DLSU CE & CESDR Faculty presents at the 2nd PASCDR Conference

The Philippine Academic Society for Climate and Disaster Resilience (PASCDR) held its 2nd National Conference with the theme, “From Discourses to Actions: Mobilizing the Academe for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation” last October 25-27, 2023 at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, QC. DLSU Department of Civil Engineering  faculty also members of the Center for Engineering and Sustainable Development Research (CESDR) – Disaster Resilience Unit presented in the parallel sessions. The title of the papers and the presentors are:

• Reflections on Post-Earthquake and Typhoon Assessments in the Philippines: Observations, Lessons Learned and Challenges – Dr. Lessandro Garciano
• Nature-based Green Infrastructure for DRR and CCA: A Challenge in the Philippines – Dr, Marla Redillas
• Urban Planning and DRRM and LGU – Dr. Renan Tanhueco
• Determination of Liquefaction Susceptibility through Machine Learning Algorithm – Dr. Joenel Galupino
• A Resilience Framework for Road Networks Due to Interfering Debris from Seismic Action – Engr. Rainier Valdez
• Shake the Tower Challenge: A Hands-On Exercise for Training Future Structural Engineers for the “Big One” – Dr. Andres Winston Oreta with Ms. Jade Vanessa Ching (BSMS Student)

CE Dept faculty presentors (L-R): Garciano, Valdez, Redillas, Galupino, Oreta and Tanhueco

Ms. Jade Vanessa Ching (BSMS Student) presented about the IDEERS Shake Table Competition in Taipei

Oreta as a speaker at ACCCS 2023 – Taipei

 

The National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) hosted the Anniversary Workshop in Commemoration of the 1999 Chi-Chi and 2022 Chihshang Earthquakes (ACCCS) in Taipei, Taiwan, from September 25-27, 2023. Invited are professors and experts from the United States, Canada, Japan, Slovenia, and the Philippines, to deliver special lectures on engineering seismology, earthquake engineering, and earthquake-induced disaster mitigation.

Dr.  Andres Winston C. Oreta, Professor of the Department of Civil Engineering, De La Salle University delivered a lecture on “Integration of Technology in Earthquake Engineering Education: A Pathway to Enhancing Learning and Preparedness.”  The abstract of the paper is as follows:

ABSTRACT

Earthquake engineering plays a crucial role in mitigating the devastating effects of seismic events on infrastructure and communities. As the field evolves, the integration of technology into earthquake engineering education has emerged as a new direction in the design of courses related to earthquakes in universities to enhance learning outcomes, promote experiential learning, and bolster preparedness. This presentation presents the author’s exploration on the significance of technology in earthquake engineering education and highlights its impact on both students and future professionals. Collaborative platforms and online resources like PEER (earthquake time history database), SeismoSignal (data visualization tools), PHIVOLCS (seismic hazard assessment in the Philippines), STERA-3D (free software for seismic performance assessment of buildings) among others provide students and researchers important tools and data for understanding earthquakes and their impact to the built environment. Video presentations from various sites including YouTube enhances the classroom and online lectures. The affordability of bench-scale shake table testing equipment has now provided opportunities for the students to immerse themselves in realistic scenarios, allowing for hands-on experiences in a controlled and safe environment. As seismic events continue to pose significant challenges, the incorporation of technology in earthquake engineering education becomes increasingly vital in preparing the next generation of engineers to safeguard communities and infrastructure against the destructive forces of earthquakes.

A meeting of fellow alumni from Nagoya University at ACCCS – Dr. Oreta, Dr. Ge Hanbin of Meijo University and Dr. Rodolfo Mendoza, Jr.

DLSU CE Faculty and Officers of the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP) hold a networking meeting with NCREE researchers on Day 3

DLSU Grad Students compete at IDEERS 2023 – Taipei

 

MSCE Student and civil engineer Rei Kevin Tungcab and BSMS students, Jade Vanessa Ching, Aldrei Ong and Vicente Raphael Chan with Dr. Rodolfo Mendoza Jr. as coach represented DLSU Department of Civil Engineering at the shaking table competition entitled "Introducing and Demonstrating Earthquake Engineering Research in Schools (IDEERS)" on Sept. 21-23, 2023 held at Taipei, Taiwan. The team designed a three story wooden model based on the façade of St. Lasalle Hall. The model was constructed with wood connected by glue with damper and supported with a base-isolation system made of steel ball rollers. The model’s parts were transported to the NCREE site and assembled for the shake table testing which was held on Sept. 23, 2023. There were 11 teams that competed in the graduate level including one team from UP ICE. The model of the Green IDEERS team survived two stages of the testing (up to 800 gals) and failed on the third stage. It was the first time for DLSU to join IDEERS unlike the other teams that have been participating IDEERS for more than five or more years. The team was supported by DLSU DCE and Petro Jikken. Dr. Jonel Galupino, Engr. Salvador Oleivar and Dr. Andy Oreta supported the DLSU Green IDEERS team in the preparation before the team left for Taipei. IDEERS was hosted by the Taiwan National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) and the National Applied Research Laboratories (NARLabs).

