CONSTRUCTION METHODOLOGIES AND MATERIALS

CONSTRUCTION METHODOLOGY
When constructing homes, workplaces, and other structures, professionals employ
construction procedures. This information aids in project planning, building design, and
safe workplace creation.
The purpose of this construction methodology is to specify the requirements of civil
building construction activities including excavation, backfilling, and allied activities
complying with the contract documents, project specifications as per the scope of work
and approved drawings.
Excavation which includes ground preparation
Setting out
Backfilling
Soil compaction
Concreting
Waterproofing
Masonry
Plastering
joinery
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
1. CONCRETE
Aggregates, water, and cement are combined in the right amounts to make concrete.
It has a wide range of surface textures and finishes and may be shaped into any shape.
Concrete buildings are reasonably priced and resistant to fire.
Water cement ratio – .045 to 0.60
2. STEEL REINFORECEMENT
Steel bars, strands, or wires are used as reinforcement in concrete members and
structures to withstand tensile, shearing, and occasionally compressive pressures, as
concrete is not very strong in tension.
3. MASONRY
Installing natural stone, brick, tile, and other modular unit compositions—typically with
mortar or a binding agent—is referred to as masonry. It is among the most important
materials found in architectural design.
4. STEEL
In addition to a variety of construction goods like windows, doors, fasteners, and
fastenings, steel is utilized for both light and heavy structural framing.
 5. NONFERROUS METALS
Iron is absent from nonferrous metals, which include lead, copper, and aluminum, and
are frequently utilized in construction.
6. WOOD
Since ancient times, wood has been a primary building material and furniture material
due to its abundant availability in nature, ease of workability, excellent insulating
properties, renewable nature, strength, durability, and light weight in comparison to
other materials used in architecture. Wood also provides warmth and natural beauty.
(Classified into two: hardwood and softwood)
7. LUMBER
Lumber is rated based on how clear and useable it is after being cut into smaller pieces
of a specific size and grade.
8. WOOD PANEL PRODUCTS
Some of the wood panel products are plywood, particleboard, oriented strand board
and waferboard. They are use as a sub-floor, shuttering to furniture.
9. PLASTICS
The chemical compounds known as plastics are synthesized from everyday materials
like coal, air, water, wood, and oil. They can be molded and hardened to suit a wide
range of applications and are generally moisture and corrosion resistant in addition to
being strong, lightweight, and easily molded into intricate shapes. (Thermoplastics and
thermoset plastics)
10. GLASS
Sand, soda ash, and limestone are just a few of the materials that go into making glass.
High temperatures are used to fuse silicates, alkalis, lime, and other elements to
produce it. (Sheet glass, plate glass, float glass)

SUSTAINABLE APPROACHES
The application of design principles in sustainable architecture lessens the adverse
effects of the built environment on the environment. During the planning phase,
architects address energy management, storm water management, and the site's
landscaping. During construction, they use environmentally friendly technologies and
materials.
1. PASSIVE SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
- Passive strategies are utilized to best manage day lighting and natural ventilation
and go a long way toward minimizing the energy requirements for the structure.
These include taking sun direction and climate into consideration while siting and
 being mindful about window placement and operation. Thermal mass methods
can be utilized to capture solar energy in some climates. In these situations, heat
from the sun is absorbed by thick walls during the day and released into the
structure at night.

