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Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, construction design is becoming more and more advanced and will

continue to improve as time goes by. Wood and concrete materials, two of the most used

materials in construction and have been everywhere as long as it involves building, even

in the ancient times these materials were commonly used this just tells us that wood and

concrete materials are the most ideal materials in construction.

Civil Engineers need to consider a lot of things when constructing structures

particularly budget, time, labor and most importantly the materials to be used in the

structure. To be able to determine on what material to be used Civil Engineers must first

conduct a proper survey on the location where the structure will be placed. As a student

one should have a basic fundamental idea on how to do the procedures.

According to Joe Nasvik and Jack Gibbons (2017) fire safety is a problem for

wood structures so the industry lobbied hard to make sprinkler systems mandatory for all

housing a few years ago. Based on Steve Saretsky (2016) concrete buildings, although

generally more expensive than wood frame buildings, are worth it in the long term. It’s

important to always look long term, in all aspects of life. The same thinking can be

applied to when investing in your next condo. With that said the researcher is determined

to undertake whether wood or concrete is better than that of the other in terms of

performance in construction.
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Objectives

This study aims to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of wood and

concrete materials in construction design.

Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of wood and concrete materials in terms of

(a) Value

(b) Durability

(c) Location

2. How are the materials used to withstand different kind of calamities like:

(a) Earthquake

(b) Typhoon

(c) Extreme rise of temperature

(d) Floods
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Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined to ensure a common understanding between the

researcher and the readers.

(a) Civil Engineers. The term is conceptually and operationally defined as a professional

discipline that deals with the design, construction and maintenance of the physically and

naturally built environment, especially public sector works such as roads, bridges, dams,

highways, airports, pipelines, sewage and drainage systems, railways, ports and all the rest

(Tyler, 2018).

(b) Cement concrete. The term is conceptually defined as an artificial building material

that is obtained by mixing together cement, water and some other inert materials

(Satheesh, nd).
 In this study cement concrete refers to Type 1-Portland cement and it is classified

as a cement who has a general purpose, mostly applied in construction of most buildings,

bridges, pavements(hard surface of a road/street), etc (Dr. Thomas & Dr. Jennings, nd).

(c) Defect. The term is conceptually and operationally defined as an identifiable,

unwanted condition that was not part of the original intent of design (OSIM,2008).

(d) Delamination. The term is conceptually and operationally defined as a discontinuity of

the surface concrete which is substantially separated but not completely detached from

concrete below or above it (OSIM, 2008).

(e) Deterioration. The term is conceptually and operationally defined as a defect that has

occurred over a period of time (OSIM, 2008).

(d) Durability. The term is conceptually defined as the ability to last a long time without

significant deterioration (ACM, 1916).

In this study, it refers to the ability of the wood and concrete to resist a certain force or

weight when applied towards it.

(e) Frames. The term is conceptually and operationally defined as the structures having

the combination of beam, column and slab to resist the lateral and gravity loads. These

structures are usually used to overcome the large moments developing due to the applied

loading (Haseeb, 2017).

(f) Loads. The term is conceptually defined a weight or source of pressure borne by

someone or something (Civil Simplified, nd).

In this study the term refers to force or weight acting on the structure.

(g) Mahogany. The term is conceptually used to refer to different types of tree in the

Philippines (Angat ang Makabago, 2017).

In this study it refers to a hard wood commonly used in constructing houses, furniture,

boats and even musical instruments.

(h) Maintenance. The term is conceptually and operationally defined as the process of

preserving a condition or situation or the state of being preserved (Oxford, nd).

(i) Mortar. The term is conceptually and operationally defined as

a mixture of cement or lime, and sand and water, used in building for

holding bricks or stones together (Longman, nd).

(j) Pressure. The term is conceptually defined as the amount of force exerted(thrust) on a

surface per unit area (toppr, 2016).

In this study the term is defined as a continuous force acting towards a body/object.

(k) Spalling. The term is conceptually and operationally defined as extended delamination

(OSIM,2008).

(l) Stress. The term is conceptually and operationally defined a force that tends to deform

the body on which it acts per unit area (Anonymous, 2012).

(m) Structural Design. The term is conceptually and operationally defined as a set of

methods or tools that are used to determine safe and economical specifications for a

structure, and to ensure that a planned structure will be sufficiently strong to carry its

intended load (Tyler,2018).

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(n) Structural Engineering. The term is conceptually and operationally defined as a

speciality within the field of Civil Engineering that focuses on the framework of the

structures and on designing these structures to withstand stresses and pressure of their

environment and remain safe, stable and secure throughout their use (Lucas, 2014).

(o) Structure. The term is conceptually and operationally defined as a series of connected,

interrelated elements that form together a system that can resist a series of external load

effects applied to it, which includes its own self weight, and provide adequate rigidity. In

civil engineering, a structure is usually (Dean, 2017).

(p) Stucco. The term is conceptually and operationally defined as fine plaster used for

coating wall surfaces or moulding into architectural decorations (Oxford, nd).

(q) Wood. The term is conceptually and operationally classified

as hardwood and softwood. Hardwood is typically heavier and denser than softwood and

is usually utilized for construction of walls, ceilings and floors (Heritage Builders, 2017).
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Scopes and Limitations

This research will focus on the advantages and disadvantages of wood and concrete

materials, in addition the research will also study about its properties, for wood it will

only focus on mahogany and for concrete(Type1-Portland Cement). The research will

involve 5 Civil Engineers who have at least 3 years of experience in construction and is to

take place in Bacolod City. It is desired that the study will start and end in the year of

2019.

Significance of the Study

This study will help improve the knowledge of students who are taking up Civil

Engineering, people who are planning to build their houses (today or in the future) and

Civil Engineers who are planning to take Structural Engineering as a master’s degree.

This research aims to determine the advantages and disadvantages of wood and concrete

as well as its properties.