ARB 426 BUILDING TECHNOLOGY 5: Involves manual Less need for

ALTERNATIVE BUILDING Labor

work that skilled labor and
CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS increases labor easy assembly
Efficiency
costs and leading to lower
Instructor: Ar. Jaerica Mae S. Espeleta, uap, overheads. manhours
RMP Registered and Licensed Architect and Master Plumber
Time consuming Less time on
MODULE 1 : process waiting site no waiting
Speed of
OUTLINE: time for concrete for full strength
Construction
strength (28 less false/form
1.What is a precast concrete?
days) works
2.What are the components of a precast concrete
system? Concrete needs Curing conditions
3.What are the considerations when using a another 7 days for precast
precast concrete system? before a concrete are
4.What are the comparisons between cast in place concrete factory-controlled
Curing member can be . Workers can
concrete and precast concrete?
Conditions placed or speed them up
connected to the while maintaining
WHAT IS A PRECAST CONCRETE? previous one. the product’s
Precast concrete is a construction material created strength and
by pouring concrete into a pre-shaped mold. The quality.
concrete is then left to cure in an appropriate
An unexpected Rain does not
environment. Once cured, the mold is removed and
rainstorm can disrupt the
reused. The precast concrete product is then taken grind on-site installation of
to the job site and used for the project. Weather casting work to a precast members
Conditions halt. on site and the
TYPICAL USES OF PRECAST CONCRETE contractor can
Walls Beams Stairs still lift them into
Floors Columns Modules place.

Higher Cost and Lower Cost

CAST IN PLACE CONCRETE Material waste (specially in labor
Economy
VS. PRECAST CONCRETE and raw
materials)
CAST IN PLACE PRECAST
Good for Good for
Waiting time is Ready for customized repetitive
longer because immediate Formworks
structural structural
labor and space placement on a element elements
Casting
is required to be construction site
ready for on-site Less use of Reliance on
casting. Handling heavy heavy equipment
equipment and machineries
More Better quality
susceptible to due to controlled Less joints and Joints are very
Quality compromised environment of most of the critical
Control quality due to production i.e. Joints system is component of the
workmanship Water Cement monolithic system and need
error Ratio utmost attention
 MODULE 2 :
in design
PRE-STRESSED CONCRETE
Earthquake Resilient Resilient
Resilience PRESTRESS:
Prestress is defined as a method of applying
Contractor Generic Specialized
pre-compression to control the stresses resulting
Higher negative Lesser impact due to external loads below the neutral axis of the
impact due to (some can be beam tension developed due to external load which
Environment generated reused and is more than the permissible limits of the plain
al Impact construction easily concrete. The pre-compression applied (may be
waste disassembled) axial or eccentric) will induce the compressive
less waste
stress below the neutral axis or as a whole of the
Needs to be Less plastering beam c/s. Resulting either no tension or
finished with requirements compression.
Plastering plastering due to better
molding IN SIMPLER TERMS: Prestressed concrete is
conditions basically concrete in which internal stresses of a
suitable magnitude and distribution are introduced
so that the stresses resulting from the external
loads are counteracted to a desired degree.

MATERIALS USED FOR PRESTRESSING

1. WIRES – Prestressing wire is a single unit

made of steel.
2. STRANDS – Two, three or seven wires are
wound to form a prestressing strand.
3. TENDON – A group of strands or wires are
WHEN DO WE USUALLY USE PRECAST wound to form a prestressing tendon.
SYSTEM? 4. CABLE – A group of tendons form a
● Projects with repetitive elements prestressing cable.
● Big projects that requires with longer span 5. BARS – A tendon can be made up of a single
● Ideal site and logistics conditions because steel bar. The diameter of a bar is much larger
precast becomes relatively cheaper than cast than that of a wire.
in place.
CAST IN PLACE IS USUALLY USED FOR:
● Structures with high variability
● Smaller projects
● Sites with limited access or logistics problems
CONCRETE is GOOD IN COMPRESSION but
WEAK IN TENSION.

SUM OF ALL LOADS

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE:
A prestressed concrete structure is different from a
conventional reinforced concrete structure due to
the application of an initial load on the structure
prior to its use. The initial load or ‘prestress’ is
applied to enable the structure to counteract the
stresses arising during its service period.
The prestressing of a structure is not the only
instance of prestressing. The concept of
prestressing existed before the applications in
concrete. Two examples of prestressing before the
development of prestressed concrete are provided.

