Republic of the Philippines

Commission of Higher Education

Region V (Bicol)
POLANGUI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Module 1
Carpentry and Masonry

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 I. INTRODUCTION
As stated in the course description of Bachelor of Technology and
Livelihood Education for first year students this academic year in MC TEC 01 or
the Introduction to Industrial Arts Part I, it deals with an introduction to the
concept of industrial arts. It includes discussions on technology, its evolution,
utilization, and significance; with industry, its organization, materials,
occupations, processes, and products; and with problems and benefits resulting
from the technological nature of society. Also, it focuses on electrical, metal
works, graphic arts, and refrigeration and air-conditioning. As an introductory
subject, it is designed to develop certain habits, attitudes, and abilities desirable
for all citizens of an industrial and technological civilization. It covers the basic
knowledge and skills in different areas.
May this module help you better to attain the desired learning outcomes
about Carpentry and Masonry with great advantage and comprehension upon
completion. This serves as your supplementary material to continue learning
amidst the challenges in every circumstance. Accomplish each part of the tasks
diligently and religiously.
Enjoy, keep safe and have fun.

OMS

II. LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in carpentry and masonry design
construction

• Recall and trace the history of carpentry and masonry works in the Philippines

• Identify the materials in masonry works in the Philippines

• Determine the appropriate use of steel bars

III. VOCABULARY
Carpentry - the art of woodwork and the like
Masonry - building structures with hard units
Construction - the process of building something
Steel Bars - iron made used to reinforce concrete

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IV. LEARNING CONTENT

☺ CARPENTRY

Carpentry is one of the oldest skilled trades and is still widely required in
modern construction. It involves the cutting, shaping and installation of wood (timber) for
buildings and their structures. Carpentry is often part of the ‘first fix' of timber
components in the construction of roofs, floors, walls and other timber framed
constructions. It is also often part of ‘second fix' works, such as the construction of
skirting boards, architraves, doors, and so on. Carpenters may also require to prepare
shuttering (formwork into which concrete is poured), building stairs, installing door and
window frames, and so on.

History of Carpentry
As timber naturally degrades
there are not very many remaining early
examples of carpentry. The oldest
archaeological finds are water well
casings that were built using split oak
timbers that were excavated in Germany
and date back to circa 5,000 BC.

Some of the world’s oldest wooden buildings are Chinese temples such as the
Nanchan Temple which was built in 782, or the stave churches in Norway, such as the
Heddal stave church, which were built during the 12th and 13th centuries.

Carpentry evolved over the centuries in line with the technology and tools that
were used in construction. Sawmills were widespread by the 16th century, which
established the timber industry. The Industrial Revolution of the 18th century
introduced steam engines and cut nails, which freed carpenters from the labor-intensive
process of relying on handmade nails. Carpenters largely focused on framed post-and-
beam buildings until the end of the 19th century when other materials such as steel
and concrete became increasingly popular. There has been something of a resurgence
in timber construction recently, with products such as glulam and laminated veneer
lumber (LVL) seeking to exploit the sustainable benefits that timber provides.

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Types of Carpenter

Carpenters often specialize in one or two areas, allowing them to develop and
hone their skills accordingly, in particular where they tend to work on larger projects.

Some of the different types of carpenter include:

• Rough carpenter: Framing, formwork, roofing and other structural work.
• Jouster: Lays floor joists onto which a floor surface is fixed.
• Trim carpenter: Specializes in moldings and trims, such as mantles, skirting
boards), and other ornamental work.
• Cabinet maker: Make cabinets as well as other furniture such as dressers,
wardrobes, and so on.
• Ship’s carpenter: Specialize in ship and boat building.
• Framer: Specialize in the framework of buildings.
• Roofer: Specialize in the rafters, beams and trusses of roof construction.

A joiner, or finish carpenter, is typically not considered to be a carpenter

(although there is some confusion and overlap between the use of the terms). Joiners
generally specialize in lighter and more ornamental work than that done by a carpenter.

This includes fine woodworking, fittings, doors and windows, furniture, details,
and so on. Joiners typically work in a workshop where the intricate detailing and
formation of various joints is made easier by using non-portable machinery. Carpenters
on the other hand typically work on construction sites.

