MDT Design and Construction

20/02/2026

Foundation Types

- Shallow Foundations
- Spread loads near the surface.
- Best for light structures on stable soil.

- Deep Shaft Systems
- Transfer loads to deeper, stronger soil layers.
- Used when surface soils are weak or compressible.

- Pre-Manufactured Vertical Elements (Piles)
- Driven or placed into the ground.
- Provide uniform and reliable support.

- Enlarged-Base Systems (Caissons/Spread Footings with Bulb)
- Increase bearing capacity by widening at the bottom.
- Suitable for heavier loads on moderate soils.

- Helical Systems
- Mechanically screwed into the soil.
- Allow precise placement and immediate load-bearing.

Engineering Insight
- Each system is chosen based on soil condition, load requirement, and structural type.
- Proper foundation selection ensures safety, durability, and long-term performance.
- Engineers balance cost, construction feasibility, and site constraints when deciding.

Strong foundations are the backbone of every safe and durable structure.

🏗️ From shallow spread footings to deep pile systems, choosing the right foundation depends on soil condition, load intensity, and project requirements.

🔹 Zapata (Spread Footing) – Ideal for shallow depth and light loads.

🔹 Drilled Shaft – Deep foundation with reinforced cage for heavy structures.

🔹 Precast Pile – Driven deep, perfect for soft soil conditions.

🔹 Franki Pile – Enlarged base increases load carrying capacity.

🔹 Continuous Helical Pile – Drilling and concrete filling done simultaneously for efficiency.
Understanding these foundation types helps engineers design safer and stronger buildings.

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04/12/2025

EXEMPTED FROM SECURING BUILDING PERMIT FEE IN PH.
HOW EVER SOME OF THIS STRUCTURE STILL NEEDS TO SECURE BUILDING PERMIT PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION.

Specific building structures are exempted from needing a building permit. These include traditional indigenous family dwellings and minor constructions like sheds, playhouses, and certain additions to a property, as long as they meet specific size and location requirements.
Exemptions under the National Building Code of the Philippines (P.D. 1096):

Traditional Indigenous Family Dwellings:
These are homes built using native materials (like bamboo, nipa, logs, or lumber) for private use by the family of the owner, with a total cost not exceeding fifteen thousand pesos. (still needs to secure building permit but exempted from building permit fees)

Minor Constructions:
Sheds, outhouses, greenhouses, playhouses, aviaries, poultry houses: Not exceeding 6.00 square meters in area and detached from other buildings.

Open terraces or patios:
Not exceeding 20.00 square meters in floor area and resting directly on the ground.

Window grilles, garden pools, masonry walls:
These also fall under minor construction exemptions, provided they meet size and location requirements.

Repair Works:
Non-structural repairs: Replacing roofing sheets, gutters, or ceilings.
Replacement of non-load-bearing partition walls: This also does not require a building permit.

©PD 1096

06/11/2025

𝗔𝗡𝗢 𝗕𝗔 𝗔𝗡𝗚 “𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗, 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗢𝗨𝗦” 𝗦𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

Kapag nakita mo sa kontrata ang linyang “Overhead, Contingencies and Miscellaneous (OCM)”, ‘wag mo agad isipin na “extra charge” lang ‘yan.
Ito ay totoong bahagi ng project cost na may malinaw na purpose.

𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗 – Ito ‘yung mga gastusin ng contractor na hindi direktang nakikita sa mismong construction site pero kailangan para tumakbo ang project.
→ Halimbawa: office rent, admin staff salary, communication, utilities, tools maintenance, at legworks.

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗦 – Ito naman ang pang-“just in case” fund.
→ Ginagamit kung may mga hindi inaasahang gastos tulad ng price increase sa materials, weather delays, o minor design changes.

𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗢𝗨𝗦 – Mga maliliit pero mahalagang items na hindi madaling i-itemize sa Bill Of Quantities.
→ Tulad ng safety signs, regular site cleaning, work permits, delivery fees, documentations, at iba pang incidentals.

𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗧:
OCM = Hindi luho, kundi proteksyon at suporta para tuloy-tuloy at maayos ang project.
Kaya mahalagang naiintindihan ng client at contractor kung ano-ano ang sakop nito.

06/11/2025

How to calculate the weight of bars?

01/11/2025

27/10/2025

Retaining Wall Important Question

25/10/2025

Why Curing is Important After Concreting?

