Caracterización física, mecánica y térmica de materiales vernáculos de la región Sierra del Ecuador

Abstract

This project has a main objective, which is to determine the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of vernacular materials in the Sierra region of Ecuador. In particular, the density, compression strength, flexion strength, thermal conductivity and specific heat of adobe artisanal bricks and fired clay artisanal tiles from Pichincha, Imbabura and Cotopaxi provinces are determined. Based on the national state of the art investigated, it is clear a lack on public access technical studies related with vernacular materials. Also, it is evident the necessity of a national standard that specifies methods of production and tests to these materials. Due to the shortage of information about this topic, the study contributes with experimental and statistics procedures to find vernacular material properties, which will benefit to the design of social houses for economic neediest people. The consulted references were important to establish an accurate methodology to determine the previous mentioned properties. The obtained results are studied by statistics procedures that are used to define a 98% confidence interval and find the average value of each property. In conclusion, the dispersion showed on the obtained values is explained by the artisanal procedures involved, because these ones change according to the producer techniques.