AIA MASTER SPECIFICATIONS

1 General Requirements 9 Finishes

2 Sitework 10 Specialties
3 Concrete 11 Equipment
4 Masonry 12 Furnishing
5 Metals 13 Special Construction
6 Wood and Plastics 14 Conveying Systems
7 Moisture and Thermal Protection 15 Mechanical / Sanitary
8 Doors and Windows 16 Electrical
BUILDING FINISHES AND MATERIALS
Paint: combination of a vehicle and pigment
- Enamel Paint: available in flatwall and quick dry enamel (QDE)  60 mL, ¼ L, 1 L, 1 gal
Lacquer Thinner: available in 1 gal, 1 tin (60 L), or 1 bottle
Varnish: available in opaque and transparent (clear) natural finish
Automotive Finish: available in lacquer (darker) and acrylic
Acrylic Latex: available in gloss, semi-gloss, and flat  ¼ L, 1 L, 1 gal, 1 tin
Rubberized Epoxy: for low maintenance floors
Red Lead: primer coat for galvanized iron
Red Oxide: primer coat for steel
Epoxy Primer and Lacquer Primer: inhibiting primer
Sandpaper: available in 60, 80, 100, and 120
 SITEWORKS
DIVISION 2

ACRONYMS
AASHTO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
ANSI American National Standards Institute
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
USCS Unified Soil Classification System

SOIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

- Boulder: 75 mm. Ø and above
- Gravel: 75 mm. Ø  No. 10 sieve
- Coarse Sand: No. 10  No. 40 sieve
- Fine Sand: No. 40  No. 200 sieve
- Silt-Clay Particles: passing No. 200 sieve

ATTERBERG LIMITS
- Liquid Limit (LL): moisture content at which soil changes from liquid to plastic as moisture is removed
- Plastic Limit (PL): moisture content at which soil passes from plastic to semi-solid
- Plasticity Index (PI): LL – PL
FILL MATERIALS: used to raise an existing grade
- GW, GM, GP: gravel  3/8, ¾. G-1 (expressed in cu.m.)
- SW, SM: sand
o White sand: good for plastering (in cu.m.)
o Washed sand (S-1): bluish green, good for concrete (in cu.m.)
o Vibro sand (“binistay”): in bags

BORROW FILL: quarried soil, laboratory-approved

- escombro or escombro-bulik (for riprap)
- banda y banda
- lastillas
- base course (hard durable fragments of stone)

RIPRAP (rock lining): layer of stone placed to prevent erosion

- has weep hole for water
- filter fabric can be used as substitute for filtration geotextile
- stones at 2” to 42”

GABION SYSTEM: wire-enclosed riprap, can be arranged in terrace, small rocks can be used
GEOSYNTHETICS: construction materials consisted of synthetic components
A. Geotextiles: woven or non-woven, for soil erosion
a. For reinforcement: geotextile lends its strength to low-load bearing walls
b. For separation: placed between dissimilar materials
c. For filtration: subsurface, erosion control, sediment control, in-plane drainage
B. Geomembranes: impermeable continuous polymeric sheets
a. Thermoplastic products: high density polyethylene, PVC
b. Thermoset polymer: ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), membrane roofing
C. Geocomposites: in-plane drains, can be used in green roofs
D. Geonet: geosynthetic with continuous extension of polymeric ribs, provides in-plane flow capacity;
temporary (can be fixed)
E. Geocells

TERMITE PROOFING: done before footing pouring

A. Physical Barriers
a. Termite resistant sand
b. Termite mesh (1 – 3 mm. spacing)
c. Home construction
B. Chemical Barriers
a. Pre-construction chemical barriers
b. Slab treatment

C. Colony Elimination (Bait) System

- Hexaflumuron: insect growth regulator (IGR) to attract termite workers
SUBGRADE AND BASE COURSE MATERIALS
A. Borrow Material
B. Base Course Material
C. Choker Aggregate: to provide stable foundation of fine-grained aggregate for roads

PAVING AND SURFACING

A. Concrete
B. Bituminous Surfacing / Asphalt
a. Hot Mix Asphalt (Asphaltic Concrete): with bitumens, heated (for long term)
b. Cold Mix Asphalt (Asphaltic Concrete): placed over surface without heat
c. Asphaltic Macadam: grading  compacting + asphalt
d. Asphalt Overlay
 CONCRETE
DIVISION 3

