Browsing by Author "Loyola Fernández, Estefanía Francisca"

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    Development of a prefabricated arched slab system for a pedestrian pathway: a sustainable strategy in the Huasco landscape, Chile
    (International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS), 2024) Calvo, Cristián; Moreno Flores, Osvaldo; Eugenin Soto, Claudia; Loyola Fernández, Estefanía Francisca
    This paper presents a case study on the development of a pedestrian pathway in Huasco, Chile, with the aim of reconciling construction practices with environmental conservation. The study is situated in a context that demands mitigation measures for a mine tailings deposit site. A novel, eco-conscious construction methodology is introduced. Prefabricated arched slabs are a sustainable alternative to traditional foundation blocks. They are specifically designed to minimize disturbance on the region's vulnerable rocky terrain. The methodology involves designing and fabricating an arched slab. This slab is designed to rest on the ground with minimal intrusion, thereby preserving the topsoil. A novel material innovation in this methodology is the partial replacement of cement with mine tailings, reducing the dependency on conventional cement and promoting the recycling of industrial waste. A two-module arched slab prototype has been successfully assembled under controlled laboratory conditions. This prototype serves as an evaluation of the practicality and effectiveness of newly proposed materials and techniques. The concrete mix, which incorporates mine tailings, was assessed, and found to be a structurally sound and environmentally friendly alternative. The article describes the process of designing and fabricating a prototype and highlights the potential of such sustainable practices in contemporary construction methods. It suggests that if these innovative techniques were more widely adopted, they could transform the fields of ecological architecture and landscaping.