ASEP CODE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: 2007-2010 UPDATE OF THE NATIONAL STRUCTURAL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES (NSCP)

Adam Abinales1, Emilio Morales2, Ronwaldo Aquino3 Abstract: This paper is presented at the 14th ASEP International Convention held last May 21-22, 2009 in Great Eastern
Hotel and at the 2009 PICE Mid-year Convention in Bacolod Pavilion Resort Hotel, Bacolod City in June 26-27, 2009 and consists of two main parts. First, the long-term plan of action for code development that has been formulated by the ASEP Codes and Standards Committee (CSC) is discussed. The term for members of the committee has been set to three years primarily for continuity. Also, the committee has decided to seek to develop each section of the code (e.g. general requirements (loads and actions), foundations and geo-materials, bridges, steel and metal, structural concrete, wood and masonry, housing, railways and ports and harbor) independently. Second, the series of activities of the committee as part of its ongoing campaign for code development is briefly discussed.

Key words: ASEP, NSCP, CSC, structural engineering, Philippines, code development program
1 INTRODUCTION
Table 1 Five Editions of the NSCP Edition/ Volume 1st Edition 1st Edition 2nd Edition 3rd Edition 4th Edition Vol. 1 Printing -2nd printing --Year 1972 1977 1982 1987 Title National Structural Code for Buildings National Structural Code for Buildings National Structural Code for Buildings National Structural Code of the Philippines National Structural Code of the Philippines Vol. 1 (Buildings, Towers, and Other Vertical Structures) National Structural Code of the Philippines Vol. 1 (Buildings, Towers, and Other Vertical Structures) National Structural Code of the Philippines Vol. 2 (Roads, Highways, Bridges) National Structural Code of the Philippines Vol. 1 (Buildings, Towers, and Other Vertical Structures) National Structural Code of the Philippines Vol. 2 (Roads, Highways, Short Form NSCB1972 NSCB1972 NSCB1982 NSCP1987 NSCP1992

This paper is presented at the 14th ASEP International Convention and consists of two main parts. The second chapter discusses the long-term plan of action for code development that has been formulated by the ASEP Codes and Standards Committee. The third chapter summarizes the presentations and discussions at the various activities of the committee spearheading the updating of the National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP). This chapter presents a brief background of the efforts by ASEP and its Codes and Standards Committee in laying out a plan of action for the development and updating of the NSCP. 1.1 History of the NSCP The question might be asked: Why update the NSCP now? We could look at the history of the NSCP in Table 1. From Table 1, Five (5) years seems to be the typical time frame between either code updates or code re-printing. NSCP-2001 was actually released in 2002. An update may have been due in 2007, but instead the 2nd printing of the 4th edition Volume 2 was released. The next update due may be in 2010. There have been recent developments in terms of wind loading and earthquake loading in particular, as well as in concrete design and steel design, which have not been captured yet in the most recent NSCP-2001. For example, dynamic wind effects and the use of deterministic MCE (maximum credible earthquake) values instead of the traditional probabilistic procedure are now considered in the latest international codes. There have also been attempts at harmonizing the different codes of different neighboring countries, as well as moving towards performance-based designs. On the contrary, in the Philippine setting MCE values may not be readily available.

--

1992

4th Edition Vol. 1

3rd printing

1996

NSCP1992

1st Edition Vol. 2

--

1997

NSCP1997

5th Edition Vol. 1

--

2001

NSCP2001

1st Edition Vol. 2

2nd printing

2007

NSCP1997

Bridges) Table 2 Code Bases of the NSCP NSCP Edition NSCB-1972 NSCB-1982 NSCP-1987 NSCP-1992 NSCP-1997 NSCP-2001 Code Bases UBC 1970 UBC 1978 UBC 1985, AISC-ASD, ACI 318-83 SEAOC 1988, UBC 1988, ACI 318-89 AASHTO 1992 UBC 1997, ASCE7-95, ACI 318-95, AISC 9th Ed.

capacities of foundations, evaluating stability of slopes, and assessing liquefaction potential. The scope of the provisions will be expanded to include the treatment of all geomaterials, including soils, rocks and intermediate materials. The subcommittee also aims to include recommendations governing the use of ground improvement procedures.

