Module 1

Introduction
Note: All Standards, Equipment, Apparatus
cited on this presentation conforms to the
ASTM Standards and Specifications.
• The GOAL of this course is to familiarize and train the
students in the standard testing procedures of
common construction materials
• For students to be ready for the DPWH-BRS Materials
Engineering examination, which is an essential
advantage of a Professional Civil Engineer working in
the construction industry.
• To prepare students for Researches related to material
testing especially concrete engineering.
• It is essential to test all the materials such as (cement,
sand, gravel, concrete, masonry, steel and wood) in
order to determine its physical and mechanical
properties.
Construction in the Philippines is usually classified by
these techniques/materials:
1. Reinforced Concrete
2. Structural Steel
3. Masonry
4. Wood/Bamboo
 Reinforced Concrete is the typical
material, technique used for
building in the Philippines
because of its lower cost
compared to other materials.

Made from concrete and steel

reinforcing bars.

Source: https://www.alsina.com
 Structural Steel is the usual the
choice material for construction of
warehouses, refineries/factories,
structures with large area, and
sometimes for tall buildings.

Structural Steel (I beams and C

Channel) are made from hot
rolled steel.

Source: https://www.scottsdalesteelframes.com
 Masonry structures are usually for
bungalow because its weak
against lateral forces created by
high winds, earthquakes, etc.

Most of the time, this structures

are considered non-engineered
and low construction cost.

Source: www.findglocal.com
 Wood as the main construction
material may vary in cost
depending on the type of wood
used. Not a good material for
areas with high winds but safer
from earthquakes.

Wood shall be tested first before

using as the main structural
system.

Source: https://bluprint.onemega.com
1. Testing of materials will identify potential problems
during and after the construction of the project.
2. Ensures the safety of the structure and its occupants.
3. Usage and selling of sub-standard construction materials
is punishable by law.
 Name of Material BPS DESIGNATION NO.
Portland cement – Specification PNS 7:2005
Pozzolan cement – Specification PNS 63:200
Plywood – Specification PNS 196:2000
Re-rolled steel bars for concrete PNS 211:2000
reinforcement – Specification
Sanitary wares- Specification PNS 156:1992
This book from Department of Public Works
and Highways – Bureau of Research and
Standards (DPWH-BRS) is one of the basis for
standard specifications for construction of all
DPWH related projects.

The bureau of Research and Standard is the

governing body that strictly follow the
standards of construction materials
 ASTM is the leading organization that
standardized the testing of materials
specially for construction materials. The
Philippines is following most of the
methodologies and techniques based on
their procedures.

Source: https://www.astm.org/
All necessary equipment needed for all
experiments can be borrowed from our
laboratory during testing/laboratory
experiment.

Handling of certain equipment will be

discussed on the following presentations.
1. Safety is top priority of our school. All unnecessary
task/behavior is prohibited on the laboratory.
2. Turn off all equipment specially electronic devices/heat
related equipment after usage.
3. First aid kits are all available in the laboratory.
4. Call for help if needed.
5. Do not operate UTM and oven without the supervision of
the faculty member or laboratory assistant.
6. No eating allowed in the laboratory
7. Immediately clean all equipment and tools after usage.
• ASTM is the leading organization for standardizing
materials and its testing
• 12,800+ Standards
• 110 Countries Adopted their standards
• Available in English and SI Units
100 Barr Harbor Drive
P.O. Box C700
West Conshohocken, PA
19428-2959, USA
ASTM Standard Title
ASTM C136 Determination of the particle size distribution of fine and coarse aggregates by
sieving.
ASTM C566 Standard Test Method for Total Evaporable Moisture Content of Aggregate by Drying

ASTM C29 Determination of bulk density (“unit weight”) of aggregate

ASTM C127 Standard Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of
Coarse Aggregate
ASTM C128 Standard Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Fine
Aggregate
ASTM C131 Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size Coarse Aggregates by Abrasion and Impact in
Los Angeles Machine
ASTM C187 Standard Test Method for Normal Consistency of Hydraulic Cement
ASTM Standard Title
ASTM C191 Time of setting of hydraulic cement by means of the Vicat needle

ASTM C143 Determination of slump of hydraulic-cement concrete, both in the laboratory and in
the field.
ASTM C192 Standard Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Laboratory

