SECOND LATIN AMERICAN STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE 2026. PUCE. FHIC
Addressing Social and Environmental Challenges
Through Responsible Construction Technologies
CO-SPONSOR:
FACULTAD DE HÁBITAT, INFRAESTRUCTURA Y CREATIVIDAD
Colegio de Ingenieros Civiles de Pichincha
It is with great pleasure that we announce the Second Latin American Conference in Structural Engineering and Construction (LATAM SEC 2026), to be held in Quito, Ecuador, from March 23 to 27, 2026. Hosted by the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), this conference builds upon the success of the inaugural LATAM SEC conference held in March 2024, marking a significant milestone for the region within the International Structural Engineering and Construction (ISEC) conference series.
LATAM SEC 2026 provides an invaluable platform for researchers, academics, and professionals from Central, South, and North America, as well as participants from around the world, to come together and exchange ideas. The conference is devoted to scientific and technical exchange, encouraging collaboration, networking, and future partnerships across all branches of structural engineering and construction, including civil, environmental, and architectural engineering.
The conference theme “Addressing social and environmental challenges through responsible construction technologies,” reflects the urgent need to respond to contemporary global and regional challenges. LATAM SEC 2026 aims to bring together current academic research, development initiatives, and industrial practices, fostering dialogue on innovative, responsible, and sustainable construction technologies.
Manuscripts based on accepted abstracts will undergo a rigorous double-blind peer-review process conducted by experts in the field. Accepted and registered papers will be published in the conference proceedings, following the tradition of ISEC Press, with all articles indexed in Scopus. The technical program will include one day of pre-conference activities, two days of parallel technical sessions, a conference banquet, and a day dedicated to technical and cultural tours.
Beyond the academic program, participants will have the opportunity to experience the rich cultural and historical heritage of Quito. Located in the Andean foothills at the heart of Ecuador and the center of the world, Quito was one of the first cities designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1978. Its historic center is renowned for its well-preserved architecture, including remarkable 16th- and 17th-century churches. The city also serves as a gateway to some of Ecuador’s most iconic destinations, including the Galápagos Islands, the Amazon rainforest, and breathtaking beaches and volcanoes.
The local organizing committee has prepared a variety of cultural and technical activities designed to offer participants an immersive experience in Ecuador’s vibrant and welcoming culture. We look forward to welcoming you to LATAM SEC 2026 and to the beautiful city of Quito for an enriching and memorable conference experience.
Best, LATAM SEC Committee
Enrique Villacís, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Cynthia Ayarza, Ensusitio Lecturer. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Siamak Yazdani, California State University, Pomona, USA Amarjit Singh, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
LATAM SEC 2026 QUITO, ECUADOR
LATIN AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL STRUCTURAL
ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE
Addressing Social and Environmental Challenges Through Responsible Construction Technologies
Technical Program
Broadcast to registered online authors on this one Zoom meeting:
Staff: Doménica Sandoval, Gabriel Paredes, Nicolás Semper, Sebastián Bautista
Icebreaker & Welcome Reception 16:00 - 17:00
18:30 - 21:00
Payment must be confirmed by Monday 24th
Technical Tour Visit to the Quito Metro Facilities Quito Metro Facilites
$50
(At least 10 people must register)
Sightseeing tour and Cable Car Cable Car and Plaza Santo Domingo 08:00 - 13:00
- 13:00
$75
(At least 10 people must register)
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
KEYNOTE SPEAKER I Edwin Morales Díaz
Master in Transport Management
ACCIONA-Quito Metro
Title:
The Quito Metro (Construction, Operation, Maintenance, and Future Expansion)
TUESDAY, March 24, 2026 09:30 - 10:00
As part of ACCIONA-Quito Metro, Quality Engineer involved in the maintenance phase of the Quito Metro, working across civil works, track superstructure, and electromechanical systems. Responsibilities included quality control, compliance with technical standards, and coordination across multidisciplinary maintenance activities for a large-scale urban rail infrastructure project. (July 2017–2025).
Previously working for the Secretariat of Habitat and Territorial Planning, Metropolitan District of Quito (February 2022–July 2024).
KEYNOTE SPEAKER II Alfredo Santillán
PUCE- FHIC - Architecture AUDITORIUM
Focused on Mobility Analyst in the Metropolitan Territorial Planning Department,contributing to the review of the 2022–2042 Sustainable Mobility Master Plan and to mobility assessments within complementary urban, special, and partial plans. Conducted analyses of traffic flows, directionality, and mobility impacts, and developed alternatives to promote active and sustainable urban mobility.
FLACSO Ecuador
Title: Professor
Infrastructures as Material Constructs that (Dis)Articulate Social Relations: A Social Reading of Urban Infrastructure
WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2026 09:30 - 10:00
Alfredo Santillán Cornejo has been a research professor at FLACSO Ecuador since 2009. He holds a degree in Sociology and Political Science from PUCE (2002), earned a master's degree in Anthropology at FLACSO Ecuador (2006), and a PhD in Social Studies (2016) from the Universidad Externado de Colombia. He has been an associate professor at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (2007-2013) and, as a FLACSO professor,
PUCE- FHIC - Architecture AUDITORIUM
has coordinated academic programs such as the Master's in Urban Studies and the Master's in Anthropology at that institution. His research includes urban imaginaries, socio-spatial segregation, violence, and urban insecurity. His current work focuses on the study of urban life from the perspective of citizen subjectivities.
