Journal of Engineering Evolution

A Critique—through The Simpsons—of Excellence at Work

Óscar Hernán Vargas Villamizar — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500

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 jose slebi acevedo, Raoul salas, Carlos M. Chang — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Este artículo de investigación explora la evaluación de habilidades del siglo XXI en estudiantes de ingeniería civil utilizando el Proceso de Jerarquía Analítica (AHP) y el Proceso de Jerarquía Analítica con conjuntos difusos (FAHP) como herramientas de toma de decisiones multicriterio (MCDM). Los criterios principales considerados en el problema MCDM fueron: pensamiento crítico, resolución de problemas, creatividad e innovación, comunicación y colaboración.

Los resultados demostraron consistentemente la importancia fundamental de la comunicación y colaboración, ya que emergieron como los criterios principales en ambas metodologías (AHP y FAHP). Por el contrario, la creatividad e innovación (CI) obtuvieron la menor ponderación en ambos métodos.

La selección entre AHP y FAHP depende de la naturaleza del problema de decisión y de las preferencias de los tomadores de decisiones. El método FAHP puede ser más adecuado cuando el problema de decisión involucra preferencias subjetivas o difíciles de cuantificar.

Characterization of the Granulometric Phases of Diatomaceous Soil

DANIEL ZULUAGA, Juan Camilo Munar-Rodríguez, Víctor Orlando Munar-Salamanca — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The research proposes a methodology to separate the phases (particle size) of Colombian diatomaceous soil after placing it in columns with different aqueous media (water and hexametaphosphate) and subjecting it to agitation and sedimentation processes over periods of 3 and 7 days. Samples were extracted from each column at different heights, revealing distinguishable physical properties in terms of specific gravity, consistency, hydrometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and oedometer consolidation tests. Some of the most
efficient techniques for particle separation involve displacing solid particles within fluid media. Results showed a reduction in liquid and plastic limit values with deeper sections, that is, when the material was thicker. The liquid limit values for the columns at 3 days were, on average, higher than those at 7 days. The highest Gs values were found in the material at section S1 of each column, that is, the samples with the lowest liquid limit and largest particle size. In all cases, S1 of each column exhibited hydrometry curves with lower values than the other sections; that is, it reported larger particles. In the separation of particles by size, it was concluded that 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 %. SEM results did not allow for changes in particle size distribution among the different sections of each column to be recognized; the effect of sedimentation was more clearly evidenced in the hydrometry curves.

Assessment of Environmental Sustainability Indicators through Problem-Based Learning

Yelinca Nalena Saldeño Madero, Camilo Torres Parra, Noé Villegas Flores — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Bogotá exhibits alarming levels of air pollution, primarily caused by particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), especially in areas with high traffic congestion. This exceeds the limits established by the World Health Organization and reaches 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 conducted using portable devices at three points in the Chapinero sector, selected based on traffic density levels, and complemented by manual traffic counts and analysis of climatic variables. 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 contexts.

Governance in Structuring the Electric Taxi Pilot in Bogota

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0500

El debate mundial sobre la preservación del medio ambiente y la necesidad urgente de diseñar modelos de
desarrollo justos, equitativos y sostenibles ha cobrado un impulso significativo. En este contexto, el sector
transporte es cada vez más reconocido como un ámbito clave para las iniciativas destinadas a mitigar los
efectos negativos asociados al uso de combustibles fósiles, incluida la promoción de la electromovilidad.
Colombia ha demostrado un compromiso político con la electrificación del transporte público, lo que ha facilitado
el desarrollo de proyectos piloto con buses, taxis y camiones eléctricos. Estas iniciativas han puesto
de manifiesto múltiples desafíos en los ámbitos financiero, regulatorio y técnico, todos los cuales han sido
abordados de manera efectiva mediante la gobernanza durante las fases de estructuración e implementación.
Esta gobernanza ha resultado decisiva para obtener resultados positivos en materia de política pública, articular
a las diversas partes interesadas y promover la electromovilidad en diferentes segmentos del transporte
urbano del país. Una revisión de la bibliografía relevante respalda este argumento y subraya la importancia de
adaptar los enfoques a los contextos territoriales específicos. Un ejemplo notable es el de Bogotá, que implementó
con éxito un proyecto piloto innovador de taxis eléctricos, en el cual la gobernanza —aunque aplicada
de manera informal— resultó fundamental para la adecuada estructuración e implementación de la iniciativa.
Esta experiencia resalta el papel crucial de la gobernanza en la adopción generalizada de la electromovilidad
en todo el país.