LONG-TERM PLAN OF ACTION

2.1 Three-year Term for the Codes and Standards Committee Members The ASEP Codes and Standards Committee, through its board resolution promulgated in June 2007, may be considered as one of the standing committees of the ASEP where its members will be appointed with a minimum threeyear term. This move aims to ensure continuity of the Codes and Standards Committee when the managing director designated is no longer elected in the ASEP Board. The current CSC Executive Committee is composed of the following personalities: Wilfredo S. Lopez, F.ASEP (ASEP President 20082009) Christopher PT. Tamayo, F.ASEP (ASEP Past President 2007-2008) Adam C. Abinales, F.ASEP (ASEP Vice-President 2008-2009) Emilio M. Morales, F.ASEP (Overall Chairman, CSC Coordinating Group)

1.2 Code Basis of the NSCP The next question that might be asked is: What code should we base the NSCP on? We could look at the history of the code basis of the NSCP in Table 2. Since the update of NSCP-2001, the ASCE7-95 has had 3 updates, and the UBC 1997 has been replaced by the IBC which has three (3) versions already and that is talking only about US-based codes. Elsewhere, the Joint Australian / New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS) and the Architectural Institute of Japans Recommendations for Loads on Buildings (AIJ-RLB), for example, have been recently updated with provisions particularly in wind loading that are far more advanced than those in America. Due to recent strong typhoons that caused extensive damages in the Philippines, many truss-type structures such as antenna and transmission towers and billboards collapsed. The NSCP nor the ASCE7-95 wind loading provisions do not have very specific guidance on the structural design of antenna towers and transmission towers in particular. Meanwhile, there is the ASCE74-91 which provides guide as to the loads on transmission towers. There is also the ANSI/EIA/TIA-222 series of documents, with its G version released in late 2005, which is targeted specifically for loads on antennas and antenna supporting structures. The latest edition of the NSCP provides very restrictive provisions on the design of up to two-story dwelling and residential houses. With the intensive housing program of the national and local governments, including nongovernment organizations like Gawad Kalinga (GK), Habitat for Community, etc., CSC has created the housing sub-committee to formulate the first housing code of the Philippines (NSCP v3) which will cater to the design and construction of affordable shelter and housing structures. Batas Pambansa (BP) No. 220 or the Law on Socialized Housing Projects in the Philippines has failed to address the safety requirements on the design of up to two-story dwelling and residential houses particularly the wind and earthquake loadings. This NSCP v3 intends to address these safety issues. The CSC through the corresponding sub-committee on foundations and geomaterials intends to expand pertinent provisions in the 2001 NSCP Vol. 1 edition to include recommendations on the scope and methodology to be used in subsurface investigations, determination of allowable

The main eleven (11) sub-committees of the CSC and the respective chairman/co-chairman are as follows: General Requirements (Loads and Actions): Carlos Villaraza (Chairman), Virgilio Columna, F.ASEP and Peter Tolentino (Co-Chairmen) Steel and Metal: Anthony Vladimir Pimentel, F.ASEP (Chairman), Gilbert Magbutay and Frederick Sison (Co- Chairmen) Structural Concrete: Jorge Genota, FASEP (Chairman), Romeo Estaero, Ph.D, F.ASEP (CoChairman) Wood and Masonry: Christopher PT. Tamayo (Chair), Alan Aban (Co-Chair) Foundations and Geo-Materials: Mark Albert Zarco, Ph.D (Chairman), Roy Anthony Luna (CoChairman) Bridges (NSCP v2): Alberto Canete, F.ASEP (Chairman), Edwin Matanguihan (Co-Chairman) Housing (NSCP v3): Miriam Lusica-Tamayo , F.ASEP (Chairman), George Richard Siton and Ruth Mabilangan (Co-Chairmen) Railways (NSCP v4): Josefina Dilig-Lagmay (Chairperson), Winnie-Ann Bulactial (CoChairperson)

Tall Buildings Ronaldo Ison, F.ASEP (Chairman), Virgilio Columna, F.ASEP (Co-Chairman) Standards Vinci Nicolas Villaseor, F.ASEP (Chairman), Ronaldo Ison, F.ASEP (Co-Chairman) Ports and Harbor (NSCP v5): Eduardo Arrojado, F.ASEP (Chairman)

suggested: IBC 2003 (general loads, earthquake loads) IBC 2006 (general loads, earthquake loads) ASCE 7-05 (general loads, wind loads) ANSI/EIA/TIA-222-G-2005 (loads on antennas and antenna supporting structures) AISC-LRFD 3rd Ed., AISC-ASD 13th Ed., AISI 2007 (steel design) ACI 318-2008 (concrete design) AREMA (railways design)

