Armstek Philippines using GFRP material in the construction of warehouse in Las Piñas
Photo from Armstek PhilippinesFacebook
A Russian-developed material alternative to steel rebars and slabs that is stronger and lighter; a foldable and stackable makeshift office or shelter that can be installed in five minutes; and eco-friendly sealants and waterproofing that subscribe to green building standards.
These were the newest technological innovations in the construction industry that were revealed in last Friday’s (September 4) episode of “Usapang Pangkapayapaan, Usapang Pangkaunlaran (UP, UP) Pilipinas!”, a radio program produced at Basa Air Base in Pampanga by the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
With President Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program on track, alongside infrastructural development projects in rural areas supported by the military’s engineering brigades, “UP, UP Pilipinas!” anchor Col. Gerardo M. Zamudio Jr. dedicated his broadcast to these amazing new trends in building and construction.
One of them now made available in the Philippines is the glass fiber-reinforced polymer or “GFRP,” which is an alternative material to steel reinforcements in buildings and various infrastructures.
A product of Russian technology, GFRP was developed to be a lighter and more durable material than steel rebars and slabs, according to Engr. Jerson Acasio of Manheim Consulting and Development, the exclusive supplier of GFRP in the Philippines.
“GFRP is three times stronger than regular steel, nine times lighter, easier to cut and easier to transport. It is an alternative material to all steel requirements in construction; and based on tests, it can be installed faster because it is lightweight,” said Acasio.
Asked by Zamudio if it is more expensive than conventional steel, Acasio said GFRP is actually cheaper by 15-20 percent.
Moreover, he said the product is non-corrosive, non-magnetic, non-conductive to heat and electricity, thus making it maintenance-free and safer to use than steel reinforcements.
“The regular steel used for construction can weaken due to corrosion over 20 years. Based on studies, our product, the Armastek GFRP, can last up to 80 years,” said Acasio. “It will really last you a lifetime.”
He said it is now being used in a number of buildings as suspension slabs for upper-level floors.
What makes it stronger than steel, said Acasio, is the Russian technology in mixing fiberglass with resin. The product is already in the market and is distributed locally by Armastek Philippines.
Another formidable name in the construction industry, particularly in “green building,” is Sika Philippines which was represented by Engr. Nick Policarpio in the radio program.
Specializing in chemical sealing for over 100 years, Sika has taken over its former competitor Parex and now offers a more dynamic product line that subscribes to and supports the Philippine Green Council in building environmentally-friendly structures.
Zamudio gave Policarpio a chance to promote and explain the sealants specially-designed for specific purposes that protect various parts of a building and ensures eco-friendly waterproofing.
Meanwhile, stoking interest among those joining the live-streaming of “UP, UP Pilipinas!” was the short videoclip presented by Engr. John Michael Aquino which showed the installation of a makeshift office/shelter – the size of a 20-foot container van – in just five minutes.
Aquino, who represents Solid Source Trading Corporation, said the product is called SolidKon Folding Containers which were designed to be a makeshift office, house or shelter, or a temporary storing facility.
“Unlike standard shipping containers, you will need insulation and cut out windows for ventilation. But SolidKon already comes with ice insulation — it can be likened to Styrofoam – for the walls and ceiling and it’s fireproof,” he said.
It also has built-in security bars for the window, a door, fiber cement boards for flooring, and standby electricity outlets. “It’s basically ready to use and it is priced only at P200,000,” Aquino said.
Comparing it to conventional container vans, SolidKon’s main feature is that it is foldable and lighter, making it easier to install, transfer, transport.
“It only takes a boom truck and three people to install it. It is as big as a 20-footer container van, but when folded you can use an Elf truck to transport it because it’s only approximately 1.2 tons,” said Aquino.
When unused, the foldable containers can be stacked by fives. Aquino added that it has been proven to withstand strong typhoons that have hit the country since 2018.
Joining Zamudio’s live radio broadcast via Zoom were CMO Officers; ROTC Cadet Officers; Supreme Student Council leaders; Defense Press Corps president Verlin Ruiz and IPP Victor Reyes; campus journalists; National Youth Commission Assistant Secretaries Ronald Cardema and Vick Del Rosario; Sangguniang Kabataan leaders; and representatives of KKDAT, the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, United Architects of the Philippines.
“UP, UP Pilipinas!” is a program of the PAF in fulfillment of the public affairs requirements of the National Task Force-End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and NTF-COVID-19 and aired on weekdays at 3 p.m. over DWGV AM 792khz-Central Luzon, DWDD 1134 khz-Manila and other radio stations all over the country.
A video recording of the program, produced by the PAF 355th Aviation Engineer Wing headed by Brig. Gen. George A. Blanco in partnership with the Air Force Reserve Command headed by Maj. Gen. Arthur Cordura, is uploaded every day to the social media accounts of NTF-ELCAC, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), UP UP Pilipinas, and on PAF Virtual TV.
