1.

1 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND PRECISION VS ACCURACY

TESTING PRECISION
• tells how close the measurements are to each other.
IMPORTANCE OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTING
ACCURACY
• The structure of a building is not only focused on floors, walls, • tells how close the measurement is to its true value.
and foundation. It is more than that. Buildings depend on series
of support materials, including layers of soil and cement, to SPECIFICATION, STANDARD SPECIFICATION AND
maintain the stability of the structure in a long-term basis. STANDARDIZING AGENCIES
• Testing of Construction Materials is a crucial process for
builders because they can detect probable problems before they SPECIFICATION
can actually start constructing the project using those materials. • It is a precise statement of a set of requirements, to be satisfied
• Material testing pertains to the evaluation of materials (any by a material, product, system or service. It is desirable that the
kind of building materials) that affects or impacts the on-going requirements, together with their limits, should be expressed
project. numerically in appropriate units
• Economic Factors
• Mechanical Properties STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS
• Non-mechanical Properties • A standard specification for a material is the result of
• Production/Construction Considerations agreement between those concerned in a particular field and
• Aesthetic Properties involves acceptance for use by participating agencies.

MATERIALS ENGINEERS STANDARDIZING AGENCIES AND RELEVANT

• are responsible for the selection, specification, and quality STANDARDS
control of materials to be used in a job. These materials must • Turkish Standards Institute (TSE)
meet certain classes of criteria or materials properties (Ashby • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
and Jones, 2011) • International Standards Organization (ISO)
• European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
TYPES OF TESTING
FAMILIARIZATION OF SOME CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
COMMERICIAL TESTING AND TESTING
• Materials are already existing.
• Determine if these materials comply with the given technical LINEAR TRAVERSE MACHINE
specifications and will fall within the required parameters. • When mixing concrete, air voids commonly occur. This
equipment facilitates the counting of voids in concrete.
SCIENTIFIC TESTING
• Materials are tested to obtain their vital and beneficial COMPRESSION MACHINES
properties and determine how it can be advantageous in building • This equipment is used to test the behavior of a concrete
a certain structure. sample while compressive loads are being applied on it. Some of
the results obtained are its compressive strength, yield strength,
MATERIALS RESEARCH ultimate strength, elastic limit, etc.
• Researches are being conducted for existing equipment to have
better understanding of its usage. SLUMP TEST EQUIPMENT
• This equipment is used to measure the consistency of the
EPERIMENTATION VS TESTING concrete before it sets. The workability of the concrete can also
be determined through this test. An improperly mixed batch can
EXPERIMENTATION be known with this procedure.
• This is when the result is uncertain that new insights are to be
gained. SIEVE SHAKER
• This equipment is used to analyze the particles of sample
TESTING aggregates as it is sifted according to its sizes.
• This is more defined procedure which are the limits and results
are clear. LIQUID LIMIT TESTING EQUIPMENT
• This equipment determines the water content at which soil
DESTRUCTIVE VS NON- DESTRUCTIVE TESTING changes from a liquid to a plastic state.

DESTRUCTIVE TESTING PLASTIC LIMIT TESTING EQUIPMENT

• Materials are being tested up to its breaking point or until the • This equipment determines the water content at which soil
material fails. It is said that this testing procedure is much easier changes from a plastic to a semi-solid state.
to conduct because it results to more information regarding the
material properties SHRINKAGE LIMIT TESTING EQUIPMENT
• This equipment is used to indicate how much moisture will be
NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING lost before the sample undergoes significant volume change.
• This is the exact opposite of destructive testing. It is commonly
used when the materials to be tested are still in service
 ENGINEERING, PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL, AND • When we study solids and their mechanical properties,
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES information regarding their elastic properties is most important.
We can learn about the elastic properties of materials by
ENGINEERING PROPERTIES studying the stress-strain relationships, under different loads, in
• Considered broadly, are physical, chemical, and biological these materials
characteristics that are observable, measurable, and influence
behavior to the extent that they are important in engineering 1.2 CONSTRUCTION: A DYNAMIC
analyses and design, and in performance of components, INDUSTRY
systems, or processes

