DLSU Undergraduate Retrofitting Research wins Best Poster at 3ERDT

 

Kenneth Toral, poster presentor and winner of best poster

The 3rd ERDT Congress, hosted by the Department of Science and Technology, Science Education Institute, and the Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT), in partnership with the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research Development was held last July 25, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, Philippines. This year’s theme, “Science and Technology for Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency” was set on the heels of recent natural disasters that claimed thousands of lives and left many without homes and livelihood in the Philippines.

Toral with CE Asst. Prof. Yen Anongphouth

A special award was presented during the awarding ceremonies and among all participants, the Best Poster that conforms to the theme “Science and Technology for Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency” was awarded to the research of Kenneth Roi P. Toral (ERDT Scholar) and the rest of Team T-EPT; Andrew Dustin L. Grimares, Mikael S. Peñamante, and Janina Rosario S.J. Roxas, under the supervision of their adviser Dr. Bernardo A. Lejano from the Civil Engineering Department of DLSU.

The research of Team T-EPT was entitled “Structural Retrofitting of Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Turnbuckle - Exterior Post Tensioning”, presenting an innovative way of retrofitting and strengthening reinforced concrete structures. Their research concluded that the Turnbuckle - Exterior Post Tensioning (T-EPT) was effective in improving the serviceability condition, load carrying capacity, and seismic integrity of structures. As an innovative retrofitting method, the research was helpful in making seismic-prepared structures which could save the lives of many people. As Dr. Renato Solidum said, “Earthquakes don’t kill, buildings do”. With that, the T-EPT could prevent buildings from becoming deadly during disasters, making it a research that contributes to disaster preparedness and resiliency of structures.  

There were 59 research poster entries from participating schools - University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, Central Luzon State University, De La Salle University, Mapúa Institute of Technology, Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology, and University of San Carlos.

Posters from DLSU BSCE Students

- News write-up and photos by Kenneth Toral