i

DIGITAL ELEVATION MODEL OF FLOOD-PRONE AREAS IN

BARANGAY PAGSABANGAN, TAGUM CITY: BASIS
FOR AMPHIBIOUS HOUSE DESIGN

_______________________

A Research Proposal Presented to the Administration

and Faculty of the Civil Engineering Program,
St. Mary’s College of Tagum, Inc.
Tagum City

_______________________

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the

Degree of Bachelor of Science
in Civil Engineering

by

RESTITUTO E. PIAMONTE JR.

PETE SHANREV A. MONTEJO
JAMES DIEN R. KIMPO
WILLIAM C. BUCONG
JOHNRAY ROCHE

August 2019
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

TITLE PAGE i

TABLE OF CONTENTS ii

CHAPTER

1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Background of the Study 1

Objectives of the Study 4

Review of Related Literature and Studies 5

Theoretical Framework 8

Conceptual Framework 9

Significance of the Study 11

Definition of Terms 12

CHAPTER

2 METHOD

Research Design 15

Research Subject 16

Research Locale 17

Research Instrument 19

Data Gathering 20

REFERENCES 21
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Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Background of the Study

Floods are a massive problem around the world. All of the sudden,

flash floods can happen at any time during heavy rain. A flood occurs most

commonly when a heavy rain comes and falls on mountains as well as on

plains. Because of this, it overreaches the carrying capacity of the river.

Water overflow caused by flash flood submerges the lowland places that

can affect people. It can affect the human-life, animal-life, agricultural-

businesses, and needs. Flood can be harmful to the residential houses,

especially to those who live near the riverbank and lowly elevated area.

In Southeast Asia, many countries are prone to flooding, especially in

Cambodia. By the cause of climate change, many typhoons occurred in

the country that suffered a long-lasting flood, harm people live, affects

business services, submerged and damaged houses in rainy seasons

(Dao, 2015).

Golestan province is one of those areas in Iran where having a

rainfall resulting in worst and devastating floods during tropical seasons

of the year. When this rainfall occurs especially in the east area of the
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province it causes to flooding that mutilates properties and washed away

houses (Haghizadeh, 2016).

In China, majority of the cities suffered flooding. This disaster occurs

by the cause of severe rainstorms. These phenomena are one of the most

challenges of developing countries. Not just resulting to loss lives and

suffering but also affects the local economies such as consumption of goods,

services and also submerged lowly-bound houses and destroyed light-type

houses (Li, 2016).

In Visayas region, particularly in Tacloban City, Leyte, suffered the

most devastating floods in Philippine history caused by Typhoon Haiyan

with its local name Yolanda. Storm surges happened that caused a large

number of deaths, damage to infrastructure and houses, and flooding

especially in low-lying areas (Lagmay, 2014).

Metro Manila encounters several flashfloods caused by every

different typhoon named as Joan and Patsy in 1970, Angela in 1995, and

Ketsana in 2009. Recorded a large number of deaths, damaged properties,

good consumptions and houses (Lim, 2015).

On the other hand, some of the areas in the province of Misamis

Occidental are recognized as prone to coastal flooding because some of its

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rivers are highly capable to overflowing resulting to flood that submerged

houses and affect the people living (Galindo, 2015).

Locally, declared by Allan Rellon, Tagum City Mayor, that the city

is under the state of calamity in January 26, 2017 flashflood. Due to flood

and continuous rainfalls, the city suffered serious damage to their houses

that some was submerged and washed away. It affects a number of families

in several barangays in Tagum City including Brgy. Pagsabangan.

According to Sonio Sachez, Davao del Norte Disaster Officer, the

severe flood in February 2013 occurred from the mountain province’s

wilderness down to some sections in the municipality of Talaingod and

Kapalong destroys and washes away houses and dispatching residents

packing to evacuation centers happened.

