Conference Agenda

This paper presents a retrospective comparative analysis of Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) and Allowable Stress Design (ASD) methodologies for drilled shaft foundations in Amazonian alluvial soils. Using the Motilones Bridge in Peru as a case study, originally designed following LRFD specifications, the foundation is reassessed with contemporary approaches including both updated LRFD standards and ASD methodology. This retrospective perspective allows comparison of design methodologies not considered together during the original design phase.

The analysis reveals systematic differences between design approaches, with ASD consistently producing more conservative results than LRFD methodologies. The study also identifies significant variability in results from different software implementations of the same design methodology, highlighting the importance of software verification in geotechnical practice. Additionally, the evolution from earlier to more recent LRFD specifications demonstrates how design codes incorporate improved understanding of geotechnical uncertainty.

All methodological approaches confirm the adequacy of the original foundation design, while providing insights into how methodological choices influence design outcomes. The study demonstrates the value of retrospective analysis for understanding methodological evolution and offers practical guidance for foundation design in similar tropical alluvial environments. Recommendations include explicit documentation of methodological choices, multi-software verification for critical designs, and consideration of methodological implications when transitioning between design approaches.

Objective: The entry of diverse cement brands into the Honduran market necessitates rigorous quality verification. This study evaluates and compares the mechanical performance of an Imported Cement (IC) from Asia versus two established brands produced locally: a Multinational Cement (MC) and a National Cement (NC). Methodology: The research followed ASTM C109 standards, fabricating 50 mm mortar cubes for each brand. Specimens were subjected to compressive strength tests at curing ages of 3, 7, and 28 days to determine the strength development curve. Results: Experimental data indicated that the IC achieved the highest average compressive strength of 1,998.00 psi at 28 days, surpassing the MC (1,648.73 psi) and the NC (1,704.17 psi). Conclusions: The comparative analysis demonstrates that the imported alternative exceeds the mechanical performance of local brands under the tested conditions, providing a technical baseline for cost-benefit decisions in local construction projects.

This study aimed to analyze how the incorporation of igneous rock, at percentages of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%, as a partial replacement for fine aggregate, influences the compressive and flexural strength of a conventional 300 kg/cm² concrete mix. The research was applied in nature, with an explanatory approach and an experimental design. A total of 96 probes were fabricated and evaluated after 7, 14, and 28 days of curing according to ASTM and NTP standards. The tests demonstrated that the use of igneous rock improves the mechanical performance of the concrete: with 15% incorporation, a 10.87% increase in compressive strength was obtained, while with 10%, a 22.03% increase in flexural strength was recorded compared to the control mix. These results show that igneous rock can be used as an alternative aggregate, improving concrete performance and sustainably utilizing local resources.

The study aimed to assess whether the Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) model could accelerate and enhance social housing construction in Peru. A systematic literature review and an analysis of international cases related to BIM, modularity, robotics, and Construction 4.0 were conducted. The results showed significant reductions in time, costs, and waste, along with improved precision and digital coordination. The study concluded that IDD was technically and financially feasible, although it required overcoming local barriers. The research provided an applicable framework for producing social housing in an industrialized, sustainable, and scalable

In multi-family housing projects in Metropolitan Lima, vertical metal formwork is a critical activity that often causes schedule delays. Therefore, this research evaluates the automation of pre-assembly using Building Information Modeling (BIM), Dynamo, and Augmented Reality (AR). To reduce execution times, a methodology was applied that integrates automated modeling processes in Revit and Dynamo, as well as construction simulation in Navisworks, to analyze the performance and productivity of the metal formwork. Augmented Reality was used as a real-time visualization tool to guide on-site assembly. Finally, the proposal was validated through expert judgment in the construction sector, ensuring its relevance and applicability. The results obtained show a 79% improvement in performance, a 70% reduction in labor costs, and a 41% increase in the Schedule Performance Index (SPI). These findings demonstrate that automating pre-assembly using BIM, Dynamo, and AR significantly optimizes the execution time of vertical metal formwork, making it an innovative, efficient, and applicable solution for improving productivity and performance on construction sites.

Road safety in mountainous rural highways such as Loja-Catamayo (Ecuador) presents significant engineering challenges due to geometric deficiencies and pavement surface conditions that increase risks for medium-sized vehicle operators. This study analyzed the influence of road geometry (grade and horizontal curve radius), International Roughness Index (IRI), and iRAP star rating classification on operating speed through 50 speed profiles recorded with Speed Tracker (iPhone 15 Pro), pavement roughness measurements via Roughometer III, and iRAP coding in ViDA. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in Minitab revealed a mean operating speed of 56.48 km/h, with statistically significant effects from grade (p<0.001, F=19.07), curve radius (p<0.001, F=27.53), and IRI (p<0.001, F=14.66), but not from iRAP classification (p=0.711). Minimum speeds were recorded on tight curves (43.85 km/h), uphill grades (47.17 km/h), and poor pavement surface conditions (41.40 km/h). The results highlight a statistically significant relationship between mean operating speed of medium-sized vehicles and both horizontal curve radius and grade, as well as pavement surface condition; however, no statistically significant relationship was found with the results of the road safety assessment in the study corridor