Context: Soils reinforced with natural fibers such as banana fibers (BF) constitute a promising alternative for improving the geotechnical properties of the soil, especially in rapidly growing urban contexts like Peru. Methods: This study was structured into four stages: the extraction and preparation of soil samples; the evaluation of the physical characteristics of the fibers; mixing with proportions of 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2% BF relative to the soil dry weight; and physical and mechanical tests to assess the effects on geotechnical properties. Results: The addition of 1% BF optimized the properties of the modified soil: the maximum dry density remained stable, the California bearing ratio increased by 5.95%, and the unconfined compressive strength increased by 23.81% compared to natural soil. Conclusions: The use of BF-treated soil meets the local standards for application in infrastructure such as roads and pavements, thus promoting sustainable construction practices and contributing to the development of resilient and environmentally responsible infrastructure.

El Perú, dado que está establecido dentro del Anillo de Fuego del Pacífico es considerado un país con una frecuencia alta de sismos. Diversos estudios indican que frente a las costas se presenta acoplamiento sísmico. Esto sumado a la escasez de medios económicos para contratar asesoría profesional al diseñar y construir la edificación, genera la inadecuada utilización de normas técnicas de edificaciones. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo estimar niveles de vulnerabilidad sísmica para construcciones existentes de zona sur-este dentro del distrito de Lambayeque, situado en el norte costero peruano. Para lograrlo, se recurrió al método italiano del índice de vulnerabilidad, por lo que se evaluó 3 054 edificaciones pertenecientes a 4 tipologías: (1) construcciones de adobe, (2) albañilería no confinada, (3) albañilería confinada y (4) concreto armado. De las edificaciones analizadas, el 15,62% tiene un nivel de vulnerabilidad bajo, el 62,25% tiene un nivel de vulnerabilidad media, el 22,13% presenta una vulnerabilidad alta. Además, se realizó un mapa temático con el Sistema de Información Geográfica y se expresa su vulnerabilidad sísmica por niveles cuya identificación se realiza mediante escala de colores. Como complemento, se elaboró un Estudio de Mecánica de Suelos y se obtuvieron capacidades de carga admisible del suelo de entre 0,64 kg/cm2 y 1,00 kg/cm2.

In this paper, a method for image classification based on multidimensional scaling (MDS) is presented. Once the image has been fragmented into smaller cells and the wavelet decomposition has also been performed, up to a certain level, statistics are obtained from the new cells with the aim of constructing vectors of characteristics of the original image. Then, these vectors are grouped in a matrix and the MDS of said matrix is performed. Finally, the principal coordinates of the MDS indicate the proximity between vectors and, therefore, between images.

The useful life of pavements determines the design of asphalt mixtures. However, premature structural failures and low durability are one of the main problems in pavement engineering today. The action of loads produced by traffic, exposure to environmental factors and the inadequacy of conventional designs of asphalt pavements are some of the main problems associated with the durability of the pavement. The modification of asphalt binders is an alternative that has been used for some years to improve the properties of bituminous material. Among the modifying materials are elastomers, a class of polymers with elastic properties that can be heat-treated. In this study, the asphalt was modified by wet means by adding 5, 10 and 15% of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) by weight of the binder. Subsequently, standard samples were prepared with the characterized constituents and mixtures with the modified asphalt cement. Consequently, tests were carried out to obtain the optimal mixture that improves the properties of conventional pavement. The results show that the optimal TPU addition content is 5%. With this percentage, the modified binder presented a greater elastic recovery of up to 5.60% and a reduction of up to 42.6% in penetration compared to conventional asphalt. In addition, using the Marshall method, it was determined that the stability of the modified mixtures was much higher than that of standard mixtures for light, medium and heavy traffic; so, they will have a higher resistance to deformation and better fatigue behavior.