February_1967 — Page 13

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ابلي

Ruco prestressed concrete floor system

San Carlos

apartment building, Manila

construction comparable with conven- tional reinforced concrete has been attained, but its marked advantage is in time gained during construction. Erection time has been cut by almost a half.

Piles made from prestressed con- crete are being extensively used in the Philippines, especially in Manila and its suburbs. Poor soil with layers. of plastic "fat" lay under this area and it is necessary for the foundations of high rise buildings to be carried down to the volcanic tuff (adobe) located about 100 ft. below the ground level.

Taking into account economy and convenience, the prestressed concrete pile in almost all cases is the answer. The induced elasticity makes handling and driving of long piles more simple with less possibility of permanent cracking and damage to the pile.

When driven to end bearing, it offers a relatively high load capacity. Pile driving time is reduced, particu- larly for high capacity, as compared with other piles. Long piles of about 120 ft. or more are made possible with just one splice.

Sizes up to 16 in. x 16 in. solid pre- stressed concrete piles with a capacity of 150 tons are in use and practically all high rise buildings now under con- struction in the Manila area are found- ed on prestressed concrete piles.

In Iloilo City last year, the Luzon Stevedoring Corp. launched what are believed to be the first prestressed concrete barges in the world. De- signed and supervised by American engineer, Alfred A. Yee of Honolulu, the barges are 200 ft. long and 55- 2 3 ft. wide. The hull is 41⁄21⁄2 in, thick prestressed concrete with 1⁄2 in rd. 7- wire strands stressed at 25,200 lb.

The compression induced by the stressing strands prevent leaks due to cracks in the concrete hull of the barges. In addition, elasticity in con- crete is attained. The barges have already proved resilient enough to withstand the impact of collision with freighters and all-steel barges,

Among the first prestressed concrete bridges in the Philippines is the three- span

Meralco Bridge in

Manila.

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Philippine plant, Mandaluyong, Rizal

Far East Architect & Builder February, 1967

Prestressed concrete barges under construction in Iliolo City

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