STRUCTURAL SPECIFICATIONS AND GENERAL CONSTRUCTION NOTES

Project : USM Halal Training and Development Center

Location: USM Compound, Kabacan, Cotabato

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I. DESIGN OF BUILDING STRUCTURES and GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

For the design of Structures, all steps and procedure must follow the implementing rules and regulation of P.D. 1096,
National Building Code of the Philippines and National Structural Code of the Philippines, NSCP.

Footings, Foundations, and Retaining Walls

a. Footings and foundations shall be of the appropriate type, of adequate size, and capacity
in order to safely sustain the superimposed loads under seismic or any condition of
external forces that may affect the safety or stability of the structure. It shall be the
responsibility of the architect and/or engineer to adopt the type and design of the same in
accordance with the standards

b. Whenever or wherever there exist in the site of the construction an abrupt change in the ground
levels or level of the foundation such that instability of the soil could result, retaining walls shall be
provided and such shall be of adequate design and type of construction

Floor Construction

1. Floors shall be of such materials and construction as specified under Rule V - Fire Zones and
Fire Resistive Standards.

2. All floors shall be so framed and secured into the framework and supporting walls as to form
an integral part of the whole building.

3. The types of floor construction used shall provide means to keep the beam and girders from
lateral buckling.

Roof Construction and Covering

1. Roof Covering. Roof covering shall be either fire-retardant or ordinary depending
upon the fire-resistive requirements of the particular type of construction. The use of combustible roof
insulation shall be permitted in all types of construction provided it is covered with approved roof
covering applied directly thereto.

2. Roof Trusses. Roofs shall be so framed and tied into the framework and supporting walls so as to form an
integral part of the whole building. Roof trusses shall have all joints well fitted and shall have all tension members
well tightened before any load is placed in the truss. Diagonal and sway bracing shall be used to brace all roof
trusses. The allowable working stresses of materials in trusses shall conform to the Code.
Camber shall be provided to prevent sagging.
 Roof Drainage System
a. Roof Drains. Roof drains shall be installed at low points of the roof and shall be adequate
in size to discharge all tributary waters.
b. Overflow Drains and Scuppers. Where roof drains are required, adequate overflow
drains shall be provided.
c. Concealed Piping. Roof drains and overflows drains, when concealed within the
construction of the building, shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of the
National Plumbing Code.
d. Over Public Property. Roof drainage water from a building shall not be permitted to flow over public
property, except for Group A and J Occupancies as stated in the National Building Code.
5. Flashing. Flashing and counter flashing shall be provided at the juncture of the roof and
vertical surfaces

Enclosure of Vertical Openings

Vertical openings shall be enclosed depending upon the fire resistive requirements of a particular
type of construction as set forth in the Building Code

II. CONCRETE

DESIGN CEMENT

Portland Cement shall conform to the “SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONCRETE AND REINFORCED
CONCRETE” (ASTM C150 Latest Revision) for Type 1 Portland Cement, and shall be used in concreting of
beams, columns, footings, slabs and other structural members.

FINE AGGREGATE

Fine aggregate used in composition of concrete, mortar, grout, or plaster shall consist of sand, stone,
screenings or other inert materials with similar characteristics, or a combination thereof, having clean, hard,
strong, durable, uncoated grains and free from injurious amount of soft or organic matter, shale, alkali, loam
or other deleterious substances and shall not contain more than 5% clay. Fine aggregate must be thoroughly
washed with clean water before use.

COARSE AGGREGATE

Coarse aggregate shall consist of crushed stones, gravel, or other approved inert material with similar
characteristics, or a combination thereof, having clean, hard strong, durable, uncoated particles, free from
injurious amount of soft, thin, elongated or laminated pieces, alkali, organic or other deleterious matter.
Coarse aggregate must thoroughly washed with clean water before its use. All foreign materials and dust shall
remove by adequate processing. The maximum size aggregate permitted is 1/5 of the narrowest dimension
between sides of forms of the concrete member or 3/4 of the minimum clear spacing between reinforcing steel
bars or 1/3 the depth of reinforced concrete slab.

WATER

Water used in mixing concrete shall be clean and free from injurious amount of oil, acids, alkali, organic
materials or other substances that maybe harmful to concrete or steel reinforcement. The use of sea or
brackish water shall never be allowed.
CONTROLLED STRENGTH OF CONCRETE

Concrete for all columns, walls core walls, tank walls, sub-floor framing, basement walls, beams, girders,
parapet, slabs, footings, and stair shall develop MINIMUM 28-DAY CYLINDER STRENGTH of 27.57 MPa
(4000 psi) unless otherwise specified in the plans.

Concrete for all bedded slabs, curbs, and all other non-structural concrete work shall develop minimum 28-
day cylinder strength of 20.68 MPa (3000 psi) unless otherwise specified in the plans.