Role of a Carpenter

The tasks that a carpenter may be involved in might include:

• Interpreting drawings to create an item or component.
• Laying out or designing items or components.

• Determining how to perform tasks efficiently.

• Providing advice about different types of timber and their qualities.
• Cutting or shaping timber using hand or power tools.
• Joining or fixing timber using nails, staples, screws or adhesives.
• Checking accuracy using rulers, levels, plumb bobs, framing squares, and so
on.
• Installing items.

• Maintenance and repairs.

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Some questions that can be beneficial to ask a carpenter before hiring them include:

• Do they specialize in a particular kind of carpentry?

• Will any permissions/permits be required?
• Can they work within the wider program for the project?
• How do they ensure appropriate standards of health and safety?
• How do they ensure appropriate standards of quality?
• What type of timber do they use, and where is it sourced from?
• What sort of storage facilities do they have?
• What steps will they take to ensure deadlines are met?

Carpentry Terms

Air-Dried Lumber: Lumber that has been Awning Window: An out swinging window
dried to a moisture content of hinged at the top of the sash.
approximately 15 percent by Backfill: Earth used to fill in areas around
unheated air. a foundation.
Anchor Bolts: Bolts driven into concrete Balusters: Small vertical supports for the
that are used to hold structural railing of stairs.
members in place. Balustrade: A series of
Arch: A curved structure designed to balusters supporting the railing of
support its weight and the load stairs or a balcony.
above it. Bannister: A handrail with supporting
Apse: A semicircular or polygonal building posts on a stairway.
projection, as of a church. Barge board: The finish board covering the
Area way: A recessed area below grade to projecting portion of a gable roof.
allow for light and ventilation into a Batt: A type of insulation designed to be
basement window. placed between framing members.
Asphalt Shingles: Composition roof Batten: A strip of wood used to cover the
shingles made from asphalt joint between two pieces of siding.
impregnated felt covered with mineral Beam: A horizontal member usually
granules. supported on each end by columns or
Astragal: An interior molding attached to posts. It is used to carry load across a
one of a pair of doors or window sash door, window, or other similar
in order to prevent swinging through. opening.
It is also used with sliding doors to Bearing Plate: A metal plate that provides
ensure tighter fitting where doors support for a structural member.
meet. Bearing Wall: A wall which supports a
Atrium: An open court with a building. vertical load in addition to its own
weight.

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Benchmark: A mark on some permanent Structure is usually made up of
object fixed to the ground from which studs, beams, headers, rafters,
measurements and elevations are purlins, and trusses.
taken. Green Building: Design and construction
Bird's-Mouth: A notch cut on of buildings that minimize impacts of
the underside of a rafter to fit it to the environment while helping to
the top plate. keep occupants healthy.
Buttress: A supporting structure built Hammer Drill: Also known as a "rotary
against a wall. hammer" - it provides a short rapid
Cistern: A container for storing water, hammering action to drill through
such as that collected from a relatively brittle material (like
rainwater harvesting system. concrete), providing quicker drilling
Clerestory: A wall with windows that rises with less effort.
above an abutting roofed section of a Header: A type of beam that is used above
building or room. a door or window.
Concrete Anchor: A lag screw or bolt Hip Rafter: The diagonal rafter that
assembly that is designed to wedge extends from the plate to the ridge
against a pre-drilled hole in the for form the hip of a hip roof.
concrete to attach wood or other Jack Rafter: A short rafter usually used on
material to the concrete slab or hip roofs.
structure. Joist: One of a series of parallel framing
Cornice: Exterior trim of a structure where members used to support floors and
the roof and walls meet. ceilings.
Crow's foot: A carpentry term used to Ledger: A strip attached to vertical framing
describe a mark, on a piece of wood or foundation used to support joists
or other material, that is defined by or other horizontal framing.
two or more lines extending out and Live Load: The weight of all moving and
originating from one point (the mark). variable loads that may be placed
Dead Load: The weight of permanent and upon a building. (see the Dead Load
stationary construction included in a carpentry term).
building (see the Live Load carpentry Long-Point The part of a beveled cut that
term). is the pointed part. (See the Short
Engineered Lumber: Lumber made by Point carpentry term).
gluing together veneers of wood to Nave: The central part of a church from the
create very strong framing members. main entrance to the chancel.
Fascia: A wood member used for the outer Paddle Bit: A flat-shaped drill bit with a
face of a cornice where it is nailed to pointed center, designed to drill larger
the ends of the rafter tails. than 1/4" diameter holes in wood or
Footing: An enlargement at the lower end other material.
of a wall, pier, or column, to Pitch: Inclination or slope, as of roofs or
distribute the load into the ground. stairs. Rise divided by the span.
Framing: The structure of a house, deck or Usually expressed as a 5-12 pitch
similar structure. roof, for example.

