Geometric and Sustainable Analysis of the Hyperbolic Paraboloid of Félix Candela’s Concrete Shell Structures

Mauricio Díaz Valdés, Leonardo Carlo Geremia — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:19:18 +0800

A shell structure, as its name implies, exhibits a curved, shell shaped appearance. In contrast to conventional framed constructions that depend on beams and columns, shell structures derive their strength from their inherent shape. The scarcity of concrete shell buildings globally can be attributed to the high degree of innovation necessary in various aspects such as design techniques, construction methods, and material utilization. Architects and engineers initiate the process by utilizing sophisticated analysis methods and approaches to identify the most suitable shape and curvature for the shell. Félix Candela was a celebrated figure in the mid-20th century, was globally recognized as an engineer, constructor, and structural artist specializing in concrete shell structures. The structural legacy Félix Candela plays a crucial role in engineering education and significantly enhances the practice of structural design. Through their innovative approaches and groundbreaking achievements, this contributes to advancements in structural engineering and inspires future generations of designers and engineers. This research studies and analyzes the geometric and structural analysis of two concrete shells structures that were made by Félix Candela. through the analysis study of his works, we conclude how this type of building promotes a new way of building that is highly sustainable and efficient. The research seeks to study how the application of the hyperbolic paraboloid can be an example of innovative, sustainable, and highly sophisticated structures through the study of the main works of Felix Candela.

Recycled Concrete as Circular Material for Sustainable Construction: Applications in Housing Rehabilitation in Guadalajara

Mauricio Díaz Valdés — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:00:23 +0800

The construction sector is one of the largest consumers of natural materials and one of the largest contributors to environmental degradation, particularly in the generation of rubble and waste. Currently, the housing crisis is a global problem, as UN data confirms that nearly 1.8 billion people lack housing, indicating that a solution to this problem must be found; moreover, approximately 80% of Mexican homes require improvement or expansion. This research examines this housing crisis to propose the rehabilitation of housing as a sustainable and strategic alternative to address the shortage and offer solutions to the country's housing problem. Vacant housing in Guadalajara has become an environmental, social, and urban problem in the metropolitan area and affects most Mexican cities, where thousands of homes built in the last 50 years exhibit construction problems related to building materials, poor structural design, and uninhabitability. This research explores how recycled concrete can be a circular and sustainable material and evaluates its potential in housing rehabilitation applications, promoting sustainable construction and urban regeneration; the rehabilitation methodology focuses on and adopts, through a multidisciplinary vision. Additionally, it examines how housing rehabilitation can be a solution to the country's high demand for housing. Far more than the technical contributions of this material, this research positions recycled concrete as a mediator between sustainability and habitability, linking the effects of climate change and housing resilience. Therefore, considering the problem of vacant housing, this research focuses in Tlajomulco de Zúñiga which is the municipality with the most uninhabited housing in all of Mexico; with the aim of rehabilitating it is using recycled concrete, giving it a second life and addressing the housing problem in Mexico. The rehabilitation of vacant housing using recycled materials is a response to the demand for urban regeneration, contributing to the discourse of sustainable construction by proposing and seeking to replicate the model for innovative and sustainable building.

Journal of Construction Engineering Innovations and Research

Geometric and Sustainable Analysis of the Hyperbolic Paraboloid of Félix Candela’s Concrete Shell Structures

Recycled Concrete as Circular Material for Sustainable Construction: Applications in Housing Rehabilitation in Guadalajara