Investigación de alternativas de ladrillos ecológicos aplicados en un modelo de vivienda de interés social en la región sierra del Ecuador

Abstract

This research focused on exploring alternative ecological bricks for application in Ecuador's highland region. From a methodological perspective, this study adopted a quantitative and quasi-experimental approach, grounded in the positivist paradigm, and had an exploratory scope. The data collection and generation phase was conducted through laboratory testing, thermal comfort simulations, and a content analysis of relevant technical documents. Subsequently, the collected data were subjected to analysis using descriptive statistics for result interpretation. While the search for ecological construction alternatives is a global priority to mitigate environmental impact, studying them within the context of Social Interest Housing (SIH) presents an additional, urgent dimension. For vulnerable populations, applying these materials could mean not only environmental improvement but also a tangible, scalable, and replicable solution. The study relied on tools such as bibliographic records, thermal simulations, laboratory tests, and cost analyses. The results revealed that no "perfect" solution existed, as an imbalance was identified among the three fundamental pillars for social interest housing: environmental sustainability, economic viability, and technicalstructural performance. Therefore, material selection was not based on seeking perfection but on optimizing the balance between these three variables. Despite the identified challenges, the research demonstrated the remarkable potential of the proposed materials. It was posited that, through specific adjustments in their formulation or production process, their viability could extend beyond the social housing niche to impact the general construction market. Consequently, the need to deepen this work through applied and field-monitored studies was emphasized, representing a valuable opportunity to innovate and adapt these technologies to Ecuador's constructive reality.