Evaluación de la resistencia mecánica del hormigón en cilindros dosificados con lixiviados en distintas concentraciones

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of leachate on the mechanical strength of concrete by testing cylinders dosed with leachate concentrations at 100% water (0% leachate) in control quality, then at 50% and 100% leachate. One hundred and twenty-six cylindrical specimens (15 cm x 30 cm) were manufactured according to ASTM C31, distributed in three groups and evaluated at 7, 14, 28 days, and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. The materials included the use of Portland cement IP30, siliceous and basaltic aggregates, and leachate from the Tiquipaya controlled dump (Cochabamba, Bolivia), characterized by a high organic load (COD: 7,520 mg/L), suspended solids content (28,140 mg/L) and an alkaline pH (9.9). The dosage used followed the ACI 211.1 method (water/cement ratio: 0.45). The results show that concrete with potable water maintained stable strength (221 kg/cm² at 12 months), while concrete with 50% leachate showed an initial reduction of 15-20%, recovering to 247 kg/cm² at 9 months. Concrete with 100% leachate achieved high initial strength, but suffered a 35% deterioration at 12 months (138 kg/cm²). These findings highlight the need to design concretes resistant to aggressive environments and improve leachate management in developing countries, proposing specialized cements and treatment systems to mitigate structural and environmental impacts.