Force-fitting of metal bands on wooden barrels:

The metal bands induce a state of initial hoop
BRITTLE FAILURE compression, to counteract the hoop tension
caused by filling of liquid in the barrels.

DUCTILE FAILURE

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE also known as

ACTIVE REINFORCEMENT.

BEAM UNDER APPLIED LOADS Pre-tensioning the spokes in a bicycle wheel:

The pre-tension of a spoke in a bicycle wheel is
applied to such an extent that there will always be a
residual tension in the spoke. That tension in the
spoke will nullify the applied compression.
PRESTRESSING APPLIED
 • Less deformations (improved serviceability)
c) Increase in shear capacity
d) Suitable for use in pressure vessels, liquid
retaining structures.
e) Improved performance (resilience) under
dynamic and fatigue loading.
2. High span-to-depth ratios
• Larger spans possible with prestressing
(bridges, buildings with large column-free
spaces)
• Typical values of span-to-depth ratios in slabs
are given below.
NATURE OF CONCRETE STEEL INTERFACE Non-prestressed slab 28:1
1. BONDED TENDON - When there is adequate
bond between the prestressing tendon and Prestressed slab 45:1
concrete, it is called a bonded tendon. • For the same span, less depth compared to
Pre-tensioned and grouted post-tensioned RC member.
tendons are bonded tendons. ➢ Reduction in self weight
2. UNBONDED TENDON - When there is no bond ➢ More aesthetic appeal due to slender
between the prestressing tendon and concrete, sections
it is called an unbonded tendon. When grout is ➢ More economical sections.
not applied after post-tensioning, the tendon is 3. Suitable for precast construction
an unbonded tendon. The advantages of precast construction are as
follows.
STAGES OF LOADING • Rapid construction
The analysis of prestressed members can be • Better quality control
different for the different stages of loading. The • Reduced maintenance
stages of loading are as follows. • Suitable for repetitive construction
1. Initial: It can be subdivided into two stages. • Multiple use of formwork
a) During Tensioning of steel ⇒ Reduction of formwork
b) At transfer of prestress to concrete • Availability of standard shapes.
2. Intermediate: This includes the loads during The following figure shows the common types
transportation of the prestressed members. of precast sections.
3. Final: It can be subdivided into two stages.
a) At service, during operation.
b) At ultimate, during extreme events.

ADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSING
1. Section remains uncracked under service
loads.
a) Reduction of steel corrosion – increase in
durability
b) Full section is utilized
• Higher moment of inertia (higher stiffness)
4. The cross-section is utilized more efficiently in 5. UNIAXIAL, BIAXIAL OR MULTI-AXIAL
prestressed concrete as compared to reinforced PRESTRESSING – The classification is based
concrete. on the directions of prestressing a member.
5. Prestressed concrete allows for a longer span.
6. Prestressed concrete members offer more SOURCE OF PRESTRESSING FORCE:
resistance against shear force. 1. HYDRAULIC PRESTRESSING:
7. Considering the same depth of concrete - This is the simplest type of prestressing,
member, a prestressed concrete member is producing large prestressing forces. The
stiffer than the reinforced concrete member hydraulic jack used for the tensioning of
under working loads. tendons, comprises calibrated pressure
8. The use of higher strength concrete and high gauges which directly indicate the
strength steel results in smaller cross sections. magnitude of force developed during the
tensioning.
LIMITATIONS OF PRESTRESSING: 2. MECHANICAL PRESTRESSING:
1. Prestressing needs skilled technology. Hence, it - In this type of prestressing, the devices
is not as common as reinforced concrete. include weights with or without lever
2. The use of high strength materials is costly. transmission, geared transmission in
3. There is an additional cost in auxiliary conjunction with pulley blocks, screw jacks
equipment. with or without gear drives and wire-winding
4. There is a need for quality control and machines. This type of prestressing is adopted
inspection. for mass scale production
5. Prestressed concrete sections are less fire 3. ELECTRICAL PRESTRESSING:
resistant. - In this type of prestressing, the steel wires
are electrically heated and anchored before
TYPES OF PRESTRESSING: placing concrete in the moulds. This type of
1. SOURCE OF PRESTRESSING FORCE – This prestressing is also known as thermo-electric
classification is based on the method by which prestressing.
the prestressing force is generated. There
are four sources of prestressing force: EXTERNAL OR INTERNAL PRESTRESSING:
Mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and chemical. EXTERNAL PRESTRESSING:
2. PRE-TENSIONING OR POST-TENSIONING – - When the prestressing is achieved by
This is the most important classification and is elements located outside the concrete, it is
based on the sequence of casting the called external prestressing. The tendons can
concrete and applying tension to the lie outside the member (for example in
tendons. I-girders or walls) or inside the hollow space of
3. LINEAR OR CIRCULAR PRESTRESSING – a box girder. This technique is adopted in
This classification is based on the shape of the bridges and strengthening of buildings. In the
member prestressed. following figure, the box girder of a bridge is
4. FULL, LIMITED OR PARTIAL prestressed with tendons that lie outside the
PRESTRESSING -– Based on the amount of concrete.
prestressing force, three types of prestressing
are defined.
 POST-TENSIONED CONCRETE, stress is
developed after the concrete is cured.