2. ACTIVE SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

- In order to incorporate high-efficiency HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and other
systems that are intended to have minimal environmental impact, architects
collaborate with mechanical and electrical experts.
3. RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS
- For certain types of buildings, renewable energy systems—such as those that
use solar or wind power—are also excellent choices. Passive design principles
are frequently employed in conjunction with these technologies.
4. GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS AND FINISHES
- Architects take sustainability one step further by prioritizing the procurement of
steel, lumber, concrete, and finishing goods (furniture, carpet, etc.) from
businesses that employ recycled materials or ecologically responsible
manufacturing processes.
- People may feel better about buildings made of non-toxic materials, and using
materials that are supplied sustainably also means that less energy and waste
are used during the manufacturing process. Just a few of the numerous
alternatives include locally produced, recycled, and salvaged materials in
addition to quickly growing materials like bamboo and cork.
5. NATIVE LANDSCAPING
- Water use in civic buildings can be significantly influenced by landscaping
decisions. Architects may drastically cut back on irrigation requirements by
utilizing natural trees, plants, and grasses. A passive energy approach may also
include landscaping. Inside the building, solar heat gain can be minimized by
growing trees to shade the windows and roof during the hottest part of the day.
6. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
- The natural water table is replenished when rain falls on an undeveloped area
because the water that doesn't evaporate seeps back into the earth. Rainfall acts
differently on sites containing buildings, parking lots, walkways, access roads,
and other hardscaping. Rain flows into storm drains from these surfaces. The
detrimental effects of buildings on the environment can be lessened by putting
storm water management techniques into practice, such as retention ponds that
retain runoff and gradually release it back into the ground and pervious pavement
that helps to reduce runoff.
7. ADAPTABLE CLASSROOMS
- A modern sustainable school should give priority to those benefits that directly
affect the learning environments of teachers and students. A classroom can be
swiftly converted from one function to another with modular designs, sliding or
folding partitions, mobile furniture, and open areas.
 8. OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION
- Sustainable school builders construct the buildings in a factory setting before
moving them to their ultimate location and assembling them. It minimizes the
disruption by cutting down on the length of time construction workers must spend
at the school. Maintaining an ongoing inventory that may be utilized for many
projects also helps builders to better regulate material purchases. To limit waste
and lower a school's carbon footprint, extra materials on a job site would be
dumped in a landfill; but, off-site, they may be put to better use.
9. INDOOR AIR QUALITY
- Sustainable building techniques can help schools create more comfortable
learning spaces that are less harmful to students' health. Given that different
parts of the nation have distinct climatic patterns and weather, every school may
take a different strategy.
 Utilize building materials with minimal levels of irritants, poisons,
and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
 Set up an appropriately sized HVAC system to regulate humidity
and temperature, and replace the filters on a regular basis.
 For ventilation, include outside air.
 With pressure control, filtration, and exhaust fans, eliminate odors
and contaminants.
10. NATURAL DAYLIGHT
- When sufficient natural light is available, electric lights are dimmed or switched
off through a process known as day lighting. The following are some ways that
sustainable schools are using day lighting: Large view windows, skylights, glass
walls, light tubes, and transoms

FLEXIBILITY AND INTEGRATION WITH THE SITE AND ENVIRONMENT

One of the most important components of sustainable site development is flexibility. It
enables adaptation to shifting requirements and circumstances, guaranteeing that
locations can prosper in the face of changing difficulties. Here are some important
details emphasizing how important flexibility is to sustainable site development.
1. ADAPTIVE DESIGN
- Through the use of adaptive design, sites may easily adapt to changes, fostering
long-term sustainability and averting the need for expensive retrofits.
2. RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- A site's longevity and sustainability are increased when it is designed with climate
resilience in mind, which improves the site's capacity to endure and adjust to the
difficulties raised by climate change.
 3. SMART GROWTH AND COMPACT DEVELOPMENT
- By making the most efficient use of available resources, compact development
minimizes urban sprawl, improves connectedness, and fosters sustainability.
Green infrastructure integration.
4. GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
- Numerous environmental advantages come from green infrastructure, such as
better storm water management, higher biodiversity, and greater aesthetics.
INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO DESIGNING ADAPTABLE SPACES
1. MODULAR FURNITURE AND TRANSFORMABLE ELEMENTS
- This entails using furniture that can be moved around and transformed, like
folding or repositionable dividers, tables that can be assembled into numerous
configurations, and modular seating systems. Spaces can be adapted to
changing demands because to their flexibility, making them appropriate for a
range of activities and group sizes.

2. ZONING AND SPATIAL FLEXIBILITY

- The concept entails partitioning a given area into distinct zones or sections that
can be tailored to fulfill distinct purposes. Furniture, drapes, movable partitions,
and shelf systems can all be strategically used to achieve this. A larger facility
can be designed with various zones so that each one serves the specific
demands of its users, maximizing functionality.

3. TECHNOLOGICAL INTEGRATION
- The incorporation of technological features, such as climate control, automated
blinds, and smart lighting systems, facilitates the effortless modification and
adaption of areas to fulfill individual user needs. Voice commands or smartphone
apps can be used to operate these technologies, making for a smooth and
simple user interface.

4. FLEXIBILITY THROUGH MATERIALS AND FINISHES

- Making simple changes to areas to accommodate various activities, aesthetic
preferences, or acoustic requirements is made possible by choosing modular
flooring systems, movable wall panels, or adjustable acoustic features. In
addition to improving adaptability, the use of flexible materials gives the design
more visual appeal and diversity.
(Integration) It is not advised to proceed without first owning a property parcel. A piece
of land must be carefully chosen before the design is completed, since this will be the
primary source of limitations to be minimized and potentially benefits to be maximized.
A sturdy, wise, and cozy building can only be constructed in accordance with its
attributes—orientation, nature, form, etc.—to satisfy the demands and preferences of its
occupants.
Considering the building from the outside, inside the land plot, and from the inside for
the tenants' daily use will aid in defining the project's requirements, constraints, and
opportunities.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND STANDARDS

a. CLASSROOM SIZE
- Elementary and secondary schools need their classrooms to be 7.0 meters wide
by 9.00 meters long, or 9.00 meters wide by 7.00 meters long, measured
from the centers of the walls.

