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Chapter I
THE PROBLEM

Introduction

A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles without closing the way

underneath a body of water, valley, or road, for providing passage over the obstacle.

There are many different designs that each serve a particular purpose and apply to

different situations. Designs of bridges vary depending on the function of the bridge,

the nature of the terrain where the bridge is constructed and anchored, the material

used to make it, and the funds available to build it.

Bridge can make the people transport easier, it is like a shortcut and can save

much time for the transporters. Bridges are used to span things such as water, valleys

or other roads. The design of a specific bridge is directly dependent on what it has to

cross, where it is being built, and the materials that are tough. Although some bridge

fails, some have a limit of ton of weights when the people pass on it, some of the

bridge over flow when there is strong storm because of its location. The original

bridges were simply trees, which by chance had fallen over small rivers or streams.

However, as time went on, bridges became much more advanced, including

suspension bridges, arch bridges and beam bridges. In suspension bridges, cables are

suspended from support towers, which hold up the deck, or road.

In our country which is the Philippines, crimes are usually considered a big

problem in connection to transportation. Suspects tend to used private vehicles to

escape from the crime. That’s why the student-researchers design the bridge as an anti

crime, the student-researchers planned to make the bridge as if it can collapse in the

middle and lift them up in case the suspect uses it to escape. The said bridge has a

switch located on its post in order for it to be lifted and collapsed forcing the criminal
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to surrender. This bridge is not only for crimes but also for the safety of the

community. It also works well when there is a typhoon. This collapsible bridge is very

high tech because high quality materials for the assurance of the longevity and

durability of the bridge technically make it.

The main concern of this study is construct the proposed technologically-

designed miniature bridge. That will help the authorities to fight against crime,

especially riding in tandem and so on. This study will also help the community or the

travellers for the smooth flow of transportation.

The student-researcher believe that the results of this study will give

motivation to the development of further researches that seeks to characterize and

understand different variable which may influence future student-researches. This will

help to make possible strategies for future development in construction, in order to

bring about an improvement in constructing technologically-designed miniature

bridge.

Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to construct a modern and technologically-designed

miniature bridge.

Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the level of acceptability of the proposed technologically-designed

miniature bridge in terms of the following criteria:

a. design, and

b. craftsmanship

2. Is there a significant difference between the evaluation of the teachers and

students respondents in terms of the above-mentioned criteria.

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Scope and Delimitation

The study was delimited in the construction of the proposed technologically-

designed miniature bridge. This study looked on to the level of acceptability in terms

of design and craftsmanship.

The evaluators of the project were the selected faculty of BSIE teachers and

students of the College of Teachers Education.

Theoretical Framework

The following findings of recent studies and other related literatures were

reviewed by the student-researchers to gain comprehension in the conceptualization of

the study.

On Technologically-designed Bridge

Similar to the findings of Caprani (2006) in his study entitled “Prestressed

Concrete”. The idea of prestressed concrete has been around since the latter decades

of the 19th century, but its use was limited by the quality of the materials at the time.

It took until the 1920s and ‘30s for its materials development to progress to a level

where prestressed concrete could be used with confidence. Freyssinet in France,

Magnel in Belgium and Hoyer in Germany were the principle developers. The idea of

prestressing has also been applied to many other forms, such as: Wagon wheels;

Riveting; Barrels, i.e. the coopers trade; In these cases heated metal is made to just fit

an object. When the metal cools it contracts inducing prestress into the object.

Wijanto and Andriono (2008) “State Of The Art: Research and Application of

Precast / Prestressed Concrete Systems In Indonesia” concluded in their findings that

more extensive use of precast/prestressed concrete components, which are fabricated

off-site and then connected on-site, has been taking place in Indonesia. This

technology becomes more popular in Indonesia since it shows significant benefits

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compared to the conventional poured on site concrete technology. Among others, the

benefits are in accelerating the construction time, enhancing the quality of concrete

works, improving its durability and in general generating competitive structural cost.

In view of the fact that Indonesia is located in a region with high-seismic risks,

implementing the Precast/Prestressed Concrete System in this country requires special

connection detailing in order to guarantee its full continuity and monolithic action.

Various research works, therefore have been focused in developing the most suitable

joint-systems, which meet the criteria of safety, economy and workability to meet the

capability of local workers. The most recent development of research works of these

equivalent monolithic systems and their applications in some building projects are

discussed in this paper.

