COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Columban College, Inc.

Olongapo City

PRELIM COVERAGE
(Module 2)

Building System Design

CEP321

Compiled by:

Engr. Mariane Nunag

Department of Civil Engineering

2nd Semester
A.Y.2022-2023
 COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Columban College, Inc.

A Module in CEP 321

(Building System Design)

Learning Module 2
(Basic Construction Materials and Concrete Cost Estimate)

Compiled by:

Engr. Mariane Nunag

Department of Civil Engineering

Copyright © 2020, Columban College, Inc.

All rights Reserved

(No part of this module may be reproduced or copied without the permission from the author)
 Building System Design

1.1 Introduction

Basic Construction Materias

A. Concrete
Concrete is a building material which solidifies and hardens after mixing with water and
placement due to chemical process known as hydration. The water reacts with cement, which
bonds the other components fine aggregates (sand) and coarse aggregates (gravel) together; and
eventually produces a hard stone-like material.
Concrete is used to make pavements, pipe, engineering structures, foundations, roads,
bridges, walls, footings, etc.

Classifications of Concrete
1. General Classification of Concrete
a. Plain Concrete. A structural concrete with no reinforcement or with less reinforcement than
the minimum amount specified for reinforced concrete.
b. Reinforced Concrete. A structural concrete reinforced with no less than the minimum amounts
of reinforcing bars, pre-stressing tendons or non-pre-stressed reinforcement.

2. Classifications According to Proportions

a. Class AA. A rich concrete mixture that can be used for columns of reinforced concrete
building and for construction where a very strong and dense concrete is required.
b. Class A. A good concrete mixture that can be used for reinforced concrete works of all kinds
and best suited for general concrete works.
c. Class B. A medium concrete mixture that can be used for plain concrete foundations, walls,
floors, etc. and for not much strength of impermeability is required.
d. Class C. A lean concrete mixture that can be used for heavy masses.

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Other Classification of Concrete

1. Lime Concrete. The main ingredient is slaked lime and used as a binding material and
aggregates.
2. Cement Concrete. The main ingredient is cement and used as a binding material and
aggregates.
a. Special Cement Concrete. Produced to suit a variety of special requirements of environmental
condition.
b. Reinforced Cement Concrete. Obtained by embedding steel bars in tension zones of the
structural member to offset tension weakness of plain cement concrete.

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c. Pre-Stressed Cement Concrete. Obtained with high graded steel wires or tendon wires.
d. Aerated Concrete. Manufactured from calcareous and siliceous materials.
e. Heavy Weight Concrete. Produced by using special heavy weight aggregates and compacting
well by mechanical means.
f. Pre - packed Concrete. Obtained by injecting cement sand mortar under pressure to fill voids
already packed and fully compact coarse aggregates.

Special Types of Concrete

1. Air Entrained Concrete. Contains billions of microscopic cells per ft3 and produced by the
use of air entraining Portland cement.
2. High-Early Strength Concrete. Produced by using high-early strength cement.
3. Light weight Concrete. Made from light weight aggregates.

Proportioning Ingredients for Concrete

1. Mix proportioning Method
Weight Method. Fairly simple and quick for estimating mix proportion using an assumed
or known weight of concrete per unit volume.
Absolute-Volume Method. More accurate method involves used of specific gravity
values for all ingredients to calculate the absolute volume and each will occupy in a unit volumes
of concrete.
Fineness Modulus Method. The term fineness modulus is used to indicate an index
number which is roughly proportional to the average size of the particle in the entire quantity of
aggregates.
Arbitrary Standard Method. Ratio of fine aggregates and coarse aggregates to develop a
dense mix that lies between 1:1/2 and 1:2/1/2.
Minimum Voids Method. The quantity of fine aggregate used in the mixed is about 10%
more than the voids in the coarse aggregates and the quantity of cement is kept about 15% more
than the voids in the fine aggregates.
Maximum density Method. In this method a box of fixed volume is filled with varying
proportion of fine and coarse aggregates.
Water Cement Ratio. The amount of water in mixing concrete is the most important
factor affecting the strength of a given proportion
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Concrete mix may be classified as designed or prescribed.

1. Designed mix is the responsibility of the contractor to select the mixture in order the
achieved the required strength and workability of the concrete.
2. Prescribed mix is mixture proportion specified by the designing engineer and the
responsibility of the contractor is to provide a properly mixed concrete containing the
right proportion.

