Philippines construction.

Cavity walls designed and specified for the commercial market in the last 43+ years of my experience in the architectural Philippines construction profession are one of the most misunderstood areas of the design profession. In particular, flashings and weeps are the least understood component by engineers and architects alike in that they believe these systems are so minor to the entire project that no time is really spent on them.

For many years, composite or cavity wall construction consisted of a back-up wall, which was generally masonry with a brick or stone veneer built Philippines construction concurrently (back-up and veneer staged at the same time). The cavity in composite wall construction was filled with mortar or concrete material, usually the same mortar used for the brick, stone, and masonry. There was no differentiation for the mortar used since it was mixed onsite with cement, lime, and aggregate in proportions determined by the mason based on his experience. Reinforcing bars were placed in the cavity at regular intervals just prior to filling the cavity with mortar. Water penetration through the walls Philippines construction ranged from slight to rather profuse.

The introduction of tree cavity walls sought to modify the construction to alleviate water penetration and certain other shortcomings. This change was accomplished by placing the reinforcing in the cores of the block rather than in the cavity, which eliminated the requirement to fill the cavity. Using an air space between the masonry Philippines construction back-up wall and the veneer created a pathway for the movement of water in the cavity.

The air space seems to have been "designed" as 1 inch, where in truth it was the space required by the mason to get the brick in place with his fingers holding it. The back-up masonry wall was coated with an Philippines construction asphaltic material called dampproofing to allow water that reaches the air space from the exterior to ride down the cavity and exit the wall at pre-determined places. The exit areas were located where the through-wall flashings were placed. These flashings were placed at the foundation perimeter just above grade, at the floor lines in multiple floor construction, at heads and sills of windows and doors, and at copings of low-slope roofs.

(For Manila and surrounding)

American Design Construction

#92 Ordoñez St. corner Maroon St.

Concepcion Dos, Marikina City

See website

(For Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Leyte)

ET & p Design & Construction
#888 Katugasan, Casili
Consolacion, Cebu

See website

(For Baguio and surrounding)

RA Gacoscos Construction
#99 Greenwater Village
Baguio City, Philippines

See website

(For Davao / Mindanao)

Raul G. Anuada (Realtor & Civil Engineer)
Unit 162, 16/F Landco PDCP Corporate Center
J.P. Laureal Ave., Bajada
Davao City

See website

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------