Analysis and Discussion
Global steel fabrication is governed by rigorous standards and quality‐assurance practices. Major codes
(AISC, Eurocode, AWS, etc.) specify precise tolerances, qualified personnel and testing protocols. For
example, Eurocode guidance notes that “good fabrication quality means that qualified welders perform all
the weldments and that ideally a welding engineer is in charge of all aspects of the fabrication
processes” 1 . Certification programs (e.g. the Canadian CISC Quality Certification) require fabricators to
demonstrate robust quality management systems and undergo third‐party audits 2 3 . In bridge
projects, AISC’s Steel Bridge Design Handbook emphasizes extensive QC/QA, including weld procedure
qualification and weld tests (e.g. per AWS D1.5) to ensure sound joints and dimensional accuracy 4 . In
sum, global practice treats fabrication as a critical phase: design and shop work are tightly integrated, with
full traceability of materials and inspection of welds and connections.
Philippine practice nominally follows international standards but faces implementation challenges. The
DPWH Standard Specifications explicitly call for AISC “Specifications for the Design, Fabrication and Erection
of Structural Steel” (or equivalent) and the French NFP 22-471 for welded construction 5 , and require
ASTM/AASHTO materials and galvanizing standards. However, local steel production issues can undermine
these specifications. Recent government reviews have criticized induction‐furnace (IF) steel – common in
local mills – as inconsistent and substandard, urging a ban because it yields dangerous impurities 6 .
Similarly, investigations into bridge failures have revealed materials “swapped for cheap fakes” and
“structural integrity” issues 7 8 . These problems are compounded by inadequate oversight and
corruption: studies estimate that collusion and kickbacks have siphoned off one‐fifth to one‐third of some
project budgets 9 , eroding resources for proper fabrication. On the positive side, DPWH has moved to
require ISO 9001 certification for contractors 10 and explicitly mandates quality outputs. This suggests
growing policy intent to raise fabrication standards, but effective enforcement remains the hurdle.
1
Fabrication quality has a profound impact on structural performance and longevity. Precise material cutting,
welding and assembly affect not only immediate strength but long‐term durability. Inadequate fabrication
creates stress concentrations and defects that lead to fatigue cracking and accelerated corrosion. As
Langenberg et al. note, “Quality matters” at every stage – buying from an “incompetent producer” risks
unsafe construction 1 11 . Poor welds or incomplete coatings can invite moisture penetration; indeed,
corrosion studies find that a structure’s “micro‐environment” (design and fabrication details) often plays a
larger role in degradation than climate alone 12 . Conversely, high‐quality fabrication (tolerant tolerances,
correct bevels, surface prep, etc.) maximizes fatigue resistance and reduces maintenance. This is critical in
the Philippines’ tropical, seismic context: officials stress that infrastructure must withstand an 8.5–9.0
magnitude quake and that there be “no shortcuts” in steel construction 13 . Recent bridge disasters (e.g.
the 2025 Isabela collapse) dramatically illustrate the consequences when fabrication and enforcement fail
14 8 .
These findings carry important engineering and policy implications. Engineering practice should
incorporate global best‐practices – using qualified welders and certified procedures 1 , specifying full
material traceability (certificates per EN 10204 15 ), and employing nondestructive testing on critical welds
(as recommended in local bridge inspection studies 16 ). Design must account for fatigue and corrosion
from the outset – for example, avoiding sharp details and ensuring welds occur in accessible, low‐stress
zones 17 . On the policy side, regulators must tighten quality control in construction. The DPWH’s recent
ISO‑9001 mandate 10 is a step toward ensuring that contractors and fabricators maintain systematic
quality processes. Authorities should build on this by prohibiting known poor practices (e.g. IF steel
production 6 ), requiring third‐party quality certification or licensing for major fabricators, and funding
regular inspection of shop facilities. Anti‐corruption measures are also vital: with up to one‐third of bridge
funds having been lost to fraud in the past 9 8 , improving transparency (e.g. e‑procurement, open
budgeting) will free resources to enforce technical standards. Finally, a comprehensive Bridge Management
System, incorporating advanced inspection tools (ultrasonic or radiographic testing), would help detect
latent fabrication defects early and guide maintenance priorities 16 .
Conclusions and Recommendations
The analysis shows that global fabrication practices – underpinned by strict standards, certified quality
systems, and detailed inspection – yield steel structures with reliable performance and long lifespans. In
contrast, the Philippine context reveals gaps between regulation and practice. While DPWH codes nominally
align with international design/fabrication standards 5 10 , local steel production and project oversight
issues can compromise quality 6 9 . Fabrication flaws have demonstrably undermined safety and
durability in Philippine bridges, whereas emphasis on quality control abroad has preserved structural
integrity over decades 18 1 . In the Philippine setting – with corrosive environments and seismic risks –
these quality differentials are magnified. Ultimately, the thesis finds that strengthening fabrication quality is
not optional but essential for infrastructure performance; both technical rigor and clean, accountable
governance are required to achieve it.