ASTM C39 Standard Test Method for Compressive and Flexural Strength of Concrete

ASTM C1314 Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Masonry Prisms

ASTM D4761 determination of the axial compressive, tensile and bending strength of stress-
graded lumber and other wood-base structural material
ASTM A615 Tensile Strength of Reinforcing Bars
1. Member will identify certain problem, material,
revision of existing standard
2. Members will prepare a draft standard
3. The parent subcommittee will review the proposed
standard.
It is hereby directed that henceforth, the DPWH Standard Specifications
for Public Works and Highways 2004 Edition: Volume II – Highways,
Bridges and Airports shall be adopted in the implementation of all
infrastructure projects of said categories; except for projects which have
already been advertised for bids and for which specifications other than the
above standards have been adopted. Where necessary, these Standard
Specifications shall be supplemented by special provisions.
Department Order No. 098 Series of 2016
1.0 CRITERIA FOR ACCREDITATION

The following criteria shall be applied in the evaluation for accreditation of

Contractors’/Consultants’ Materials Engineers:

1.1 Minimum Requirement

As a minimum requirement for accreditation of materials engineers, the applicant must be a
registered and licensed Civil Engineer. This minimum requirement may be extended to
foreign applicants.

1.2 Written Examination

A written examination shall be administered to all the applicants. The raw score obtained in
the examination shall be converted to percentage (100% maximum) to obtain the total score
for accreditation.
1.0 CRITERIA FOR ACCREDITATION

1.3 Practical Examination

Practical examination shall be administered to an accredited Materials Engineer I applying
for upgrading to Materials Engineer II. It shall be conducted at the Bureau of Research and
Standards (BRS) Office in Quezon City or at a selectedjidentified DPWH Regional Office.

1.4 DPWH Engineers and other government engineers are prohibited from taking the
examination for the accreditation of Contractors’jConsultants Materials Engineers to prevent
private entities from engaging the servicesof the former while still employed by the
government.
4.0 CLASSIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS’/CONSULTANTS’ MATERIALS
ENGINEERS

4.1 Materials Engineers shall be classified according to the results of

Written and Practical Examinations.

4.1.1 Written Examination

Applicants who got a score of 60% and above are automatically accredited
as Materials Engineer I.
4.1.2 Practical Examinations
(For upgrading from Materials Engineer I to Materials II only)
a. Laboratory
The applicants will be required to demonstrate the actual sampling and testing procedures
of construction materials in accordance with the existing standards to determine their testing
capability.
b. Field
The applicants will be required to demonstrate the actual implementation of quality control
supervision and decision making in the project.
4.2 Accredited Materials Engineer I may be upgraded to Materials Engineer II by
undergoing only a Practical Examination and not a written examination. Applicants must
obtain a total score of at least 75% in the Practical Examination to qualify as Materials
Engineer II.
4.3 Accredited Materials Engineer I who applied for upgrading but failed to
be upgraded to Materials Engineer II after two (2) successive attempts is
barred from taking the Practical Examination for one (1) year and should
take a refresher course related to Materials Quality Control.

4.4 An accredited Contractors’/Consultants’ Materials Engineer who enters

the government service and wishes to be accredited as DPWH Materials
Engineer may apply for accreditation. His/her score in the written
examination will be considered and he/she must undergo the practical
examination. However, in the case of upgraded Materials Engineer II who
have undergone practical examination, he/she will be automatically
conferred the same rank.
4.5 DPWH engineers who took the DPWH Materials Engineers examination
and got a score of 60% and above but are separated from government
service can be accredited as Contractors’/Consultants’ Materials Engineers
I, without undergoing practical examination for Contractors’/Consultants’
Materials Engineers.
5.0 CRITERIA FOR THE ASSIGNMENT OF CONTRACTORS’ /
CONSULTANTS’ MATERIALS ENGINEERS

Accredited materials engineers may be assigned to DPWH projects, subject

to the following limits of assignment:
Classification Limits of Assignment
a. Materials Engineer I – One (1) project costing not more than P150M, or
– Two (2) projects, with an aggregate cost of not more than P250M, or
– Three (3) projects, with an aggregate cost of not more than P200M.
5.0 CRITERIA FOR THE ASSIGNMENT OF CONTRACTORS’ /
CONSULTANTS’ MATERIALS ENGINEERS

Accredited materials engineers may be assigned to DPWH projects, subject

to the following limits of assignment:
Classification Limits of Assignment

b. Materials Engineer II – One (1) project, no cost limit, or

– Two (2) projects, with an aggregate cost of not more than P300M, or
– Three (3) projects, with an aggregate cost of not more than P250M.
Non-accredited materials engineers may be assigned to three (3) projects,
with an aggregate cost of P150M or below
ASTM stands for?
Why is Reinforced Concrete
the choice material for most
of the construction in the
Philippines?
 END OF PRESENTATION
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