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Plumb: Exactly perpendicular or vertical; Stringer: The structural part of stairs that
at right angles to the horizon or the support the risers and treads.
floor. Stud: A structural member typically used
Purlin: A structural member used support to frame walls.
a group of rafters approximately at Transept: Either of the two lateral arms of
the midway point of the span of the a church built in the shape of a cross.
rafters. Transom: A small, often hinged, window
Rafter: A structural member that makes above another window or door.
up the shape and structure of a roof. Tread: The step or horizontal member of a
The types include hip, jack, valley and stair.
cripple. Underpinning: A foundation replacement
Renewable Energy: Energy or reinforcement for
produced using solar, wind, hydro temporary braced supports.
power, or biomass energy sources. Valley Jack: A rafter that runs from a ridge
Short-Point: Refers to the part of a board to a valley rafter.
beveled cut that is not the pointed Valley Rafter: A rafter that forms the
part (see long-point) of the cut. intersection between two sloping
roofs.

Most people have a general understanding of what carpenters do, but let’s get
into some specifics. A carpenter works with wood and other materials to construct,
install, and maintain buildings and other objects like cabinets or furniture. They can
work on residential (homes, apartments, etc.), commercial (hotels, offices, etc.), and
industrial (bridges, power plants, etc.) projects.

Some Core Carpentry Skills

• Read blueprints as well as taking direction from verbal and written
descriptions
• General framing -- Construct the wooden structure for a building (walls,
floors, and doorframes)
• Build staircases

• Concrete formwork -- Molds for pouring concrete

• Install windows, doors and siding

• Install interior finish and trim

• Install cabinets and countertops

• Build cabinets and other custom woodwork (mill working)

• Remodeling/repairs -- Inspect and replace damaged framework or other

structures and fixtures
• Instruct and direct laborers/other construction helpers

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 Activity:
Observing health protocols, interview a carpenter regarding his status in life.
Guide Questions:
1. How did he get into his job?
2. Why did he choose to enter this kind of job?
3. Is there a plan by quitting this job? Why?
4. How does the Covid -19 pandemic affect his work?
5. What can he say to those who are working the same thing with him?

Assessment
1. What useful information do you think will be gathered from a blueprint?
2. How does a carpenter ensure that measurements are accurate?
3. If ever a piece of your safety gear were hindering your movements, what would
you do?
4. What would you do if a coworker weren’t taking necessary safety
precautions?
5. How essential is carpentry today amidst the pandemic crisis especially to
Filipino people?

☺ MASONRY

Masonry consists of building structures by laying individual masonry units

(brick, concrete block, stone, etc.) Normally the masonry units are laid with cement
mortar, which binds them together to create a structure. Masonry construction can
provide beautiful walls and floors at economical prices. Due to the individual masonry
units, masonry construction tends to be quite labor intensive. Because of the cement,
clay or stone nature of the masonry materials, masonry construction tends to be
durable and often requires little maintenance.

MASONRY CONSTRUCTION: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Masonry consists of building structures from single units that are laid and bound
together with mortar. Brick, stone and concrete blocks are the most common materials
used in masonry construction.

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 Masonry is a popular
construction technique around the
world, due to its many advantages.
However, like with any construction
method, there are also limitations.
This article summarizes the pros
and cons of masonry construction.