The results of the study of Mathur, et al. (2015) entitled “The pre- stress

concrete structure, Found to-be More Effective Then THE Reinforced concrete

structure & System developed for mechanism OF, Anchoring devices in pre and post

Tensioned concrete structural elements” mentioned that The pre-stressing concrete

Used for casting of section is quite different from reinforced cements concrete (RCC.)

in concrete Technology. The pre- stressing system used is of two kind, pre- tensioning

& posttensioning methods. The prestressing by pre &post tensioning device

mechanism, developed for Anchoring system in concrete structural element is adopted

for structures. In modern type of Pre stressing electricity with Low voltage and high

current is used in anchoring for a concrete member & sulpher Coating as applied on

steel bars working, as duct material before the casting of concrete member. While

supplying electricity in the structure sulpher get melted up because heat generated in

the steel structure & allow them for pre stressing. No provision of any duct is required

.The High strength steel alloy structure could be anchored by tightening nuts at both
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the ends. The Pre-stressing in concrete structure is found more effective then RCC

technology. To-day prestressing is preferred for large structures like bridges etc. ,it is

required to adopted for all small concrete structure sections also

Americas Cement Manufacturers (1916) stated that prestressed concrete was

patented by a San Francisco engineer in 1886, it did not emerge as an accepted

building material until a half-century later. The shortage of steel in Europe after

World War II coupled with technological advancements in high-strength concrete and

steel made prestressed concrete the building material of choice during European post-

war reconstruction. North America's first prestressed concrete structure, the Walnut

Lane Memorial Bridge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, however, was not completed

until 1951. Prestressed concrete has experienced greatest growth in the field of

commercial buildings. For buildings such as shopping centers, prestressed concrete is

an ideal choice because it provides the span length necessary for flexibility and

alteration of the internal structure. Prestressed concrete is also used in school

auditoriums, gymnasiums, and cafeterias because of its acoustical properties and its

ability to provide long, open spaces. One of the most widespread uses of prestressed

concrete is parking garages.

On Related Studies

Valuch (2012) concluded in their findings that the goal of the paper is to point

out the advantage of economic analysis to assess a rehabilitation of bridges. The paper

includes specific calculations and the results of the economic efficiency of the project,

by using well know economic methods in the evaluation of two interchangeable

technological variants of the bridge project rehabilitation.

Zuk (1972) in his findings of his study stated that the elastic theory was

developed for determining the stresses and strains due to various linear thermal
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gradient patterns. In the analysis, the beam and slab were separated to determine the

stresses in each, and then recombined in accordance with boundary and compatibility

conditions of no slip at the interface and equal curvature of the two parts at the

interface. Some values calculated with these equations, such as longitudinal stresses

in the beam of up to 24,000 psi, exceeded the limits of standard specifications. These

theoretical values would, of course, be modified somewhat by the actions of creep,

slip, and local plastic yielding which are neglected in the theoretical development.

On contrary, Jha (2011) stated in their findings that the failure of a bridge is a

complex phenomenon due to the involvement of a large number of factors. Bridge

failure cannot be attributed to a single cause due to the intricacies involved in the

relationship among the factors causing failure. The aim of this paper is to identify the

various factors causing bridge failure and show an interdependence/relationship

among them. The journal publishes research that advances the practice and profession

of bridge engineering and papers about issues, projects, materials, design, fabrication,

construction, inspection, evaluation, safety, performance, management, retrofitting,

rehabilitation, repair, and demolition.

Similar to the findings of the study of Reuters (2014), the journal publishes

high quality contributions in all aspects of such systems, including analysis,

modelling, control, and applications. The journal welcomes papers in all aspects of

this development directed toward the study of behaviour of bridges under static,

dynamic and fatigue loads as well as soil-bridge interaction. This includes aspects

related to the practice and profession of bridge engineering – soil-bridge interaction

and also papers on architecture of bridges, bridge monitoring, design methods,

fabrication and construction, new and high performance materials, seismic behaviour,
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vehicle-bridge interaction, old bridges and maintenance, long-span bridges,

geotechnical problems related to bridges, isolation and damping systems, etc.

The results of the study of Agrawal (2004) in The Journal of Bridge

Engineering publishes papers about all aspects of the art and science of bridge

engineering. The journal publishes research that advances the practice and profession

of bridge engineering and papers about issues, projects, materials, design, fabrication,

construction, inspection, evaluation, safety, performance, management, retrofitting,

rehabilitation, repair, and demolition.

The results of the study of Kiamarsi (2015) mentioned that industry wise,

success or failures of bridge construction have raised up questions about what were

the critical success factors that lead to success or overcome failures. Many efforts

were made to achieve the success factors for bridge construction. This research

assessed the stakeholder’s goals, definitions and how their goals were defined with

critical success factors for an effective bridge construction. In order to achieve these

aims, two studies were conducted; quantitative study and qualitative study. Raw data

were collected then reviewed with regards to several parameters to find the papers

that create values to the research questions. From the quantitative analysis on

effective bridge construction, 10 aspects were found. Moreover from the reviewed

papers, there were 10 aspects which were considered by 5 stakeholders, Managers,

Clients, Engineers, Contractors, and Designers. As results from the analysis of the

general view, Functional, Quality, Cost and Optimisation were identified as 4th

highest ranked main aspects for deeper analysis. In addition, from the more careful

analysis of the literature, critical success factors were derived. These namely were:

Management of construction process, Productivity and fast assembly, Innovative

design and products and Innovative material.

