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Rock slope assessment and protection

In designing a slope protection, rock mass classification is commonly used. Recently since 2018, in Malaysia, slope protection and monitoring have been seriously monitored by JKR by using early warning slope detection. There are several type of slope assessment in Malaysia.

1. Kinematic analysis: it is one of the conventional method by examines potential modes of failure in jointed rock mass by using projection technique.
2. Rock mass classifications
It is one of the widely known empirical classification for rock engineering. RMR is by evaluating the quality of rock mass with 5 parameters.
3. Slope mass rating (SMR) is another modification from RMR and widely use in Malaysia but some review article stated that it was less satisfactory. Therefore, SMR adding another 4 parameters but it only significant when used for assessing large scale area.
4. Geophysical and remote sensing method
Electrical resistivity method is increasingly popular by getting results of fractures in granites and rocks. Despite that, it also monitor the groundwater accumulation and loose rock boulders in weathered rocks. 
5. LiDAR
This method is by mapping the slope area by using laser scanning or fiber optic. to generate Digital Terrain Model. Based on the DTM, a kinematic analysis will be carried out together with SMR if required. This new method will explore more method to understand a rock slope classification.

A F Salmanfarsi, et al 2019 IOP Conference

Steel structure tower design for human accessibility

Steel structure tower is mainly design for human accessibility to perform work. Chimney's tower for Utility buildings for factory require accessibility according to the new requirement by Malaysian Government for the DOE to monitor carbon emission release for PEAR safety purposes. 

Some structure such as telecommunication towers are different which the human accessibility is nearly negligible.

PEAR, people, environment, asset and reputation are the required element to be taken care for a company to sustain in a green environmental policy. 

Therefore, a monitoring route shall be designed for the purpose and steel structure will play part for the high rise exhaust gas release area. 

Here, the structure engineering must follow the local and international standard such as BS 14122. This standard is to cater an appropriate design with highest safety standard.

The design shall be from top to bottom and the maximum load can be calculated by using software or manual in order to determine the footing size and locations.

The size, angle, displacement of stair case or cat ladder are well stated in the standards.  The company uses the international codes for highest standard design and reputable software to design in accordingly to client needs. 

Safwan.S 2022

The importance of sewerage design in housing development

Sewerage system is very important as it helps people to transport the wastes away from their places. Therefore, it must be functioning well because improper of sewerage system will lead to pollution and contamination to effect surrounding and health. 

The standard code of practice fro sewerage design in Malaysia (MS 1228:1991) was adopted from British Standard BS 8005:1987.

There are 2 main types of sewerage system in Malaysia, a public sewage treatment plant (STP) or individual septic tank. Currently Indah Water Konsortium  (IWK) is responsible to provide service and maintenance to public STP and all underground pipes. 

The sewage pipe must fall on a slope for wastewater flow of 0.8m/s velocity and not more than 4m/s.( MS1228:1991) 

In IWK standard of practise, another design parameter is Population Equivalent (PE) to calculate flowrate. Usually it account for 5 PE /dwelling and it has different standard for commercial area.

Recently in 2021, IWK has include additional requirements for the an enclosed STP must be built 10 meters from the nearest dwelling and 10 meters from the next lot of land. Any open type STP will require further distance in order to avoid bad odor to nearest dwelling and public area. Any usage of odor remover is an assistant to reduce bad smell to surrounding area.

The latest requirement by IWK also will only allow pipe and manhole to be designed in front of the dwelling area and IWK is no longer supporting from back alley/road area.


Safwan.S 2022

Building and Structure condition Assessment

Building facade and structure must be maintained in order to keep its strength and integrity whilst providing comfort to its occupants. 

Every 10 years, a structure integrity assessment should be conducted for a commercial building in order to certify its ability to provide safety to its occupants. Building Condition Assessment (BCA) has several methods and steps to ensure minimal requirements are met.

The requirement is to provide qualitative rank the possible modes of failure of any building elements and determine types of rehabilitation methods for future use. 

1. Visual Observation.
It is mainly a simple method to inform accessor on the external condition of the building elements. 
2. Non- Destructive Test (NDT)
This method usually to understand the depth and severity of the results based on the visual inspection whether any cracks, size of beam, steel, column and other elements on the buildings. Test is without damaging the structural element of the building. Rebound hammer, Resistivity test, UPV, Rebar scanning and Radiographic, Acoustic Emmision, Thermal imaging are the example of the NDT.
3. Destructive Test (DT)
This test will take some physical damage to the building elements . The test usually perform to investigate the chemical and strength elements.
Concrete coring,  Compression test, tensile test and bending test are the example of the DT.

Not all method is going to be used in all structure.
It depends on the geographical location, usage and height. Engineer will choose based on the basic requirement for each buildings structure.

Nowadays, there are several methods to achieve the above results with the help of IoT and mechatronics engineering.  Then it will be assessed by performing structure simulations based on the collected data in order to understand the structure integrity.

After the BCA has been conducted the engineers will estimate the repair method and rehabilitation requirement in order for the buildings can withstand for at least 10-20 years more.

Safwan.S 2023

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