Advantages of Masonry Construction

These general advantages apply for all types of masonry units (brick, stone or
concrete blocks):
• Masonry is non-combustible, so improves fire protection for the building and its
occupants. Fireplaces are commonly made of masonry for the same reason.
• Masonry offers a high resistance against rotting, pests, weather, and natural
disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes.
• Masonry structures provide an attractive rustic or elegant look for a home or
building, depending on the material used and the workers’ expertise.
• Being durable and resistant, masonry can withstand large amounts of
compressive weight loads.
• Masonry units increase the thermal mass of a building.
• Masonry buildings have longer lifespans than any other building type.

Limitations of Masonry Construction

• Masonry construction involves heavy materials such as bricks, stone and
concrete blocks. These cannot be transported in conventional vehicles, and in
some cases, they must be ordered from special catalogs, especially stones.
• Masonry activities cannot be done during heavy rain or freezing conditions since
mortar will be severely affected.
• The stability of masonry structures depends completely on their foundation. If
any settling of the foundation occurs, cracks are likely, and they must be repaired
to prevent moisture infiltration and damage.
• Masonry construction requires a good amount of time and adequate project
planning. Depending on the type or masonry, specialized manpower may be
necessary.

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Common Pinoy Construction Terms and Their Meanings
Alulod Use either of the terms when you
Alulod means gutter. When want to specify the type of roof, e.g. “Gawin
preparing for the rainy season, tell your nating quatro aguas ang bubong.”
handyman: “Tingnan mo naman yung yero
kung may butas. At linisin mo yung Dos por dos, etc.
alulod—puno na siya ng dahon.” When specifying the sizes of wood
Anay finish for rough carpentry, refer to these terms:
This is a rough concrete wall finish dos por dos is a 2”x2” strip of wood used
(socalled because it looks termites ate in ceiling or cabinet framing; uno por dos
through it). It’s achieved by flattening a is 1” x 2” wood, and de uno is a slim 1” x
rough concrete finish with a trowel (a 1” piece. Suppliers sell these wood strips
flatbladed hand tool), and was popular in at 8ft (2.4m) in length.
the 1980s-90s.
Ducco or duko
Asintada When designers want a durable
Asintada is the alignment of the finish for wood, they specify ducco–a type
wall. “Wala sa asintada” means it’s not of paint finish. Painters achieve this finish
aligned. “Asintahin” is to align. Workers by applying putty, and sanding and
might say, “Natayo na ba ang asinta?” to painting in layers. This is more expensive
ask whether the wall has been put up. than your typical paint finish.

Balbon Hamba
Not hairiness, but rater, a wall Carpenters use wood for
defect that is the result of uneven constructing the hamba, or jamb—a frame
plastering done by an inexperienced surrounding the door or window.
mason.
Hulog
Dangkal When masons put up a concrete
Length from tip of your thumb to wall, they check the hulog—the vertical
the tip of your pinky finger (length straightness of a wall with respect to a
depends on whose hand you’re using). plumb bob (a metal ball on a long string).
Hulog has made its way to everyday lingo:
Dipa “Wala sa hulog” means a person can’t
Another unit of measurement— think straight.
the length of both arms stretched out
(including torso). Kapak
Plaster not bonding well with the
Dos Aguas and Quatro Aguas Roof
wall produces a defect. Knocking on it
A dos aguas has two sides or slopes creates a hollow sound—probably why this
(a gable roof), and quatro aguas has four defect is called kapak (the word itself
sides (a hip roof). mimics the hollow sound).

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Masilya S4S and S2S
When a wall is going to be painted, These terms refer to the
masilya (putty) is applied first. smoothness of the sides of the wood;
they’re abbreviations for “smooth four
Media Agua sides,” and “smooth two sides.” S4S pieces
A canopy over a window. In are used for exposed members such as
ancestral Filipino houses, the traditional some rafters (roof supports). When sending
media agua is a scallop-bordered cloth; in your carpenter to buy wood, say, “Dalawa
a bahay kubo, it’s a nipa push-out or pang dos por dos, na S4S.”
awning. In modern houses, it could be as
simple as a ledge shading the window. Tabla
A wood plank, usually 5” or more
Nagbubuntis in width.
There’s reason to be concerned
when a worker says, “May nagbubuntis
dito,” and it doesn’t mean someone’s gotten Tambol
pregnant! It means a concrete column is When unsightly pipes appear in
bulging due to weak formworks. areas like the underside of a bathroom it
needs a tambol—not a musical
instrument, but a covering made out of
Tibag
plywood or gypsum to hide the pipe or
To demolish.
eyesore. Say, “Lumabas ang tubo sa pader.
Rebokada
Tambulan mo na lang.”
When masons finish a concrete
wall, they first apply a rough coat of
plaster— the rebokada, or scratch coat. Tanguile
This serves as a binder between the wall This is a popular type of wood with
and the final layer of plaster, or the a reddish color, fine-textured but with
palitada. “Habulin na lang sa palitada large grains. It is the most common wood
yan” is commonly proposed when wall specified nowadays for rough carpentry
defects (like an uneven finish or a such as door and window jambs.
misaligned wall) need to be masked (by
thickening the plaster).

