Strengthening the Basco Lightshouse:
A narrative in the Eyes of an Engineering Student
A case study presented to the
College of Engineering and Geosciences
Caraga State University
Requirement of the Course
Civil Engineering Orientation 100
Jilbert B. Lascuña
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page Page
Abstract 1
Chapter I
Background 2
Chapter II
Review of Related Literature
Destruction and Discovery 3
Architecture 3
Intensity, visibility, and character of lights 4
Principles of Infrastructure 4
Feasibility View 5
Strengthening and Sustainability 6
Chapter III
Conclusions and Recommendations
Conclusion 7
Recommendation 7
References 8
The Basco Location: Batanes, Philippines
Coordinates: 20°27′05″N 121°57′52″E
Lighthouse
Range: 10 nmi (19 km; 12 mi)
A Case Study
Abstract
This paper presents a modern description and analysis of the design,
build and functionality and the sustainability of the infrastructure Basco
Lighthouse of Batanes, Philippines. History and influence on the design of
modern lighthouses is given, as well as a comprehensive related literature.
Chapter 1. Background
Lighthouses identify hazardous reefs, shoals, and coastlines as well as
safe harbor entrances. They help with aerial navigation, which was historically
frequently practiced. Due to maintenance costs and the usage of
computerized guidance devices, there are fewer active lighthouses
nowadays.
The Basco Lighthouse is a lighthouse in the town of Basco in Batanes,
the most northern province in the Philippines. The lighthouse is situated at Naidi
Hills in Barangay San Antonio, with the open sea and lush green hills serving as
a lovely backdrop. From the Port of Basco, a 1.2-km (3/4-mile) hike will get you
there without much difficulty.
Lighthouses have a lot to be envious of. Just by being still, they give off
a certain appeal and mystique. They don't even have to strive to demand
attention. They also consistently enjoy the finest view. It was the first of the
three to be finished, having been lighted in 2003. On the location of the former
American-era telegraph station that the Japanese obliterated during World
War II, the Basco Lighthouse was constructed in Naidi Hills.
Chapter 2. Related Literature Surveys
Destruction and Discovery
The late Chieftain Boyas lived on the hill where the lighthouse now
stands, which was formerly a tiny settlement for Ivatans living before European
contact. The Spanish King requested Boyas in 1782 to permit Ivatans to
convert to Christianity and enjoy legal protection. Chieftain Boyas was
christened as Don Carlos Abad shortly after that. Then, in 1920, the American
administration began, and on the hill, Americans erected the largest wireless
telegraph tower in the nation. All of the homes and structures were then
devastated when Japanese bombers bombed it in 1941. The tower's footings
and other ruins may still be seen nearby, although today just the site's base is
visible.
What was once a historical place is now the home of the renowned
Basco lighthouse thanks to the construction of the six-story conical tower. As
an operating lighthouse and a popular tourist destination, the lighthouse is still
visible today atop Naidi Hill. It is accessible to the general public, and you may
climb up to the fourth level to capture pictures of the obscured views of
Batanes' town, sea, and mountains.
Architecture
The lighthouse is a six-storey, tapering, cylindrical tower with balcony
and lantern constructed of rubble and reinforced concrete. The white
lighthouse has a viewing gallery or observation deck on the fifth storey. It is 66
feet (20 m) tower near to a house of traditional construction. The observation
deck is the ideal spot to see Mount Iraya and the entirety of Batan Island, the
major island where Basco is situated. Also clearly visible are Itbayat Island to
the north and Sabtang Island to the south of Basco.
Intensity, visibility, and character of lights
The lighthouse served as guides to wayfarers over the years, making
sure they are kept safe from the many perils of the sea. The lights that
emanate from the tower is the most important aspect of the lighthouse. The
light from the lighthouse is enough to illuminate and to be visible in our naked
eyes. That is why they used solar panel also known as “PV panels” to convert
light from the sun. They used it for the reason that the solar panels are reliant
on sunlight, and they generate electricity at various efficiencies throughout
the day. In addition, solar panels helps the environment by reducing
greenhouse emissions and allow you to keep and save more money for other
maintenance purposes.
Principles of Infrastructure
Lighthouses were a crucial piece of public infrastructure for a nation so
dependent upon the sea, serving both as navigational aids and as warning
of dangerous conditions for ships approaching the shore. Many a ship had
foundered, and fishermen lost, due to the hazardous conditions, and
disorientation
That’s why from planning to construction to service delivery,
infrastructure projects can last for many years. Governments must increase
infrastructure spending as development in Asia and the Pacific quickens in
order to guarantee sustained economic growth.
Feasibility View
Many issues were considered in evaluating the structural feasibility of
the Lighthouse. The most important issues which potentially limit the feasibility
of implementing such a system were discussed below.
