Conference Agenda

Wood is one of the most accessible and widely used materials in the construction industry due to its versatility and availability.

Tornillo and Eucalyptus wood exhibited similar dimensional contraction upon drying, with reductions of −2.835% and −2.85% per side, respectively. Tornillo showed a higher water absorption capacity (16.33%) compared to Eucalyptus (8.75%), despite having similar initial moisture contents (11.01% and 11.49%). In terms of basic density, Eucalyptus was denser (737.47 kg/m³) than Tornillo (493.34 kg/m³).

In flexural tests, dry Eucalyptus demonstrated the best performance, with an average strength of 134.98 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of 12,745.35 MPa. Tornillo reached its highest strength in the natural state (77.41 MPa and 6,217.78 MPa), while its mechanical properties significantly decreased when wet. In axial compression, dry Eucalyptus also showed the highest resistance (948.12 kgf/cm²), representing a +72.37% increase compared to its natural state, while dry Tornillo reached 476.26 kgf/cm² (+23.08%). Both materials showed notable decreases in strength when wet (−33.98% for Eucalyptus and −40.84% for Tornillo).

Lastly, regarding Poisson’s ratio, Tornillo presented higher values in the wet (0.697) and natural (0.604) states, decreasing to 0.533 when dry. Eucalyptus, on the other hand, exhibited a slightly higher average in the wet state (0.650), followed by the natural (0.535) and dry (0.407) states. It was concluded that when wood is dried, its mechanical properties increase significantly; conversely, when it is subjected to a water absorption process, these properties decrease.

In this study, gypsum and lime were used as alternative coating materials in construction, with the aim of comparing the performance of gypsum and lime in construction coatings by evaluating their compressive strength, degree of absorption, and specific weight in addition proportions of 16%, 22%, 50% and 70%. This objective was achieved by following an applied, experimental methodology with a quantitative approach, aimed at comparing the performance of plaster and lime as binders in construction coatings, in proportions of 16%, 22%, 50%, and 70%. Forty cylindrical mortar specimens were prepared, divided equally between mixtures with lime and gypsum. The samples were cured for 7, 14, and 28 days and subjected to compressive strength, absorption rate, and specific weight tests, carried out in the laboratory of the Universidad Privada del Norte. The results showed that maximum compressive strength was obtained with 16% gypsum (4,245 kg/cm²) and 16% lime (5,337 kg/cm²), demonstrating that intermediate percentages optimize structural performance. In terms of absorption, lime mortars had values between 16.67% and 23.00%, and gypsum mortars between 16.38% and 24.04%, demonstrating that lime offers greater stability against moisture. Finally, it is concluded that lime is more suitable for exterior coatings, while gypsum is appropriate for dry interiors due to its better workability and surface finish.

The objective of this research was to analyze the physical and mechanical properties of mortars produced by partially replacing mixing water with a homemade waterproofing additive at proportions of 10% and 20%. Three mortar mixtures (0%, 10%, and 20%) were prepared and evaluated through water absorption, capillarity, and compressive strength tests. The results showed that the mortar containing 20% waterproofing additive exhibited notable improvements in impermeability, significantly reducing both water absorption and capillary action, while achieving a compressive strength of 236.36 kg/cm². In contrast, the 10% proportion did not produce relevant changes in capillarity and showed lower compressive strength compared to the 20% mixture. Statistical analysis using ANOVA, Levene’s test, and Tukey’s HSD test confirmed the existence of significant differences among the groups. Furthermore, the use of the homemade waterproofing additive, formulated from lime and used oil, represents an ecological and cost-effective alternative to industrial additives, as it promotes the reuse of polluting waste and reduces environmental impact. It is concluded that the use of a 20% homemade waterproofing additive is viable for applications requiring high structural performance and enhanced impermeability, particularly within the context of sustainable construction.

The present research aims to evaluate the efficiency of copper and iron removal using a biofilter composed of vegetable ash, dried guinea pig manure, and cattle manure applied to acid mine drainage (AMD). Real AMD samples with an initial pH between 2.70 and 2.72 were collected and treated through three biofilter configurations with different biomass dosages: Treatment 1 with 50 g of vegetable ash, 30 g of guinea pig manure, and 20 g of cattle manure; Treatment 2 with 40 g of ash, 40 g of guinea pig manure, and 20 g of cattle manure; and Treatment 3 with 20 g of ash, 60 g of guinea pig manure, and 30 g of cattle manure. Contact times of 5, 10, and 15 minutes were evaluated, showing a rapid increase in pH to values between 7.2 and 8.9. Residual concentrations of Fe and Cu were determined using a colorimetric method with a digital colorimeter and specific reagent kits. The results showed that Treatment 3 achieved the best performance, reaching a maximum removal of 89.84 % for iron and 97.85 % for copper at 15 minutes, while formulations with higher ash content produced higher alkalinity but lower stability in metal retention. It is concluded that pH increase alone does not guarantee effective remediation and that the contribution of organic matter plays a fundamental role in metal immobilization, demonstrating that the proposed system constitutes an eco-efficient and viable alternative for passive AMD treatment in rural contexts.