Conference Agenda

Clay soils present a challenge in civil engineering due to their high plasticity, significant volumetric changes, and low stiffness, leading to settlement, bulging, and cracking in constructed structures. In Lima, Peru, districts like Ate have alluvial soils composed of highly plastic, low-consistency clays, which compromise the soil's bearing capacity and increase its seismic vulnerability. Furthermore, stabilizers such as cement and lime have high energy costs and CO₂ emissions. Therefore, the objective of this research is to determine the effect of eggshell powder (ESP), due to its high CaCO₃ content, on the soil's shear strength parameters, evaluating its viability as a sustainable stabilizer for shallow foundations. To this end, Atterberg limits, Proctor compaction, and direct shear tests were performed in the laboratory using samples with 0%, 15%, 25%, and 35% ESP by weight of clay soil. The results showed a reduction in both the plasticity index (from 16% to 8%) and cohesion (from 25.2 kPa to 16.6 kPa), while the angle of internal friction increased from 5.8° to 12.1° and the soil's allowable bearing capacity improved to 146.30 kPa. These findings confirm the potential of ESP as an economical, environmentally friendly, and viable stabilizer for shallow foundations, promoting sustainable geotechnical practices that valorize waste and reduce the carbon footprint of construction.

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed critical gaps in medical infrastructure in developing countries, particularly regarding the supply of medical-grade oxygen. In Ecuador, the highly centralized production in the Highlands and Coast regions creates a dangerous dependency for the Amazonian province of Sucumbíos. This study presents a comprehensive engineering design for an on-site oxygen generation plant with a capacity of 5 m³/h located in Lago Agrio. The project adopts a "health sovereignty" framework, focusing on the autonomous production of strategic medical supplies. Utilizing Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology, the design optimizes the extraction of oxygen from the local atmosphere, which empirical measurements show to have a 1% higher purity compared to the global average. The methodology integrates Quality Function Deployment (QFD) to align technical specifications with the needs of 13 regional health centers. Structural integrity and fluid dynamics were validated through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using ANSYS and SOLIDWORKS. Results indicate a safety factor of 2.3 for the main pressure vessels under a working pressure of 12 bar. The proposed plant offers a 30% reduction in procurement costs and eliminates logistical risks, providing a scalable model for regional health resilience.

Credit demand in farmers has remained low despite the increase of credit allocations and bank offices in rural areas. Low productivity and profitability could be key determinants of this low demand due to a possible poverty trap generated. Productive associations could be the solution to this phenomenon because they help coffee farmers quit from it. Using a propensity score matching model and data from IV National Census of Agriculture the study demonstrates that small associated coffee farmers increase more than two times the odds of credit request compared to those that are not associated.

Abstract– The management of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles represents a technical and environmental challenge. A significant number of these batteries are prematurely discarded due to partial failures, even though many of their cells remain in acceptable operating conditions. In this context, second-life battery utilization emerges as an alternative aligned with circular economy principles and energy sustainability. In this paper, we present guidelines for the implementation of a specialized laboratory for second-life batteries, focused on the diagnosis, classification, rehabilitation, and assembly of new battery packs using reusable cells. The technical foundations for battery characterisation are described, along with the required equipment, tools, and instruments. In addition, the safety measures needed to mitigate electrical, thermal, and chemical risks associated with battery handling are outlined. The operational workflow, laboratory zoning, and a proposal for meeting laboratory requirements through appropriate equipment and protection systems are also presented. The proposed laboratory model provides a replicable framework for the technological validation of battery reuse processes in controlled environments, contributing to environmental impact reduction and the development of sustainable energy solutions.

This paper presents the design of Kantu Warmi, a device aimed at environmental monitoring and support for thermal control in high-Andean agricultural contexts, focused on potato cultivation in the Puno region. In these areas, sudden temperature drops frequently affect early crop stages, increasing the risk of yield losses and the economic vulnerability of small- and medium-scale farmers. To address this challenge, the proposed system consists of a thermal module capable of measuring and displaying ambient temperature, as well as activating a heat-generation mechanism when conditions fall below crop-specific critical thresholds. The design prioritizes information legibility, resistance to adverse environmental conditions, ground stability, and proper integration within the agricultural plot, enabling direct installation and continuous operation. The applied methodology integrates: (i) contextual research and user characterization, (ii) definition of design requirements and system architecture, and (iii) prototyping and functional validation through tests in controlled environments and field scenarios. Experimental results confirmed the correct response of the sensing system, activation of the thermal element, and user comprehension of the signaling interface. The study concludes that Kantu Warmi constitutes a supportive tool for agricultural decision-making in response to low-temperature events, highlighting the contribution of industrial design to the development of functional, accessible, and context-specific solutions for rural environments.