So, the next time you feel like complaining about shoddy work on a concrete
wall, instead of just exclaiming, “Ang pangit!”, you can be more articulate and say, “Ang
dami namang kapak nito. Balbon at wala sa hulog. Nagbubuntis pa yung poste. At kulang
sa pahid yung pintura.” If the mason replies, “Habulin na lang natin sa palitada...” you
can reply, “Huwag. Tibagin mo!”

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Masonry Principles

A compressed earth block masonry structure consists of small building elements

placed one on top of the other following a particular bonding pattern and bound together
with mortar.

The earth blocks therefore form a building system - whether it be a wall or a

partition, a post or a pillar, an arch, a vault or a dome - which has compressive strength.
This characteristic of compressive strength is indeed essential as, by contrast, masonry
structures using small elements have very little tensile strength.

The good strength and good stability of a masonry structure using small
elements is dependent on the interaction of several factors:

• the quality of the block itself,

• the quality of the masonry (i.e. the interaction between the block, the bonding
pattern and the mortar),
• the form of the building system, which should be suited to the compressive
forces exerted,
• the quality of detailing of the building system, notably ensuring good protection
against water and humidity,
• the quality of execution of the work.

Activity:
Observing health protocols, interview a mason regarding his status in life.
Guide Questions:
1. How did he get into his job?
2. Why did he choose to enter this kind of job?
3. Is there a plan by quitting this job? Why?
4. How does the Covid -19 pandemic affect his work?
5. What can he say to those who are working the same thing with him?

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 Assessment
1. What is the key in developing a good team in line with masonry activities?
2. What the importance of masonry in building construction?
3. What should you do before starting masonry activities?
4. How would you address awareness in building construction to people who
have less knowledge in masonry?
5. What will you do to sustain and strengthen the field of masonry in the
Philippines?

☺ HISTORY OF CARPENTRY AND MASONRY

Carpentry is the art and trade of cutting, working, and joining timber into building
structures. The traditional method of construction that utilizes wood.

The Early Chinese, it is believed that woodworking exploded amongst the early
Chinese civilizations as far back as 720 B.C. During this time, many intricacies of
woodworking were developed among the Chinese including precise measurements used
for making pots, tables, and other pieces of furniture. One of the most famous carpenters
of the time was Lu Ban, who is credited as one of the originators of woodworking in
China.

According to some scholars, Egyptians were the first to put “finishes” on their
artwork. Finishing is basically the art of placing some sort of protective sealant on
wooden material in order to enhance its preservation. The Egyptians were also one of
the first people to use veneering in their woodwork. In order to make panels.

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 The woodworking knowledge that the Chinese and Egyptians possessed most
certainly spread to other parts of the civilized world in ancient times as archaeological
finds have unearthed plenty of woodworking gems and beauties created by the Greeks,
Babylonians, Persians, and many other dated civilizations. The construction of buildings
with wooden post. Buildings were erected with wooden post resting on the ground to a
desirable footing depth.

On the second stage development, wood posts were provided with concrete
footings and anchor straps. Wood posts are dressed with its bottom end squared and
trimmed perpendicular to its side face. A charcoal or chalk mark is established along
the face length of the post connecting both ends. This marking serves as a reference line
for checking its vertical position with the aid of plumb bob. The height of girder and girts
are indicated from the floor line making the necessary dap before its erection to ascertain
that both the girder and girts are in the horizontal level. However, it is assumed that the
concrete footing is horizontally leveled with the floor line.