The researchers found out from the basis of other research projects

that an amphibious house design is not yet been explored in several flood-

affected areas around the world. Only few studies have been conducted

about designing an amphibious house for the flood-prone areas. This

design suits in Brgy. Pagsabangan to conduct as their residential house

because several sections in the barangay are prone to flood.

Furthermore, from all of the issues concerning flood affecting the

community at large, this research is seeking to design and build amphibious

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houses for those residents who are living in flood-prone area. The

researchers are motivated to contribute to the idea of constructing house

which can survive flood.

Objectives of the Study

This research aims to design an amphibious house that could

withstand from the flood in the low-lying areas.

Specifically, this study aims to achieve the following objectives:

1. To identify the location of the flood-prone areas in Brgy.

Pagsabangan, Tagum City by using Digital Elevation Model (DEM)

with its elements;

1.1. Topographic map

1.2. Terrain and elevation of land

2. To gather data of the amount of rainfall in Brgy. Pagsabangan by

using udometer;

3. To design an amphibious house that can survive in an extreme

flood in the community; and

4. To present a simulation of the model to test the design if it can

survive when the flood occurs.

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Review of Related Literature and Studies

This section shows all related literature and studies about flood-risk

reduction and implementing floating or amphibious houses in flood-prone

areas. It was reported throughout the world that flood causes a large

number of deaths and casualties for many years.

In Ethiopia, Africa, the researchers used Digital Elevation Model

(DEM) to identify a scheme for presentation of undetermined flood-prone

areas. DEM tool is very important for knowing the elevation of land areas

especially in highly-exposed to flooding (Samela, 2015).

In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the researchers used Digital Elevation

Models (DEMs) as a process for performing geographical analysis. They

prove that DEM is an important tool for the topographic parameterization

of hydrological models as the basis for any flood modelling process

(Alrajhi, 2016).

The United States have encountered long-lasting floods in October

2015 to September 2016 because of heavy-rainfalls. By the cause of

devastating floods, the unexpected water levels affect a large number of

people, damage houses and agricultural businesses (Slater, 2016).

In United Kingdom, likely from other countries one of their

common problem is flooding when heavy-rainfall occurs. Many of these

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floods where caused a serious damage to community, houses and life-loss

(Stevens, 2016).

In the Netherlands, almost all of the land has a zero availability for

building construction, especially residentials because the land surface was

covered-up or submerged by the rising of water level. The researchers found

out a solution in order the people live with the rising of water level. A

floating house was designed with the dimension of 6.15m x 4.33m x 3m for

the water depth of 6m. The latest design of the floating house in the country

composed of reinforced concrete with more polystyrene mixed into CHB for

more safer than the old design (Ambica, 2015).

In London, two Baca Architects from Amsterdam to Lagos designed

a floating house as a solution to flooding, crowded communities, and

expensive housing. The design is a timber-side house with open-concept

living, pale floorboards, and huge windows to see the view across the

Chichester canal (Ross, 2016).

Sintang, Indonesia, is highly-exposed to flooding as its located at the

massive rivers in the city. Floating structures and amphibious houses are

usually used until present in the city, has its local term of Lanting. It is

designed to place on a raft construction composing of floating logs that has

the ability to follow changes of water levels and can be moved to a different
 7

location. Majority of construction of lanting is composed of local woods. The

stability and outlast of lanting is proven by the community because of the

existence until present as of their living is still bound to the river (Susanto,

2018).

Lake St. Martin in Manitoba, Canada, experienced extreme flooding

in 2011, resulting most of the population forced to leave their homes and the

community of this region get separated aftermath. The researchers designed

an amphibious house that rises with the water levels. It is designed as safety

for living with high stability against the unnecessary movements of the

water. An amphibious house can back with its original position as the flood

water subsides (Ropel-Morski, 2015).

The researchers gather the specific data on identifying the flood-

prone areas in order to create a map by using Digital Elevation Model

(DEM). This map shows the most affected land areas in Brgy. Pagsabangan,

Tagum City that suits in an amphibious house design.

