The project centered on two of the existing buildings of the House of Representatives, namely the Main Building and the Ramon V. Mitra (RVM) Building. The structural audit was brought about by findings from a recent structural visual inspection conducted by a team from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). This was timely considering the recent occurrences of earthquakes in the Asia-Pacific region. DCCD’s main objective was to conduct a structural investigation and evaluation of the structural integrity of the two structures and identify, if necessary, the most suitable and economical rehabilitation measures. The original designer of the Main Building and North Wing and South Wing Buildings was DCCD 35 years ago, headed then by Dr. Ernesto G. Tabujara.
Various site surveys and as-built verifications were conducted as well to validate the physical condition of the existing facilities. Different destructive and non-destructive tests were performed to produce the as-found structural drawings needed. Conducted also were geotechnical investigations and site-specific probabilistic seismic hazard analyses in order to generate seismic input for the Batasan Pambansa complex buildings. In addition, through the use of a performance-based design procedure, 3D models were subjected to linear and non-linear analyses to check the buildings’ integrity. Detailed structural retrofitting for the buildings were then recommended to the client in conformity with the latest structural design code. DCCD also managed the project’s construction phase, with engineering services for the project completed in 2016.