The managing director for the Codes and Standards Committee from 2007 to present is Adam Abinales. The Codes and Standards Committee has set a regular meeting held every first week of the month subject to the availability of the committee members (chairman and cochairmen). 2.2 Regular Monthly Meeting On the very first meeting of the committee, the plans and projects of the CSC for the year 2007-2008 were discussed. Initially, it was made clear to the group that the intent for this year is basically not to update the entire NSCP Vol. 1 (5th edition). The group would work on the update of the NSCP Vol. 1 by section/chapter. As suggested and presented, the group would start on the update of the section/chapter on LOADS AND ACTIONS. In this undertaking, comparison of IBC 2006 and IBC 2003 with the current earthquake load provisions of the NSCP, and comparison of ASCE 7-02 and TIA/EIA-222-G with the current NSCP wind load provisions were conceived. The following suggestive points were raised during the discussions as follows: To rationalize the philosophy of the loads and actions provisions from the respective codes to be used / adopted for the NSCP Vol. 1 update; whether to come up with performance-based code. To review the existing wind speed / wind zone map and existing seismic zone map being used in the current code and to involve the respective government agencies to tackle on these data; To expand the earthquake load provisions of the current code with the inclusion of geohazard mapping; To update the wind zone map by considering micro-zonation; To include commentary in the proposed update of the section / chapter; To hold a forum/workshop (to be sponsored by ASEP through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Codes and Standards (CS) committees) on the proposed update in order to get inputs / ideas from the senior practicing engineers/ specialists of the PICE/ASEP.

US-based codes are still the primary codes being considered for compatibility with earlier NSCP editions which have been historically based on US codes. However, there are certain items in codes from other countries that are not being considered in US codes. In wind loading, these include accounting for across-wind loading and checking of windinduced acceleration levels for occupant comfort, which are checked in Australian and Japanese codes. [Aquino, 2005] 2.4 Independent Updates of NSCP Sections and Corresponding CSC Activities Note that each basis code / document is updated independently of each other. It was then decided that the Codes and Standards Committee shall update each section of the code independently. As such, the activities of the CSC have generally been geared towards each individual section. One activity that the committee has planned to hold regularly is the facilitation of a forum amongst ASEP members with invited experts from outside ASEP to talk about specific sections of the codes. It has been likewise primarily decided that the section on Loads and Actions shall be up for updating first. As such, the very first activity that the committee has organized was the 1st ASEP Forum on Loads and Actions, which is summarized next.

1ST ASEP FORUM ON LOADS AND ACTIONS

The 1st ASEP Forum on Loads and Actions was held on December 6, 2007 at the PHIVOLCS Auditorium in Diliman, Quezon City. This forum has the following objectives: to determine the necessity of upgrading the current code on Loads and Actions provisions; and to determine from concerned government agencies such as PHIVOLCS, PAGASA, DENR available data / information about earthquake, wind and hazard mapping that will be needed in the update.

2.3 Code Bases for NSCP Update The Codes and Standards Committee since being formed has started to discuss the codes that will be used as bases for the NSCP updates. The following US-based codes have been

This is the first of the series of ASEP forum on Structural Codes, in which this first forum was entitled ASEP Forum on National Structural Code on Loads and Actions. Different experts both from within ASEP and from other fields were invited to speak on different topics related to Loads and Actions, as follows:

B.M. Pacheco (Chairman, Civil Engineering Department, UP Diliman; Chairman, Vibrametrics, Inc.; Chairman, PICE National Committee on DMAPS and DQRP), on Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness, Typhoon Engineering, and Wind Speed Maps M.A.H. Zarco (Chairman, Engineering Sciences Department, UP Diliman), on Failure Mechanism of the 17 February 2006 Guinsaugon RockslideDebris Avalanche, Philippines K.L. Queano (MGB Geohazard Assessment Team), on National Geohazard Mapping and Assessment Program of the Mines and Geosciences BureauDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources (MGB-DENR) E.L. Juanillo (Supervising Weather Specialist, PAGASA), on Wind Meteorology

1ST MULTI-STAKEHOLDERS FORUM ON NATIONAL STRUCTURAL CODES AND STANDARDS

Initially, as CSC members has further deliberated on the update of the NSCP to consider the whole publication and expand its publication to include housing and railways, the 1st Multi-Stakeholders Forum on National Structural Codes and Standards was held on August 22, 2008 at the PHIVOLCS Auditorium in Diliman, Quezon City. This forum has the following objectives: to assess the current status of NSCP in relation with prevailing international codes; to solicit commitment from various stakeholders to participate in the committee workgroups of CSC; and to establish milestones and road maps