Properties of Concrete
Properties of concrete are divided into two parts: Properties of Fresh Concrete or Plastic Stage
and Properties of Hardened Concrete
1. Plastic Stage
a. Consistency. Consistency of a concrete mix is a measure of the stiffness or sloppiness or
fluidity of the mix. For effective handling, placing and compacting the concrete; and consistency
must be the same for each batch. It is therefore necessary to measure consistency of concrete at
regular intervals.
Slump Test. Commonly used to measure consistency of concrete.
Slump Loss. From the time of mixing, fresh concrete gradually loses consistency. This gives
rise to the problems only if the concrete becomes too stiff to handle, place and compact
properly. Slump loss in concrete is caused due to the following reasons: hydration of cement
(generating more heat), loss of water by evaporation, absorption of water by dry aggregates
and absorption of water by surfaces in contact with the concrete.
b. Workability. The ease which concrete can be compacted fully without segregation and
bleeding.
The workability of a concrete mix is the relative ease with which concrete can be placed,
compacted and finished without separation or segregation of the individual materials.
Workability is not the same thing as consistency. Mixes with the same consistency can
have different workability’s, if they are made with different sizes of stone; the smaller the stone
the more workable the concrete. It is not possible to measure workability but the slump test,
together with an assessment of properties like stone content, cohesiveness and plasticity; it gives
a useful indication.

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c. Segregation. Implies the separation of the coarser particles from the mix which results in
nonhomogeneity of the concrete mix.
d. Bleeding. The appearance of water along the cement particles on surface of freshly laid
concrete on compaction and finishing.
e. Settlement and Bleeding. Cement and aggregate particles have densities about three times that
of water. In fresh concrete they consequently tend to settle and displace mixing water which
migrates upward and may collect on the top.
f. Setting. The hardening of concrete before its hydration is known as setting of concrete.
g. Hydration. Concrete derives its strength by the hydration of cement particles. The hydration of
cement is not a momentary action but a process continuing for a long time.
h. Air entrainment. Air entrainment reduces the density of concrete and consequently reduces the
strength.

2. Hardened stage
a. Strength. The characteristics strength of concrete is defined as the compressive strength of 150
mm size cubes after 28 days of curing below which not more than 5 % of the test results are
expected to fail. When we refer to concrete strength; we generally talk about compressive
strength of concrete. Because concrete is strong in compression but relatively weak in tension
and bending. Concrete compressive strength is measured in pounds per square inch (psi) or
newton per square millimeter (MPa). Compressive strength mostly depends upon the amount
and type of cement used in concrete mix. It is also affected by the water-cement ratio, mixing
method, placing and curing. Concrete tensile strength ranges from 7% to 12% of compressive
strength. Both tensile strength and bending strength can be increased by adding reinforcement.

b. Durability. Environmental forces such as weathering, chemical attack, heat, freezing and
thawing mat deteriorate concrete. The period existence of concrete without getting adversely
affected by these forces is known as durability. Durability might be defined as the ability to
maintain satisfactor performance over and extended service life. The design service life of most
buildings is often 30 years, although buildings often last 50 to 100 years. Most concrete
buildings are demolished due to obsolescence rather than deterioration. Different concretes
require different degrees of durability depending on the exposure environment and properties
desired.
Appropriate concrete ingredients, mix proportions, finishes and curing practices can be
adjustedon the basis of required durability of concrete.

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c. Impermeability. The resistance of concrete to the flow of water through its pores. Excess water
during concreting leaves a large number of continuous pores leading to the permeability.
d. Dimensional Changes. Concrete shrinks with age and the total shrinkage depends upon the
constituents of concrete, size of the member and the environmental conditions. Total shrinkage
is approximately 0.0003 of original dimension.
e. Shrinkage. The volume decrease of concrete caused by drying and chemical changes. In
another word, the reduction of volume for the setting and hardening of concrete is defined as
shrinkage.
f. Creep. Deformation of concrete structure under sustained load is defined as concrete creep.
Long term pressure or stress on concrete can make changes in shape. This deformation usually
occurs in the direction the force is applied. The permanent dimension change due to loading over
a long period is termed as creep.
g. Modulus of Elasticity. The modulus of Elasticity of concrete depends on the Modulus of
Elasticity of the concrete ingredients and their mix proportions. As per ACI code, the modulus of
Elasticity to be calculated using following equation:

h. Water Tightness. Another property of concrete is water tightness. Sometimes it is called

impermeability of concrete. Water tightness of concrete is directly related to the durability of
concrete. The lesser the permeability; the more the durability of concrete.

i. Thermal Conductivity. Concrete has moderate thermal conductivity, much lower than metals,
but significantly higher than other building materials such as wood, and it is a poor insulator. A
layer of concrete is frequently used for 'fireproofing' of steel structures. However, the term
fireproof is inappropriate, for high temperature fires can be hot enough to induce chemical
changes in concrete; which in the extreme can cause considerable structural damage to the
concrete.

j. Unit Weight. The unit weight of concrete depends on percentage of reinforcement, type of
aggregate and amount of voids.