DLSU Green IDEERS Model Building (Exhibit and Model)

The final score after the Shake Table Testing

IDEERS Shake Table with the competing model buildings

TRE Division of the Department of Civil Engineering in the World Conference on Transport Research (WCTR) 2023

Last July 17 to 21, 2023, the World Conference on Transport Research (WCTR) 2023, hosted by Interuniversitary Research Centre on Entreprise Networks, Logistics and Transport (CIRRELT), was held in Montreal, Canada. WCTR was held once every three years and participated by transport researchers all over the world. This year’s conference was attended by over 1,100 researchers. The conference served as an avenue for the participants to exchange knowledge in the field of transport policy and practice. 

Among the delegates are researchers from De La Salle University Transportation Engineering (TRE) division headed by Dr. Alexis Fillone. Dr. Fillone also chaired one of the sessions in the conference. 

The delegates presented their paper at their assigned sessions based on their respective topic areas. Researchers, their paper, and assigned topic area are as follow:

1. Dr. Alexis Fillone, Faculty and division head,

“Evaluating pre- and mid-COVID-19 urban travel: The case of Metro Manila, Philippines”

Topic area: COVID-19, mobility and transit

“Transit use perceptions and a potential shift to cycling during COVID-19 restrictions in Metro Manila, Philippines”

Topic area: Livability and non-motorized transport

“Academe-industry-government partnership in research and training: case of local public transport route planning in Western Visayas”

Topic area: Transport policy, planning and financing in developing countries

2. Dr. Riches Bacero, faculty

“Impact of proposed truck route improvements on urban travel in Metro Manila, Philippines”

Topic area: Impact evaluation and improvement: case studies

3. Engr. Orlean dela Cruz, PhD student

“Public transportation-friendly infrastructure: A review of its equitable development” (video poster)

4. Engr. Elearina Dolores Agustin, MS

“Assessment of Inter-municipal public transport services in Southern Iloilo, Philippines”

Topic area: Public transport management and evaluation

5. Engr. Alerik Ezekiel Ruiz, MS student (video poster)

“Transportation Infrastructure Impacts Calculator (TIIC): An infrastructure assessment tool”

6. Engr. Geowell Neil Gamaliel Caraos, MS

“Establishing baseline travel data for an emerging city in a developing country: The case of Lipa City, Philippines”

The conference also served as an avenue for the participants to expand their network through other activities prepared such as welcoming night, and gala dinner. Technical visits were also organized which introduced the participants to the plans and infrastructures available around Montreal, Canada that aim to cater to the community’s needs. Overall, it was a fruitful event, and an experience that is one for the books. The next WCTR will be held on July 6 to 10, 2026 in Toulose, France. 

TRE Division of the Civil Engineering Department attended the 15th EASTS Conference in Shah Alam, Malaysia

The 15th Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies (EASTS) was successfully held in Shah Alam, Malaysia last September 4-7, 2023. The conference was attended by more than 800 faculty members, students, researchers and practitioners in the field of transportation from all over the world, particularly in East Asia. The following faculty and student from the Transportation Engineering Division of the Civil Engineering Department presented during the conference

• Dr. Alexis Fillone with paper titled, Use of Ride Hailing Services in Bangkok, Hanoi, and Metro Manila: A Comparison of Gender Preferences

• Mr. Geowell Neil Gamaleil Caraos with paper titled, Estimating the Potential Bus Rapid Transit Demand in Lipa City, Philippines

Dr. Alexis Fillone is also part of two International Research Groups (IRG) who held a special session during the conference. The IRG groups are (1) Challenges of Mobile Ride-Hailing Applications in Asian Countries: Their Impacts on Local Transportation Market (IRG-39), and (2) Vulnerability Assessment of Transport Systems due to Flooding in Selected Asian Cities (IRG-38).

IRG-38 research group during the 16th EASTS 2023 International Conference, Shah Alam, Malaysia

Paper presentation under the special session of IRG-38: Vulnerability Assessment of Transport Systems due to Flooding in Selected Asian Cities

IRG-38 research group during the 16th EASTS 2023 International Conference, Shah Alam, Malaysia

TRE FACULTY AND STUDENTS ATTENDED THE 16TH ASIAN TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH SOCIETY (ATRANS) ANNUAL CONFERENCE

 

Congratulations to DLSU Civil Engineering Students, along with Prof. Dr. Alexis Fillone from the TRE Department for being part of the 16th ATRANS Annual Conference: Young Researcher’s Forum (AYRF) 2023 Paper Presentation Session at the Chatrium Grand Bangkok Hotel this September 1, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand.

They presented their papers with the titles “A Study on The Factors Affecting the Driver’s Preference on The Toll Collection in Manila-Cavite Expressway” by John Isac Tengco and Roxy Gyle Lucena, “Effects of Expressways on Condominium Prices: An Investigation of Condominiums in Metro Manila using Hedonic Regression Analysis” by John Francis Ong and Alex Jon Regalado, and “A Comparison of Driver Behavior at Intersections During Peak Hours: Parañaque City vs Subic City” by Christian Edward Viado and Lance Daniel Lim. Prof. Fillone was also one of the Session Chairs of the AYRF during the conference.