1. Aesthetics - The present architectural character of the lighthouse is
maintained. Small changes in appearance are unavoidable, but from all
prominent vantage the location of the Basco lighthouse is at its best.
2. Strength - As the Lighthouse located in a hill where wind is one of the
possible reasons of destruction the shape of the lighthouse played a vital role
which is cylinder that helps dissipating the force of winds as it’ll never hitting a
flat surface.
3. Construction - Construction of the tower was built with rubble and
reinforced concrete. Concrete was second added to lighthouses to reinforce
them from earthquakes. Concrete can mean a variety of compositions
including sand, gravel, and crushed stone bound with lime or cements. It was
used in both the surfaces and features of the lighthouse but in the surface
rubble masonry was used, the masonry component of a lighthouse is made
up of the bricks and stones on the exterior.
4. Maintenance - Conservation and restoration of lighthouses is the process of
keeping the structures of lighthouses in good shape through careful
inspection, cleaning, and replacement of materials in kind. Because there are
so many different kinds of materials used to build lighthouses, there are many
different ways to do things and things to think about. Also, by maintaining a
clean and green environment, the lighthouse, and its surroundings, will be
more appealing to eyes of the tourist.
5. Safety - Lighthouses can be found all over the world, and they continue to
play an important role in maritime safety. Some of the modern uses for
lighthouses are as tourist destinations so prioritizing the safety of everyone is a
must at all times.
Strengthening and Sustainability
The tower was constructed with rubble as foundation and reinforced
concrete. The application of rubble foundation is appropriate since the
condition of soil in the area is strong. It is a continuous arrangement of stones
in a trench around the lighthouse. Th main purpose of the rubble trench
foundation is to transfer the weight of the tower above and distribute it evenly
to the ground. They use rubble trench foundation as one of the most
commonly used types of stone masonry foundation in house construction. The
first step in any type of foundation in house construction is site marking and
set out. Once the setout is completed, earth excavation is done using an
excavator. Excavation is done till the hard strata is reached. Large stones are
placed inside the clean trench. This is called Dry Rubble Masonry (RR). Large
stones are then placed and packed together using mortar. This is Random
Rubble Masonry (RR). The foundation is made even and a layer of reinforced
concrete is applied afterwards. Reinforced concrete is concrete
strengthened by the inclusion of metal bars, which increase the tensile
strength of concrete.
Nonetheless they chose the materials and the dimensions of the tower
with great care in order to guarantee good progress of the construction, as
well as the safety and durability of the structure.
Conclusion
To summarize as the concept of sustainable infrastructure refers
to equipment and systems that are designed to meet the population's
essential service needs — including roads, bridges, telephone
pylons, hydroelectric power stations, etc. — based on all-round sustainable
principles. This only means that the Basco Lighthouse located in Batanes
Phillipines is a sustainable infrastructure because it was constructed with
rubble foundation and reinforced concrete that is environmentally friendly,
suitable for all climatic conditions, low maintenance cost, less deflection, and
less skilled labor.
Recommendation
In the eyes of an engineering student, strengthening, maintaining, and
giving the relevance of sustainability to one's infrastructure is crucial. I
recommend to strengthening the foundation of the Basco Lighthouse to
prevent possible future masonry and concrete deterioration requires
implementing basic preservation. Analysis and testing are essential for
preventing and repairing deterioration caused by environmental factors.
Lastly, looking back on the lighthouse's history from two decades ago, giving
relevance to its sustainability is something we as engineering students should
remember. No matter how beautiful, aesthetic, or impressive the infrastructure
could be, thinking outside the box is where you can find the word
"sustainability," which is very important once planning to build a structure.
References
Baker, Curtis ( 2017) "The Lighthouse at Pharos - A Narrative," Tenor of Our
Times: Vol. 6, Article 7.
Corpuz, L. ., Ebrado, E. ., Marcela, M. ., Miralles, A., Penaranda, G. ., &
Bangalisan, LPT, MRIEdr., R. R. . (2019). The Best View in Basco Batanes;
Lighthouse Miniature. Ascendens Asia Singapore – Bestlink College of the
Philippines Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 1(1)
Domede Nathalie, Pena Luisa and Fady Nicolas 2019. Historical review of
lighthouse design under wind load: the Ile Vierge lighthousePhil. Trans. R. Soc.
A.377201901672019016
"History at Heceta Lightstation Interpretive Center Yachats OR". Heceta
Lighthouse B&B. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
Naidi Lighthouse, Basco, Batanes. Pasyalera. Retrieved on June 29, 2010.
Trethewey, Ken. (2019). Ancient Lighthouses - 5: The Pharos of Alexandria.