LINEAR OR CIRCULAR PRESTRESSING:

LINEAR PRESTRESSING:
• When the prestressed members are straight or
flat, in the direction of prestressing, the prestressing
is called linear prestressing. For example,
prestressing of beams, piles, poles and slabs. The
profile of the prestressing tendon may be curved.
EXTERNAL PRESTRESSING IN CIRCULAR TANK
The following figure shows linearly prestressed
INTERNAL PRESTRESSING: railway sleepers.
- When the prestressing is achieved by elements
located inside the concrete member (commonly,
by embedded tendons), it is called internal
prestressing. Most of the applications of
prestressing are internal prestressing. In the
following figure, concrete will be cast around
the ducts for placing the tendons.

RAILWAY SLEEPERS

CIRCULAR PRESTRESSING:
• When the prestressed members are curved, in the
direction of prestressing, the prestressing is called
circular prestressing. For example, circumferential
prestressing of tanks, silos, pipes and similar
structures. The following figure shows the
containment structure for a nuclear reactor which is
circularly prestressed.

PRETENSIONED CONCRETE is applying

pressure to the reinforcement before it is put into
service.

PRESTRESSING OF A CIRCULAR TANK

 FULL, LIMITED, OR PARTIAL PRESTRESSING
RESISTANCE independent) load
1. FULL PRESTRESSING: dependent)
- When the level of prestressing is such that no
tensile stress is allowed in concrete under Less due to More
service loads, it is called Full Prestressing the eccentric deflection due
2. LIMITED PRESTRESSING: prestressing to passive
DEFLECTIONS force that reinforcement
- When the level of prestressing is such that the
causes s
tensile stress under service loads is within the upward
cracking stress of concrete, it is called Limited deflections
Prestressing.
3. PARTIAL PRESTRESSING: More durable Prone to
- When the level of prestressing is such that due the use of cracking
DURABILITY
high-grade
under tensile stresses due to service loads, the
concrete
crack width is within the allowable limit, it is
called Partial Prestressing Less because Uneconomical
external for long span
UNIAXIAL, BIAXIAL, OR MULTIAXIAL stresses are due to large
PRESTRESSING counterbalanc quantity of
ed by the concrete and
1. UNIAXIAL PRESTRESSING:
internal stress steel
- When the prestressing tendons are parallel to induced by
one axis, it is called Uniaxial Prestressing. For DIMENSIONS prestress
example, longitudinal prestressing of beams. (quantity of
2. BIAXIAL PRESTRESSING: concrete is
- When there are prestressing tendons parallel to reduced by
30%, steel is
two axes, it is called Biaxial Prestressing.
reduced by
3. MULTIAXIAL PRESTRESSING: about 60% to
- When the prestressing tendons are parallel to 70%)
more than two axes, it is called Multiaxial
Prestressing. For example, prestressing of
domes.

DIFFERENCES OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

OVER REINFORCED CONCRETE:
PRESTRESSED REINFORCED
CLASSIFICATION
CONCRETE CONCRETE

Active Passive
(Stress
ROLE depends on
the external
loads)

STRESS Constant Varies

SHEAR More (load Less (external

 MODULE 3 :
COMPOSITE CONSTRUCTION

What is Composite Construction?

Composite construction occurs when two materials
are combined together to act as a single unit. This
essentially creates a stronger structure as both
materials work together to support each other.