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Types of Cement used in Concrete

1. Ordinary portland cement is the most commonly used cement in concreting operation.

2. Rapid hardening portland cement is specified when high early strength is required.

3. Portland blast furnace or sulphate is used to resist chemical attack.

4. Low heat portland cement is preferred for massive section to reduce the heat of hydration.

5. High alumina cement is chemical resistant and can withstand frigid temperatures.

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Types of Aggregates used in Concrete

Aggregates are inert materials derived from igneous, sedimentary; and metamorphic
rocks or
manufactured from clays, shales, slates and slags. The aggregates used in concreting are sand,
natural gravel, gravel crushed stone, cinder and crushed furnace slag. Natural sands and gravels
are generally available and therefore constitute the major source of aggregates. Crushed stone is
the next most widely used class of concrete aggregate.

Aggregates are often washed to remove impurities which may retard cement hydration or
prove otherwise deleterious, particularly for natural occurring sands and gravels. All aggregates
are screened to ensure proper gradation of sizes.

Aggregates are granular mineral particles that are widely used for highway bases,
subbases and
backfill. These are also used in combination with cementing material to form concrete for
structural construction, wearing surfaces and drainage structures.
Sources of aggregates are natural deposits of sand and gravel, pulverized concrete and asphalt
pavements, crushed stones and blast furnace slag.

1. Coarse aggregates are crushed stones, crushed gravel or natural gravel with particles
retained on a 5 mm sieve. The maximum nominal size of coarse aggregates or gravel are
usually 40 mm, 20 mm, 14 mm or 10 mm and a good practice demands the maximum size
of the gravel shall not exceed of 25% of the minimum thickness of the member nor exceed
the clear distance the reinforcing bars and the form for the concrete mix to flow around
the reinforcement ready for compaction.

2. Fine aggregates are crushed stone sand, crushed gravel sand or natural sand with
particles passing a 5 mm sieve.

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Concrete Proportioning
The most commonly used of proportioning of concrete is the volume method using a box for
sand and gravel, solid concrete structure is estimated in cubic meters and the measure of the
wooden measuring box is usually one cubic foot. This is done by making the inside
measurements of all sides and the bottom of the box one foot or 0. 3048 meter square.

The quantity of concrete to be used in a given project is specified in different ways such as by its
water-cement ratio, weight of a given volume, compressive strength after 28 days, by the fixed
proportion of cement, sand and gravel; or by the volume contained in the concrete mixture. The
concrete mixtures are identified by their classes in which each class contains a given proportion
of cement, sand and gravel by volume.

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 Building System Design

Concrete Slabs
A concrete slab is a structural member which has a constant thickness and used for
flooring. It is supported by reinforcing bars or welded wire mesh on the sub-soil. Slabs are
categorized as ground bearing slab if it rest directly on the ground or foundation and suspended
slab where formwork and reinforcements are in place.

Problems

1) A proposed concrete pavement has a general dimension of 4 inches thick, 4 meters wide
and 6 meters long and the slab is resting on the ground fill. Compute the bags of cement,
sand and gravel in m3 needed using a Class A mixture. (Note: 1 in = 25 mm).

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2) A measured 150 mm thick, 4 m wide and 2 km long requires concreting after the base
preparation. . Compute the bags of cement, sand and gravel in m3 needed using a Class A
mixture.

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Concrete Beams and Girders

A concrete beam is a structural member that supports loads applied primarily horizontally and
they are characterized by their supports and shape of cross-section. A reinforced concrete beam
is a structural member which is designed to bear or carry transverse external loads and these
loads causes bending moment, shear forces and even torsion across their
length. This beam is embedded with reinforcing steel bars to resist the tensile, shear and even
compression and they categorized as singly or doubly reinforced beam.

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Problem:
Compute the bags of cement, sand and gravel in m3 needed using a Class A mixture in the figure
shown below.

2. By Linear Method and Refer from Table 7 (Class A – 40 kgs and Size 200 mm x 300 mm)

Concrete Column
A. Concrete column is a vertical load-bearing structural member supporting compressive loads
and used to transmit the load of the structure to the foundation.
B. Reinforced concrete column is a structural member designed to carry compressive loads. This
column is embedded with metal reinforcement and they are categorized as short, intermediate
and long column. The computing of the required materials for columns, beams and girders can
be in linear meter method.