When exactly Masonry was first brought to the country cannot be ascertained
on account of strict prohibitions against Masonry in the eighteenth and nineteenth
centuries. It was said that the British established a lodge here during their brief
occupation from 1762 to 1764 but, records could not be found except for a letter in the
Archives of the Indies in Seville, Spain, written by the Archbishop of Manila complaining
about the desecration of the cathedral in Manila by the occupying British forces who
used the church as a meeting place.

During the early nineteenth century, Spain was ruled by King Ferdinand VII,
whose hatred of Masonry was in view of the liberalism that the Fraternity espoused. In
Mexico and in Latin America, revolts were being led by Masons like Miguel Hidalgo
(Mexico, 1810) and Simon Bolivar (liberator of South America).

The first official prohibition of Masonry that reached the Philippines was
embodied in the Royal Letter Patent of January 19, 1812, issued in Cadiz by the Council
of the Regency of Spain and the Indies, in behalf of the absent Ferdinand VII who was
then a prisoner of the French.

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 In August 1824, in another Royal Letter Patent, Masonry was again peremptorily
prohibited for the reason that – so said Ferdinand VII- “it was one of the main causes of
revolution in Spain and in (Latin) America”.

Activity:
Discuss the most significant event on the history of Carpentry and
Masonry using the Venn Diagram.

Carpentry Mason

Assessment
1. How do carpentry and masonry start?
2. What is the impact of carpentry and masonry in the Philippines?
3. How does the influence of other countries contribute in terms of carpentry
and masonry?
4. Are you satisfied of the works in carpentry and masonry in the present
times? Why?
5. What is your stand on carpentry and masonry in the Philippines?

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 ☺ MASONRY MATERIALS

A construction material, as the

name suggests, is any material that is used
for construction. Various raw substances
such as clay, sand, wood, rocks, and twigs
have been utilized for building.

Aside from naturally-occurring substances, there is also a vast array of artificial

and man-made products that are used for construction, such as plastic and steel from
the Philippines. These materials are employed in different projects, such as carpentry,
plumbing, roofing, and insulation work. As you might expect, every task requires its own
specific materials.

Construction materials are often used as the foundation of habitats and

structures, such as homes, and it’s no wonder that upon mentioning the phrase
construction materials in the Philippines, people will most likely associate it with the
creation of houses.

Listed below are some of the most common building materials.

• Mud and Clay. These are two of the most frequently used materials for
constructing buildings and homes. Mud and clay have been around for centuries,
and the structures built using these materials were still fit for human habitation
even after hundreds of years. The primary advantage of soil and clay is that they
have an excellent thermal mass, which means that they have no problem
sustaining temperature at a constant level. That being said, homes built with
these materials adapt to their surroundings—during the scorching heat of
summer, they remain cool, and during the colder season, they manage to
maintain some warmth.

• Rock. Rock has been around for a long time. The best thing about it is that it is
readily available, which makes it an extremely reliable construction material.
There are different kinds of rocks available, each of them with their own respective
attributes. In general, rocks are incredibly dense, which makes them a robust
material for construction. However, this can also serve as its drawback, since it
makes the material bulky and difficult to handle. Aside from homes, rocks have
also been utilized in some of the most renowned structures in history, such as
the Pyramids in Egypt, the Aztec pyramids, and so on.

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• Aside from rocks, wood is also another material that dominates the construction
industry. Like rocks, it has been around since time immemorial. As you might
know, wood is product of trees and plants. They are usually pressed into lumber
and timber; after that, they are now ready to be employed in various applications.
One of the most splendid attributes of woods is its versatility—that is, it can be
used in practically any construction project, regardless of the climate in which
the structures belong to. It is also exceptionally flexible, managing to maintain its
strength even while bent or compressed. The quality of wood often depends on
the tree species, and, needless to say, some species of wood are better suited for
applications than others. In earlier periods, wood was used in its unprocessed
form, and it was only recently when lumber finally came into prominence—when
mechanized saws were invented. This, then, allowed the mass production of
lumber and other processed wooden materials.

• Brick and Block. Bricks are fashioned from kiln-fired materials (such as clay and
shale). They were extensively used in the 18th to the 20th century, mainly because
they were economical to produce.

