Eduardo Garzón

Ageing Effects on the Stiffness Behaviour of a Microbiologically Treated and Compacted Soil

The paper describes an experimental study aimed at evaluating the evolution of some mechanical properties, specifically small-strain stiffness and unconfined compressive strength, induced by ageing after a microbiological treatment on a compacted soil. Bacillaceae microorganisms were used to induce microbial calcium carbonate precipitation and improve the mechanical properties of a compacted clayey silt. After compaction, samples were left to age and soil stiffness tracked every 24 hours using shear wave velocity measurements (bender elements). Parallel tests were run to determine the unconfined compressive strength at different elapsed times (just after compaction, 2, 4 and 7 days).

Guadua angustifolia as a Structural Material for Greenhouse Design

In Mediterranean greenhouses, wood is the most widespread structural element, although it is currently being replaced by galvanized steel. This substitution is not compatible with the change of a productive-constructive model, which seeks to leave a viable environment for the future generations by not exceeding the Earth’s carrying capacity, which is one of the fundamental worries of the humanity. In this sense, the present work examines the possibilities of material application of the bamboo species guadua (Guadua angustifolia), considered as a valid and sustainable alternative for greenhouse design. This initiative consists of analysing the possibilities of guadua as structural material for the “parral” type greenhouse of Almeria. For this characterization, it has been necessary to review the works related to the use of the above-mentioned bamboo species as a building material.