Research Areas
Research Thrusts
Sustainable Construction
Development and enhancement of building materials, products, and processes consistent with the principles of reduction of environmental wastes as well as negative health impacts
Disaster Resilient Structures
Development of standards and technologies for building materials and construction practices and processes that would enhance building response to natural events and reduce the risks and impacts it poses to human life
Construction Materials Research and Development
Development and enhancement of testing procedures and standards for new and widely used materials and technologies in the local scene
Construction Technologies
Development and enhancement of technologies, methods, and practices for proper, effective, and safe management of the local construction industry
Research Roadmap:
Browse researches
| Field | Project Name | Implementing Unit | Project Description | Year | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durable Construction | Geotechnical Properties of Redisposited Lahar Derived from 1991 Mt. Pinatubo Eruption | UP Department of Civil Engineering, Building Research Service, UP Engineering Research and Development for Technology | Baseline data was obtained through a subsurface investigation program consisting of laboratory tests and field exploration on 15 areas located in Zambales, Pampanga and Tarlac. Recommendations for the analysis and design of shallow foundations, slopes and retaining structures were formulated. Correlations, which can be used to obtain textural and shear strength parameters from field tests, were also developed. Results of the subsurface investigation also reveal a high potential for liquefaction in most of the sites considered in the project. Finally, a hyperbolic constitutive model is proposed to describe the stress-strain behavior of lahar. Comparison of laboratory test results with those predicted by the proposal model show good agreement. | 1999-01 | |
| Disaster Resilient Housing | Liquefaction Susceptibility of Pinatubo Lahar Deposits | Pinatubo lahar deposits are considered as loose sandy deposits with a very high potential for liquefaction failure. The study investigated the susceptibility of these deposits in Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales using widely used liquefaction assessment methods i.e., Seed and Idriss and the Japanese Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE). | 1999-02 | ||
| Durable Construction | Cone Penetration Test in Metro Manila Soils | The objective of the study is to determine the geotechnical properties of Metro Manila soils using Cone Penetration Test. The use of this test present an alternative method or supplemental method for other in-situ tests in estimating geotechnical properties of soils. | 1998-06 | 1999-06 | |
| Disaster Resilient Housing | Assessment of the Liquefaction Potential of Metropolitan Manila Area | This project came about through the involvement of the office in a Training Programme on Earthquake Engineering and Disaster Management for Establishing Building Administration System in the Philippines. Since the staff involved has already transferred to another government agency, the work has to be reassessed. An inventory of the resources and technical materials gathered through the program is currently being done. A proposal on its continuation or revision based on available resources is currently being looked into. | |||
| Disaster Resilient Housing | Study of the Soil in Areas Damaged due to Liquefaction during the July 16, 1990 Philippine Earthquake | UP Department of Civil Engineering, Building Research Service, UP ERDFI | Data collection, analysis and reporting is expected to be finalized in January 1992. Engr. Parayno, the UP BRS staff involved in this project will be presenting a paper based on the results of the study in an international conference on the July 16, 1990 earthquake to be held in Manila on March 17, 1992. | ||
| Disaster Resilient Housing | Correlation of Standard Penetration Test and Cone Penetration Test Data for Liquefaction Mitigations | This is a derivative study of the study of the soil in areas damaged due to liquefaction during the July 16, 1990 Philippine earthquake. Data gathering is eighty percent complete. Collation, data analysis and documentation is completed last quarter of 1992. | 1991-1992 | 1992 | |
| Durable Construction | Compendium of Indigenous Building Materials and Technologies (CIBMAT) | The objective was to produce a resource book of indigenous building material and technologies in the Philippines to increase the awareness and promote the use of these materials. The output consists of a resource book and a web-based electronic database. Information | 2003-01 | 2003-06 | |
| Durable Construction | Comparative Testing of Clinker Grinding Additive | The objective was to determine the effect of various dosages of grinding additives to the compressive strength and time of setting of Portland Cement concrete. | 2003-06 | 2003-08 | |
| Durable Construction | Strength of Slag Cement | UP Department of Civil Engineering, Building Research Service | The primary purpose of the project is to determine the physical, chemical and strength properties of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and slag cement and OPC with slag as partial cement replacement. Test results for the OPC and slag cement were compared to determine the viability of slag as partial cement replacement. | 1999-12 | 2000-04 |
| Durable Construction | Study on the Appropriate Design Mix of Portland Cement/Pinatubo Lahar Material for Prefabricated Structural Components and Pavement Blocks; and Pinatubo Lahar Material/Clay for Soil Erosion Control Structures | Building Research Service, UPCAFBEI, IRTC Ð TUP, Casus & Assoc. | Developed an appropriate design mix utilizing Pinatubo lahar material for prefabricated panels, pavement blocks, and soil erosion control structures in conformance with acceptable measures. | 1994 | 1995 |
| Durable Construction | Comparative Study on the Compressive Strength of Concrete Using Portland cement and Pozzolan Cement Under Three Conditions of Curing | Building Research Service, UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation Inc. | Compared the compressive strength of concrete cylinders (submerged in sea water and in fresh water) using Portland cement and Pozzolan cement for varying ages. | 1994 | 1995 |
| Durable Construction | Study on the Mechanical Properties of the Antipolo Soil-Cement Mortar | Integrated Research and Training Center, Technological University of the Philippines (ITRC-TUP) | Laboratory work is forty percent accomplished. Accomplished laboratory work includes physical and index properties of the soil. The target date for completion is on the third quarter of the year. | ||