• Concrete. Concrete is a combination of paste and aggregates (or small rocks).

The paste, which comprises of cement and water, coats the surface of the
aggregates. A chemical reaction called hydration allows the paste to harden and
eventually transform into concrete. In essence, concrete is a rock-like mass that
is characterized by its durability (when it hardens) and flexibility (when it’s still
newly mixed). These traits make it an exemplary material for all sorts of
structures, including soaring skyscrapers, bridges, superhighways, dams, and,
of course, homes.

• Steel or Metal. Metal is one of the most common artificial construction materials.
It serves as a structural framework for massive edifices, such as skyscrapers. Like
concrete, steel is also marked by its flexibility and strength. Its major nemesis
has something to do with longevity—corrosion. In the Philippines, steel
production requires substantial human labor, since ample amounts are usually
required for construction projects.

• Glass. The primary purpose of glass windows is twofold—to let light penetrate
into the room and to keep the outside breeze from entering. Glass is made from a
blend of sand and silicates, which results to this material’s fragility.

• Ceramics. Ceramics are typically used as fixtures and coverings (such as tiles).
In the recent years, ceramic tiles have been gaining a steady popularity. They
aren’t limited to floorings anymore, and have also been integrated into walls,
countertops, and ceilings. In some instances, in fact, they are also utilized as
roofing tiles.

• Plastics. Plastics are another famous synthetic material. They are used in all
imaginable industries and are practically ubiquitous. In the construction sector,
they’re commonly used as pipes for apartments and other buildings.

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 • Cement Composites. Cement composites constitute of hydrated cement paste
that combines wood, fibers, and so on.

Activity:

Observe some structures of houses or even those that are still under
construction. Among the listed most common building materials, which do you
think is NOT advisable to be used in building or constructing a simple Pinoy
family house? Support your answer.

Assessment
1. If ever you’re the one to decide in the construction of your house, what will
you choose to use among the common building materials?
2. Do you prefer to use natural or artificial common building materials? Why?
3. What can you say about the availability in the market of these common
building materials being utilized in the Philippines?
4. In terms of quality assurance using these common building materials, how
safe and stable do you think a structure built by Filipino carpenter and
mason?
5. How often do you observe sites under construction in the Philippines
especially in your locality? If ever, what is your point of view in regards?

☺ STEEL BARS

Stee l i n th e Philippine s can be

found in almost every industry around.
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have some sort of steel product in there.
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steel that
is the
makes full use of steel is the
construction industry. Being the most
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 With that in mind, there are so many steel products that are used in
construction, some more used than others. The focus of this article is on steel bars.

What it is, what it’s used for, and the types of steel bars that are used in most
industries.

What are Steel Bars?

Seldom will you see structures that rely on a single construction material. Most
of the time, construction materials are used in a way that reinforces each other. Concrete
is one of those construction materials that on its own is a bit limited, but when it is
reinforced with steel bars, it becomes the best combination of construction materials for
any projects.

Steel bars are more commonly known as reinforcing bars or rebars. It is a mesh
of steel wires used as a tension device in reinforced concrete and masonry structures to
strengthen and aid the base material under tension, which is usually concrete.

Rebars are one of the more well-known steel products just because of how much
use they see in construction projects. In most cases, it is a staple—adding so much
support and strength to an otherwise precarious structure.

Other industries that make use of steel bars include the military industry (for
equipment), shipbuilding industry, paper industry, and many other architectural related
industries.

Why are Steel Bars Used?

The primary use of steel bars is to give and add another layer of reinforcement
to concrete structures. These steel bars are very strong, versatile and affordable, making
them one of the most widely used steel products among a variety of industries.

Steel bars are used to provide different kinds of support onto concrete
structures, the first one being a primary reinforcement. When steel bars are used as a
primary reinforcement, the steel bar is employed to guarantee the resistance needed by
the structure as a whole to support the designated loads.

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 When a steel bar is used as secondary reinforcement, it is used for its durability
and aesthetic value. By providing enough localized resistance to limit cracking and resist
stresses caused by effects such as temperature changes, the steel bar provides just
enough reinforcement to fully support the structure.