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Theoretical Framework

This study has a principle which will support to be more definite and

rational. Amphibious house is a good alternative way to minimize flood

problems. It is effective in dealing with floods because it can adapt to the

rising of water levels.

Archimedes’ Principle, states that when an object is partially or fully

immersed in a liquid on its position it is acted upon with an upward force

which is equivalent to the weight of the liquid replaced by an object. The

magnitude of an upward force or buoyant force is equivalent to the weight

of liquid displaced (Elsevier, 2019).

This principle will support on how to design the amphibious house

model that will float with a specific level during the rising of water. Thus,

the said principle will be suitable for this study and to assure the stability of

the model for any intensity or rain occurring.

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Conceptual Framework

This study aims to identify the flood-prone areas in Brgy.

Pagsabangan, Tagum City, Davao del Norte. This framework sets a clearer

vision in understanding and investigating the topic. The whole process of

this research is being understood from the shown diagram.

From Figure 1, first box shows the mapping of flood-prone areas in

Brgy. Pagsabangan by using Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for visualizing

and identify the affected areas. The next box, refers to the amount of water

rainfall gather by using udometer. Next is the output of this study, which is

an amphibious house design. And lastly, the simulation of the model to test

the design’s stability.

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Mapping of Flood Amount of Rainfall by

Prone Areas Using Udometer
Using DEM

 Topographic Map
 Terrain and Elevation  Rain Precipitation in
of Land Brgy. Pagsabangan

Amphibious House
Design

Simulation of the
Design

Figure 1. The Conceptual Model of the Study

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Significance of the Study

This study aims to introduce the usage of amphibious house that can

survive an extreme flood by using a certain material that is suitable for the

problem. Flood is a common problem in a community, especially for those

people who live near the riverbank and lowland areas. The significance of

the amphibious house is that a flood-prone community can use this house

to survive the flood in certain area, not economical but a durable project. It’s

better to have an expensive but has a quality structure. This study will be a

big contribution to the following beneficiaries:

Community. This study can help the residents in Brgy. Pagsabangan

to live safely during floods and to give them a better living not doing a lot

of damage to their properties and houses. And for worst case, this is also a

huge help to save lives and to reduce casualties during calamities.

National and Local Government. This study can be a tool to support

the national and local government to give comfort living for those

community to live in a flood-prone area. It can also be a proposal under

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) to

promote safety in terms of flood to eliminate casualties.

Civil Engineers. This study can help civil engineers to design a quality

structure for residential especially in flood-prone areas in order to survive

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when flooding. This study also helps the civil engineers become

knowledgeable regarding to disaster risk and management so that they are

equip in any circumstances to mitigate the effects of disaster.

St. Mary’s College of Tagum Inc. (SMCTI). This study helps SMCTI

by reaching out its beneficiary to give information and advices through this

project and offer some help to design a suitable house to the flood affected

community.

Future Investigators and Researchers. This study can contribute

information for future investigators and researchers on how to build and

apply an amphibious house in a flood-prone area.

Definition of Terms

The following terminologies of this study are defined as conceptually

and operationally in the context of the study:

Amount of Rainfall. It is defined as the quantity of water, expressed

in inches, precipitated as rain, snow, hail, or sleet in a specified area and

time interval (Dictionary of the English Language, 2016). In this study, it is

defined as the amount water caused by rain showers.

Amphibious House. It is defined as living or able to live both on land

and water (Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, 2010).

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In this study, it is defined as an alternative way of solution to minimize

flood issues. Amphibious house is good to construct in lowly-elevated areas

and it is a big help for the people living in the areas that are prone to flooding

especially in Brgy. Pagsabangan.

Digital Elevation Model (DEM). It is defined as a type of raster GIS

layer. In a DEM, each cell of raster GIS layer has a value corresponding to

its elevation (z-values at regularly spaced intervals). DEM data files contain

the elevation of the terrain over a specified area, usually at a fixed grid

interval over the Bare Earth (GIS Resources, 2016). In this study, DEM

defined as a tool to create a topographic map with its elements such as the

elevation and terrain of land to know where the amphibious house design

suits for.