Refer to Structural plans and other supplementary documents for particular strength of concrete mix.

METHOD OF DETERMINING STRENGTH OF CONCRETE

The CONTRACTOR shall submit design mixes from samples using materials specified herein, and made in
accordance with “STANDARD METHOD OF MAKING AND CURING CONCRETE COMPRESSION AND
FLEXURE TEST SPECIMENS IN THE LABORATORY” (ASTM C192 LATEST REVISION) for each strength
required, stating the proposed slump, proportional weight of cement, saturated surface, dry aggregates and
water. These mixes shall be proved by preliminary test thirty (30) days before concreting and shall show a 28-
day strength 15% higher than the ultimate strength required. No substitutions shall be made in the materials
or mix without additional tests to show that the quality of concrete is satisfactory.

CONCRETE PROPORTION AND CONSISTENCY

The proportions of aggregate to cement for any concrete shall be such as to produce a mixture, which will
work readily into corners and angles of the forms, and around reinforcement with the method of placing
employed on work, but without permitting the materials to segregate, or excess free water to collect on the
surface. The combined aggregates on the No. 4 standard sieve, the weight passing the sieve (fine aggregate)
shall not less than thirty percent (30%) nor greater than fifty (50%) of the total, except that those proportions
do not necessarily apply to light weight aggregates.

The method of measuring concrete materials shall be such that proportions can be accurately controlled and
easily checked at any time during work. Measurement for ready-mixed concrete shall conform to the
“STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR READY-MIXED CONCRETE” (ASTM C94, latest revision) where
applicable. Aggregate shall be measured by weight, and within 1% tolerance. Cement shall conform to 40 kg
per bag and this is to be verified from time to time. Water shall be measured by weight of volume to within 1 to
1-1/2 % tolerances.

The water shall in no case exceed 28 and 25 liters per bag of cement for all concrete with strength of f’c =
17MPa and f’c= 20.68 MPa respectively.

Slump test shall be within the following limits:

Section of Structure Slump
Reinforced foundation walls footing 50 mm -

100 mm
Plain footings, caissons and sub-structure wall 25 mm -
100 mm
Slabs, beams, thin reinforced walls and building column 75 mm -
100 mm

Pavement and floor laid on ground 25 mm - 75

mm

Heavy mass construction 25 mm - 75

mm

Construction joints not indicated on the drawings shall be so made and located as to least impair the strength
of structure. Where joint is to be made, roughen joint surface at about 6mm amplitude to remove laitance
then clean thoroughly. In addition, thoroughly wet vertical before placing the new concrete. The contractor
shall submit the proposed construction joint lay-out.
III. CONCRETE PROTECTION FOR REINFORCEMENT

The following minimum concrete cover shall be provided for reinforcement:

Minimum concrete cover

a. Concrete cast against and permanently 75 mm

expose to earth

b. Concrete exposed to weather 50 mm

c. Concrete not exposed to weather 40 mm

IV. STEEL REINFORCEMENT

All reinforcing steel bars to be used shall be deformed, new, free from rust, oil, detects, grease and kinks.
They shall conform to the latest revision of ASTM A615 “SPECIFICATIONS FOR BILLET-STEEL BARS FOR
CONCRETE REINFORCEMENT” for intermediate grade steel. Deformed bars shall conform to ASTM A305
“SPECIFICATIONS FOR MINIMUM REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEFORMATIONS OF DEFORMED STEEL
BARS FOR CONCRETE REINFORCEMENT.” All reinforcing steel bars used shall be GRADE 60, fy = 415
MPa (60 ksi) for RSB larger than 12mm Ø and GRADE 40, fy=275 MPa (40 ksi) for RSB 12mmØ and
smaller bar diameter.

Metal accessories include all spacers, chairs, bolsters, ties and other devices for proper placing spacing,
supporting and fastening reinforcement in place. Where legs or other parts of metal accessories will be
exposed in the finished concrete surfaces, they shall plastic coated.

Accessories shall conform to the requirement of the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) “Manual of
Standard Practice for Reinforced Concrete Construction.” Chairs and other accessories fabricated from
concrete, ceramic or plastic may be used in place of metal accessories when approved.

Steel reinforcement shall be provided as indicated, together with all necessary wire ties, chairs, spacers, supports and other
devices necessary to install and secure the reinforcement properly. Main reinforcement shall be wire tied at all
intersections; wire tie temperature reinforcement to main reinforcement at approximately 450
mm on center. All steel reinforcements, when placed, shall be free from loose, flaky rust and scale oil, grease,
clay, and other foreign substances that would reduce or destroy its bond with concrete. Reinforcement shall
be placed accurately and secured in place by use of approved metal/concrete support, spacers and ties.