Among the issues discussed during the forum are: The Codes and Standards Committee may consider the suggestion that a follow-up consultation meeting with engineers from leading consulting firms be conducted with regards to the update of the earthquake and wind load provisions of the NSCP based on the IBC2003 or 2006 and ASCE705, respectively. Floor discussion on PAGASA presentation regarding the need to consider increase of the wind zoning of the Philippines based on statistical data of wind speed over Philippine area of responsibility. Floor discussion on the need of integrating the provisions of TIA/EIA with regards to analysis and design of vertical tower structures in Section 207 of NSCP. Floor discussion on the need to consider IBC 2003 or IBC 2006 earthquake provisions in Section 208 of NSCP.

This is the second of the series of ASEP forum on Codes and Standards, in which this forum was entitled MultiStakeholders Forum on National Structural Codes and Standards. Different stakeholders within the engineering and construction industry and from the government, academe and business community were invited to participate and were tapped to be resource persons and members of the following workgroups: Workgroup on General Requirements (Loads and Actions) as facilitated by Prof. Ignacio Ulpiano Workgroup on Steel and Metal as reported by Engr. Anthony Vladimir Pimentel Workgroup on Structural Concrete as reported by Engr. Jorge Genota Workgroup on Foundation and Geo-Materials as reported by Dr. Mark Zarco Workgroup on Bridges (NSCP v2) as reported by Engr. Arwin Salih Workgroup on Housing (NSCP v3) as reported by Engr. Richard George Siton Workgroup on Railways (NSCP v4) as reported by Engr. Winnie-Ann Bulactial

Since the forum, the following had been up on the committees agenda: Conduct follow-up discussion after the ASEP Forum on Structural Codes on Loads and Actions held last December 6, 2007 at the PHIVOLCS Auditorium. Discuss next plans and actions based on the presentation of resource persons regarding the wind and earthquake loadings to be integrated in the proposed revisions of the specific wind and earthquake provisions of NSCP. Outline specific provisions of the IBC 2003/2006 and ASCE7-05 that will be adapted to be incorporated in the NSCP update of Sections 207 and 208. Other matters related to the General Requirements provisions of NSCP.

The following were identified as stakeholders of this momentous undertaking of the CSC: Government agencies such as DOST-PAGASA, DOST-PHIVOLCS, DENR-EMB, DOTC, DPWH, DND-OCD-NDCC, HLURB, Bureau of Forestry/UPLB, local government Building Officials Engineering Consultants / Practicing Civil Engineers, Geotechnical Engineers and Structural Engineers / PICE Members / ASEP Members / Members of the Academe Trade Associations / Manufacturers and Suppliers / Builders and Contractors / Developers / Service

Providers (end users)

CODES AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE PLANNING WORKSHOP

Pozzolanic Philippines, Inc. represented by Mr. Tim Schroeder ACS Chemicals represented by Mr. Al Supetran

The CSC Coordinating Group members held its planning workshop in January 30-31, 2009 at the Retreat House of CBCP Training Center in Tagaytay City. This successful two-day workshop was facilitated by Engr. Emil Morales and the following activities were done: Progress reports of each sub-committee were presented which include the general strategies on the proposed changes that will form part of the NSCP update; Each sub-committee submitted potential sponsors to be tapped to be partners in the noble undertaking of NSCP update; Discussion on the interfacing of the related subcommittees, seamless integration strategies, crossreferencing issues of relevant code features, potential interfacing problems and detailed proposed changes in the entire NSCP; and Discussion on the timetable for the NSCP update

The event was highlighted with the presentation of these sponsors after a sumptuous dinner cocktail catered by Le Souffl. Engr. Adam Abinales made a brief presentation on Why Update NSCP Now? in order to explain to the sponsors the main purpose of the noble undertaking to which they are supporting financially while Engr. Emil Morales discussed on Why the Sponsors Night? to explain to the sponsors the objectives of the occasion that night.

