Journal of Engineering Evolution

A CRITIQUE - THROUGH THE SIMPSONS – OF EXCELLENCE AT WORK

Óscar Hernán Vargas Villamizar — 2025-08-27

This article critically examines the construction of the 'excellent worker' as a role model, using popular culture (specifically the TV series The Simpsons) as an alternative source of insight, in contrast to conventional management narratives. The text highlights the paradoxical nature of administrative theory, which promotes the development of individual worker identities while simultaneously urging the standardization of workplace behaviors.

Comparison of AHP and FAHP techniques in assessing “21st century skills” in the academy context of civil engineering students

Carlos José Slebi Acevedo — 2025-08-27

This research paper explores the assessment of 21st century skills in civil engineering students using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Analytic Hierarchy Process with fuzzy sets (FAHP) as multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tools. The main criteria considered in the MCDM problem were critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and innovation, communication, and collaboration. The results consistently highlighted the utmost importance of communication and collaboration, as they emerged as the primary criteria in both the AHP and FAHP methodologies. Conversely, creativity and innovation (CI) were ranked with the lowest importance in both methodologies. The selection between AHP and FAHP depends on the decision problem's nature and the decision-makers' preferences. FAHP may be more suitable when the decision problem involves difficult-to-quantify or subjective preferences.

Caracterización de las fases granulométricas propias de un suelo diatomáceo

Daniel Alberto Zuluaga-Astudillo — 2025-08-27

The research involved proposing a methodology to separate the phases (particle size) of a Colombian diatomaceous soil after placing it in columns with different aqueous media (water and hexametaphosphate) and subsequently subjecting it to agitation and sedimentation processes, varying over time (3 and 7 days). Samples were extracted from each column at different heights, which presented distinguishable physical properties in tests of specific gravity, consistency, hydrometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and oedometer consolidation. Some of the most efficient techniques for particle separation involve the displacement of solid particles in fluid media. The results showed a reduction in the liquid and plastic limit values with deeper sections, that is when the material was thicker. The LL values for the columns at 3 days, on average, were higher than those for the columns at 7 days. The highest Gs values corresponded to the material in section S1 of each column, that is, the samples with the lowest liquid limit and largest particle size. In all cases, section No. 1 of each column presented hydrometry curves lower than the other sections; that is, it reported larger particles. In the separation of particles by size, it was concluded that the effect of time and multiple agitation cycles had a greater impact, while the type of aqueous medium did not. In the samples treated with water, the void ratio increased, while the opposite occurred with the samples containing hexametaphosphate. The initial and final void variations did not exceed 10%. The SEM results do not allow for changes in particle size distribution between the different sections of each column to be recognized; the effect of sedimentation is more clearly validated in the hydrometry curves.

Assessment of environmental sustainability indicators through Problem-Based Learning

Yelinca Nalena Saldeño Madero — 2025-08-27

Bogotá exhibits alarming levels of air pollution caused by particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), especially in areas with high vehicular congestion, exceeding the limits established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and reaching critical values in localities such as Kennedy. In response to this context, the study aimed to analyze the relationship between traffic and air quality at strategic points in the city, integrating an educational experience using the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) methodology with Civil Engineering students. Real-time measurements were carried out with portable devices at three points in the Chapinero sector, selected based on traffic density levels, and were complemented by manual traffic counts and climatic variable analysis. The results showed that PM concentrations increase significantly under conditions of high congestion and solar radiation, with private vehicles being the most prevalent, followed by taxis and motorcycles. This experience provided scientific validation of the impact of traffic on poor air quality and demonstrated that PBL is an effective tool for fostering analytical and solution-oriented skills in engineering education, bridging theory, practice, and real urban context.