The Singapore Engineer September 2023 by The Singapore Engineer

THE MAGAZINE OF THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, SINGAPORE

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER

www.ies.org.sg

September 2023 | MCI (P) 033/03/2023

Bukit Merah to get a makeover

PLUS

WASTEWATER ENGINEERING: PUB completes tunnelling works for second phase of Deep Tunnel Sewerage System DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SAFETY: Three professional engineers win the BCA Design and Engineering Safety Award 2023 DIGITALISATION: Key trends driving the AEC industry

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CONTENTS FEATURES

COVER STORY 13 Bukit Merah to get a makeover Residents can look forward to a transforma on of their town centre and community spaces, alongside enhanced connec vity to green nodes.

WASTEWATER ENGINEERING 18 PUB completes tunnelling works for second phase of Deep Tunnel Sewerage System A major milestone is crossed in the eﬀorts towards a aining water sustainability.

DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SAFETY 24 Three professional engineers win the BCA Design and Engineering Safety Award 2023 The recogni on has been given for innova ve designs and engineering solu ons in challenging projects.

SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE 27 LTA honours 42 organisaƟons at annual convenƟon They were recognised for outstanding performance and prac ces.

President Mr Dalson Chung Chief Editor T Bhaskaran t_b_n8@yahoo.com

Publica ons Manager Desmond Teo desmond@iesnet.org.sg Publica ons Execu ve Nuraini Ahmad nuraini@iesnet.org.sg

Editorial Panel Dr Chandra Segaran Dr Ang Keng Been Mr Jaime Vega BauƟsta Jr Dr Victor Sim Mr Soon Ren Jun Dr Alexander Wiegand Media Representa ve MulƟmedia CommunicaƟons (2000) Pte Ltd sales@mulƟmediacomms.sg

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

Design & layout by 2EZ Asia Pte Ltd Cover designed by Irin Kuah Cover images by HDB Published by The InsƟtuƟon of Engineers, Singapore 70 Bukit Tinggi Road, Singapore 289758 Tel: 6469 5000 I Fax: 6467 1108 Printed in Singapore

www.ies.org.sg

DIGITALISATION 32 Two industrial projects complete first virtual Temporary OccupaƟon Permit inspecƟon The success of the pilot applica ons paves the way for more widespread adop on of the technologies. 34 Key trends driving the AEC industry These include decarbonisa on, transi on to virtual environments, post-pandemic work pa erns and building resilience against cyber threats.

PROJECT APPLICATION 37 Tower cranes build new train staƟon Li s of up to 35 tonnes have been completed. 38 Adhesives and grouts to create a huge work of art The recent renova on of Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport in New York City includes the installa on of a mosaic mural.

34 REGULAR SECTIONS 06 IES UPDATE 12 NEWS & EVENTS 40 PRODUCTS & SOLUTIONS

The Singapore Engineer is published monthly by The Ins tu on of Engineers, Singapore (IES). The publica on is distributed free-of-charge to IES members and aﬃliates. Views expressed in this publica on do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or IES. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine shall be reproduced, mechanically or electronically, without the prior consent of IES. Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy of the content at press me, IES will not be liable for any discrepancies. Unsolicited contribu ons are welcome but their inclusion in the magazine is at the discre on of the Editor.

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

IES UPDATE

YOUTHS SHOWCASE INGENIOUS SOLUTIONS FOR RESILIENT CITY LIVING The culminaƟon of the NaƟonal Engineers Day 2023 was the Engineering InnovaƟon Challenge (EIC) 2023 Prize PresentaƟon Ceremony, held on 26 August 2023, where the winning student teams were recognised for displaying excepƟonal creaƟvity and perseverance in designing soluƟons under the theme ‘Engineering for Resilient City Living’. Held at the Tay Eng Soon ConvenƟon Centre, ITE College Central, the ceremony was graced by the Guest-of-Honour, Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister & CoordinaƟng Minister for Economic Policies.

Organised by IES, Na onal Engineers Day 2023, the Engineering Innova on Challenge (EIC) 2023 Prize Presenta on Ceremony was held on 26 August 2023, at ITE College Central. Seen outside the buiding are, from le , Ms Low Khah Gek, Chief Execu ve Oﬃcer, Ins tute of Technical Educa on, Singapore; Mr Dalson Chung, President, The Ins tu on of Engineers, Singapore; Guest-of-Honour, Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister & Coordina ng Minister for Economic Policies; Mr Syafiq Shahul, NED 2023 Chairman and Dr Chandra Segaran, NED 2023 Deputy Chairman.

NaƟonal Engineers Day (NED) is organised by the InsƟtuƟon of Engineers, Singapore (IES), with the goal of raising awareness on the contribuƟons of engineers to our society, enthusing students about engineering, and showcasing exciƟng engineering career opportuniƟes. Mr Heng presented awards to the student teams who emerged as winners aŌer rigorous rounds of judging. They stood out from a record 137 local and internaƟonal parƟcipaƟng teams at EIC 2023, by demonstraƟng ideas for, or making innovaƟve contribuƟons to, resilient city living, in areas such as health innovaƟon, clean water supply, food security and sustainable supply chains. The four champion teams are Team S-9 from Yuvabharathi InternaƟonal School, for their project Ɵtled ‘SusƟnere Energy’, under Category 1 (Secondary Schools); Team J-17 from Hwa Chong InsƟtuƟon, for their project Ɵtled ‘Development of Biodegradable PharmaceuƟcal Packaging with Starch-Based PlasƟc’, under Category 2 (Junior Colleges); Team I-16 from ITE College West, for their project Ɵtled ‘Wearable Climate Control Technology’, under Category 3 (Polytechnics and InsƟtute of Technical 06

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

A large number of students a ended the prize presenta on ceremony.