Recommendations for Policy and Regulatory Bodies: Policymakers (DPWH, oversight agencies, and
legislators) should act decisively to elevate fabrication standards. First, enact and enforce material
production rules: for example, banning substandard IF steel for structural use 6 and requiring certified
mill‐quality reports (e.g. EN 10204 3.2 certificates) for all imported or domestic plates and sections. Second,
build on the ISO‐9001 initiative 10 by extending quality‐management mandates down the supply chain:
require major bridge projects to use fabricators with third‐party QC certification (similar to CISC/AISC
2
programs 2 ). Third, invest in independent inspection infrastructure: establish accredited laboratories and
field testing units (with NDT capabilities) to audit materials and welds during fabrication and pre‐erection.
Fourth, strengthen the Bridge Management System with mandatory post‐construction inspections and
public reporting, ensuring that identified fabrication defects are rectified before they propagate. Finally,
reinforce anti‐corruption and transparency measures: implement open tendering, publish contract and
material data online, and hold officials accountable for “gross negligence or bad faith” in awarding subpar
fabrication work 19 8 . Collectively, these policies will create a regulatory environment that rewards
quality and punishes cut corners, aligning Philippine practice with global benchmarks.
Recommendations for Civil Engineering Practitioners: Designers, fabricators, and project managers
must adopt a culture of uncompromising quality. Fabricators should employ trained and certified welders,
follow approved welding procedures and fit-up tolerances, and conduct all prescribed inspections (visual
and nondestructive). Materials must be fully documented: require mill test certificates before cutting, and
reject any components without proper traceability 15 . During fabrication, quality-control personnel should
meticulously record measurements, heat inputs, and coating applications to ensure compliance. Design
engineers should collaborate closely with fabricators: detail connections to minimize fatigue risks (smooth
transitions, avoid brace welds in high-stress zones 17 ), and specify protective coatings and galvanizing for
the Philippine environment. Project managers must enforce weight and use limits (prevent gross
overloading that can mask design or fabrication inadequacies 7 ), schedule regular maintenance
(inspection of welds, bolts, coatings), and provide resources for rework of any identified defects. Finally,
practitioners should engage with training and continuous improvement programs – keeping abreast of
international standards (AISC, AWS, Eurocodes) and new fabrication technologies – to steadily raise the bar
of workmanship. By combining technical diligence with ethical project management, engineers and builders
can ensure that Philippine steel structures achieve the performance and longevity expected of modern
infrastructure.
3
1 11 15 17 QUALITY MATTERS – MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS IN EUROCODE (EN 1993) IN VIEW OF
COMPONENT SAFETY
https://niobium.tech/-/media/niobiumtech/attachments-biblioteca-tecnica/nt_quality-matters-material-requirements-in-
eurocode-en-1993-in-view-of-component-safety.pdf
2 3 CISC Certification – CISC-ICCA
https://www.cisc-icca.ca/cisc-certification/
4 aisc.org
https://www.aisc.org/globalassets/nsba/design-resources/steel-bridge-design-handbook/b902_sbdh_chapter2.pdf
5 CHAPTER 1
https://www.pfda.gov.ph/images/Invitation_to_Bid/BID_DOC_LFPC_CONST_PROJ__Part_2.pdf
6 13 DOST official urges changes in PH steel materials manufacturing | GMA News Online
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/942176/dost-changes-ph-steel-materials-manufacturing-the-big-one-
quake/story/
7 8 14 19 Steel, lies, and lives: The Isabela Bridge collapse - Manila Standard
https://manilastandard.net/opinion/314564084/steel-lies-and-lives-the-isabela-bridge-collapse.html
9 Microsoft Word - Anticorruption Initiatives in the Philippines Cons
https://infrastructuretransparency.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/39_Case-Study-Anti-Corruption-Initiatives-in-the-
Philippines.pdf
10 DPWH Sets Timeline for Implementing ISO Certification Requirement for Contractors - Philippine
Information Agency
https://pia.gov.ph/dpwh-sets-timeline-for-implementing-iso-certification-requirement-for-contractors/
12 IRISE_Corrosion_Report_FINAL.pdf
https://www.engineering.pitt.edu/contentassets/e9b3db3b2163488aaf2e4c50a2f6c640/irise_corrosion_report_final.pdf
16 Assessment of Del Carmen Paguiruan Bridge Through DPWH Bridge Inspection Methods Type 1, 2, And
5: Implications for Public Safety and Infrastructure Maintenance: A Review | International Journal of
Progressive Research in Science and Engineering
https://journal.ijprse.com/index.php/ijprse/article/view/945
18 A Guide to the Lifespan of Steel
https://hillsteelbuilders.com/2024/12/the-lifespan-of-steel/
