Waterproofing Adobe Blocks Using Trout Viscera Silage in Huancayo

Torres G.G.; Yabar M.R.; Castro J.C.; Ponce J.D. · Civil Engineering and Architecture (2026) · DOI: 10.13189/cea.2026.141343

Resumen

Adobe remains one of the most widely used building materials in rural Andean communities, yet its poor resistance to moisture continues to undermine its long-term durability. While organic additives for earthen construction have gained increasing research attention, animal-derived by-products from the aquaculture industry remain largely unexplored as potential stabilizers. This study examined whether trout viscera silage (TVS), a fermented fish-processing waste product, could serve as a sustainable waterproofing additive for adobe blocks in the humid highland climate of Huancayo, Peru. Forty-five adobe blocks (5 × 5 × 5 cm) were fabricated using silty sand soil sourced from the community of Chamisería and tested at three TVS dosages: 0% (control), 25%, and 50%. Waterproofing performance was assessed through immersion, water absorption, and capillary suction tests following Peruvian Technical Standards NTP 399.604 and NTP 399.613, with statistical comparisons performed using a t-test and one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc analysis. Unstabilized blocks disintegrated within minutes of water contact, whereas TVS-stabilized specimens showed markedly improved resistance. The 25% TVS formulation-maintained block geometry for over an hour during immersion demonstrated the most consistent behavior across all tests. Although the 50% TVS treatment achieved the lowest absorption (4.66%) and suction values (0.674 g/min/200 cm²), it also caused slower drying and significant handling difficulties, making 25% TVS the most practically viable dosage overall. This study was limited to water-related performance and did not include microstructural or physicochemical characterization, so the mechanisms behind the observed improvements require further investigation. These findings nonetheless highlight the broader potential of repurposing aquaculture waste as a construction input in high-Andean regions where fish farming and earthen housing coexist.

Instituciones: Universidad Continental