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Save time and money with Steel
Pinoy Engineer Bow Moreno has succeeded in designing a building system that allows him to finish a 72-square-meter, 24 foot-high, two-story townhouse with a spacious attic in just 12 days and for less than P680,000. To prove it, his company, Bow Moreno Construction, delivered 10 townhouses in 120 days (exactly as promised) for the GMA-7 Employees Multipurpose Cooperative.
SO, HOW DID HE DO THIS?
In the article from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Moreno explains how he has developed a system called “buil-to-order-web” or BOW building system which takes advantage of the versatility of the steel angle bar. He has put together a clever steel system that when built a certain way will have the strength equal to that of I-Beams but are lesser in cost.
VALUE ENGINEERING
Some methods the BOW system uses include 3 x 3-inch angular bars welded together and joined by round steel bars to form 3 x 6-inch channels that serve as columns and beams. These can then be easily assembled to form the skeletal frame of the house.
The concrete framework is then clad with MX panels consisting of corrugated Styrofoam boards sandwiched by an interconnected pair of galvanized wire mesh which are plastered with cement using pressurized bucket spray for strong & efficient bonding.
Moreno also explains how he does the flooring and roofing. You can read more about his method by reading the article here and start thinking of ways you can also save with steel.
NEDA teaches the use of Coconut Fiber, Angle Bars & C-Purlins for Roofs
In this article by NEDA, they show a 2-storey experimental house with a total floor area of 53 square meters constructed utilizing coconut fiber-cement boards (CFB) together with component steel as its structural framework.
Given the plentiful coconut tree- ubiquitous in fact on our Philippine shores, CFB as an alternative construction material for walling, ceiling, roofing and base support in upper level flooring of house makes complete sense. In fact, NEDA proposes its use in the fabrication of furniture (tables, chairs, desks, etc.), cabinets, boxes and vases inside the house.
Roofing System
MATERIALS USED: The house has an A-frame design with the roof system consisting of the traditional rafters and purlins construction. In the picture, the green roof cover is made of 8 mm thick, 75 cm wide, and 75 cm long CFB panels painted with waterproof paints.
The rafters consist of 0.6 cm X 5 cm x 5 cm angular steel bars and the purlins made of 0.60 cm x 3.8 cm x 75 cm channel bars. The components were assembled on site by welding the members together. The two opposite rafters were joined together end to end at the ridge beam (0.60 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm angular steel bar) while the other ends were directly connected to the base plate of the second level floor extending to the eaves or overhang of about one (1) meter.
Interestingly, the main roof structure was made to incline by about 40% greater than the normal slope of 35 degrees considering that the roof cover is made of experimental fiber-cement boards. This will ensure faster surface water run-off in case of downpour.
Of course, the question is, how strong and lasting is the coconut fiber? This project by NEDA aims to evaluate the performance of CFB in actual service condition. To find out more click here
Note: A coconut fiber-cement board (CFB) is a product manufactured from fibrous materials like coconut coir, fronds, spathes and shredded wood that are mixed with Portland cement at a predetermined ratio of 60-70% cement to 30-40% fiber by weight.
An Amazing “How-to-put-up-a-steel-roof” Project
First Rafter on "Our Philippinelife.com House Project"
Myphilippinelife.com has put together a wonderful tutorial on the standard Philippine roofing system. They explain what angle bars they use, when c-purlins were appropriate and the like. The pictures tell the tale though and it’s wonderful to see how they build the roof with a blow-by-blow account. They even have the prices they paid for their materials. They also warn, as we’ve been warning our customers, against substandard steel, “So when shopping for steel in the Philippines, you have to be on your toes. Some, perhaps even most suppliers will automatically ship you substandard steel unless you are educated and persistent.” It’s not cheaper when you’re getting something of inferior quality that could be harmful to your safety in the long run.
Best of all, they walk us down the history of Philippine roofs at the end of the article. Treating us not only to an excellent “how-to-guide” but also a walk down memory lane.
Steel is 100% Recyclable
We are all doing our part to make this world more sustainable for our increasing population. Steel is actually part of the answer because it is 100% recyclable unlike plastic, paper, or even glass. You can take the most rusted worn out bent out of shape steel scrap and once it’s gone into the smelter it can come out again as a brand new piece ready to be used.
Steel is also sturdy, wear and tear resistant, durable, has a smooth finish and if you buy it from PS Licensed and BPS certified companies such as 21st Century Steel, guaranteed to be dimensionally correct in size and weight.
There are many different applications for steel which encompasses anyone from ship builders and auto parts to scaffolding and building structural uses.
So if you’re thinking about whether to go with wood or with steel for your door frames, window frames or even furniture, consider going with the more environmentally conscious choice! Choose Steel!
Click me to find out more
21st Century Steel Mill, Inc. 