Work done on construction sites is considered to be high risk, resulting in instances of occupational accidents that impact the physical, mental and social integrity of the workers as well as company productivity. Therefore, the objective of this article is to analyze the causes and consequences of occupational accidents occured in the second semester of 2012 in two construction projects in Neiva, Colombia. The approach is documentary, supported by information sources of occupational accidents reported to the Administration of Occupational Accidents (ARL in Spanish); the model developed by Frank E. Bird was used to determine the causes of these accidents. A total of 117 accidents were analyzed, detecting 195 failures of control, 136 personal factors, 112 work related factors, 151 unsafe acts and 54 unsafe conditions; some accidents had more than one cause. In this manner, the authors conclude that the largest percentage of occupational accidents were caused by lack of control, followed by unsafe acts. Therefore, the use of programs of risk management priorities is recommended, based on the proper identification of hazards, allowing the mitigation and control of risk; likewise developing a culture of self-care in workers is recommended.

Rev. ing. constr.[online]. 2016, vol.31, n.1, pp. 05-16. ISSN 0718-5073.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-50732016000100001

The recent economic crisis suffered by the Spanish construction sector has brought to light its excessive vulnerability to fluctuations in the real estate market. Overcoming this situation requires to innovate the sector in order to increase its efficiency. A large amount of researches in Spain focus on the improvement of the environmental efficiency of construction works, but only a few of them deal with its economic efficiency. The current study arises from the importance of the latter in order to achieve a comprehensive sustainability in construction. We introduce a process-based budget model, the POP model, whose most significant strength is the direct inclusion of all costs incurred at the building production site. In this way, process-based estimates expose with transparence and accuracy the real nature of the projected works, contributing to improve their economic management.

Rev. ing. constr. [online]. 2016, vol.31, n.1, pp. 17-25. ISSN 0718-5073.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/

In this work we have studied the performance of simple concrete pipes produced with the incorporation of rubber tires with contents of 10, 15 and 20 kg/m³ of concrete. The experimental program included diametral compression strength and water absorption tests. Twelve pipes were tested and divided into four sets of three pipes of nominal diameter (ND) of 600 mm and length of 1500 mm. Each series consisted of three pipes stub and bag (SB), one control (without rubber tires), and three sets incorporating rubber pipes on the trace (TB1, TB2 and TB3). All test results showed diametrical compressive strength values higher than that specified the NBR 8890 standard, with respect to simple concrete pipes PS2 class: type SB with ND 600 mm, which is 36 kN/m. In the water absorption test all pipes had absorption values less than the maximum established in the NBR 8890 standard, which is 8%. It can be concluded from the results and specific conditions of the tests conducted, that the tire rubber has the potential to be incorporated into the manufacture of simple concrete pipes. However, it is stated that it is necessary to increase the knowledge about the behavior of concretes incorporating rubber tire.

Rev. ing. constr. [online]. 2016, vol.31, n.1, pp. 27-36. ISSN 0718-5073.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-50732016000100003

CEINCI-LAB is a computer software developed using MATLAB for static or dynamic structural analysis, in a friendly way and simultaneously serves the user to reinforce structural knowledge. In this article the most important aspects are present to find the resistant seismic capacity curve of a reinforced concrete or steel plane frame, with ADAS or TADAS energy dissipators above Chevron Braces, using the Pushover technique. To whole dissipating-brace system two models are shown, the first is by two equivalent braces and the second is considering the dissipating element like a short element. For this last case, the dissipating element is analyzed in two ways, to the first the dissipating element stiffness matrix is found and to the second some rectangular segments of constant section are considered to model the dissipating element.

Rev. ing. constr. [online]. 2016, vol.31, n.1, pp. 37-53. ISSN 0718-5073.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-50732016000100004

This research was performed in order to evaluate road safety in rural two-lane roads of national interest in the province of Sancti Spíritus, from the method developed by Central University of Las Villas (UCLV); this study explores the accident rate, identifies the most dangerous sections and identifies risk factors in the most dangerous sections. This information will be used to formulate the possible actions to implement in that section. After the actions are approved by the governing bodies, and implemented, they can be evaluated for their effectiveness after a period of time.

Rev. ing. constr. [online]. 2016, vol.31, n.1, pp. 54-60. ISSN 0718-5073.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-50732016000100005

A semi-permeable pavement was built with a coating layer of soil-cement blocks made of construction debris (stabilized with 30% sand) and cement (20% of the mix), and manufactured with a press. This type of block does not rely on additional studies dealing with changes in the mechanical properties over time; so, for this study, a certain number of blocks were selected (7, 14, 28, 130 and 1650 molding days) to measure the mechanical properties (durability, water absorption and simple compressive strength). The results showed no changes in the blocks’ absorption and durability properties after 1650 days. The compressive strength had a slight increase of 9MPa (28 molding days) for 12MPa (1650 molding days, blocks of the pavement in use), which can be attributed to reactions still occurring between cement, soil and water or to the variability of raw materials and the equipment used. It can be concluded that the environmental conditions and light pedestrian traffic did not affect the blocks’ mechanical properties; therefore, they can be used in semi-permeable pavement.

Rev. ing. constr. [online]. 2016, vol.31, n.1, pp. 61-70. ISSN 0718-5073.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-50732016000100006