SIGNIFICANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Environmental Engineering

has evolved from basic survival needs, like securing clean water and sanitation, to addressing complex global challenges such as climate change, urbanization and industrial pollution

Roman Aqueducts

These sophisticated systems supplied water over vast distances, demonstrating early innovation in managing natural resources to meet urban demands.

Roman Aqueducts

Hydraulic engineering principles are integrated into water supply designs for modern cities.

London’s Great Stink

1858

London’s Great Stink

The overwhelming odor of untreated sewage in the Thames River prompted the design of modern sewer system, laying the groundwork for urban sanitation infrastructure.

London’s Great Stink

Sanitation system designs are vital in urban planning to prevent public health crises.

Cuyahoga River Fire

1969

Cuyahoga River Fire

This pollution-fueled fire catalyzed the US environmental movement, leading to the Clean Water Act and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Cuyahoga River Fire

Legislative frameworks such as the Clean Water Act demonstrate the engineer’s role in policy influence

Minamata Disease

1950s-60s

Minamata Disease

A tragic result of industrial mercury poisoning in Japan, this disaster highlighted the consequences of the industrial negligence and the need for environmental oversight.

Minamata Disease

Environmental site assessment are critical in preventing industrial pollution.

Clean Air Act

1970

Clean Air Act

Los Angele’s smog crisis spurred the development of one the most comprehensive air quality regulations, reducing emissions and improving public health.

Clean Air Act

Air quality management is incorporated into sustainable building practices.

Stormwater Management

Sustainability and Resilience

Stormwater Management

Design system that mitigate flood risks, improving urban livability.

Stormwater Management

Examples are “Urban landscape to manage rainwater, mitigate flooding and reduce water pollution”.

Stormwater Management

The Pasig River Rehabilitation Project as a local case study for integrating ____ solutions into urban ecosystem.

Sustainable Materials

Innovations

Sustainable Materials

Employing eco-friendly materials like bamboo and recycled steel to minimize resources depletion and reduced carbon footprint.

Sustainable Materials

Bamboo and engineered composites in residential projects, highlighting their affordability and sustainability.

Erosion Control

Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Erosion Control

Apply soil stabilization techniques, especially for projects in typhoon-prone areas like geotextiles to prevent soil erosion and protect landscapes.

Erosion Control

Geotextiles in rural road stabilizations projects in disaster-prone regions.

Wastewater Treatment

Water Resource Management

Wastewater Treatment

Ensuring efficient treatment systems to recycle water and prevent contamination

Wastewater Treatment

Design efficient and scalable wastewater systems for urban and rural applications

Wastewater Treatment

Advanced ____ _____ plants in Metro Manila that meet international environmental standards.

Energy Efficiency

Global Competitiveness

Energy Efficiency

Designing structure with energy-saving technologies to reduce carbon footprints.

Energy Efficiency

Integrate renewable energy and energy-saving measures to align with international building standards like LEED.

Energy Efficiency

LEED-certified projects like the Zuellig Building in Makati, showcasing innovative green building strategies.

Historical Insights

Learning from the past ensures informed, ethical and sustainable engineering practices.

Global Relevance

Competencies in environmental engineering prepare students for both local and international challenges, fostering competitiveness and adaptability.

Structural Stability

• Ensure resilience against seismic and wind forces.

Structural Stability

• Reference NBCP 2024 provision for load design and material quality

Safety and Accessibility

• Adhere to fire safety measures (sprinkles, fire exits).

Safety and Accessibility

Follow Batas Pambansa Blg.344 for inclusive design ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities

Sustainability

• Integration of the Philippine Green Building Code (PGBC) for energy and resource efficiency

Green Building Practices

Rainwater harvesting, solar energy integration and passive cooling

Modern Construction Materials

Use of sustainable and locally sourced materials like bamboo

Risk Assessment and Disaster Resilience

Urban planning to reduce flood and landslide risk.

Zuellig Building (LEED Platinum Certified)

Demonstrate energy efficiency and resource management

Marikina Flood Control Project

Integrated stormwater management in urban settings

Public Housing Compliance

Accessibility and fire safety standards in social housing projects

Dead Loads

These are the permanent loads that a building must support, including the weight of the structure itself, fixed equipment, and non-movable components.

