Mapúa University - Intramuros

658 Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila 1002, Philippines

S.Y. 2019 - 2020

Remote Sensing

and Planning

BONAGUA, Jian Jezequiel G.

Professor: Federico Dela Peña

September 20, 2019

3.1 DESK STUDY

Figure 1.0 1:50:000 Map of Intramuros

 Figure 1.1 Detailed Map of the Vicinity of The Herald Building

Site description
The Herald Building on Muralla Street, between Letran and Lyceum Universities in Intramuros,
was built in 1949 as the headquarters of the DMHM group of newspapers. It is now a dormitory/apartment
since 2015. The site vegetation consists of few trees and bushes. Geomorphically, the Herald Building is
standing in a generally flat area alongside Muralla street.
 Figure 2.0 Detailed Landslide and Flood Hazard Map of Intramuros

Figure 2.1 Detailed Landslide and Flood Hazard Map of Intramuros (Hillshade)
Landslides
According to Kevin Garas, an MGB geologist from Metro Manila Risk Reduction and Management
Council, there are 12 barangays in Metro Manila that are landslide prone areas, and Intramuros was not one
of it. Based on the satellite images and maps of the site, it is in a generally flat area. Therefore, the site is
clear of land sliding that would adversely affect the safety of the residents in the area.

Floods
In the vicinity of the chosen area, it is described to be moderately susceptible to flood. Areas like
this are likely to experience flood with heights greater than half a meter up to a meter and can last for one
to three days. These areas are subject to widespread inundation during prolonged and extensive heavy
rainfall.
 Figure 3.0 Faults Near the Site

Regional Faulting and Seismicity

Based on the published geologic maps reviewed for this activity, there were no faults that were
mapped across or near the property. The active faults that are near the area are as follows: The Valley Fault
System, Infanta Segment, and Lubang Fault. The Valley Fault System, also known as Marikina Valley
Fault System, is approximately 10 kilometers away from Intramuros, Manila. This fault extends from Doña
Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan in the north and runs through the provinces of Rizal, and the Metro Manila
cities of Quezon, Marikina, Pasig, Makati, Taguig and Muntinlupa, and the provinces of Cavite and Laguna
that ends in Canlubang. The fault possesses a threat of a large-scale earthquake with an estimated magnitude
between 6–7 and as high as 7.6 to Metro Manila and surrounding provinces. The Infanta segment is
approximately 69 kilometers away from Intramuros, Manila. It is said to be that this fault caused a
tremendous earthquake in the year 1880. The Lubang Fault is approximately 100 kilometers from the site
and is located near Lubang island, Occidental Mindoro. This fault is underwater.
Although the site itself is not located within a recognized Earthquake Fault Zone, the property can
still be impacted by ground shaking from any one of the previously mentioned faults.
3.2 PLANNING PART I
WHAT ARE THE GEOLOGIC PROBLEMS, IF ANY?
First, the initial excavation and placing asphaltic concrete as a protective skin does not present the reservoir
with a geological issue. It was tolerable to place the sand / gravel over the reservoir ground as it will be
compacted when other soil / material has been placed on top. When compacted, due to their non-retaining
characteristics, they will retain the moisture from the water. Settling it from the bottom will also not allow
the pressure from the water to wash it away if there is no fracture or cracks below. So as a base, it is good
enough. It was a great decision to place the clay on top of the sand or even to mix it, as it generates a loam
soil; an optimal soil type for base. Clay expands when absorbing great moisture from water, putting the
foundation under stress. But as a 3-in protective cover is available. This does not present an issue with
asphalt concrete atop and compact sand as a base. Asphaltic concrete is a good protective skin for the soil
below and is usually used as an upstream sealer of reservoir dams for its waterproof property.
However, on the side of the reservoir, the talus, slump, creep, and slope-wash deposit present geological
issues. The reservoir brings pressure on the ground below and next to it. This is due to the water loading of
the slope, which creates shear stress. Although the foundation can be considered good if not for the nearby
geologic features but considering it, this further aggravate the problem. Sand grain coarseness has high
frictional strength but low cohesive strength. It will weaken and if mechanically or physically disturbed, it
can be readily relocated. Therefore, the shear strength on the slope increases.
This analysis indicates that a possible downslope landslide could be caused by the reservoir. The gradual
downslope motion of particles in the creep, on the other hand, weakens the reservoir’s foundation.
Therefore, a landslide on a large scale is also feasible. Considering that the reservoir is experiencing seismic
shocks, the basis may fail as sand has low cohesive power and can be readily shifted and distorted. This
shows the reservoir's low-level stability. A good reservoir can resist seismic shocks or failures in the slope
around it.
Because of such analysis, tearing out the current structure is suggested and starting again as the issue can
emerge from its base and nearby geological features. The reservoir foundation should be reinforced by
placing underneath a more stable, cohesive soil. Also, in order to stabilize its basis, the agency should place
solution to the slope creep next to it. Also, consideration should be given to the density of the soil and
strength of the structure when a possible earthquake occurs.
3.3 PLANNING PART II

Figure 4.0 Geology Map

 LAND- USE/ PROJECTS
Residential Area
Shopping Mall
Wilderness Area
Aquifer for City Supply
Sand and Gravel Pit
Clay Pit for a Brick Plant
Industrial Dump
Nuclear Power Plant
ENGINEERING AND/ OR ENVIRONMENT
ISSUES
Residential areas can involve massive areas of
land. In addition, for transportation, pavements
must be made that may require more soil to be used
and altered. Some sections may also be subjected
to erosion of the soil.
Shopping malls require vast area of lands with that
a huge area must be excavated and deforested if not
in the right form, destroying the land structure and
ecosystem.
The problem arises only when in the wilderness
area there are man-made structures that are not
intended to be there.
Due to permeable rocks that can destroy the
foundation, the constructed aquifer can disrupt the
natural environment. There is also a probability
that rocks on silica will be partly cemented with
calcite, which improves their bearing capacity but
will still fail due to permeability in the future.
Problems occur when the region is too large or too
deep can cause a gap in the structure of the soil
which can transform one issue into another. It
should not be a issue to get the correct quantity of
room, though.
It is often used for brickworks with a great material
such as clay, but even this material may be best for
this duty it can still sooner or later ruin the soil or
clay used in the pit, it may lose its identity.
Solid waste is hazardous to the earth or soil because
issues such as gas leakage, shallow soil, nutrient
deficiency, and leachate contamination can occur
even in a well-established site that hinders
vegetation.
It releases uranium-235 and plutonium-239, two of
the longest-lived radioactive waste, and can disrupt
the formations of the soil around where it is built
even with the proper disposal. If radioactive
materials or any harmful byproducts flow through,
ground water may also be contaminated.
 Figure 4.1 Intended Land-Use/Project Locations

I am planning to place the aquifers where water is readily present, and it will be on colluvial areas
for permeability. I am planning to place the residential area nearby the aquifers for the residents of the area
to have water supply for their consumption. I placed the shopping center nearby the residential area and
somehow far away from other industrial plants for people to enjoy shopping. I placed the sand and gravel
pit where sand and gravel are abundant. I am planning to place the clay pit where clay is abundant and
somehow far from the residential area. I placed the industrial dump far from the shopping district and also
far from the residential area for sanitary purposes. The wilderness area is separated from the other areas
because other areas can/may disturb the natural habitats of animals and also, animals can be territorial. I
did not plan to place a nuclear power plant due to the landscape and the waste that the plant will be
producing can harm the nearby areas. I suggest that a geothermal powerplant will be used instead.