Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Infiltration in buildings is one of the most frequent problems and, in most cases, is the product of pipe leaks, construction defects, among others. Their detection is difficult, since they do not present external manifestations in the first phases. Infrared thermography may be a potential technique for detecting these defects, since it does not need direct contact with the inspected structure and has real-time results. Thus, this article aims to evaluate infrared thermography to detect infiltrations due to accidental causes. The methodology of the work consisted in the inspection of the common areas of a multifamily condominium with a thermographic camera and the use of a humidity detector, in a complementary way. The results allowed to prove that the detection was possible with small thermal gradients, around 0.4 °C to 1.5 °C, where the affected areas were visualized with lower temperature due to the thermal inertia of the water. In the inspection for infiltration verification, the technique showed a rapid detection of this pathological manifestation and can be used as an auxiliary tool

The modulus of elasticity is a property of great importance in the structural calculation, which allows understanding the relationship between the stress and the deformation of an evaluated material, in this matter, a correct prediction of the modulus of elasticity of concrete allows the Structural Engineer design elements or structures that perform as it were conceived. In this investigation an equation to calculate the modulus of elasticity determine were determined for two mixtures of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with nominal strength of 70 MPa at the age of twenty-eight days.The only variable analyzed in this study was the type of hydraulic cement: cement modified with initial high strength limestone and modified cement with pozzolana. For fresh concrete the following testwere analyzedcomparatively: temperature (ASTM C1064), unit weight (ASTM C138), air content (ASTM C231) and unrestricted flow (ASTM C1611). For hardened concrete, the compressive strength (ASTM C39), elastic modulus, Poisson ratio and shear modulus (ASTM C469) were studied.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a new methodology that has been growing in recent years within Costa Rica. However, this diffusion has generated isolated attempts, mainly from the private sector. In order to the current capability of the country in the use of the BIM, some interviews were distributed among the public, private and academic sectors; which were used in conjunction with the “Adoption Point” and “Macro-Maturity Components” models developed by Billial Succar and Mohamad Kassen. This permitted to understand the starting point of a potential implementation of the BIM methodology at the national level and develop a series of tasks to implement the BIM methodology in the country. That roadmap was validated by a committee of experts who have extensive knowledge about the current situation at the national level. The product of this work is an adoption process or roadmap for the incorporation of the BIM methodology during the planning, design, construction and operation phases of public works in Costa Rica as a tool to improve the management of construction projects.

Recently the ASTM D6637 test method of the American Association of Materials Testing (ASTM) was implemented in the National Laboratory of Materials and Structural Models of the University of Costa Rica (LANAMME UCR). In the verification stage of the correct implementation of the test method, we worked with 2 types of geogrids samples used as reinforcement at the national level; which were tested to determine their tensile mechanical properties; ie (ultimate strength and ultimate deformation). Once these characteristics were obtained, we proceeded to compare them with the data reported in their technical specifications. In this stage, inconsistencies were found between the data found at the laboratory level and those reported by the manufacturer; which gave indications of possible overvaluations in the data reported by the manufacturers and marketers of geogrids. There is also evidence of data reports in values ​​different to the MARV specification, which is the one adopted by ASTM in the subject of quality control. This document is derived from the final work of graduation: "Implementation of the test methods for the determination of the properties at the same time in the geogrids and geotextiles according to the ASTM D6637 and ASTM D4595 standards" (see bibliographical reference 6).

This paper presents a synthesis of the experimental results obtained from testing the evolution of the compressive strength in concrete made with different modified cements at different ages. It includes the characterization of two aggregates of different provenances (river and quarry) and three types of modified cements. The cements tested correspond to MM/C (P-C) -28, MM/C (C-P) -28 and MC/A - AR. The objective of the study was to generate the standard resistance development curves of six concrete mixtures (in percentage terms), using these cements and aggregates. The characterization tests were conducted out following the INTECO and ASTM standards. The curing of concrete specimens took place in a humid chamber at 4 different ages (3, 7, 28 and 56 days). The strength of the concrete was obtained through tests on the Universal Machine, and the results were processed and validated statistically, using the acceptance parameters of the ACI 214-2002 report. From the analysis, it was possible to generate the curves of standard development of resistance for all the cements under study using two provenances of aggregates, including an inferential statistical analysis for the resistance results of the concretes. It was concluded that, by varying the origin of the aggregate for the same cement, the resistance of the concrete is significantly different (on statistical terms), as for the same aggregate when the type of cement is changed.