Live Loads

These are temporary loads that a building must support, such as people, furniture, and movable equipment.

Wind Loads

These are horizontal forces exerted by wind on the building.

Seismic Loads

These are forces exerted on a building during an earthquake

Essential Facilities

Emergency medical facilities or medical facilities containing surgery or emergency treatment areas

Essential Facilities

Emergency response services or preparedness centers and their associated buildings, shelters, or vehicle storage areas

• Chemical manufacturing and storage

• Explosive storage depots

• Explosive and munitions manufacturing facilities

• Gas processing plants

• LPG storage and distribution facilities

• Some warehouses and transport depots

• Fuel storage depots.

Hazardous Facilities

Special Occupancy Structures

Buildings that house industrial processes that require large areas and heights, such as manufacturing and power production buildings

Amusement Park Structures

Structures such as grandstands, stadiums, and bleachers

Detention and Correctional Occupancies

Buildings that house people under varying degrees of restraint or security

• Supports for overhead signs, traffic mast arms, and high mast lighting

• Signal strain poles

• Rest area buildings or structures

• Traffic or sound barrier walls

• Retaining or gravity walls

• Bridge approach slabs

• Toll facilities

• Equipment structures

• Mezzanines

• Façade structures

• Shoring

• Partition walls

Miscellaneous Structures

National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP)

PD 1096 aims to ensure safety, structural integrity, functionality, and environmental sustainability of buildings.

National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP)

Covers the planning, design, construction, occupancy, maintenance, and demolition of buildings and structures.

Presidential Decree No. 1096

enacted on February 19, 1977, established the National Building Code of the Philippines.

Presidential Decree No. 1096

This decree was a revision of Republic Act No. 6541, aiming to provide a comprehensive framework for regulating building construction to ensure safety, health, and welfare standards.

• Building construction

• Design

• Location

• Construction

• Alteration

• Repair

• Conversion

• use, occupancy, maintenance

• Moving

• Demolition

• Addition to public and private buildings and structures.

National Building Code covers various aspects of the following

• Structural Design

• Fire Protection

• Building Materials

• Safety Regulations

Importance of PD 1096 in Civil Engineering

Structural Design

PD 1096 lays out stringent standards for _____ to ensure buildings and structures can withstand loads and forces they may encounter during their lifetime.

Load-bearing Capacity

Ensuring structures can support their own weight and additional loads from occupants, furniture, equipment, and environmental factors like wind and earthquakes.

Design Criteria

Providing specifications on the use of different construction materials, detailing requirements for structural components, and ensuring overall stability and integrity.

Seismic Design

Incorporating earthquake-resistant design principles to enhance the resilience of structures in seismically active regions.

Fire Protection

Fire safety is a critical aspect of PD 1096, aiming to minimize the risk of fire outbreaks and ensure the safety of occupants.

Fire-resistant materials

Mandating the use of fire-retardant building materials and construction techniques that limit the spread of fire.

Fire Safety Systems

Requiring the installation of fire detection and suppression systems such as sprinklers, alarms, and extinguishers

Emergency exits

Ensuring buildings have adequate and accessible fire exits, escape routes, and emergency lighting.

Building Materials

The code stipulates the use of high-quality, durable, and safe ___ to ensure the longevity and safety of structures

Material Standards

Setting benchmarks for the properties and performance of construction materials such as concrete, steel, wood, and masonry

Sourcing and Testing

Requiring materials to be sourced from reputable suppliers and undergo rigorous testing for compliance with safety standards.

Sustainability

Promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable construction practices through the use of renewable and recyclable materials..

Safety Regulations

PD 1096 encompasses a wide range of ____ to protect the public, workers, and the environment during the construction and use of buildings.

Construction Practices

Ensuring safe and proper construction methods, including excavation, scaffolding, and handling of hazardous materials.

Occupational Safety

Protecting construction workers with safety gear, training, and compliance with occupational health and safety standards.

Building Occupancy

Regulating the maximum occupancy of buildings to prevent overcrowding and ensure safe evacuation in emergencies