USO DE CENIZA VOLCÁNICA COMO PUZOLANA NATURAL EN MEZCLAS DE HORMIGÓN

Abstract

Engineering is the set of techniques and knowledge used to invent and create with the use of natural resources (RAE, 2016; Construmática, 2016). We, as the future engineers of Ecuador, will be the ones who bring solutions to social problems and make positive changes to society. The purpose of this investigation is to analyze the way concrete mixes react when raw volcanic ash is applied in the production process. It is intended to revise if there are mechanical improvements when the ash is added, and if that were the case, if it would be economically convenient to use it in construction projects. The volcanic ash used in this investigation was retrieved from the Tungurahua volcano after the eruption in October of 2015. The material was hand collected and sent to a chemistry lab where it was analyzed, the material met all the requirements that were needed and it was added to two different concrete mixes in different proportions, replacing cement for ash. The concrete mixes selected for this investigation where both structural concrete, using f´c= 210 and 350. With both of the previously mentioned concrete mixes, physical samples were tested, subjecting the samples to compression and bending forces. With this results, the best scenario was analyzed in terms of economic costs. The results were outstanding