This document seeks to share the process by which the “Jóvenes Promotores de Derechos” (“Youth Rights Promoters”) proposal was constructed based on a learning experience carried out with young people between ages 13 to 22 from the community of Garabito in the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica during the years 2016 and 2017.  The subject matter arises from a process of investigation, sensitization and training in Human Rights and Culture of Peace within the framework of the Proyecto Ciudades culturales: UNA alianza para el futuro (Cultural Cities Project: UNA alliance for the future), executed by academic personnel of the Vice-Rectories of Extension and of Education (Vicerectorías de Extensión y de Docencia) of the Universidad Nacional of Costa Rica (UNA) (National University of Costa Rica) in partnership with the City of Garabito’s Centro Cívico para la Paz (CCP) (Civic Center for Peace) and the City of Jaco’s Colegio Técnico Profesional (CTP) (Professional Technical High School), with participation of undergraduate and graduate students from UNA and Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) (State Distance-Learning University).  The process carried out with the support of ludopedagogical tools consisted of three phases; the first, of diagnostic nature, explored young people's perceptions about the problems in their community, violence in its different expressions and the experience of Human Rights.  The second phase corresponds to the strengthening of capacities in issues of leadership, Human Rights and Culture of Peace for young people from both CCP and CTP.  The third phase corresponds to a proposal pilot provided only to 10th grade youths from CTP.  As a result, we arrive at a participatory proposal of sensitization and education aimed at young people with the objective forming them as promoters of rights in their educational centers and communities.

The need for States to access natural resources in indigenous territories has led to confrontations between different rights and principles established in Public International Law. The purpose of the present article is to analyze the conflicts between the principle of permanent sovereignty over natural resources and the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination.  On the one hand, the principle of permanent sovereignty over natural resources is a means to guarantee a State’s access to resources to drive their development model.  On the other hand, the right to self-determination allows indigenous peoples to access the resources necessary for their economic, social and cultural development.  The implementation of extractive projects in indigenous territories has resulted in the deprivation of their territory as well as the limitation of access to resources, including those indispensable for subsistence.  This has significantly undermined their right to freely determine their own development model, and even to warrant their survival as indigenous peoples.  Given this reality, the article raises the idea of ​​an inclusive and not only exclusive sovereignty of the State, through which indigenous peoples may secure and protect their access to the necessary resources for their development.

The objective of this article is to review 20 years of history of the Revista Latinoamericana de Derechos Humanos from its beginnings as DEHUIDELA in 2009.  This is achieved through a descriptive analysis based on information gathered from the reports presented annually to IDELA, from each published journal number and its website.  The article proposes that this publication is born as an effort of the Instituto de Estudios Latinoamericanos (Institute of Latin American Studies) (IDELA) to support the Human Rights Program, as well as an opportunity to develop various themes that will stimulate the students of the Institute in their research topics.  Starting with a new effort in 2009, the journal takes a step to become an indexed scientific publication whose main focus is the publication of works related to human rights as perceived from various disciplines and approaches.  It is concluded that the work input over the years has made the Revista Latinoamericana de Derechos Humanos a quality print and electronic publication that contributes to the dissemination of knowledge of human rights in Latin America from within the public university.

The Human Rights Committee has issued several legal opinions wherein it has analyzed the right to the presumption of innocence.  This United Nations body has unraveled the scope of this guarantee and, certainly, has brought to surface its multifaceted character.  However, much of its jurisprudence has focused on the extra-procedural aspect of this right.  Therefore, as the working hypothesis, it was formulated that the right to the presumption of innocence, from the interpretation of the Human Rights Committee, was a purely extra-procedural guarantee.  However, the investigation showed that although its jurisprudence has been characterized by conceiving this principle as a right that comes to life outside the legal process, it also contains other criteria that extend the scope of this legal institution.

Although the legal scenario for children after the advent of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child has generated an impact on national laws, the exercise of these rights by their holders continues to present some restrictions.  In this sense, the present article aims to perform an analysis on the paradigm shift in childhood as associated to the notion of citizenship, which is understood as a process of affirmation and conquest of rights.  Thence, the analysis initiates from an old conception of protection that considered the minor as an incapable and incomplete being, in contrast to a new protection paradigm, resulting from new laws for children and their condition as holders of rights.  In this context, childhood citizenship is understood as opposed to the idea of ​​ “future citizens”, based on the rights that were acquired, including the right to participate and be social actors, in accordance with the development of progressive autonomy.  Therefore, it is considered necessary to affirm the citizenship of children through the principle of progressive autonomy in order to achieve equal rights among people and build more democratic societies.