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

ChatGPT Plus Currently, one of the most widely used indirect methods for determining the tensile strength of concrete is the splitting tensile test, due to its ease of execution and reproducibility. The objective of this research was to investigate the reliability of the test in relation to the variation of tensile strength. This work consisted of an experimental study on the splitting tensile behavior with respect to the following factors: age, moisture condition at the time of testing, and level of vibration. In order to reach objective conclusions, a statistical study based on an analysis of variance (ANOVA) model of the results was carried out. For molded concrete specimens, the only variable that significantly affected the strength was the age at the time of testing, specifically for those that had been kept in a curing chamber and then submerged in a water tank 48 hours prior to testing. For both ages, it was observed that variations in the specimen’s moisture condition at the time of testing did not necessarily result in changes in splitting tensile strength. The behavior of core samples taken from hardened concrete was different. No clear trend of increase or decrease in splitting tensile strength was observed as any of the three studied factors were varied.

The reuse of bituminous materials from worn pavements cannot be considered a new technique in road pavement maintenance and rehabilitation, since its use, in a more or less widespread manner, began in 1973 as a consequence of the oil crisis. In-place cold recycling, as an alternative to conventional milling and replacement, offers a series of well-known technical, economic, and environmental advantages.

In the research for new roads, researchers from the United States Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have developed an accurate method to determine the range within which Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) contracts and expands during temperature changes. The information generated by this new method will play a primary role in the performance of longer-lasting roads with smoother surfaces.

The long-term performance of asphalt mixtures largely depends on the quality of the aggregates and the manner in which they are handled during the production and placement processes. In general terms, approximately 94% to 95% of the total weight of the mixture corresponds to the aggregate materials (when these exhibit absorption rates between 2.0% and 1.0%). The production process of asphalt concrete must be governed by a rigorous quality control system in order to maintain oversight at every stage of the production process. This is an essential requirement for achieving a high-quality product that consistently meets the specifications. In accordance with the aforementioned, the quality of the aggregate sources, as well as the methods of extraction and handling of these materials, as the predominant RAW MATERIAL, are direct determinants of the quality of the final product.

The restoration of load transfer at transverse joints is a rigid pavement rehabilitation technique associated with one of the most common types of concrete pavement distress at joints: faulting. In this context, the placement of dowel bars in a pavement without reinforcing steel and with aggregate interlock joints restores the load transfer between adjacent concrete slabs.

We are all aware of the importance that physical infrastructure works have for a country's development, as they necessarily need to be renewed, expanded, and maintained frequently. But it is also our responsibility to ensure the preservation of the environment, since otherwise it is not feasible to achieve sustainable development or citizen well-being.

Plastic deformation in asphalt concrete layers is one of the most common modes of distress in flexible pavement structures in the Costa Rican context. This phenomenon is related to the compressibility of the layer (consolidation under loads) and/or the lack of shear strength (plastic flow).

Ruts and corrugations are types of pavement distresses that appear as depressions in the surface layer, caused by the plastic deformation of any of the layers that make up the pavement structure.

The way to address natural hazards when carrying out project evaluations is through the valuation of the costs involved (mitigation works costs, damage repair costs, indirect costs to society, etc.). These costs are dependent on random variables and, as such, have associated probabilistic and risk characteristics. This concept can be further elaborated by stating that the way to address Natural Hazards in Project Evaluation is through the probabilistic valuation of the costs resulting from the occurrence of a natural disaster, the investments in mitigation works, and under the consideration of the associated risk. The methodology to be applied and related comments have already been addressed by the authors in previous works (Masciarelli et al.; 1997a, 1997b, 1997c, 1997d, 2000a, 2000b, 2000c, 2000d and Arranz et al.; 2000).

Central American countries are susceptible to a wide range of natural phenomena with high destructive potential, due to the geological, climatic, and environmental characteristics of the region, where the interaction of multiple tectonic plates and various climatic events converge. In the past, hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions have caused the complete destruction of human settlements and even the full relocation of populations and infrastructure. In just the last 30 years, the region has been affected by several hurricanes with significant socioeconomic impact: Fifí (1974), Joan (1989), César (1996), and Mitch (1998). During the same period, several earthquakes have caused severe destruction: Managua, Nicaragua (1972); Guatemala (1976); San Salvador (1986); the Caribbean Region of Costa Rica and Panama (1991); and El Salvador (2001). Volcanic eruptions have also been a frequent source of disasters throughout the short history of our countries. Other events, such as floods, landslides, and mudflows triggered by intense and/or prolonged rainfall, may be of lesser magnitude, but their consequences are significant for social and economic development due to their higher frequency.