Section 102 : Definitions
The 2015 National Structural Code of the Philippines,
Volume 1, 7th Edition, includes and elaborate the
meaning of “FAILURE”.
As defined, FAILURE is an unacceptable difference
between expected and observed performance. It
includes catastrophic structural collapse, but also
INCLUDES performance problems that are not
necessarily catastrophic or life‐threatening,
including
“”serviceability problems such as distress, excessive
deformation, premature deterioration of materials,
leaking roofs and facades, and inadequate interior
environmental control systems”.
Section 102 : Definitions
The causes for these conditions vary, but may include
simple mistakes (such as sending information to a
structural engineer when it should have been sent to the
architect), conclusions based on faulty assumptions, an
employee’s “laziness, ignorance, or malevolent urge,”
fatigue from excessive workload, inadequate training,
“time boxing” practices used to minimize fees to a
client, overreliance on computer‐aided design and
drafting (CADD), failure to understand and deliver client
requirements, time pressures to a deliver a project by
certain deadlines, and ineffective coordination and
integration of the design team.
Section 103 : Classification of Structures
The single‐story school building which is under the Special
Occupancy Structures Occupancy Category of the National
Structural Code of the Philippines 2010, 6th Edition is deleted.
The National Structural Code of the Philippines 2015, 7th
Edition categorized that all public school buildings are
included in the Essential Facilities Occupancy Category.
Churches, mosques and other related religious structures are
classified as Special Occupancy Structures Category
Section 104 : Design Requirements
National Structural Code of the Philippines 2010,
6th Edition
Section 104.4 Foundation Investigation
Soil explorations shall be required for
buildings, towers and other vertical
structures falling under Categories I, II and
III in accordance with Table 103‐1 or as
required by the Building Official of if the
site specific conditions make the
foundation investigation necessary.
Detailed requirements for foundation
investigations shall be in accordance with
Chapter 3 of this code.
National Structural Code of the Philippines
2015, 7thEdition
Section 104.4 Foundation Investigation
Soil explorations shall be required for
buildings, towers and other vertical
structures falling under Categories I, II, III
and IV in accordance with Table 103‐1 or as
required by the Building Official of if the
site specific conditions make the
foundation investigation necessary.
Detailed requirements for foundation
investigations shall be in accordance with
Chapter 3 of this code.
Section 105 : Posting and Instrumentation
National Structural Code of the
Philippines 2010, 6th Edition
Section 105.2.1 General
Unless waived by the building
official, every building in
Seismic Zone 4 or over 50m in
height shall be provided with
not less than three approved
recording accelerographs. The
accelerographs shall be
interconnected for common
and start and common timing.
National Structural Code of the
Philippines 2015, 7th Edition
Section 105.2.1 General
Unless waived by the building
official, every building in Seismic
Zone 4 or over 50m in height shall
be provided with not less than three
approved Earthquake Recording
Instruments (ERI). The ERI shall be
interconnected for common and
start and common timing.
Refer to “ASEP Guidelines and
Implementing Rules on Earthquake
Recording Instrumentation for
Buildings (Appendix 1‐B)
Section 105 : Posting and Instrumentation
National Structural Code of the
Philippines 2010, 6th Edition
Section 105.2.3 Maintenance
Maintenance and service of the
instruments shall be provided by
the owner of the building,
subject to the monitoring of the
Building Official. Data produced
by the instruments shall be
made available to the Building
Official or the Philippine
Institute of Volcanology and
Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on
request.
National Structural Code of the
Philippines 2015, 7th Edition
Section 105.2.3 Maintenance
Maintenance and service of
the instruments shall be
provided by the owner of the
building, subject to the
monitoring of the Building
Official. Data produced by the
instruments shall be made
available to the Building
Official or any authorized
agency upon request.
Section 105 : Posting and Instrumentation
National Structural Code of the Philippines
2010, 6thEdition
Section 105.2.4 Instrumentation of Selected
Buildings
All owners of existing structures selected by
the authorities having jurisdiction shall
provide accessible space for the installation
of appropriate earthquake‐recording
instruments. Location of said instruments
shall be determined by PHIVOLCS or the
authorities having jurisdiction.
PHILVOLCS or the authorities having
jurisdiction shall make arrangements to
provide, maintain and service the
instruments. Data shall be the property of
the authorities having jurisdiction, but
copies of individual records shall be made
available to the owner of the building and to
the public on request and after the payment
of an appropriate fee.
National Structural Code of the
Philippines 2015, 7th Edition
Section 105.2.4
Instrumentation of Selected
Buildings
All owners of existing
structures selected by the
authorities having jurisdiction
shall provide accessible space
for the installation of
appropriate earthquake‐
recording instruments,
determined by a Structural
Engineer.