History of Composites
Construction used the oldest composite materials
with straw and mud combined to form bricks. Wattle COMPOSITE SLABS
and daub is a composite building process used for
making walls and buildings. This process involved
covering a lattice of wooden strips (wattle) with a
material consisting of wet soil, clay, sand, and
animal dung (daub). Its use dates back over 6000
years. Around five and a half thousand years ago,
the Mesopotamians created plywood by glueing
wood together at different angles to produce
something unique to natural wood.

CONCRETE AND STEEL

Concrete is the most widely used composite
material and construction material. Its usage in
construction (by weight) is double the combined
usage of steel, aluminium, wood, and plastic.
Cement consists of a cementitious binder and
aggregate typically rocky materials, sand or loose
stones). Cementitious material is combined with
water to create a cement paste. The paste is then Composite floors are perfect for long span
mixed with the aggregates, binding them together structures, from warehouses to distribution centres,
in a stone-like substance once hardened. including several types of industrial and commercial
multi-storey steel buildings. For example,
Concrete is a strong and inexpensive material that composite floors help reduce the number of
can handle a large compressive force. However, it columns while maintaining an optimal bearing
has relatively low tensile strength, which means it capacity, allowing you to build a warehouse
has low resistance to stretching and will break mezzanine and thus maximize the building’s height.
apart. You can mitigate this through reinforced Furthermore, the concrete is taken into account
concrete which adds steel bars (which have high when assessing the building’s overall resistance, as
tensile force resistance) to the concrete. it is an integral part of the structure.

COMMON USE OF REINFORCED CONCRETE

SLABS BEAMS COLUMNS
 COMPOSITE ACTION VIA:

(a) Mechanical Interlock

C. PARTIALLY ENCASED SECTION WITHOUT SLAB

(b) Frictional Interlock

COMPOSITE BEAMS

D. PARTIALLY ENCASED SECTION WITH SLAB

A. CONCRETE-ENCASED SECTION

COMPOSITE COLUMNS

B. COMPOSITE SECTION WITH SLAB

 industrial settings. Beyond walls, FRP can be used
as molding and in other construction related
applications.

Concrete encased steel columns

GLASS REINFORCED PLASTICS (GRP)

Glass is one of the more common components of
Rolled section columns partly encased in concrete fiber-reinforced materials.
They are used in insulation materials such as glass
wool to trap air. There is a range of glass-reinforced
plastic products. In construction, they are most
prevalent in fiberglass. Fiberglass is popular for a
variety of reasons. It is stronger than many metals
by weight, more flexible (and less expensive) than
carbon fiber and can be moulded into complex
shapes.
• Piping
• Roofing Laminate
• Door and Window Canopies
• Cladding

FIBER-REINFORCED PLASTICS (FRP)

Fiber reinforced plastics use a polymer base with
a reinforcement material.
FRP can be used in a wide range of applications
but is commonly used in construction as panels.
Used as a panel it can create strong walls and
surfaces that are scratch-resistant and able to
withstand high impacts. FRP is commonly used in
schools, hospitals, recreational facilities and other
 such as exposure durability, stability and structural
strength.
1. Plywood
2. Densified wood
3. Fibreboard
4. Particleboard
5. Oriented strand board
6. Laminated Timber
7. Laminated Veneer

MODULE 4 :
CABLE AND TENSILE STRUCTURES

CABLES
Cables are made of a series of small strands
twisted or bound together to form a much larger
OTHER FRP’S: cable. Steel cables are either spiral strands, where
1. Carbon Fiber - Brittle and Expensive circular rods are twisted together and “glued” using
a. High Strength to Weight ratio a polymer, or locked coil strand, where individual
b. Expensive interlocking steel strands form a cable.
c. Brittle A cable is a flexible structural component that offers
d. High heat tolerance no resistance when compressed or bent in a curved
2. Aramid Fiber shape. Technically we can say cable has zero
a. Heat resistant bending rigidity.
b. Used as asbestos substitute
c. Used to reinforce concrete, asphalt, and Cable is the main component of a cable
thermoplastic pipes supported bridge or suspended roof structures.

COMPOSITE WOOD
Composite wood comes in various forms, each
boasting incredible benefits. This makes wood
composites widely used across the construction
industry. The many possibilities allow for
hyper-specific solutions tailored to particular
applications for optimal performance. In addition to
the required shape and dimensions, composite
wood can be created to alter various properties
 CLASSIFICATION OF CABLE STRUCTURES VENRICH SCHNIRCH ARCH
1. SUSPENSION TYPE CABLE STRUCTURES: FIRST SUSPENDED ROOF PROTOTYPE
a. The basic structural components of a BANSKA, BRYTISCA, SLOVACIA, 1826
suspension bridge system include stiffening
girders/trusses, the main suspension cables,
main towers, and the anchorages for the cables
at each end of the bridge. The main load
carrying member is the main cables which are
tension members made of high strength steel.