Security INFO:
LOCAL POLICE 911
EMERGENCY PUCE
+593 (02) 299-1700 Ext. 1562
LATAM SEC Committee:
Enrique Villacís
+593 96 989 1542
Cynthia Ayarza
+593 98 354 7236
LATAM SEC 2026 Main entrance
FHIC- FACULTAD DE HABITAT
INFRAESTRUCTURA Y CREATIVIDAD
PUCE WIFI (Free) Puce Academia
AUDITORIUM WIFI
AUDITORIO
What began as continuous participation in ISEC conferences, including EURO MED SEC and ASEA SEC events, has evolved into a meaningful and long-term collaboration that today strengthens the LATAM SEC conference series. Building upon the success of LATAM SEC 2024, we are proud to continue this journey with LATAM SEC 2026.
We are sincerely grateful for the trust placed in us by the International Structural Engineering and Construction Society (ISEC) and by our host institution, the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. This conference reflects the collective effort of the ISEC community, founded on more than two decades of experience fostering international cooperation, interdisciplinary integration, and innovation in structural engineering and construction.
LATAM SEC Advisory Committee
Amarjit Singh, Chairman of the Board, ISEC Society, University of Hawaii, USA
Siamak Yazdani, Secretary ISEC Society, California State University, Pomona, USA
Jorge Albuja, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Ecuador.
Scientific Committee
Ana Paula Polizzo, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Alfredo Serpell, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Chile
Nicolas Valencia, Universidad de Talca, Chile
Juan Sebastián Baquero, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
Jorge Bucheli, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
Wilson Cando, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
Juan Merizalde, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
María Lorena Rodríguez, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
LATAM SEC Advisory Committee
Amarjit Singh, Chairman of the Board, ISEC Society, University of Hawaii, USA
Siamak Yazdani, Secretary ISEC Society, California State University, Pomona, USA
Jorge Albuja, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Ecuador.
Editorial Committee
Enrique Villacís, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
Cynthia Ayarza, Ensusitio Lecturer Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Ecuador
Siamak Yazdani, Secretary ISEC Society, California State University, Pomona, USA
Amarjit Singh, Chairman of the Board, ISEC Society, University of Hawaii, USA
Conference Chair
Enrique Villacís, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Ecuador
Conference Co-Chair
Cynthia Ayarza, Ensusitio, Lecturer Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Ecuador
Erick Burgos, Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas, San Salvador, El Salvador
Sebastián Carrión, Instituto Universitario del Estado de México, Mexico
Margarita Isabel Sena Sánchez, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (UAEM), Mexico
Carlos Cornejo, CV Project, Peru
Ioan Pepenar, Research Institute for Construction Equipment and Technology, Romania
Syed Faiz Ahmad, EGIS Middle East, Saudi Arabia
The Second Latin American Structural Engineering and Construction Conference (LATAM SEC 2026) was held from 23 to 27 March 2026 in Quito, Ecuador, hosted by the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. LATAM SEC 2026 forms part of the International Structural Engineering and Construction (ISEC) Society conference series, which promotes the advancement of research, innovation, and professional practice in structural engineering and construction worldwide.
This second edition consolidates the regional platform established in LATAM SEC 2024 and reinforces the commitment to addressing the environmental, social, and technological challenges currently affecting the built environment. The accelerated depletion of natural resources, increased energy consumption, intensive extraction processes, rapid urbanization, and infrastructure expansion continue to generate significant environmental pressures, including climate change, ecosystem degradation, water scarcity, and pollution. These conditions are closely linked to growing social vulnerability and economic instability. Within this context, the role of structural engineering and construction professionals is fundamental in advancing resilient, sustainable, and socially responsible solutions.
LATAM SEC 2026 provides an international forum for researchers, academics, and practitioners to present scientific contributions and exchange knowledge aimed at improving construction technologies, structural systems, management strategies, and policy frameworks. The conference emphasizes multidisciplinary integration and evidence-based approaches to support sustainable development in Latin America and beyond.
This volume includes over 100 technical papers authored and co-authored by 180 contributors. All submissions were evaluated through a rigorous two-stage peer-review process, comprising abstract review followed by full-paper assessment. Sixty-two papers were presented in parallel technical sessions, facilitating technical discussion and scholarly exchange.
The proceedings cover a broad range of topics within civil engineering and related disciplines, including structural analysis and design, construction technology and innovation, materials and pavements, water infrastructure and management, facilities and asset management, project management and risk analysis, safety and quality management, territorial planning and development, legal and contractual aspects, culture and heritage, architecture, education, and sustainability.
The editors acknowledge the valuable contributions of the authors and express appreciation to the members of the International Technical Committee, reviewers, copyeditors, and proofreaders for ensuring the scientific quality of the proceedings. Gratitude is also extended to all participants whose engagement contributed to the success of LATAM SEC 2026.
It is expected that the outcomes presented in this volume will contribute to continued cooperation among professionals and researchers in Structural Engineering and Construction and will support the development of resilient and sustainable infrastructure systems in the region and internationally.
Local Organizing Committee
Enrique Villacís, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador, (Conference Chair)
Cynthia Ayarza, Ensusitio Lecturer Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Ecuador (Conference Co-Chair)
Jorge Bucheli, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
Volunteers: Production, Logistics and IT Staff
Doménica Sandoval, Nicolás Semper, Gabriel Paredes, Sebastián Bautista, Architecture Students
Picture cover Church of la Compañía.
The most representative Baroque work in Quito, located in Quito´s Downtown
FACULTAD DE HABITAT, INFRAESTRUCTURA Y CREATIVIDAD
