The slides present the abstracts of papers presented by the faculty and students at DLSU Research Congress held last March 6-8, 2014.

1. March 6-8, 2014
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS PRESENTED
BY DLSU CE FACULTY AND STUDENTS

2. An Artificial Neural Network Approach to
Structural Cost Estimation of Building
Projects in the Philippines
Roxas, Cheryl Lyne C. and Ongpeng, Jason Maximino
Abstract: The objective of this study is to develop an artificial neural network
(ANN) model that can predict the total structural cost of building projects in the
Philippines. Data from thirty building projects were collected and randomly
divided into threesets: 60% for training, 20% for validating the performance
and 20% as a completely independent test of network generalization. Six input
parameters, namely: number of storeys, number of basements, floor area,
volume of concrete, area of formworks, and weight of reinforcing steel. These
variables were entered into the ANN architecture and simulated in MATLAB.
The feedforward b ackpropagation technique was used to generate the best
model for the total structural cost. The best ANN architecture consists of six
input variables, seven nodes in the hidden layer and one output node. The
resulting ANN model also reasonably predicted the total structural cost of
building projects with favourable training and testing phase outcomes.
Parallel Session on Sustainability, Environment & Energy

3. A Study on the Applicability of Replacing
GI Wires with Plastic Cablein Structural
Members
Nevin Y. Balibrea, Louie Mart M. Montrias, Gregorio S. Uymatiao
III Kelvin Gerard N. Yao and Dr. Bernardo A. Lejano
Abstract: This study aims to investigate the possibility of replacing GI wire
with commercial plastic cable ties and evaluate its effect on the structural
integrity of a reinforced concrete member. The two major factors that shall be
focused in this study is the overall strength of the structural member and the
time consumed to tie steel bars using both tie materials. A reinforced
concrete column was also tested based on the Standard Compression Test
(ASTM C39) to assess the effect of using plastic cable as tie wire. From
these tests, the researchers determined that although the strength of the
plastic cable is slightly weaker than that of the GI wire in the modified pullout test, the resulting strength from the compression test of the reinforced
concrete column samples is still higher than the requirement stipulated in the
2010 NSCP. As for the tying speed of an amateur worker, thetime used for
tying with plastic cable is almost one-third only of that of the GI wire.
Parallel Session on Sustainability, Environment & Energy

4. Investigation of the Strength of ColdFormed Steel C-Section in Compression
Arvin Patrick Yu and Dr. Bernardo A. Lejano
Abstract: The objective of this study is to verify experimentally and
computationally the performance of C-shaped Cold-Formed Steel (CFS)
when subjected to concentric axial compression load considering buckling.
The experimental aspect subjects the CFS members with compressive
loads using hydraulic jacks and load cell. For the computational aspect,
provisions found in the NSCP were used to determine the strength in
compression of the members based on the actual dimensions, thicknesses
and lengths of the member together with the material properties of the steel.
This was done to a total of 126 samples with 1 section shape, 6 different
lengths and 5 different thicknesses. It was found that the strength
calculations for both distortional buckling failure and torsionalflexuralbuckling failure given by the NSCP provisions were not consistent
with the results of the compression tests. For shorter lengths, distortional
buckling prevailed as the main failure while for longer lengths, torsionalflexural buckling occurred. All of the predicted strength were highly
conservative and well below the experimental value.
Parallel Session on Sustainability, Environment & Energy

5. Application of Response Surface
Methodology:Optimum Mix Design of
Concrete with Slag as Coarse Aggregate
Rhea Regulacion and Dr. Andres Winston Oreta
Abstract: To determine the mix design that will yield the optimum
compressive concrete strength, response surface methodology (RSM) is
explored in this study. RSM is an optimization tool that interprets
experimental results even in a non-linear response surface manner. RSM
was used on the data obtained from laboratory experiments conducted by
the researchers. The experiments conducted include the influencing factors:
slag percentage (50%, 75%, and 100%), curing period (14 days, 21 days,
and 28 days), and types of cement (1P, I, and IP), and the interaction effects
of these factors in compressive strength test are analyzed in this paper
through response surface methodology. The responses of each specimen
have showed significant increase in attained strength with respect to the
control specimens.
Parallel Session on Sustainability, Environment & Energy

6. Outcomes-Based Assessment of a
Basic Engineering Course
(Statics of Rigid Bodies)
Dr. Andres Winston C. Oreta and Cheryl Lyne C. Roxas
Abstract: This paper presents the implementation of the Outcomes-Based
Education (OBE) framework in a basic undergraduate engineering course –
Engineering Mechanics (Statics of Rigid Bodies), from syllabus design to
course assessment. The revision of the syllabus using the OBE format was
carried-out and outcomes-based assessment is conducted to determine if
the intended learning outcomes for this course using the revised syllabus
are achieved. Two types of assessment methods were applied: direct and
indirect methods to assess the attainment of the course learning outcomes.
The direct method used the scores in the quizzes and final exams. The
indirect method using an end-of-course evaluation by the faculty and
students to determine the perception on the achievement of outcomes.
Based on the outcomes-based assessment using direct methods, the
achievement of the learning outcomes is barely satisfactory and a review
of the course syllabus and teaching and learning activities is recommended.
Symposium on Scholarship & Innovation in Teaching & Learning (SILT)

7. Mode Choice and Value of Time of InterIsland Travellers: The Case of the
Philippines
Krister Ian Daniel Z. Roquel and Dr. Alexis M. Fillone
Abstract: This study covers the development of logit choice models, based
on revealed preferences of the traveling population across the PanayNegros islands. It was found that the travel mode characteristics like travel
time, cost, comfort as well socio-demographic information like age and
income, were significant in travel decision. The average value of travel time
savings was computed to be at Php 87.89 / hour ($ 2.04 / hour).
Furthermore, estimated value of time of different groups based on travel
frequency, day of travel, gender, civil status, income class, and trip purpose
were also determined. These values can be used in feasibility analysis of
various transport infrastructures that may be introduced to the network.
Graduate Students Colloquia