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Conceptual Framework

The student-researchers were guided by the conceptual framework as shown in

the paradigm below:

INPUT THROUGHPUT EVALUATION OUTPUT

UY

Materials
 Plywood  Developme Acceptability
 Papers/ nt Phase Acceptability
tissue  Design of the
 Colour  Craftsmansh Proposed
 Glue stick ip Technologica
 Illustration lly-Designed
Board Bridge
 Dynamo Planning
 Nylon Phase
 Battery
 Switch

Figure 1
Conceptual Paradigm

As illustrated in the paradigm, the construction of the technologically-

designed miniature bridge is made out of raw materials. The processes were done in

two phases namely, planning phase and the development phase. The acceptability of

the designed miniature bridge in terms of design and craftsmanship were be evaluated

by selected faculty of BSIE teachers and students of College of Teachers Education.

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Operational Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined operationally for better understanding:

Technonologically-designed bridge. This refers to the highly, technically-

designed and pre-stressed miniature bridge that was develop by the student-

researchers. This bridge is a pre-stressed bridge that can collapse at its centre.

Bridge miniature. This refers to the model or replica of the modern bridge.

The student-researchers constructed a bridge miniature that serves as a perspective to

test its level of acceptability in terms of design and craftsmanship.

Pre-stressed bridge. It refers to the characteristics of the bridge being develop

in the study. A bridge that is foldable and can collapse at its centre.

Materials. These refer to the things or components needed to develop and build

the modern and technologically-designed miniature bridge. It will be used as the basis

of the durability of the bridge. The materials used are tough and efficient enough to

build a durable modern bridge.

Development. It refers to the process or procedure in constructing the bridge

miniature. This also observes the consumption and effectiveness of the bridge.

Acceptability. This refers to the quality of the proposed miniature bridge that is

being considered in terms of the design and craftsmanship of the bridge.

Design. It refers to the functionality or utility and aesthetic value of the

proposed miniature bridge.

Craftsmanship. It refers to overall appearance and durability of the

proposed miniature bridge.

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Assumptions

This study premised the following assumptions:

1. The evaluation form is valid, reliable and objective.

2. The evaluators will be objective in evaluating the acceptability of the

proposed technologically-designed miniature bridge in terms of design and

craftsmanship.

Hypothesis

The student-researchers tested the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance

which states that there is no significant difference between the evaluation of the

teacher and student-respondents in the proposed technologically-designed miniature

bridge.

Research Methodology

The discussion of research design and data gathering procedure are shown

below:

Research Design . This study used the descriptive and developmental

research designs. Descriptive method of research was used to determine the

acceptability of the proposed technologically-designed miniature bridge in

terms of design and craftsmanship. Developmental method of research was

also utilized to develop a proposed technologically-designed miniature bridge.

Evaluators of the Study. The studies were evaluated by selected

faculty of BSIE teachers and students of College of Teachers Education. The

judgement of these evaluators provided the data on the design and

craftsmanship of the miniature bridge.

Data Gathering Procedure. In undertaking this study, the student-

researchers constructed the proposed technologically-designed miniature

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bridge. The development and evaluation of the pre-stressed bridge are further

explained below:

Development of the product. This are the procedure in making

and the development of the proposed technologically-designed miniature

bridge:

1. Prepare the materials in the construction of the bridge.

2. Using the 2x2 plywood, form the durable foundation of the modern

miniature bridge.

3. Install the device which is the dynamo and nylon to tug the bridge to

make it fold and collapse.

4. Position the bridge to the base and probe for its spot.

5. Put the appendage of the bridge like river underneath and all.

6. Double check for the durability of the bridge miniature.

Evaluation of the product. With the use of prepared rubrics, the

student-researchers purposely selected faculty BSIE teachers and students of

College of Teachers Education. The assessment of these evaluators served as

the basis in determining the acceptability of the proposed technologically-

designed miniature bridge in terms of design and craftsmanship.

Research Instrument. Below is the instrument used in the study with

a rubric, which guided the experts to evaluate the bridge.

Rubric Assessment Tool. This evaluation form was adapted from the

study Paiste, E., et al. (2017) in their study of “Utilizing Mahogany (Swietenia

macrophylla king) Fruit Shelles in making Floral Decoration”.

(see Appendix A)
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The items in the evaluation form were rated by the evaluators using a

5-point scale as follows:

Scale Description
5 Strongly Agree
4 Agree
3 Neutral
2 Disagree
1 Strongly Disagree

The following norms were used to describe the acceptability of the

proposed technologically-designed miniature bridge in terms of design and

craftsmanship.

Numerical Rating Descriptive Rating

4.21-5.00 Highly Acceptable
3.41-4.20 Acceptable
2.61-3.40 Moderately Acceptable
1.81-2.60 Fairly Acceptable
1.00-1.80 Not Acceptable

Statistical Treatment of Data

To attain the objectives set for this study, the following statistical tools were

used to analyze the data gathered:

1. Mean. This was used to determine the level of acceptability of the

proposed technologically-designed miniature bridge in terms of design and

craftsmanship.

2. Standard Deviation. This was used to describe the variability of the

assessment of the teacher and student-respondents in the proposed

technologically-designed miniature bridge.

3. t-test. This was used to determine the significant difference between the

evaluation of the BSIE teachers and students respondents.