| Sustainable Housing and Construction | Leak-Proof Precast Panel for Modular Housing | UP Building Research Service, UP Institute of Civil Engineering | The projects aims to come up with compilation of technologies, practices and specifications related to sealants, jointing methods and evaluation methods. Performance assessment methods and facility for precast components and systems shall also be established. Product innovations/recommendations based for the production of leak-proof precast concrete wall panel systems will be developed. | 2008-12 | Ongoing |
| Disaster Resilient Housing | Alternative Building Systems of Residential Structures Considering Seismic Loadings | UP Building Research Service, UP Institute of Civil Engineering | The projects aims to document existing building systems utilized in the local housing industry; procure and install a suitable testing facility for assessing seismic effects in structural systems, and assess a proposed building system using the testing facility and system-level modeling. | 2008-12 | Ongoing |
| Disaster Resilient Housing | Fire Hazard Mitigation System for Cluster Housing | UP Building Research Service, UP Institute of Civil Engineering | The projects aims to develop the capability to conduct testing for fire resistive properties and combustibility of construction materials and building assemblies. A fire hazard mitigation system in clustered housing shall also be established. | 2008-12 | Ongoing |
| Construction Management | Development of a Rapid Assessment Tool for Material-Related Deterioration for RC Structures | The project aims to come up with a protocol for field inspection as well as laboratory verification for rapid assessment of material-related deterioration in reinforced concrete structures. With the establishment of the protocol, systematic generation of data needed as input for structural analysis as well as in coming up with recommendations for repair or rehabilitation can be realized. | 2005-05 | 2006-03 | |
| Sustainable Housing and Construction | Extent of Deterioration of Model Houses and Shed | The project was executed to assess the condition of the model houses and shed constructed in 1989-1993 in UP Diliman through DOST-PCIERD funding. A condition survey was carried out using a survey/assessment tool developed for this purpose, to determine the extent of deterioration. A scheme for repair and refurbishing was formulated and repair works required were executed. Finally, recommendations for preventive maintenance were drafted. | 2003-06 | 2003-12 | |
| Sustainable Housing and Construction | Development of Fiber Concrete Roofing Technology | Based on the study, FCR tile is found to be a viable alternative material to low cost housing. It has a passive cooling effect that eliminates the need for a ceiling in the roof construction. The research project was aimed to test the viability of FCR tiles and in the process of its utilization adjustment will be made to make it more adaptable to user in terms of cost. FCR tiles were found to be more economical to the popular cement tile through costing more than conventional galvanized iron. | 1991 | 1993 | |
| Sustainable Housing and Construction | Completion and Retrofitting of the Ferrocement Model House | UP College of Architecture, Building Research Service | The project made functional the Ferrocement Model House whose construction was not completed due to some exigencies. Some parts of the house which utilized ferrocement components developed on the study have to be retrofitted. An analysis of the structural viability of the ferrocement components originally placed and designed was undertaken before its retrofitting. | 1991 | 1993 |
| Sustainable Housing and Construction | Comparative Study of Interlocking Hollow Block Design | (COOPERATING AGENCY) Technology and Livelihood Research Center | The study would serve as a base reference for the approval of funds for Livelihood Resource Center to interested manufacturers whose interlocking blocks/bricks were components of the research. This activity bolsters the function of UP BRS in validating innovative technologies for commercialization purposes. Output: 120-page Final Report | 1991 | 1991 |
| Construction Management | Productivity Study for the Construction Industry | (COOPERATING AGENCIES) Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP), UP Engineering Research & Development Foundation, Inc. | This study provided an integrated effort in gaining an understanding of productivity in the main subsector of the construction industry. Specifically it aimed to examine the anatomy of productivity of the various input resources at the disposal of the contractor namely manpower, materials, technology, information and management. Output: Three-Volume Final Report | 1990 | 1991 |
| Sustainable Housing and Construction | Adaptation of Prediction Models to Determine the Level of Deterioration | (COOPERATING AGENCY) University of the Philippines | In support of UPBRS, the UP System took the risk of using hollow block that was mixed with rice hull ash to encourage further studies in the development of such materials. Performance of the blocks through time is being planned for documentation. | 1991 | 1991 |
| Durable Construction | Adaptation of Prediction Models to Determine the Level of Ddeterioration of RC in Marine Environment | UP Building Research Service, UP Institute of Civil Engineering | Two prediction models to determine the level of deterioration of reinforced concrete structures were developed mathematically. The first model focuses on predicting the time to initiate corrosion resulting from chloride ingress while the second model will predict the time required to cause a concrete cover to crack due to corroding rebar/s | 2008-12 | 2009-11 |
| Durable Construction | Evaluation of Strength and Durability Parameters of Plain and Reinforced Concrete Using Local Cements | UP Building Research Service, UP Institute of Civil Engineering | Concrete made of different types of locally manufactured cements are characterized and monitored in terms of their strength and durability when exposed to marine environment. Corrosion parameters are obtained through experiments in a simulated laboratory marine environment. Concurrent to carrying out this project, rebar corrosion related laboratory tests and setups are enhanced. Marine exposure site is still to be established. | 2008-12 | Present |
| Durable Construction | Analysis of Deterioration of Reinforced Concrete Structures in Local Marine Environment | UP Building Research Service, UP Institute of Civil Engineering | Motivated on the need to extend the service life of marine structures, the study centered on the formulation of appropriate standard procedures for inspection of RC structures exposed to marine environment. Included in the study are physical assessments on some local ports in the Philippines | 2008-12 | 2010-11 |
| Durable Construction | Development of a Performance-based Maintenance System for Marine Concrete | UP Building Research Service, UP Institute of Civil Engineering | A framework for performance-based maintenance system for marine structures in the Philippines was developed. | 2008-12 | 2010-11 |