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

• Any property that is measurable, whose value describes a state Each construction requires planning, financing and observance
of a physical system. of regulatory constraints. Every construction involves skilled
• Bulk Unit Weight and Voids – pertains to the weight of workers, architects, engineers, a vast array of materials and
aggregate required to fill a specific amount of volume. This is equipment to execute a carefully conceived plan. The people
essential for the balanced mixture of Portland Cement Concrete. involve in construction need to maintain membership in
• Specific Gravity – is the weight of the material divided by the professional organizations, attend conferences and read
weight of an equal volume of water. professional journals to become aware of new technical
• Particle Shape and Surface Texture – is the appearance of an developments and their proper application.
aggregate like shape and texture determines how well it will
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
contain into a dense formation and determines the movement of
• It involves the erection of a building on a piece of property.
it in mixture.
• Residential Buildings
• Absorption and Surface Moisture – when used in concrete, it is
• Commercial Buildings
said that the amount of water absorbed by the aggregates is
• Civil Buildings
important in the design of Portland Cement Concrete. When
• Educational Buildings
used in asphalt, the more absorption the aggregates get, the
• Religious Buildings
greater amount of asphalt binder will be required. Hence,
• Agricultural Buildings
mixture will be less economical.
HEAVY OR INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
• It means for a larger infrastructure project. This is usually
• A chemical property is any of a material's properties that
financed by government agencies, other institutions, or
becomes evident during, or after, a chemical reaction; that is,
incorporated into master plans to serve the public good.
any quality that can be established only by changing a
• Highways
substance's chemical identity.
• Bridges
• The raw materials for cement production are limestone
• Canals
(calcium), sand or clay (silicon), bauxite (aluminum) and iron
• Dams
ore, and may include shells, chalk, marl, shale, clay, blast
• Subways
furnace slag, slate. Chemical analysis of cement raw materials
• Tunnels
provides insight into the chemical properties of cement.
• Utility Piping System
• Silica Fumes – are added to cement concrete in order to
• Water Control Construction
improve a variety of properties, especially compressive strength,
• Communication networks
abrasion resistance and bond strength.
INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
• It refers to the building of large-scale manufacturing,
• These are physical properties that a material exhibits upon the
processing and chemical plants or utility generation installations
application of forces.
• Compressive Strength PRE-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
• Flexural Strength • Owners, both private and public, plan buildings, and other
• Tensile Strength construction projects to accommodate desired functional and
• Shrinkage spatial requirements.
• Shear Strength • Planning, designing, and completing construction of a large
building project is a complicated undertaking.
STRESS-STRAIN RELATIONSHIP
• A vast array of planning decisions must be made at the onset of
any construction project.
• Owners most often procure the services on
architect/engineering/contracting firm to help in the
development of project definition, feasibility, referred to as the
pre- design phase.
• The design of a building involves the utilization of space and
all the factors that go with it.
• This includes physical requirements, psychological
requirements that reflects the attitudes and behavior of those
using the space, and the need for those in the building to carry
out the activities expected to occur in the building.
• In some cases, the project team may be required to create a
scope of work that involves new sidewalk, curbs and gutters, or PROJECT DELIVERY PROCESS
street lightning. • Governs the condition under which construction project will be
completed and defines the relationship between the owner,
PRE-DESIGN AND DESIGN DEVELOPMENT architect, or firm and contractor
• In this phase, other design consultant and the owner mutually
determine the goals and objectives of the project. CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS
• Design intent is a statement that defines the anticipated GENERAL CONTRACTORS
aesthetics, functional, and performance characteristic of the • Assume the responsibility for the construction of an entire
finish building or project. project at a specific cost and by specific date.
• During the design development, initial design ideas are further • Responsible for the developing project schedules and
elaborated into detailed drawing of the building indicating exact sequencing and coordinating the work of all subcontractors
sizes and relationships between building elements • Determines the actual methods and techniques of construction
• Architects use a system of orthographic drawing of a building as well as implementing safety precautions on the building site
or structure to simplify the graphic understanding of complex • Signs contract with subcontractors
forms.
• Floor plan – is representation of building viewed from above SUPERINTENDENT
after a horizontal plane has been cut through it and the portion • General contractor’s on-site representative responsible for
removed. continuous field supervision, coordination, and completion of
• Building section – gives a view of a building after a vertical work
plane has been cut through it and the front portion is removed. • Makes sure that the work proceeds according to the project
• Elevation drawing – shows the exterior façade of a building, schedule and that the activities of the various subcontractors
delineating geometries and the materials of construction. working on the site will not interfere with one another
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMANETS (CD)
Once all the basic decisions have been approved by the owner, SUBCONTRACTORS
the architect and all consultants will commence with the final • Who perform the required work within their technical areas,
phase the construction document. This CD consist of two such as all the electrical, plumbing, roofing, bricklaying,
interdependent components: carpentry or concrete
• Work independently on site, bringing their own employees,
CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS supervisors, and tools for the job
• Sometimes referred to as working drawings, shows the
dimensional relationships between all aspects of the building: SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS
their form, sizes, and quantities. • Do the work required in a limited area, like elevator or
communication equipment installation for instance
CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS
