Mallari, g et al development of study center with solar power light imrad journal vol 1, oct 2017

IMRaD Journal Vol. 1 Oct. 2017

DEVELOPMENT OF STUDY AREA WITH SOLAR POWERED LIGHT ST. FRANCIS LEARNING CENTER Engr. Greg C. Mallari, Ariston, Lee Ann E. Balo, Albert L., Bulanadi, Carl Kenneth DeroĂąa, Michelle Anne P., Famadico, Hazel Emeluo M. Flordeliz, Angelica P., Gabay, Harlene Ann F.

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Abstract- Developing community while protecting the natural environment is the true definition of technological progress. Construction of a canopy type Study Area with Solar Powered light in St. Francis Learning Center at Manggahan, Subic, Zambales, would provide the students an area to study and have a recreational zone, but one that minimizes the impact on electrical consumption of the Learning Center.

The use of solar panels provides the study area with a renewable energy coming from the sun. Done correctly, the solar powered light would keep on lighting the area even at night, allowing children to use the area even during those times.

Keywords: Solar powered light, development, St. Francis Learning Center

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Introduction Saint Francis Learning Center Foundation Inc. (SFLC) is a nongovernment, non-profit institution established by the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Immaculate Conception (SFIC) on April, 1995. It is a free school for the Aeta community in Zambales. The center aims to provide literacy- numeracy training and help in the development of leadership and livelihood skills of the indigenous people of Zambales.

As of this School Year 2016-2017, there are 123 Aetas enrolled in Kindergarten to Grade 11, 103 non-Aetas in Kindergarten to Grade 6, and 6 Aetas enrolled in College.

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IMRaD Journal Vol. 1 Oct. 2017

With the center’s aim to provide a formal education in Preelementary, Elementary, and High school (Grade 7 to Grade 12), and for the safety of those people who live and study there, adequate and proper facilities should be provided. Aside from the classrooms where majority of the student-teacher interaction happen, the students must also have a space with a good working environment where they can have their group study and other activities that can also illuminate the surrounding area during the night.

Therefore, constructing an outdoor study area with light powered by solar panels will be helpful to the people of Saint Francis Learning Center and at the same time an additional structure to the existing building or facilities would provide for further development of the school.

The project includes the architectural and structural plans, as well as the small and major details that comprise the project, the bill of materials for the whole project and the construction schedule presented through cash flow. The details used for the design of the structure were based on the handbooks and codes, and conducted tests. The project focuses only on the design, actual construction of the outdoor study area to be constructed at St. Francis Learning Center, and installation of solar panel to supply the energy for the lightings.

The main objective of the proposed project is to provide a good learning facility which is designed and constructed by Civil Engineering students in such a way the students and other stakeholders will benefit from this project. The development of study area will have the following objectives: To apply the engineering concepts in providing a good working environment; to provide a secured, comfortable, and illuminated area; to enhance teamwork and leadership skills; and to develop deeper relationship with nature.

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Methods and Procedures Site Visitation. The team visited the St. Francis Learning Center Inc., to inspect the area and identify what are the structures to be constructed based on the needs of the center.

Rough Estimate. A rough estimate was used to provide a partial cost to determine whether the team can afford the project financially or not. The group asked a hardware store to provide the prices for the assumed materials.

Selection of Area. The head of the center appointed the area near the house of the Franciscan Sisters of Immaculate Conception to be the location of the project to be made.

Soil Testing. The purpose of the soil test was to identify the unit weight of the soil, which was considered in the design of the foundations.

Design of the Structure. Based on the location considering the effects of the wind load, dead load, live load, and unit weight of soil, every part of the study center from purlins, truss, steel columns, base plate, anchor bolts, pedestal, footings, to the steel connections were designed theoretically to provide a safe and economical structure.

Identifying the materials needed. The materials needed for the construction were based on the formulated design. Gauge 26 Corrugated G.I roof sheet were used for the roofing system, LC 90x45x15x2.5 for purlins, L 25x25x3 for truss, ø3” G.I pipe schedule40 for steel column, 150x150x5mm for steel plate, ø13mm anchor bolts, ø12mm andø10mm for the steel reinforcement bar.

Canvassing of the Materials. Canvassing of the materials on different hardware stores, and providing a list of available standard sizes and prices of the materials.

Final Estimate. Based on the prepared design, the team came up with the specific and standard sizes of materials. Using the 3

IMRaD Journal Vol. 1 Oct. 2017

gathered prices from different hardware stores helped give the project a final cost estimate.

Purchasing of the Materials. Given the final project cost, the team decided where to purchase the materials, and which hardware would supply the needed products for the construction of the Proposed Study Area project.

