ANALYSIS OF THE BALUARTE DE SAN JUAN BAUSTISTA

OF AGUTAYA, PALAWAN: A NATIONAL HERITAGE STRUCTURES.

Cesario A. Bacosa Jr,Ph.D

ABSTRACT: This paper presents the actual analysis of the fort of Agutaya, Palawan as one
National Heritage Structures declared by the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts.
The Fort was established and built by the Agustinian Recollects Spanish priest on 1683
called Baluarte de San Juan Bautista and was remolded in the 18th century and completed
on 1784 and is attributed to encomiendero Antonio de Rojas who delineated the plan and greatly
modified by fray Juan de Rada. The fort is narrow, the wall is 1 meter thick made of coral stones
or BOLOG for stone walls and sea shell ash Apog mixed with an egg white as mortar
paste. The roofing materials were made ipil wood. The properties of stone tablets tabelya
were studied and analyzed. The mortar paste were subjected to test . The chemical composition of
the materials were also analyzed and it was found out that calcium is 40.04 percent, CaO is
56.03 percent, Co2 is 43.97 percent , oxygen is 47.96 percent and the total oxide is 100
percent.The forces were also computed where dead loads , the seismic lateral forces , the wind
lateral forces and water pressures were considered. The fort wall height is 10.5 meter and the area
of the fort is 1,250 m2. The factor of safety of the wall were also computed and the results showed
that the factor of safety against overturning , factor of safety against sliding and the factor of
safety against bearing capacity were analyzed . The results show that the fort be able to resist the
incoming phenomenon, however structural reconstruction is needed. The researcher recommends
the preservation of the fort and restoration as well.

Keywords: Fort, Fortress, Bearing wall, National heritage structures, Structural

Heritage, Baluarte de San Juan Bautista.

1. INTRODUCTION

History is very important factor in a nation building and progress. It was predetermined by
landmarks, buildings, and monuments. History speaks the culture and heritage of every
nation around the world. Every nation has its own history, culture, and its landmarks.
Originally, a landmark literally meant a geographic feature used by explorers and others to
find their way back or through an area (Lynch, Kevin. (1960). The image of the City.
MIT Press, p. 65) .In modern usage, a landmark includes anything that is easily
recognizable, such as a monument, building, or other structure.
The fort of Agutaya, Palawan as one National Heritage Structures declared by the National
Commission for the Culture and the Arts. The Fort was established and built by the
Agustinian Recollects Spanish priest on 1683 called Baluarte de San Juan Ba utista
and was remolded in the 18th century and completed on 1784 and is attributed to
encomiendero Antonio de Rojas who delineated the plan and greatly modified by fray
Juan de Rada. The fort is narrow, the wall is 1 meter thick made of coral stones or
BOLOG and sea shell ash Apog mixed with an egg white as mortar paste. The
roofing materials were made of 3 inches by 6 inches ipil wood The fort is now under the
supervision of the National Museum.

Figure 1. The Fort of Agutaya, Palawan

With so much from history, the researcher believes that every island of the Philippines has
its own culture and heritage. But to curiosity, he wondered how come these historical
landmarks and buildings are still standing until now in spite of natural phenomenon that
occur. This brought the researcher to conduct an analysis of the Baluarte de san Juan
Baustita ( Fort of Agutaya, Palawan).

1.1 Conceptual Framework

Building structures like forts first evolved out of the dynamics between needs (shelter, security,
worship, etc.) and means (available building materials and attendant skills). As human cultures
developed and knowledge began to be formalized through oral traditions and practices, building
became a craft, and "architecture" is the name given to the most highly formalized and respected
versions of that craft. The buildings are large entities, so that when designing and building any
structure there are many factors to consider including safety, strength, cost and maintenance, to
name just a few. The materials must also be sustainable and environmentally friendly, and
therefore make a contribution towards the sustainability of the project itself. Selecting the correct
material for the task is vital, and this choice is now influenced by economic and environmental
pressures that were not as important several years ago.
According to Dr. Markov it is necessary to be engaged in research and development of new
methodologies and procedures, if the process of materials usage within the production of materials
for structural constructions has to be efficient, useful and reasonable. These methodologies and
procedures can set and evaluate optimal conditions with respect to not yet defined criterions
underlying economic lifetime of building constructions.
The literature and studies cited shows evidence of the historical landmarks significant to the
history. Most of the famous and Philippine landmarks was constructed using materials available in
the locality or places also some construction theories tells that labor force is formed of slaves
which force to do the construction works.

