Conference Agenda

Portland cement production is associated with high carbon emissions, while plastic waste particularly high-density polyethylene (HDPE) continues to accumulate in landfills and natural environments. This work-in-progress study investigates the feasibility of using recycled HDPE as a primary binding phase in plastic–sand composite materials for non-structural construction applications. HDPE–sand composites were produced at plastic-to-sand mass ratios of 2:8, 3:7, and 4:6 and compared with conventional cement–sand control specimens. Mechanical performance was evaluated using compressive strength and a comparative impact resistance (drop-energy) test, while durability-related behavior was assessed using water absorption, apparent water porosity, exploratory thermal exposure, and short-term pH immersion monitoring. The results indicate that HDPE–sand composites can achieve compressive strengths within ranges commonly reported for non-structural masonry units and paving blocks, with the 3:7 ratio providing the most favorable balance between strength and ductility. All HDPE-based composites exhibited significantly lower water absorption and higher impact resistance than cement–sand controls due to the hydrophobic and ductile nature of the polymer binder. Exploratory thermal exposure highlighted a clear temperature sensitivity that defines the current service envelope of unmodified HDPE composites. Overall, recycled HDPE–sand composites show strong potential for paving blocks, pedestrian surfaces, and partition elements, offering a practical pathway for plastic waste valorization and reduced reliance on cement-based materials.

This study characterized the vertical distribution of turbulence intensity (TI) and its relationship with bed roughness in a reach of the Mapocho River at the Los Almendros gauging station, characterized by straight morphology, fine gravel bed, and subcritical flow conditions. Two field campaigns were conducted in September 2025, measuring instantaneous velocities in three cross sections by wading using a SEBA FlowSens electromagnetic sensor following the ISO 748:2007 standard, complemented by bed granulometric characterization using the Wolman pebble count method. The riverbed was dominated by moderately sorted fine gravels (D50 ≈ 4.8 mm, σg = 1.40). TI decreased from the bed toward the surface in all sections, with values ranging between 4.7% and 22.3%. In verticals over zones of higher local roughness, TI at 40% of the flow depth exceeded the value recorded near the bed, which is consistent with the propagation of turbulent structures from the bed toward intermediate layers of the water column. The Shields parameter exceeded the critical threshold in all three sections, confirming active sediment transport under the measured discharges.

The construction industry is widely recognized as one of the most conflict-ridden due to the technical complexity of projects, the multitude of stakeholders involved, and the contractual relationships that develop during construction. In Chile, the mechanisms traditionally used for resolving disputes in construction contracts are arbitration and litigation. These are reactive mechanisms that intervene once a dispute has already arisen, often resulting in higher costs and lengthy resolution times. Internationally, Dispute Boards (DBs) have emerged as a mechanism aimed at preventing and resolving disputes early during project execution.
This study analyzes the operation of Dispute Boards and their current status in the context of construction projects in Chile. A qualitative research approach was used, based on semi-structured interviews with construction professionals experienced in contract management, construction law, and dispute resolution. The data obtained were analyzed using a thematic coding process to identify benefits, barriers to implementation, and key factors for success.
The results show a high level of awareness of the mechanism among specialists in the field; however, its practical application in construction projects in Chile remains limited. Key benefits identified include early dispute prevention, improved communication between parties, reduced conflict-related costs, and faster dispute resolution. Nevertheless, significant barriers to implementation are identified, such as a lack of awareness of the mechanism within the industry, cultural resistance to change, and a lack of trust in alternatives to traditional mechanisms.

The significant loss of strength and stiffness in saturated granular soils caused by concurrent lateral forces during seismic events is one of the main geotechnical risk phenomena in Latin America. In this context, this article presents a systematic review of the types of tests, evaluation models, and methodological approaches used to assess liquefaction potential. To achieve this, the PRISMA methodology was used, considering 34 studies published in Scopus, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar between 2022 and 2025. The results show a predominance of in situ tests, especially the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and Cone Penetration Test (CPT/CPTu/SCPTu), as well as the use of empirical models in preliminary evaluations. However, there is a growing trend toward the application of computational approaches with large numerical simulations aimed at improving predictive capacity.

Understanding scour geometry is fundamental for the design and implementation of effective erosion and scour countermeasures, as it directly influences the structural integrity and service life of hydraulic infrastructure subjected to high-velocity flows in natural channels. This study evaluates a representative set of natural channels encompassing a broad range of hydraulic conditions, with Froude numbers spanning supercritical, critical, and subcritical flow regimes. The analyzed sites include typical hydraulic structures such as culverts, wing walls, and bridges.

Based on the hydraulic and geometric data obtained, an empirical equation was developed to estimate scour depth, width, and length for rivers exhibiting morphological and hydraulic characteristics representative of those found in Puerto Rico. The proposed equation was derived using numerical modeling tools within HEC-RAS, in conjunction with established methodologies such as HEC-14, which is widely applied for scour estimation at culverts

The ability of buildings to support human occupation depends not only on structural integrity but also on their capacity to provide adequate indoor environmental performance. Despite the increasing use of indices and calculation-based models to quantify inhabiting conditions, existing approaches remain fragmented in terms of structure, parameter selection, and applicability.

This study analyzes 19 calculation-based models used to assess inhabiting conditions in buildings, identifying their methodological characteristics, parameter composition, and level of applicability. A comparative framework was developed based on indoor focus, data requirements, and parameter coverage, enabling the selection of three representative models: the New Zealand Apartment Liveability Index (NZ ALI), the Healthy Housing Index (HHI), and the Building Habitability Index (Q).

These models were applied to two real residential case studies using a consistent dataset of indoor environmental and building performance parameters. The results show that differences in index values are primarily driven by variations in weighting structures and conceptual focus rather than parameter inclusion. While the models share several core parameters, they provide distinct and complementary representations of inhabiting performance.

The findings highlight the need for integrated, performance-oriented frameworks capable of consistently quantifying indoor habitability using measurable data. This work contributes to advancing the definition of inhabitable performance as an engineering-based concept applicable to building assessment and design.