Curing is the process of maintaining adequate moisture, temperature, and time toallow concrete to achieve its desired strength and durability after placement.

Purpose of Curing:

• To prevent moisture loss from concrete surface.

• To ensure proper hydration of cement particles.

• To gain maximum strength and durability.
Importance:

■ Proper curing helps in reducing cracks, improving surface hardness, and making
concrete watertight.

■ Improper curing can lead to low strength, surface cracks, dusting, and reduced
lifespan of concrete.

Common Curing Methods:

• Ponding and immersion
• Wet coverings (hessian or gunny bags)
• Sprinkling of water
• Membrane curing (curing compounds)
• Steam curing (for precast elements)

Recommended Duration:

• Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC): 7–14 days

• Blended Cement (PPC, PSC): 10–20 days

Conclusion:
Curing is one of the most essential steps in concrete work. It ensures long-term
durability, strength, and resistance to environmental effects.

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23/10/2025

Methods to Improve Bearing Capacity of
Soil

1. Compaction: Densifying soil by rolling, ramming, or vibration increasesits strength and reduces settlement.

2. Drainage Improvement: Removing excess water from soil enhanceseffective stress and bearing capacity.

3. Confining Pressure: Lateral confinement with sheet piles or retainingwalls increases soil resistance.

4. Grouting: Injection of cement or chemical grouts into soil voids improvescohesion and density.

5. Reinforcement: Using geotextiles, geogrids, or stone columnsstrengthens soil structure.

6. Soil Replacement: Replacing weak soil with stronger granular materialbeneath foundation.

7. Vibro-flotation: Technique used for deep densification of granular soils.

8. Preloading: Applying temporary load to compress soil before actualconstruction.

22/10/2025

DAPPED COLUMN – EXPLANATION

A dapped column (or corbel column) is a reinforced concrete column that has
projections or recesses (called daps) near its top or along its height to support
beams, girders, or precast members. These daps create a step-like or notched
section that helps in transferring loads from beams to the column effectively.

Purpose

Dapped columns are used to support horizontal members (beams or slabs) at
specific levels without requiring extra steel brackets or connectors.

Functions

1. Load Transfer – Transfers beam loads directly into the column through thedapped bearing area.

2. Ease of Assembly – Facilitates quick installation in precast concrete structures.

3. Structural Stability – Reduces eccentricity of beam loads.

4. Connection Simplicity – Simplifies modular construction by allowing beams torest on daps.

Components Visible

• Vertical Members: Precast columns with daps/corbels.

• Horizontal Members: Precast beams seated on these daps.

• Reinforcement: Starter bars or dowels projecting for connection and continuity.

Design Considerations

1. Check shear and bearing strength.

2. Provide proper reinforcement anchorage.

3. Avoid stress concentration at re-entrant corners.

4. Allow for construction tolerance and grouting.

Applications

• Precast concrete buildings
• Industrial frames
• Multi-story car parks
• Modular structural systems

Summary

A dapped column is a column with notched projections designed to seat beamssecurely and simplify structural connections in precast or modular constructionsystems.

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21/10/2025

QUALITY TESTS ON CONCRETE AT SITE

1. Slump Test

Used to determine the workability of fresh concrete. The test involves filling a cone-shapedmold with concrete, removing the mold, and measuring the slump or subsidence of theconcrete.

2. Compressive Strength Test

Cubes or cylinders are cast and cured under controlled conditions, then crushed after 7
and 28 days to determine the concrete's compressive strength.

3. Water Permeability Test

Determines the resistance of concrete against water pe*******on. It helps assess concrete
durability, especially for structures exposed to water.

4. Rebound Hammer Test

A non-destructive test (NDT) used to estimate the surface hardness and uniformity of
concrete by measuring rebound index from a spring-driven hammer.

5. Air Content Test

Measures the air content in freshly mixed concrete. It helps in understanding freeze-thawresistance and workability.

6. Temperature Test

Checks the temperature of freshly mixed concrete to ensure it is within acceptable limitsfor proper hydration and strength development.

7. Compaction Factor Test

Determines the degree of compaction achieved by concrete, especially for low workability mixes. It measures the ratio of partially compacted to fully compacted concrete weight.

8. Flow Table Test
Used for high workability concrete. The test measures the spread of concrete on a flow
table to assess its flowability and consistency.

Note: All tests should follow relevant IS, ASTM, or ACI standards to ensure accurateresults.

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