Problem:
Compute the bags of cement, sand and gravel in m3 needed using a Class A mixture in the figure
shown below.
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 Building System Design

C. Circular Columns are columns used when there is no wall attached on the sides and most
preferred columns for horizontal bridges and fly over. These columns are built at more traffic
areas because of their less cross-sectional area and suitable for seismic prone areas where high
strength and ductility are required.

Problem:
Compute the bags of cement, sand and gravel in m3 needed using a Class A mixture in the
figure shown below.

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D. Concrete pipes are used for sanitary, storm sewerages, roadways culverts, tunnels, bridges
and underground detention systems. These pipes lasts between 50 to 75 years and sometimes
pipes last longer to 100 years.

Problem:
A road construction requires 10 pieces of concrete pipes for drainage purposes. Determine the
required quantity of cement, sand and gravel for the manufacturing of the pipes using Class A
mixture.

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Column Footing
Column footing is a structural member that carries the transmitted load of the structure and there
is a hole in the bottom where the column is placed, and the load is distributed over the larger area
which prevents the column to sink over a period of time.

The following are the different types of footings:

Continuous Wall Footing, Isolated Footing, Combined Footing, Strip Footing. Strap Footing,
Raft Footing and Pile Footing.

Problem:
Compute the bags of cement, sand and gravel in m3 needed using a Class A mixture in the figure
shown below.

B. MASONRY
Concrete Hollow Blocks
1. Description of Concrete Hollow Blocks (CHB)
Concrete hollow blocks (CHB) are the most common materials for walling in building
construction because of their availability, low cost and their ease in installation. CHB are
classified as bearing and non-bearing blocks and are compressive materials, fill with mortar in
their hollow part, spread by mortar per layer and reinforced horizontally and vertically to
increase their resistance lateral forces. Load bearing blocks ranges from 15 cm to 20 cm and are
used to carry load aside from its own weight while non-bearing blocks are intended for walls,
partition, fences or dividers carrying its own weight with thickness ranges from 7.5 cm to 10 cm.

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 Building System Design

Concrete hollow blocks play important role in the construction industry, blocks are measured 40
cm (length) x 20 cm (width) x 4 inches (thickness) or 40 cm (length) x 20 cm (width) x 5 inches
(thickness) have three cells and areas greater than 20% of the gross area and one half cells open
atboth ends. Concrete hollow blocks are usually made of a mixture ratio of 1:3:6 concrete with
cement and sand mixture ratio of 1:7, 1:8 or 1:9 and a maximum size of 10 mm coarse
aggregates.

Classifications of Concrete Hollow Blocks (CHB) based on Compressive Strength (ASTM C90)

The minimum compressive strength standard for concrete hollow blocks construction in the
Philippines is shown below.

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The following factors must be consider in computing the required materials for concrete hollow
blocks:
a. Quantity of concrete hollow blocks (CHB).
b. Quantity of cement and sand for block laying mortar.
c. Quantity of cement and sand for mortar to fill the hollow cell of every block.
d. The cement and sand required for plastering one or two sides of the blocks
e. The materials for CHB footing and concrete post as required.
f. The steel requirements and tie wires to be discuss in the precedent lesson.

The following factors might affect also the estimated quantity of materials for concrete
hollowblocks:
a. Improper measure of aggregates during the CHB laying.
b. Using a measuring box not accordance with the specified measurement of measuring box the
quantity of sand or gravel.
c. Adding of cement to cover exposed mixed mortar not used or applied on time.
d. Improper dumping of excess mortar after CHB installation.

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Special type of Concrete Hollow Blocks

Special type of Concrete Hollow Blocks (CHB) are blocks which are specially designed for
architectural and structural purposes.

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Decorative Concrete Hollow Blocks

Decorative blocks are made from cement mortar or clay and these are widely used for ventilation
and decorative purposes.

Problem:
From the figure shown, compute the number 10 x 20 x 40 cm CHB and the required materials
for:
a. Mortar for block laying
b. Mortar for plastering
c. Footing using Class B mixture

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References:
1. Images google.com
2. Simplified Construction Estimate by Max Fajardo, 2000
3. Estimating Bill of Materials by Vicente A. Tagayun, 2002
4. Building Design and Construction by Vicente A. Tagayun, 2010
5. Fundamentals of Construction Estimates 3rd Edition by David J. Pratt, 2011

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