b. WINDOWS
- Transparent or translucent windows with movable louvers must be present on
both sides of the window. In spite of being closed, the window needs to let light
in.
- To provide natural ventilation and lighting, the total area of window openings
must be at least 10.00 square meters.
- The distance between the window sill and the finished floor line (FFL) must be
less than 0.60 meters for single-story structures or more than 0.90 meters for
multi-story buildings.
- A fixed louver or transom window situated above movable windows must not be
lower than 0.30 meters in height.
- There must be no obstructions in the hallway while the window panels are
opened.
- Bolo ties and window frames need to be strong enough to resist graffiti.

c. DOORS
- Every classroom must have two (2) doors.
- There should be a 180-degree swing-out.
- The required dimensions for the doors are 2.10 meters for height and 0.90
meters for width.
- The doors must have keyed lever-style locksets and be able to resist typical wear
and tear.

d. FLOOR
- The floor needs to have a grayish-colored non-skid coating.
- By twenty-five millimeters, the classroom FFL should be higher than the
corridor FFL.
- The minimum first floor finish elevation for single-story and multi-story school
buildings is 225 millimeters and 325 millimeters, respectively. The history of flood
levels may warrant raising the elevation.
- The Accessibility Law (B.P. No. 344) requires ramps to have a maximum slope
of 1:12, be non-skid, and have the appropriate labeling.

e. CEILING
- The ceiling needs to be drop-style.
- At least 2.70 meters must separate the floor to ceiling line (FCL) of a room from
the front face level (FFL).
- The ceiling's material selection needs to ensure that the classroom is thermally
comfortable.
- The corridor must provide maintenance personnel with access to the ceiling
cavity.

f. ROOFING
- It is necessary to provide sufficient protection for the roofing material against
various forms of corrosion, such as acid rain, salt air, and rust/oxidation. If
composed of metal, the roofing sheets must be firmly attached to the roof frames
and have a base metal thickness (BMT) of 0.40 mm.
- Gutter systems are optional for single-story school buildings, but trench drains
with the correct slope on both sides are required.
- Concrete gutters and eaves that are at least 1.10 meters from the corridor
must be installed on the roof of multi-story school buildings.

g. PARTITIONS
- The dividers have to extend all the way to the ceiling.

h. CORRIDORS
- School buildings with one story must have a minimum of 1.50 meters in the
hallway.
- In school buildings with multiple stories, the hallways must have a minimum
length of 2.50 meters and a minimum height of 1.50 meters for steel railings.

i. STAIRWAYS
- The minimum width for concrete stairs in multi-story school buildings is 1.50
meters.
- The number of stairways in any school building must adhere to the guidelines set
forth by the Philippine National Building Code (NBCP).
- It is required to have handrails with steel railings.

j. FIRE PROTECTION
- All educational facilities must adhere to R.A. No. 9514, the most recent
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) and the Fire Code of the Philippines
(FCP) under its other name. A standpipe system, an automatic sprinkler system,
pressure and gravity tanks, hose boxes/reels, extinguishers, and other firefighting
 supplies are among the prerequisites (NFPA 13). Additionally, NFPA 25 should
be followed by three- and four-story school buildings.
- According to the Fire Code of the Philippines, multi-story school buildings need to
have fire escapes.

k. CHALKBOARD
- A curved chalkboard that is integrated into the classroom and measures 4.88
meters by 1.22 meters must be provided. The mounting heights and
specifications must meet DepEd requirements.

l. PAINTING
The following is the usual paint/color schedule for DepEd school buildings:

m. ROOF MARKINGS
- Roof markings must be painted on the school's main building or its highest
structure. All that should be on it is the school ID number and the DepEd logo.
The following details and requirements have to be followed:
Note: At least two meters must separate the DepEd logo and the school ID number.

n. WALL MARKINGS
- Except for the following, which may be painted in distinct, conspicuous locations,
all walls must be devoid of any markings:
 Name, Seal, Logo, Mission, Vision, and Core Values of the DepEd
 Quotes from National Heroes and Their Portraits
 Name, ID, and school location.

- If the recognition content adheres to a conventional metal plaque style that will
be installed on the wall, an interior wall area may be chosen and set aside for the
honoring of sponsors, benefactors, and other school partners.

o. VENTILATION
- Mainly, windows and vents will provide natural ventilation. Every classroom is
required to have two (2) oscillating ceiling fans for artificial ventilation
purposes.

p. ILLUMINATION
- Combining artificial and natural lighting is the best way to capture the illumination
falling on a desk or arm rest. All fire exit steps and staircases must have lighting
that complies with R.A. 9514 and its IRR number.
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