Disaster. It is defined as a sudden, calamitous event that seriously

disrupts the functioning of a community or society and causes human,

material, and economic or environmental losses that exceed the

community’s or society’s ability to cope using its resources. Though often

caused by nature, disasters and can have human origins (International

Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 2013). In this study, it

is defined as one of the phenomena that cause a big problem in society.

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Flash Flood. It is defined as a sudden local flood characterized by a

great volume of water and short duration. It occurs within minutes or hours

of heavy rainfall or because of a sudden release of water from the breakup

of an ice dam or constructed dam (Weather Guys Editor, 2012). In this study,

it is defined as one of the most harmful natural disaster and major problem

in the society, especially in flood-prone areas.

Flood-prone Area. It is defined as the area adjacent to the stream that

is inundated or saturated when the elevation of the water is at twice the

maximum depth at bank full stage (Rosgen, 2002). In this study, it is the

place or area where the flood usually happens.

High-risk Area. It is defined as denoting a group, part, etc., that is

particularly subject or exposed to danger (Collins English Dictionary, 2014).

In this study, it is defined as the place or area where prone or highly-

exposed to flooding.

Mapping of Flood-Prone Areas. It is an exercise to define those

coastal areas which are at risk of flooding under extreme conditions. As

such, its primary objective is to reduce the impact of coastal flooding. It is

also known as flood hazard mapping (ClimateTechWiki, 2010). In this

study, it is defined as one of the concerns of the researchers by knowing the

flood-prone areas to witness where the amphibious house suits for.

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Rainfall. It is defined as a falling of rain, and the amount of

precipitation falling over a given area in a given period: it is stated in terms

of the depth of water that has fallen into a rain gauge (Webster’s New World

College Dictionary, 2010). In this study, it is defined as one of the main

causes of flood or severe flash floods.

Udometer. It is defined as an instrument for measuring rainfall and

also known as rain gauge (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2019). In

this study, it is defined as an instrument used for getting data and knowing

the amount of rain precipitation in Brgy. Pagsabangan.

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Chapter 2

METHOD

This chapter includes the design, subject location, and the instrument of

the study. This project is a structural design that shows how to construct the

building is made of and how it works. (SUMPAY). In barangay Pagsabangan,

Tagum City, Davao del Norte is the location of where the study is going to

conduct, the area is prone of flooding that this study is suitable to the issue of

the said area. Using udometer by the Philippine Atmospheric Geo-physical

Astronomical and Services Administration (PAG-ASA), the researchers collect

the information that are needed to create a solution for the issue.

Research Design

This study, the researchers used quantitative-descriptive research

design. The quantitative research is the method that collects numerical data to

respond the issue of the study. In this study the quantitative research design

was used to identify and evaluate the amount of water rainfall, location of flood

prone areas, the water level, and topography of the land in Brgy. Pagsabangan,

Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

On the other hand, descriptive research observed and described the

problem on the study. According to Penwarden (2014), descriptive research

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gathers proven data that will be used for numerical presumption on the object

consultation in the course of information analysis. In this study, descriptive

research was used because the researchers collect numerical data about the

amount of water rainfall and the flood prone areas in Brgy. Pagsabangan,

Tagum City.

Research Subject

This study aims to identify the flood prone area in Brgy. Pagsabangan,

Tagum City and initiates a safety development plan. Flood prone areas are

usually identified because of the rainfall conditions and improper drainage

systems. In order to identify these flood characteristics, the researchers

gathered data from the PAG-ASA office and from the Municipal Disaster Risk

Reduction Council (MDRRMC) asking for data of areas where the flood

happened in the last few years.

After gathering all the data needed, the researchers will conduct an

evaluation of these areas to identify what are the probable causes of flooding.