In some cases, rebar is also utilized to add resistance to concentrated loads by

providing enough localized resistance and stiffness for the stress that the load gives to
be spread across a wider area. And at other times rebar is used to support another group
of steel bar—mostly to correct the position they are in to accommodate their loads.

Types of Steel Bars

There are 4 types of steel bars that are available in the market, however in the
market today, only 2 are widely used and sought after. With that in mind here are the 4
types of steel bars.

• Hot Rolled Deformed Bars – The most common type of reinforcement for regular
structures, these steel bars are created through hot rolling—giving it
deformations on the surface. These ribs that form make it easier for concrete to
bond with it.
• Mild Steel Plain Bars – These steel bars do not have any ribs on them. They are
mostly used in small projects where minimizing budget is a priority. Since they
don’t have any ribs, they do not bind very well with concrete, so hooks are
usually provided at the ends.
• Cold Worked Steel Reinforcement – When hot rolled steel bars undergo the
process of cold-working, this type of steel bar is produced. This process involves
twisting or drawing the bars at room temperature. It is used in projects that have
an emphasis on fixing low tolerance and straightness.
• Pre-stressing Steel – This is used in the form of bars or tendons that are made
up of a number of strands. Typically, seven-wire strands consist of six wires
spun around the seventh wire that is usually larger than the others—forming a
helical strand. The high tensile strength of the wires makes it possible to
effectively pre-stress concrete even after undergoing short-term or long-term
losses.

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 The different steel bars are there to provide options for your construction
project. The most popular among them, the hot rolled deformed bars, are the most
used best of the four while the others only have a specific purpose.

Activity:

In your own opinion, why do you think steel bars are being used
especially in the Philippines? What is the main reason behind? How effective
and or efficient are the use of these materials? You can seek assistance to
whoever is more knowledgeable in this p articular.

Assessment
1. What do you think is the reason of using steel bars in every concrete
structure?
2. How important are these steel bars in concrete structure?
3. What is your position on utilizing these steel bars in concrete structure in
the Philippines?
4. Are there guidelines in procuring steel bars? Do you think it is important?
Why?
5. How satisfied are you if your house (concrete structure) is made with steel
bars?

V. ANALYSIS

1. Discuss your understanding in carpentry and masonry.

2. Wrap up the history of carpentry and masonry.
3. Enumerate the materials in masonry works.
4. Seek the very use of steel bars.

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VI. REFERENCES

https://worldskills.org/skills/id/238/

https://www.mycarpentry.com/carpentry-terms.html

https://www.workyard.com/blog/carpentry-guide-the-basics-to-becoming-
acarpenter/

https://www.constructionknowledge.net/masonry/masonry_masonry.php

https://www.ny-engineers.com/blog/masonry-construction-advantages-
anddisadvantages

https://www.realliving.com.ph/home-improvement/building-
renovating/whatall-those-tagalog-construction-terms-mean-a54-
20180807

http://www.nzdl.org/gsdlmod?e=d-00000-00---off-0hdl--00-0----0-10-0---0--
0direct-10---4-------0-1l--11-en-50---20-about---00-0-1-00-0--4----0-011-
10-0utfZz-8-00&cl=CL1.3&d=HASH01564539ee308f58c8424cbb.4&gt=1

https://www.slideshare.net/jemganacia/history-of-carpentry

http://www.philippinemasonry.org/history-of-masonry-in-the-philippines.html

https://reganindustrial.com/construction-materials-philippines/
https://reganindustrial.com/blog/steel-philippines-feature-steel-bars/

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VII. NOTES

For more related beneficial information about this learning material, here
are some links for your additional references.

https://www.okcareertech.org/educators/resource-center/teacher-trainer-
tools/dams-tools-for-teachers-and-
trainers/TI3645CarpentrySkillsWorkbook.pdf

https://www.dtwd.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/teachingproducts/BC2190_CC
BY.PDF

https://iricen.gov.in/iricen/books_jquery/Carpentry%20and%20Woodwork.pdf

https://iisee.kenken.go.jp/net/saito/web_edes_b/construction_of_masonry_Eng
lish.pdf

https://www.academia.edu/30817214/Masonry_Manual

https://cdn.ymaws.com/concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/masonry/m
m_3.1_basic_masonry_con.pdf

[email protected]

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