Bars shall be placed to the following tolerances:

• Concrete cover to formed surface 6 mm

• Minimum spacing between bar 6 mm

Top bars in slabs and beams:

• Members 200 mm deep or less 6 mm

• Members more than 200 mm deep 12 mm

• Members more than 600 mm deep 20 mm

• Crosswise of members: Spaced evenly within 50 mm

Bars may be moved as necessary to avoid interference with other reinforcing steel, conduits or
embedded items. If bars are moved more than one bar diameter or enough to exceed the foregoing
tolerance, the arrangement shall be subject to approval of the designer.

Unless otherwise indicated, the details of reinforcing steel, including bending and splicing, shall conform
to American Concrete Institute (ACI) 315 and 318 latest edition.
 Shop detail and placing drawing for reinforcing steel shall be submitted to the Engineer for approval prior
to implementation.

V. NOTES ON CONCRETE BEAMS AND GIRDERS

• If there are two or more layers of reinforcing steel bars, with the bars not bundled, use 25 mm separator
at about 900 mm apart. In no case shall there be less than two separators between layers of bars.
• Bars may be bundled in twos, threes, fours as indicated on drawings. Such bars shall be securely wired
together to prevent them from separating.
• When a beam crosses a girder, rest beam bars on top of girder bars.
• Generally no splice shall be permitted at points where critical bending stress occurs. Welded splices shall
develop in tension at least 125% of the specified yield strength of the bars, not more than 50% of the bars
at any section shall be allowed to be spliced therein. Construction joints shall be at the middle third of the
span. Splices shall securely wired together and shall lap or extend a minimum of 40 bar diameters
unless otherwise shown on plan.
• Unless otherwise noted on plans, camber all beams and girders at least 6 mm in every 4.8 meters of
span. Except cantilever for which camber shall be as noted in plans or as ordered by the engineer but in
no case be less than 20 mm in every 3.0 meters of free span.
• If beam reinforcing bars end in a wall, the clear distance from the bar to the farther face of the wall to be
not less than 4 times bar diameter.
• Provide close stirrups spaced at a maximum of 100 mm on center within lap splice length.
• Reinforcing steel bolts and other insert shall be properly secured in place before pouring concrete. Bar
placement and support shall be in accordance with the recommendations of the CRSI.

Note: For the Steel beams refer to the Structural Code of the Philippines.

VI. NOTES ON CONCRETE COLUMNS

• For all tied columns, provide extra 4 sets of close ties at 100 mm on center for column reinforcement just
above the floor, just below the girder and at construction joints.
• Vertical bars of column shall have a 90 degree bend and anchored at the supporting footing or other
supporting member.
• Splices of vertical bars shall be staggered as much as possible, preferably located at the middle half of
the column height. No vertical bars shall be spliced at any end.
• In crimping of offsetting bars, the angle of bend shall not be more than one horizontal to six vertical ( 1:
6). Extra hoops shall be provided through out the off set region spaced at 100 mm on center.
• Hoops and spiral shall be provided for the vertical bars of the column within the depth of the beams
and/or girders at the intersection with the column and spaced not more than 100 mm on centers.

Note: For the Steel Columns please refer to the Structural Code of the Philippines.

1. NOTES ON FOOTINGS

• Footing shall rest at least 2.00 m below natural grade line. NO FOOTING SHALL REST ON FILL.
VII. NOTES ON CONCRETE MASONRY WALLS

• Concrete Hollow Block units shall be of Type I (load bearing type) for all walls that carry
superimposed loads, and Type II (non-load bearing type) for all walls that do not have to carry
superimposed deadloads.
• Provide a solid band of concrete at the top of a CHB wall that has no upper support. This solid
band shall have a width equal to the thickness of the wall, and a depth of at least 200 mm,
reinforced longitudinally as follows:

Thickness of Reinforcements
CHB

100 mm thk. 2 of 12 mm dia. with 10 mm dia. stirrup space @ 300 mm o.c.

150 mm thk. 4 of 12 mm dia. with 10 mm dia. stirrup space @ 300 mm o.c.

Unless otherwise specified in plans, provide minimum horizontal and vertical reinforcement for
CHB as follows:

Thickness of CHB Reinforcements

100 mm thk. 10 mm dia. space @ 600 mm both ways.

150 mm thk. 12 mm dia. space @ 600 mm both ways.

VIII. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

All electrical systems and installations mentioned in the National Building Code of the Philippines shall
conform to the provisions of the Philippine Electrical Code, latest edition, adopted and promulgated by the
Board of Electrical Engineering Examiners pursuant to Republic Act No. 184, otherwise known as the
Electrical Engineering Law.

IX. MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

All mechanical systems equipment and installations mentioned the National Building Code of the
Philippines shall conform to the provisions of the Mechanical Code of the Philippines, latest edition,
adopted and promulgated by the Board of Mechanical Engineering Examiners pursuant to
Commonwealth Act Numbered 294, as amended.