Initially plotted on the location map of Brgy. Pagsabangan, Tagum City, the

researchers asked for a copy from MDRRMC. The gathered data with the help

of the plotted areas from the map, were now encoded to the GIS-DEM which

will help to identify the flood prone areas is Brgy. Pagsabangan.

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Research Locale

This section shows the location of the flood prone areas in Brgy.

Pagsabangan, Tagum City through its mapping.

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Figure 2.1. Spot Map of Barangay Pagsabangan

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Research Instrument

The Geographic Information System-Digital Elevation Model (GIS-

DEM) is the tool that this study will use to show a topographic map and gathers

data from Brgy. Pagsabangan itself which is concern on where the flood usually

occurs through the process that involves encoding, storage, processing and

displaying of digital map. The researchers will also use udometer to measure

the amount of water precipitation over a certain period of time in the area.
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Research Procedure
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Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers follow the ordered steps in gathering the data needed in

this study.

1. Seeking permission to conduct a study.

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REFERENCES

Alrajhi, M. (2016). INFLUENCE OF DEM IN WATERSHED

MANAGEMENT AS FLOOD ZONATION MAPPING. Retrieved
from: https://www.int-arch-photogramm-remote-sens-spatial-inf-
sci.net/, Date Retrieved: July 2016

Ambica, A. (2015). Floating Architecture: A Design on Hydrophilic

Floating House for Fluctuating Water Level. Retrieved from:
https://www.researchgate.net/, Date Retrieved: November 2015

Dao P. (2015). Object-Based Flood Mapping. Retrieved from:

https://www.mdpi.com/, Date Retrieved: April 24, 2015

Galindo, R. (2015). Household Preparedness for Natural Disasters in Flood

Prone Areas of Misamis Occidental, Philippines. Retrieved from:
http://asianscientificjournals.com/, Date Retrieved: December 2015

Haghizadeh, A. (2016). Forecasting flood-prone areas using Shannon’s

entropy model. Retrieved from: https://www.ias.ac.in/,
Date Retrieved: November 29, 2016

Lagmay, A. M. (2014). Devastating storm surges of Typhoon Haiyan.

Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/, Date Retrieved:
October 22, 2014

Li, C. (2016). A Framework for Flood Risk Analysis. Retrieved from:

https://www.mdpi.com/, Date Retrieved: August 5, 2016

Lim, F. (2013). Flash flood swamps 2 towns in Davao del Norte. Retrieved
from: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/, Date Retrieved: February 21,
2013

Lim, Ma. B. (2015). A household-level flood evacuation. Retrieved from:

https://link.springer.com/, Date Retrieved: October 17, 2015
 24

Rellon, A., Tagum City Mayor (2017). Tagum City, under state of calamity
due to floods. Retrieved from: https://visayas.politics.com.ph/,
Date Retrieved: January 26, 2017

Ropel-Morski, Z. (2015). Amphibious Housing: An Innovative Approach to

Seasonal Flood Mitigation for Vulnerable First Nations Communities.
Retrieved from: http://buoyantfoundation.org/, Date Retrieved:
March 31, 2017

Ross, E. (2016). Floating homes: a solution to flooding, crowded cities

and unaffordable housing. Retrieved from:
https://www.theguardian.com/, Date Retrieved: October 29, 2016

Samela, C. (2015). DEM-Based Approaches for the Delineation of Flood

Prone Areas in an Ungauged Basin in Africa. Retrieved from:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/, Date Retrieved: July 21, 2015

Slater, L. (2016). Recent trends in United States flood risk. Retrieved from:
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/, Date Retrieved:
November 12, 2016

Stevens, A. (2016). Trends in reported flooding in the UK: 1884–2013.

Retrieved from: https://www.tandfonline.com/, Date Retrieved:
January 19, 2016

Susanto, D. (2018). Floating houses "lanting" in Sintang: Assessment on

sustainable building materials. Retrieved from:
https://iopscience.iop.org/, Date Retrieved: July 11,2019