UP Resilience Institute (UPRI) and Earth Materials Science Concrete Petrography Laboratory (EMS-CP Lab) technical staff held site investigation and sample collection activities at Currimao Port in Ilocos Norte and Santa, Ilocos Sur Seawall, from October 01-04, 2023, in connection with the DOST-GIA-funded research project titled “Effects of Extreme Weather Conditions on Coastal Concrete Structures in the Philippines: Determining Appropriate Concrete Cover.”
Fieldwork proper commenced on October 02, 2023 at Currimao Port under the jurisdiction of PPA Port Management Office Northern Luzon (PPA PMO-NLZ). Prior to the site investigation and sample collection, the team discussed in detail the fieldwork methodology, port design, construction, and retrofitting history, as well as the proposed sampling locations to PPA Port Management Office-Northern Luzon and DPWH Region I (Fig 1). Two sampling points were identified: pavement of RC Pier Extension, and pile cap of the Main Pier. An additional sampling point from the Currimao Primary Tide Station was also selected.
Non-destructive tests were done on the structure prior to concrete and water sample collection. Tests include Rebar scanning (Fig 2) for locating the underlying reinforcements and marking of the specific sampling points, Rebound hammer test for the determination of surface hardness of the structure, and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity test for the determination of concrete homogeneity. Restoration of sampling sites for petrographic analysis, physical test and achiving was also done right after the drilling. Water samples were also collected and subjected to in-situ testing to determine the saltwater pH, temperature, and Oxidation Reduction Potential.
This field investigation at Curimao Port, Ilocos and Santa, Ilocos Sur Seawall is the first of 12 sites under four microclimates of the Philippines, to be assessed to check the overall quality of concrete structures.
Figure 1. Coordination meeting with PPA Port Management Office – Northern Luzon.
Figure 2. Rebar scanning of potential sampling points(left); Rebound Hammer test (middle); Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity test (right)
