STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

A. INTRODUCTION TO STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

Structural Engineering is a branch of civil engineering that concerned with

the design and physical integrity of buildings and other large structures, like
tunnels and bridges. Structural engineers have wide range of responsibilities - not
least a duty to ensure the safety and durability of the project on which they are
working.

Structural engineers must have a strong grasp of physics, three-dimensional

conceptual skills and creative problem solving. Outside of an ability to apply
principles of mechanics, mathematics and physics to construct safe, sustainable
buildings, the roles and responsibilities of structural engineers include:

Design: Many structural engineers deal primarily in the design of structures

- calculating the loads and stresses the construction will have to safely
withstand. Structural engineers should be able to factor in the different
qualities and strengths delivered by a range of building materials, and
understand how to incorporate support beams, columns and foundations.

Investigation: Before work can begin, structural engineers are involved in

the investigation and survey of build sites to determine the suitability of the
earth for the requirements of the upcoming project.

Communication: Structural engineers will be required to co-ordinate and

consult with other members of their projects, including engineers,
environmental scientists, architects and landscape architects. They may
also be required to assist government bodies in their own inspections
relating to the project.
Management: Structural engineers are often responsible for the
organization and delivery of materials and equipment for the needs of the
construction project. The supervision and management of on-site labor
may also be a necessity.

Furthermore, structural engineering is a specialty within the field of civil

engineering that focuses on the framework of structures, and on designing those
structures to withstand the stresses and pressures of their environment and remain
safe, stable and secure throughout their use. In other words, structural engineers
make sure that buildings don't fall down and bridges don't collapse.

B. INFRASTRACTURE FLAGSHIP PROJECTS

Of the thousands of infrastructure programs/projects/activities listed in the Public

Investment Program 2017-2022, 75 game-changing and high-impact
infrastructure projects are identified by the NEDA Board Committee on
Infrastructure (INFRACOM) and the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC)
as Flagship Projects. The list of 75 Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPs) was
adopted by the NEDA Board on June 27, 2017. These projects are expected to
greatly contribute to achieve the country’s development goals by enhancing
connectivity and promoting growth centers outside urban-industrial region
centered around Metro Manila.
 D. CLARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: GEARS READY

The administration of Duterte focuses on developing infrastructures

centered on the rural areas with a goal of attracting investments outside the area
of Metro Manila thus, creating more job opportunities which should help decrease
the congestion in the country’s main city.

Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” Program is designed to increase the country’s

economic growth by lining up 75 big projects costing a whopping Php 9 trillion.
The expansion project for the Clark International Airport in Pampanga is one of
the ongoing projects of Duterte’s administration under the Build, Build, Build
program. The project involves the construction of a new 82,600 m2 Passenger
Terminal Building (PTB) of the CIA, with a design capacity of 8 million passengers
per annum, beating the current capacity of around 4 million passengers.

According to Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez, the new Clark

airport terminal is now 66.5 percent complete and expected to be finished ahead
of schedule by 2020. The terminal will likely become the first low cost carrier
terminal (LCCT) in the Philippines.

The Clark International Airport is envisioned by the government as the

country’s next premier gateway that will help clear the congestion at the Ninoy
Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and anchor the rapid development of New
Clark City in Central Luzon and generate jobs for residents.

Furthermore, Cebu Pacific is planning further expansion at Clark in 2019 and

2020 as it accelerates narrow body fleet expansion. Both Cebu Pacific and PAL
are planning to use Clark instead of Manila for links to smaller domestic airports in
the Philippines that cannot accommodate jets. For these kinds of services, Clark
is emerging as an alternative hub to Manila. Clark should be able to attract more
long-haul routes, given the constraints at Manila and growth in the Luzon region.
More services are possible to the Middle East, which is a large market for Filipino
workers, along with impending services to North America.

Clark’s large and growing domestic network should help entice more
foreign airlines – both low cost and full service. Long-haul low-cost services
particularly need feed, which Clark is now able to offer.