1.1.1 Objectives .
 The study aimed to analyze the materials strength and capacity, materials properties and
compositions; and to describe the Fort architectural design and structural components that withstand
the test of time.

1.1.2 Significance of the Study

Historical facts can help the community by knowing that each community is different or unique on an
individual basis. Understanding the values and connectivity of communities, way of building their
homes, structures, and building their communities will inspire other people to build as a whole. This
study give information about the Fort of Agutaya and its history. It is very relevant for the
community to be informed when and how come these forts last for a long period of time. The history
of Spanish regime in the Province of Palawan will be more appreciated by the present and future
generation as evidently the fort exhibit its memoirs. With the results of this study, future researchers
will be guided with the understanding on the materials used and its quality and to know if the
materials used in making the ports are acceptable by the engineers in our time.

2. METHODOLOGY

The descriptive method of research, Calderon and Gonzales ( ) defines, is a descriptive research
as purposive process of gatherings, analyzing, classifying and tabulating the data about prevailing
condition,, processes, trends and cause effect relationships and then making adequate and accurate
interpretation about such as data. The study also utilized photo documentation, experimentation,
and laboratory analysis. This study also utilized the historical research to gather facts,
information and this also use the experimental research to attempts investigates the cause and
effects and to test the manipulated data. The study used gathering method. Getting fragments of the
fort and testing it in the laboratory to get the desired properties and composition. The instrument
on this study will be measuring equipments to gathering artifacts of the landmark for laboratory
test. Engineering laboratory for materials were used and its accompanying solutions to determine
the strength, capacity and properties of materials used, architectural planning using AutoCAD and
Sketch up and structural analysis and Investigations.

3. RESSULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The following comprise the findings of the study according to properties and composition of coral rocks
that are taken from the back of the fort.

3.1.1 Properties and composition of coral rocks Tabelya.

The density of the coral stone tablet has an average of 1809 kg/m3, and mortar paste has an average
density of 1497 Kg/m3.The specific gravity of the coral rocks and mortar was 1.59 and 1.58 respectively.
The average water content is 31% and 33%. Then the water content of mortar has is 41%. The absorption
of coral rocks tablets is 48 percent. And the mortar paste absorption is 52 percent.. The wearing
resistance of both coral rock and mortar 9 and 7 respectively .The hardest coral block of the fort is the
middle portion having 48.9. The compressive strength of coral block stone is 250 kN/ m3. The heat
resistance of the coral block stones is 30. The coral block shearing resistance is 0.931kN/m2 and the shear
stress on mortar sample 1.076 kN/m2 The normal stress is 2.10 kN/m2 and the average attained is
1.82kn/m2.. The angle of internal Friction is 49. The coral rocks having 12.88% solubility.

3.1.2 Chemical Composition of Coral stone blocks ( Tabelya).

Based on the chemical composition the sample was tested using microscopic methods and chemical
analysis and these are the findings: The chemical formula of coral stones is CaCO3; where composed of
calcium (C) of 40.04%,, Carbon (Ca) of 12%, , composed of oxygen(O) of 47.96% , molecular weight is
100.09 gm. And Its empirical formula is (CO3), Chemical classification is carbonate. The color is white
but also colorless, gray, Its luster is vitreous., Diaphaneity is transparent or translucent.. It has a Mohrs
hardness of 3. specific gravity is 2.7., Diagnostics properties is rhombohedral cleavage.