CONCLUSION

The ASEP Codes and Standards Committee have seriously started to re-convene and there are plans that have been laid out within the three-year term (2007-2010) of the current members of the committee. We should expect at least an update of the National Structural Code of the Philippines before the end of the current year 2009. CSC has set the release of the following volumes late this year 2009: NSCP Vol. 1 Buildings, Towers and Other Vertical Structures NSCP Vol. 2 Roads, Highways and Bridges NSCP Vol. 3 Housing

On the second day of the workshop, Engr. Emil Morales presented a briefing on Where Are We Now? and discussed the expected outcome of the two-day planning workshop which was successfully achieved by the coordinating group. At the end of the second day, CSC has discussed and subsequently resolved the following issues regarding the final outcome of the NSCP publication: The timeline for the release of the updated NSCP publication How to improve the current NSCP publication as to its format, content and distribution

However, the sub-committee on Railways vows to release its NSCP Vol. 4 in the first quarter of the coming year 2010. ACKNOWLEDGMENT We thank the participants and speakers at the 1st ASEP Forum on Loads and Actions, the stakeholders who attended and participated in the 1st Multi-Stakeholders Forum on National Structural Codes and Standards, the generous sponsors which supported and are continuously supporting this noble task of updating the NSCP, the workgroup committee chairpersons of the Codes and Standards Committee and the ASEP Board of Directors and Officers of fiscal years 2007-2008 led by Christopher PT. Tamayo and 2008-2009 led by Wilfredo Lopez. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Adam C. Abinales, F.ASEP, PICE, is the Managing Principal of Adam Abinales Engineering & Consultancy and accredited civil-structural engineer/consultant of Smart Communications, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Digitel Mobile Philippines, Inc., Bayan Telecommunications, Ericsson Communications, SMEC Philippines, Tricore Solutions, Inc. He is currently the Vice-President and Managing Director of Codes and Standards Committee of ASEP and a member of the PICE-ASEP Disaster Quick Response Program (DQRP). He is presently a member of the Faculty of the Department of Civil Engineering in Mapua Institute of Technology. E-mail: abinales_adam@yahoo.com or aaeplusc@yahoo.com.

SPONSORS NIGHT

In order to defray the cost of updating and publishing the NSCP volumes set to be released late this year 2009, the ASEP-Codes and Standards Committee through its ways and means sub-committee held its first ever Sponsors Night in March 13, 2009 at the Rockwell Club Center in Makati City. This momentous event was made successful with the generous P100,000.00 pledge and sponsorship of the following donors: Unitan Construction represented by Mr. Neil Tan Deecon represented by Ms. Ely Dee Hilti represented by Mr. Ramil Crisolo Engineering Equipment Incorporated represented by Mr. Tony Pascua PGATech represented by Mr. Mark Morales First Philippine Balfuor represented by Mr. Tito Fernandez (EEI)

Emilio M. Morales, F.ASEP, PICE, is the President of EM2 and Partners and PGA Tech. He is the Overall Chairman of the Codes and Standards Committee Coordinating Group and concurrently the Chairman of PICE National Geotechnical Engineering Division and was a former Senior Lecturer at the Graduate Division, School of Civil Engineering, University of the Philippines, Diliman in Quezon City. He has a Master of Science in Civil Engineering major in Geotechnics and Structures which he obtained at Carnegie Mellon University in Piitsburgh, PA. E-mail: emmorales07@gmail.com. Ronwaldo Aquino, MSCE, M.ASEP, M.PICE, is a structural engineer at Ove Arup and Partners Hong Kong Ltd, (Philippines Branch). He is currently a member of the Codes and Standards Committee of ASEP wherein he is a resource person in the sub-committee for General Requirements (Loads and Actions). He is also a member of the PICE National Committee on Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness Strategies (PICE DMAPS). E-mail: ronwaldo.aquino@arup.com or ronjie@gmail.com. REFERENCES Aquino, R.E.R. (2005). Philippine Wind Information for Engineering, Research, and Mitigation. Tokyo Polytechnic University, Atsugi, Japan. Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines. (2007). National Structural Code of the Philippines. Volume 2 Roads, Highways, and Bridges. 1st Edition, 2nd Printing. ASEP. Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines. (2001). National Structural Code of the Philippines. Volume 1 Buildings, Towers, and Other Vertical Structures. 5th Edition. ASEP. Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines. (1997). National Structural Code of the Philippines. Volume 2 Roads, Highways, and Bridges. 1st Edition. ASEP. Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines. (1992). National Structural Code of the Philippines. Volume 1 Buildings, Towers, and Other Vertical Structures. 4th Edition. ASEP. Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines. (1987). National Structural Code of the Philippines. 3rd Edition. ASEP. Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines. (1982). National Structural Code for Buildings. 2nd Edition. ASEP. Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines. (1977). National Structural Code for Buildings. 1st Edition, 2nd printing. ASEP. Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines. (1972). National Structural Code for Buildings. 1st Edition. ASEP.