CEMENTING MATERIALS
A. Lime
a. Quicklime
b. Hydrated Lime: mixed with water to make lime putty
i. Hydraulic Lime: used where slow underwater setting is required
B. Gypsum: gypsum rock is ground fine and heated
- Made more plastic by adding hydrated lime
a. Plaster of Paris: pure gypsum is used
b. Hard Wall Plaster: 39.5% impurities are present
C. Cement: first developed as pozzolana (volcanic ash) with slake lime and hardened underwater
- Aspdin: patented and invented Portland cement
o Types of Portland Cement:
 Slow-setting
 Quick-setting high early strength
 Sulfate-resisting
 White cement: free of iron impurities
- Storage should be on wood floor, 12” from ground, stored in a shed
- Pile is limited to 12 sacks in height
CONCRETE: cement + aggregates + water
Plain or mass concrete: concrete without reinforcement

Materials:
o Cement: 1 bag = 1 cu.ft. = 94 lbs. = 40 kgs.
o Aggregates
 Fine aggregates: good for plastering if sieved; SAND
 Coarse aggregates: GRAVEL at ¾ crush and 3/8 crush
 Special aggregates: may produce lightweight or insulating concrete
o Water
o Ratio: varies from 5 to 7 gallons; ideal mix is plastic and workable

Slump Test: used to measure concrete mix consistency

o Rod at 5/8” Ø

Proportioning of Concrete (cement : sand : gravel)

AA 1 : 1.5 : 3 for bridges
A 1:2:4 for structural elements
B 1 : 2.5 : 5 for footings
C 1:3:6 for slabs
D 1 : 3.5 : 7
Mixing of Concrete
a. Machine Mixing: 1 – 2 mins. mixing time per cu.ft. of concrete
gravel  sand  cement
continuous mixer
b. Hand Mix: sand  cement  mix  gravel  water
Initial set is at 1 – 3 hours after mixing

Transporting of Concrete
- Maximum of 30 minutes from time of excretion from truck
- Maximum of 4 hours from time of release from plant
- Slopes at 1:2 or less than 1:3 for chutes

Curing of Concrete
- Cure = harden
o Set  harden  cure
o Affecting factors: age (time), temperature, moisture
o Normal concrete reaches 3000psi at 28 days
o Strength of concrete increases with age
o Process:
 Covering the concrete (soil dam): covering the concrete with sack or soil
 Removal of forms at prescribed time
 Stripping of forms
o Footing with formwork: 1 day
o Column and beam: 2 days
 o Beam bottom, slab soffit: 14 to 28 days
 Sprinkling with water
 Using curing compound

Admixtures
- Categories:
o Mixing into concrete
o Mixing into mortar powder, paste, liquid form
o Surface application or finish
- Accelerators: speeds up setting time; main component is calcium chloride (CaCl)
- Retarders: slow down hydration of cement during hot weather
- Air Entraining Agents: for freezing and thawing resistance
- Inert, finely divided powders: for workability
- Waterproofing Compounds: capillary attraction reduction
- Colored pigments: dry-cast, broadcast, or dust-on (surface coloring); integral colors (body coloring)
- Plasticizing Agents: water-reducing, makes mix more workable

Forms
- Lumber Forms: not kiln-dried, only partially-seasoned
- Plywood Forms: minimum of 12 mm. thickness for structural formworks
Prestressed Concrete
- Aerocrete: aluminum powder is added
- Gunite / Shotcrete: pneumatic
- Porete: chemical foam is added
- Haydite: for lightweight construction
 o Aggregates for lightweight concrete:
 Pumice
 Perlite
 Vermiculite: fireproofing of steel
 Expanded shale and clay

MASONRY
DIVISION 4

MORTAR: glue
- 1st class: 1 part cement, less than or equal to 3 parts sand
o Mortar with fine sand requires more cement
o Mortar should never be retempered