3.1.2 Architectural analysis of the fort.

Based on the measurements of the researcher and documentary these are the findings: The wall height is
10.5 meter and the area of the fort is 1,250 m2.
It is composed of a chapel 12.3m long and 6.3m wide , 4 bastion with irregular shapes. The 1st front left
side bastion has 10.4m wide and 10.5m long and an area of 109.2m2.The second bastion front right side
has 10.9m long and has 11m long in a slanting form and an area of 81.75m2. The 3rd bastion in the back
left side bastion having a circular length of 39.27m and area of 1211m2. The fourth bastion in the back
right side having 42.19m circular length and area of 1398m2.The front view had a 1st bastion having
12.4m 9m height has 2m high garitas. Has an entrance of 3.75m has total length of 54.3m. The 2nd
bastion having 12.9m long. The left view had a total length of 69.5m has a height of 9m has 2m high
garitas. , chapel 5.5m high and 12.3m long.

3.1.4 Structural stability (Historical accounts)

The War and other natural calamities didnt totally damage the fort although there are parts that are
deteriorating and having minor damages which need to be restored and reconstructed. The major parts of
the structure are still intact and the floor plan is still visible and measurable. The Agutaya fort after
decades is still strong and capable to withstand forces such as live, self-weight, wind, seismic, storm,
wave actions and active pressures. The bearing capacity alone cant guarantee the strength of the fort
when such phenomenon such as high intensity earthquakes, strong storm surges and other unexpected
natural and manmade calamities it may be destroyed or it may undergo such damage.

3.1.5 Structural Analysis of the Fort.

Based on the measurements computation of the researcher and documentary these are the findings:
Lateral pressure coral stone considering Vertical: dead and live, horizontal: wind, seismic, storm water
surge and active pressure. The forces were also computed where the total dead loads are 1,481.22 KN/
linear meter, the seismic lateral forces is 74.8 KN and the wind lateral forces are 1.75 Kn. The factor of
safety of the wall were also computed and the results showed that the factor o safety against overturning is
3.42> 2.0, the factor of safety against sliding is 23.40 > 1.5 and the factor of safety against bearing
capacity is 1.40 < 3.0. The factor of safety against complete shear failure, gross factor of safety having
3.47 > 3 is also safe. The factor of safety against complete shear failure, net factor of safety having 3.64 >
3 is also safe.
4. CONCLUSIONS

From the findings of the study, the following conclusion was formulated:
1. The Coral Stone tablets/ blocks tabelya and mortar paste were carefully studied and it was
found out that the materials composition and its physical, chemical properties is still high.
2. The chemical formula of coral stones is CaCO3 and composed of calcium (C) of 40.04%, (Ca) of
12%, (O) of 47.96% which sums up to 100% , Its molecular weight is 100.09 gm. Its empirical
formula is (CO3).
3. The physical Properties of Coral Stone Blocks was carbonate its color is usually white but also
colorless, gray. Its luster is vitreous and its diaphaneity is transparent or translucent.. It has a
Mohrs hardness of 3 and its specific gravity is 2.7. Diagnostics properties are rhombohedral
cleavage, powdered from effervesces weakly in dilute HCI, curved crystal faces and frequent
twinning.. Its chemical composition is CaCO3 and its crystal system is hexagonal..
4. The fort of Agutaya still intact and still standing with the test of time , however some structural
parts of the fort is dilapidated and deteriorated
5. The major parts of the structure are still intact and the floor plan is still visible and measurable.
6. The bearing capacity alone cant guarantee the strength of the fort when such phenomenon such
as high intensity earthquakes, strong storm surges and other unexpected natural and manmade
calamities it may be destroyed or it may undergo such damage.
7. The factor of safety against overturning, sliding and bearing capacity is SAFE.

5. RECOMMENDATIONS

The researcher recommended that the fort of Agutaya should be preserve, to be protected; to be repaired
and further structural analysis sand materials testing will be undertake. Conduct a similar study on the
design and materials on building construction considering modernized way of designing or deepen this
study using other aspects and variables not cited in this study.

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7. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Department Head, Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Technology,
Western Philippines University, San Juan , Aborlan , Palawan , Owner of the BACS Construction
services and Engineering Consultancy, Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City.
Email: bacosa081976@yahoo.com