2. CABLE-STAYED TYPE STRUCTURES:

a. Towers are the primary load-bearing
structures which transmit the bridge loads to the
HORACE JONES ARCH
ground.
TOWER BRIDGE LONDON, 1984
FAN CABLE STAYS

HARP CABLE STAYS

TENSILE
A tensile structure is a construction of elements
carrying only tension and no compression or
bending. Tensile structures are the most common
type of thin-shell structure. Most tensile structures
are supported by some form of compression or
bending elements, such as masts, compression
rings or beams.
A tensile membrane structure is most often used
as a roof as they can economically and attractively
span large distances.

PROS & CONS OF FABRIC STRUCTURES

PROS CONS

Unique Design Cost depends on sizes

Distinct Color, Sizes, Can’t withstand

and Shape powerful winds

Lightweight and No DIY Installation

Flexible Types

Ease to Install and

Relocate

Fire Retardant and

Waterproof

TENSION FABRIC STRUCTURE

A structure where the exterior shell is a fabric TYPE OF TENSILE STRUCTURE
material spread over a framework. The fabric is A two-dimensional tension fabric membrane can
maintained in tension in all directions to provide take planar tensile forces, but it cannot take
stability. significant forces perpendicular to this plane.
Therefore, in addition to being pre-stressed, tension
TENSILE STRUCTURE fabric must take a certain three-dimensional shape,
Tension roofs or canopies are those in which every in order to remain stable. These shapes were
part of the structure is loaded only in tension, with discovered by Otto and Berger during their
no requirement to resist compression or bending investigation of natural forms, such as soap
forces. bubbles.
ANTICLASTIC SHAPES 3. SILICONE-COATED FIBERGLASS CLOTH /
Anticlastic (saddle shaped), where the two axes of MESH
the fabric curve in opposite directions. • Good fire resistance ratings
• Strong yet lightweight fabric
• Available in variety of colors
• Can block UV-B light while allowing of UV-A
light
4. ETFE FOILS ǀ FILMS (ethylene
tetrafluoroethylene)
• Can be fabricated in sheets or billowed into
multi-layered cushion structure (air-filled pillow
system)
• Extremely lightweight (1% the weight of glass)
• Self-cleaning
SYNCLASTIC SHAPES • Transparent material
Synclastic (dome shaped), where the two axis of • Can last up to 25 years
the fabric curve in the same direction.

NOTABLE PERSONS AND THEIR WORKS

ENGR. VLADIMIR SHUKHOV
TYPE OF FABRIC MEMBRANES
• One of the first to develop practical
1. PVC - POLYVINYL CHLORIDE COATED
calculations of stresses and deformations of
POLYESTER CLOTH / MESH
tensile structures, shells and membranes.
• Comes in a variety of colors
• Designed eight tensile structures and thin
• Waterproof
shell structures exhibition pavilions
• Can have graphics printed on it
• Can last up to 20 years
2. PTFE-COATED FIBERGLASS CLOTH /
MESH (poly tetra fluoro ethylene)
• Highly durable
• Fire resistant
• Low maintenance
• Can be used on permanent structures
• Average life expectancy is 30 years
Exhibition Pavilions for the
Nizhny Novgorod Fair of 1896
 LOCAL TENSILE STRUCTURES

Ayala Nuvali

Sky Ranch Tagaytay

Sidney Myer Music Bowl

AR. FREI OTTO

• Sought new methods to reduce the amount of
materials and energy to create a space.

SM Southmall - Canopy

ADVANTAGES OF USING TENSIONED

MEMBRANE STRUCTURE
• Installation is faster and more cost-effective in
comparison to traditional construction projects
• Membrane materials can be transparent
therefore, it provides abundant lighting beneath
the shade
• Offers protection from UV light
• Due to its unique flexible characteristics,
1972 Munich Olympic Stadium
tensioned membrane structure allows the
designer to experiment with form and create
visually exciting and iconic structures
• Cost effective for long span applications while
allowing for a column free space
• Requires less structural steel support