PLASTERS: finish and repair

- 3 coats: scratch coat (rebokada), brown-coat (bato), finish coat (palitada)
- 1 inch maximum thickness for plastering, 5/8” thickness for normal plastering
UNIT MASONRY
a. Bed
b. Course: horizontal section
c. Wythe / Tier: vertical section
d. Bond (breaking joint): connection by lapping
e. Stretcher: brick laid lengthwise
 f. Header: bricks laid shorter side out
g. Header Course
h. Soldier: unit laid on end; face perpendicular
i. Quoins: rusticated angles of buildings

STONE
Rubble Stone: straight from the quarry
Dimension Stone: cut stone
Stonework:
a. Rubble work: scabbled rubble or range rubble (uniformly arranged)
b. Random work
c. Ashlar: squared stones
i. Ranged work or coursed ashlar
ii. Broken range ashlar
iii. Random course
BRICK: standard sizes at 3 ¾” (95mm), 2 ¼” (56mm), or 8” (200 mm)
a. Common or building brick
b. Facing brick
c. Glazed brick  tri-cell with scoring
d. Fire (refractory) brick  cut via miter saw or press cutter
Brickwork:
a. Common Bond: 5S 1H
b. English Bond: SHSH ↑
c. Flemish Bond: SHSH 
- Mortar joints at 4.5 mm (3/16”) to 12 mm (1/2”)

METALS
DIVISION 5

ALUMINUM: lightweight, subject to galvanic action

- ALCLAD: protective coating applied for corrosion resistance
- May be used for corrugated, structural, doors and windows, panels

IRON
- Cast iron: 1/7% carbon
- Wrought iron: bendable, 0.1% carbon

STEEL: alloy of iron and carbon; less than 2% carbon, malleable or in ingot form
 - May be used as structural steel (A36, 36000psi (standard)), wrought iron steel, concrete reinforcement
- Alloy steels: stainless steel (common: T3204, 6m L)

COPPER: highest electrical and thermal conductivity, highly resistant to corrosion by air or saltwater
- Patina: green color that prevents further corrosion upon exposure

ZINC: most common galvanized material

BRASS: copper and zinc alloy

BRONZE: copper and tin

CHROMIUM: steel-white metal

NICKEL: silvery metal

LEAD: heaviest of all natural metals

METHODS OF JOINING
Soldering: joining metals by melting a lower metal or solder
Brazing: operating temperature is higher than soldering but lower than welding
Welding: metals are joined for interatomic bond; pressure weld or fusion weld

CONCRETE REINFORCEMENT METALS

Steel Bars: billet-steel bars and rail-steel bars
S (Standard) I (Intermediate) H (High Grade)
G33 G40 G60
White Yellow Green or blue
Fy 33000psi or 230 MPa 40ksi* 60ksi*
*ksi x 6.895 = MPa

Comm.
6m, 7.9m, 9m, 10.5m, 12m, 13m, 16m
Length
Ø* 1/8” ¼” 3/8” ½” 5/8” ¾” 7/8” 1” 1 ½” 1 ¼”
# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
* Ø = #/8
 WOOD AND PLASTICS
DIVISION 6

PLASTICS
- Cellulose
- Plastics derived from proteins and natural resins
o Thermosetting Plastics:
 Melamine and Urea
 Epoxy: Part A (resin) and Part B (hardener)
 Alkyl
 Phenolic
 Polyester
 Urethane
 Silicone
- Synthetic resin plastics
o Thermoplastics:
 Acrylic: also for signages, diffusers (per sq.ft., 1 sheet = 4’ x 8’)
 Cellulosic: acetate and butyrate
 Polyethylene: for pipe fittings and pipes
 Polystyrene: for diffusers and thermal insulators
 PVC
 Polycarbonates: 6 mm. x 4 ft. standard size
 Polypropylene
 Nylons
  Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

HIGH PRESSURE LAMINATE (HPL): attachable via adhesive and heat

THERMAL AND MOISTURE PROTECTION

DIVISION 7

WATERPROOFING: protection against the flow of water

Sylvester Process: aluminum and soap mixtures are applied in alternate mixtures
Elastomeric Paint: waterproofing mixture with color; normally 16 to 18 sq.m. per gallon; minimum
primer coat is latex
Integral Waterproofing: 1 : 1 proportion to bag of cement
Membrane Waterproofing: torsion (primer + acetylene/LPG); 3 mm. (3/16”) thickness
Cementitious Waterproofing