• The construction documents include a written manual called SELECTING THE CONTRACTORS
specification. PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT ELECTRONIC
• Specification describes in writing more detailed information on PROCUREMENT SYSTEM (PHILGEPS)
the exact types of materials to be used and the ways in which • With the passage in January 2003 of the Government
construction processes are conducted. Procurement Reform Act (GPRA) or Republic Act No. 9184
• These are written using master format – provides a standard (RA 9184), the Philippine procurement system was rationalized
for writing specifications using a system of descriptive titles and and harmonized with international standards and best practices.
numbers to organize construction activities, products, and
requirements into a standard order. The numbers and titles in RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act)
master format are divided in to fifty groupings called division. • Protect national interest in all matters affecting public
procurement, having due regard to the country ’ s regional and
DPWH STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS international obligations
• Consistent with its mandate as the construction arm of the • Formulate and amend, whenever necessary, the implementing
government, the Department of Public Works and Highways rules and regulations and the corresponding standard forms for
(DPWH) has continuously endeavored to be at par with the other procurement
leading countries in Asia and around the globe by adopting new • Ensure that Procuring Entities regularly conduct procurement
construction materials, technologies and methodologies in its training programs and prepare a Procurement Operations
infrastructure projects. The DPWH has always felt the urgency Manual for all offices and agencies of government; and
to keep abreast with the fast-paced technological advancements • Conduct an annual review of the effectiveness of the
in civil engineering in order to ensure the highest quality of its Government Procurement Reform Act and recommend any
projects at the right cost. amendments thereto, as may be necessary.
• Part A - Facilities for the Engineer
• Part B - Other General Requirements
• Part C - Earthworks BIDDING
• Part D - Subbase and Base Course • Contractors are to bid on a competitive basis with the contract
• Part E - Surface Courses often being awarded to the contractor that submits the most
• Part F - Bridge Construction reasonable bid.
• Part G - Drainage and Slope Protection Structures • COMPETITIVE BIDDING - for publicly financed projects
• Part H - Miscellaneous Structures construction contractors; qualified construction contractors
• Part I - Materials Details • INVITATIONAL BIDDING - for privately funded projects;
preselected contractors
• NEGOTIATED CONTRACT - An owner may decide on a PERMITS
contractor with whom they have worked on previous projects • It is a certificate issued by the local authority having
without seeking other bids. jurisdiction authorizing the construction of a project after a
thorough review of construction documents to ensure
3 COMMON TYPE OF CONTRACTS compliance with local building, safety, and fire codes
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
• The owner may hire a construction manager to provide input MUST ON PERMITTING
during the design phase and oversight and administration of • The construction must secure a variety regulatory permit prior
bidding and construction phase. to any work commencing on site.
• The building permit be posted in a clear visible location until
DESIGN-BID-BUILD the end of project is completed.
• It is the traditional method of project delivery that moves • Most commercial projects will require a general building
sequentially from conception of a project through its permit as well as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other permits.
construction. Generally, it has the lowest construction cost.
• Inspector employed with the jurisdiction will conduct
BID-DESIGN-BUILD
inspection of the work throughout the progress of construction
• In this contracting method, the owner contracts with a single
to ensure that the installed work adheres to all applicable codes
party that completes all portions of the work from design
and standards.
through construction. This contract tends to produce shorter
overall project schedules.
SHOP DRAWINGS, SUBMITTALS, AND MOCK-UPS
WHO IS A SUBCONTRACTOR? SHOP DRAWINGS
• A subcontractor is an individual who is hired by a contractor to • Gives precise directives for the fabrication of certain
provide the contractor with goods or services necessary to components, such as structural steel work, concrete reinforcing
complete the tasks specified in an existing agreement. A or pre-cast concrete components.
subcontractor will be hired by a contractor after the contractor
has been hired by a company SUBMITTALS
• These are drawings, schedules, performance data, and
LIST OF AGREEMENT brochures that give manufacturer’s information on the
• Scope of Work characteristics of a material and allow the architect to verify that
• Safety Requirement the product under consideration will satisfy the requirements
• Due Date (Duration) listed in the specification.
• Worker Insurance
• Property Insurance CONSTRUCTION MOCK-UP
• Additional Payment • Is a full-size model of a proposed construction system built to
• Disclosure Agreement judge the appearance of an assembly, examine its construction
details, and test for performance under actual size conditions.
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULING
• The construction schedule assigns progressive dates to all OTHER IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS IN
project activities and phases. CONSTRUCTION
• Project scheduling is used to match resources of equipment, • Construction Observation
material and labor with project construction phases over time. • Contractor Requests for Information (RFI)
• Poor scheduling can result in considerable waste as workers • Modifications to the Construction Contract
and equipment wait for needed sources or the completion of • Construction Change Directive (CCD)
preceding tasks by other trades. • Change Order
• The most widely used scheduling techniques is the “Critical
Path Method (CPM)” PROJECT CLOSE OUT
• Assess the project
CRITICAL PATH METHOD (CPM) • Ensure completion
• is one of the most used scheduling techniques in the • Derive any lesson learned and practices to be applied in future
construction industry due to its simplicity and powerful resource project
that it can be. • Consultation
• The Critical Path Method is a useful tool that can lead you to • Assessment
achieve your project results and help you delivering the project • Inspection
on time. • Certification
• The Critical Path Method schedule shall include all work
specified in the Contract Documents, including all expected
activities of subcontractors, vendors, suppliers and all other
parties associated with construction of the project.