Clearing / Removal of the Existing structure. The location/area was cleared and free from some existing structures.

This included the removal of the swing, hollow blocks and bird cage.

Excavation. After the removal of the swing, the team were able to excavate the place for the two foundations at a depth of 1m. The team used a meter to measure the correct dimensions of footing, nylon and nails to mark the place wherein the excavation will undergo. Since the project is a simple structure, it only required manpower using hand tools like a shovel and a digging rod.

Construction. The construction of the project started with the assembling of rebars for the footing and pedestal, pouring of concrete on the footings using a concrete mix of 1:2:4 (cement: sand: gravel) at 21MPa, placement of 13mm diameter anchor bolts, assembling of forms for the pedestals, pouring of concrete on the pedestals, carpentry, backfill (includes the work of removal of forms in the pedestal and the compaction of soil), steel works (includes the attachment of base plate, fabrication of truss and bracing, welding of steel column, truss and purlins), tinsmithry (installation of roofing system), painting works and the concrete pouring on slab and the installation of the solar panel set.

Concrete Testing. Concrete testing was used to determine whether the concrete mix reaches its full strength at the desired days.

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Results and Discussion The development of the study area provides additional learning facilities to students where they can study and relax.

With solar panel as their source of electricity to power the lights used in the structure, the school would save money and maintain itself to be eco-friendly. Instead of having four columns with a gabled roof shed, the team decided to make a monoslope canopy type structure for economical purposes. The team selected a steel type structure because it was more innovative, easier to assemble and have long term maintenance.

The construction of the project was made based on the schedule and cost estimated. The methods of construction were Site Visitation, Rough Estimate, Selection of Area, Soil Testing, Designing of the Structure, Identifying the Materials Needed, Canvassing of the Materials, Final Estimate, Purchasing of the Materials, Clearing/Removal of the Existing Structure, and Excavation and Construction. The processes of construction were assembling of the rebar for footing and pedestal, pouring of concrete mix in the footing, placement of anchor bolts, assembling of forms, pouring of concrete mix in the pedestals, carpentry, backfill, steel works, painting, tinsmithry, pouring of concrete on slab and installation of solar panels.

The Saint Francis Learning Center Foundation Inc. Primarily serves the indigenous people of Zambales. It focuses on developing the intellectual, leadership, and livelihood skills of the people. With its aim to nourish the children by providing formal education, sufficient and serviceable facilities must be furnished since studies show well built structures have a great impact on student performance and teacher effectiveness.

In line with this, the team settled upon designing and constructing an outdoor study area with light powered by solar panels which will not only provide a space for the children’s daily 5

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activities but also serves as a source of light during the night as it illuminates its surrounding areas.

Designing the project was challenging considering it is a two column structure; different from the typical four column structure popular today. All the designs are based on the National Structural Code of the Philippines, and the conjoin knowledge, theories acquired from the school, necessary facts from internet, and related books. To ensure the safety and correct formulation of the design, seeking for advices from different experienced engineers was greatly needed and helpful. It was also important to ask those who have experienced in the field of construction on what things should be considered in the selection of materials and the proper process of construction.

The researchers started with the computation of the dead load, live load and wind load of truss within its design parameters; determining the stresses in every truss member and then achieving the economical section for top chord, bottom chord, vertical member and diagonal member and the appropriate specification of welded connections in every member; column design; base plate design; design of anchor bolts; design of pedestal; design of footing. Requirements to be considered before the construction process starts were the site/location of construction, soil test, needed materials and detailed financial expenses.

With regards to the electrical lighting system, the team utilized a solar panel as a source of electricity. Individual components of the entire system were purchased and then assembled with the help of an electrical engineer. The team was able to familiarize with the electrical matters and became aware of proper installation and connection of different wirings, appropriate volts of batteries that is used to store electricity. A 15-watts rechargeable emergency bulb is utilized to illuminate the area.

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The team developed awareness in the actual construction of this project and became resourceful on what materials can be used as an alternative. The team learned how to deal with the problems encountered in construction and think of solution and ways on improving the structure.

The researchers therefore recommend to upgrade the battery of solar panel to increase the storing capacity and to lengthen the usage time of the light bulb.

It is also suggested to install tarpaulins or covers on both sides of the structure to protect and keep the table and chairs dry as well as the people using it during rainy season.

For additional storage, it is also recommended to convert the lower part of the table into a cabinet or shelf for storing books and other educational paraphernalia.

As future Civil Engineers, it is necessary to think critically in every situation to provide solutions which is safe and economical.

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