DAMPPROOFING: protection against moisture

ROOFING INSULATION
- Metal Roofing: foam insulation (width at 4 ft.)
- Accessible Concrete Roof Decks: sprayed-on polyurethane insulation
- Inaccessible Concrete Roof Decks: Styrofoam roofmate (polystyrene)
FIREPROOFING
- Sprayed-On Fireproofing: done when structural component will not be enclosed by concrete
ROOFING TYPES
- G.I. Roofing: zinc coat applied
o Corrugated G.I. (Yero)
 Effective width @ 32 in., nominal width at 36 in.
 Common length at 8 ft.
 1 ft. increments, 32 in. sheet length
Ga 16 Ga 18 Ga 20 Ga 22 Ga 24 Ga 26
1.5 mm 1.2 mm 0.90 mm 0.75 mm 0.61 mm 0.45 mm
o Plain G.I. (Yero Liso): for roof bending accessories
 0.9 m. x 2.4 m. at minimum
 Fascia board: covers roofing components and aligns the gutter
 Gutter: minimum width at 6 in., length at 8 ft.
o Longspan roofing
 Maximum length at 23 m., width at 4 ft.
o Plastic Roofing
o Tile Roofing
o Purlins at 600 mm
o Clay tiles: aluminum oxide with pigment (colorant)
o Concrete tiles
o Shingles
o Wood shingles
o Tar / asphalt shingles
 DOORS AND WINDOWS
DIVISION 8

METAL
- Steel Doors: Ga 18 plain sheet (standard); 38 – 40 mm. width
- Steel Casement Windows
- Aluminum Sliding Doors and Casement Windows
- Aluminum Awning and Fixed Windows

WOOD
- Solid Wood Panel Door: 2 in. depression
- Flushed door: no design
- Wood and Glass Panel Door
- PVC Sliding Door
- Stainless Glass Door
SPECIAL DOORS
- Fire Doors
o Gap between door and floor = undercut (6 mm. tolerance)
o Mounting of panic device at 0.90m
- Toilet Stall Doors
o Compact boards
o Tile trim: 8 ft. length, quarter round, attached via concrete nail
o Grout line = V-cut

GLASS AND GLAZING

- Sheet Glass: molten glass to cylinder
- Plate Glass: molten glass to plate
- Float Glass: molten glass to tin
- Annealed Glass: cooled slowly
- Heat-Strengthened Glass: partially tempered then annealed 2x strength
- Tempered Glass: reheated and then annealed 3x – 5x strength
- Laminated or safety glass: film in between 3 plys of glass
- Wired Glass: embedded wire mesh
- Patterned Glass: has linear geometric pattern
- Obscured Glass: 1 or both sides sandblasted to obscure vision
- Insulating Glass; double panel with sealed airspace
- Spandrel Glass: concealing structural frames; normally opaque
- Tinted / Heat-Absorbing Glass: has chemical admixture
- Reflective Glass: with thin, translucent metallic coating to reflect portion of the light
- Low Emissivity (Low-E) Glass: glass transmits light, omits heat
HARDWARE
- Nails
o Brad: less than 1” length
o Spike: more than 6” length
o Common Wire Nail
o Keg: 40 kg. of nails
o Carton: 25 kg. of nails
- Screws
o Pointed end screw: for wood
o Blunt tip screw: for metal
- Rivets
o Explosive rivets
o Blind rivets
- Bolts
o Anchor bolt
o J bolt
o Chemical bolt
o Dyna bolt
o Expansion bolt

FINISHES
DIVISION 9
EXPOSED AGGREGATE FINISH: aggregates are visible, ex. pebble washout
INTEGRAL COLORED CEMENT FINISH
Slab Curling: slab defect; water pond forms at the middle
GRANOLITHIC FINISH: brass lining as control joints
Ceramic: higher clay content with protective coating
Mounted with tile adhesive or mortar
Porcelain: homogenous
VITRIFICATION: measure of tile density and relative absorption
Non-vitreous, semi-vitreous, vitreous, impervious
QUARRY TILES: Vigan tiles @ 12 in. x 12 in. x 1 in.
CARPET TILES: 50 cm. x 50 cm.