It’s Your Money > Building in the Philippines
What Building Mistakes/Issues to look out for??
oldehappycat:
I think the idea that the strength of walls is not important is wrong. Yes, the columns and beams can carry vertical loads but earthquakes forces are mostly lateral. Wall stiffness (shear strength) is critical to prevent the building from self-destructing. I recommend that anyone planning to build in the Philippines first buy the book \"Peace of Mind in Earthquake Country\". I built our house first and then read the book. It\'s available used (Amazon, ABE) for a dollar. There are so many things I would do differently!
Bob
--- Quote from: rdjlazo on February 15, 2011, 01:38:00 PM ---Folks,
I thought it is undestood here already by most of us
that hollow blocks are not meant to be load bearing
so use good judgment since it used as walls and this is way stronger than
plywood or drywall.
Just my 2 cents,
Best regards to all,
Rudy
--- End quote ---
Gray Wolf:
--- Quote from: oldehappycat on August 16, 2011, 09:33:59 AM --- I recommend that anyone planning to build in the Philippines first buy the book \"Peace of Mind in Earthquake Country\". I built our house first and then read the book. It\'s available used (Amazon, ABE) for a dollar.
Bob
--- End quote ---
Some used copies of the book are even as cheap as $.01 (one cent) plus $3.99 shipping, of course. ;) ;D
Still a good idea to learn as much as possible before you begin to build. You may have to make some design changes and you certainly don\'t want to attempt that mid-construction.
Metz:
Have you thought about using compressed earth block? Otherwise known as CEB they are use a general 50-50 clay sand soil with between 8-17% portland cement powder. The sand soil mix can go up to 40-60 either way and still have good results. There are simple field tests that can be done to determine optimum recipe for the local soil type.
CEB blocks are compressed using either a hydraulic ram or a manual ram. They typically are made in a lego shape and bonded together with a 2 part epoxy glue or a small amount of mortar applied with a device like a frosting bag or large squeeze bottle.
Properly made CEB blocks will test between 1200-1400 psi with a passing grade of 800psi is the industry standard.
Stabilised CEB blocks do not melt in the rain and can endure long periods of submersion in water. They are a standard building product in Brazil, with a similar climate as the Philippines.
with a manual machine, and a motor driven soil pulverizor, 3 man can produce about 700-1000 block a day depending on how hard they work, ergonomics etc. it takes about 2500 blocks to build a small house.
downsides: CEB blocks take a long time to cure and the curing process has to be strictly monitored. the blocks are made with a mixture that is around 5-7% moisture. they have to be placed on a pallet and covered with plastic. they need to be lightly misted with water a couple times a day for 4 days and kept covered. they can be transported after 7 days and need about 28 days from start to finish to use for building.
Upside, they can be made from local subsoil on site. Properly constructed CEB buildings do not use the filipino cement beam construction method, you can forgo beams with the Brazillian construction method which would be too long to go into here.
CEB have the appearance when cured of a clay fired brick. A good CEB machine makes the block in a lego shape so they interlock together, making assemble, and alignment much easier.
CEB blocks are not suitable for paving block. A CEB machine can make a paving block however. As always you need to supervise your employees well otherwide they will cut corners.
CEB construction should only be done by people who do not cut corners and shoddy work.
CEB construction can save enough in costs to make it cost effective for a hard working man who has standards to compete and win against shoddy/corrupt contractors in both costs and quality.
Gray Wolf:
\"Properly constructed CEB buildings do not use the filipino cement beam construction method, you can forgo beams with the Brazillian construction method which would be too long to go into here.\"
Well, what better place to go into it you go into it than here on the Forum? ???
Can you at least provide us with a link to a website that explains it.
Don\'t leave us hanging, man! ;D
Metz:
Well you can see some of the documentation at OSRlivong.org and there are plenty of videos on YouTube in Portugese. Search for tijolo ecological, or CEB press.
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