Diseño de vivienda de 2 pisos con hormigón ligero autocompactante, ubicada en Portoviejo, Manabí

Abstract

CONDITION FOR PUBLICATION OF PROJECT. In the city of Portoviejo, where the median construction cost reaches $765/m², the use of Self-Compacting Lightweight Concrete (SCLC) was evaluated as an alternative to reduce expenses without compromising structural performance. The study aimed to find whether the reduction in density and the self-compacting behavior of the material ensure adequate performance in low-rise buildings found in seismic areas. Several mixtures were developed using expanded perlite as a partial replacement for natural fine aggregate. Among them, H-4 and HF-3 were selected for structural design and analyzed following NEC15 and ACI318-19 standards. The tests included characterization in both fresh and hardened states, with emphasis on density, compressive strength, and workability. Results showed densities close to 1960 kg/m³ and strengths of 35 MPa and 30 MPa, with a flow diameter of 720 mm. The application of SCLC allowed a 16% reduction in structural weight and achieved a cost of $233.71/m², equivalent to 65% less than the local median. It is concluded that SCLC meets regulatory requirements and shows adequate mechanical properties, constituting a technically and economically practical alternative for low-rise seismic-resistant buildings. Keywords: Self-Compacting Lightweight Concrete, Seismic-Resistant Structures, Construction Costs, Expanded Perlite.