlinear static pushover procedure, applying an initial gravitational load followed by controlled lateral displacement. The results showed that cracking begins at an approximate drift of 0.20%, with stiffness loss exceeding 40% after the elastic-inelastic transition. Maximum lateral capacity was reached at drifts between 0.8% and 1.2%, confirming limited overall ductility (µ < 2.0). The structural response was dominated by tensile strength and fracture energy, while compressive strength had a secondary influence on peak capacity. Parametric analysis demonstrated high structural sensitivity to variations in tensile strength; increases of 15% in this parameter resulted in increases of approximately 20–25% in maximum lateral capacity. The numerical damage pattern showed dominant diagonal cracking in load-bearing walls and stress concentrations at the corners of openings, consistent with previous experimental data. It is concluded that nonlinear modeling in DIANA FEM allows for the consistent reproduction of the characteristic failure mechanisms of adobe.