EducaƟon); and Team U-9 from Monash University, for their project Ɵtled 'Flood-Proof Roads', under Category 4 (Local and Overseas UniversiƟes). Organised annually by IES, EIC puts students on an insighƞul learning journey to discover the spirit of innovaƟon, build new technical skills in prototyping and product development, and develop presentaƟon and collaboraƟon skills under the mentorship of pracƟsing engineers. This year, EIC conƟnued to be the

highlight of NED which focused on ‘Shaping a Circular Economy through Engineering’ to promote awareness and acƟon in harnessing engineering to eliminate waste and polluƟon, reuse and recycle products and materials, and regenerate nature. AŌer the Prize PresentaƟon Ceremony, Mr Heng also held a Fireside Chat on ‘Skill Sets for the Circular Economy: OpportuniƟes for Youths in Engineering’, to discuss the impact of Singapore’s transiƟon to a circular economy on youths.

IES UPDATE

Professor Lock Kai Sang elected as ExecuƟve Chair of the Washington Accord Professor Lock Kai Sang, IES Emeritus President, was elected as Execu ve Chair of the Washington Accord (WA) for the period of June 2023 – June 2025, at the General Assembly of the Interna onal Engineering Alliance, held in Taiwan, recently. WA is a mul lateral agreement between bodies responsible for accredita on or recogni on of engineering qualifica ons, providing leadership to 23 full signatories and six provisional signatories. Professor Lock served as the Founding Chair-

man of the Engineering Accredita on Board, IES, from 2002 to 2009, and led IES to become a signatory of the Washington Accord in 2006. He is passionate about standards and the quality of engineering educa on, and has made outstanding contribuons to the improvement in the quality, delivery and relevance of engineering educa on and training, through the outcomes-based accredita on system, both in Singapore and interna onally.

For his outstanding contribuProfessor Lock Kai Sang ons to engineering educa on globally, he was bestowed the Co-laureate of the WFEO 2021 Medal of Excellence in Engineering Educa on by the World Federa on of Engineering Organiza ons (WFEO). For his dis nguished public service as a volunteer, he received the Public Service Medal in 2015 and the Public Service Star in 2020.

PROJECTS OF CHAMPION TEAMS AT EIC 2023 SusƟnere Energy Team S-9 from Yuvabharathi Interna onal School Category 1 (Secondary Schools) “Singapore’s electricity is nonrenewable and imported. Singapore relies on a mix of diﬀerent fuels for its electricity. Burning fossil fuels, which are imported from neighbouring countries, contributes about 90% of Singapore’s electricity. Singapore generates renewable electricity using solar panels. The current capacity is about 515.9 MW. The government has set a target of increasing the capacity by 2030, which is 3% of Singapore’s total electricity demand. This energy is dependent on the sun, and it is intermi ent. The demand will rise in the future, and produc on won’t keep up. This is why we aim to look for new ways of renewable energy storage. Our goal is to make a prototype that focuses on a con nuous, renewable source of energy which is made by the storage of air in its compressed form generated from intermi ent renewable (Solar Energy) electricity in Singapore. Stored air will be used to generate con nuous electricity.”

The Champion Team S-9 from Yuvabharathi InternaƟonal School receiving the EIC 2023 Prize, from the Guest-of-Honour, Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister & CoordinaƟng Minister for Economic Policies. Also present is Mr Dalson Chung, IES President.

Development of Biodegradable PharmaceuƟcal Packaging with Starch-Based PlasƟc Team J-17 from Hwa Chong Ins tu on Category 2 (Junior Colleges) “The pharmaceu cal packaging industry is unsustainable. Blister packs, a common container for medicine, cannot be recycled

easily, leading to large amounts of waste. Therefore, there is a need to develop a sustainable blister pack, with minimal eﬀect on the ecosystem. Emerging research has shown how starch-based bioplas cs might be suitable for the manufacturing of such packs, as it is biodegradable, easily manufactured, and can be synthesised from food waste, making its produc on renewable. THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

IES UPDATE

Therefore, we propose the synthesis of sustainable blister packaging made of starch-based bioplas cs, and hypothesise that its proper es make it a be er alterna ve for blister packaging in the pharmaceucal industry, poten ally crea ng a more eco-friendly medical scene in Singapore.” Wearable Climate Control Technology Team I-16 from ITE College West Category 3 (Polytechnics and Ins tute of Technical Educa on) “Global warming has caused changes to the Earth’s climate due to human emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases. City dwellers are much more aﬀected by global warming as the urban city inherently creates more heat. A vicious cycle is created when human increases the usage of air condioning to combat the heat, which leads to increases in energy usage and exacerbates the climate issue. We are aiming to engineering a solu on for people to be resilient against increasing urban heat in city living by making a wearable climate control technology.” Flood-Proof Roads Team U-9 from Monash University Category 4 (Local and Overseas Universi es) “Frequent floods resul ng from unpredictable weather and urbanisa on pose significant risks to both people and infrastructure. To mi gate the impact of floods, the concept of flood-proof roads was explored. The proposed system will u lise mul ple, interconnected pontoon units beneath permeable road surfaces. During normal, non-flooding condi ons, commuters can u lise these roads just like any other. However, as the water level rises, each unit will employ natural buoyancy forces supplemented by a motorised deployment system to create a safe commu ng surface above flood waters. The permeable road surface helps maintain road trac on as it prevents water accumula on on the floa ng road surface. The design will be op mised to minimise modifica ons required for exis ng 08

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

The Champion Team J-17 from Hwa Chong InsƟtuƟon on stage to receive their prize.

The prize being awarded to the Champion Team I-16 from ITE College West.

The Champion Team U-9 from Monash University.

road structures, ensuring seamless installa on and maintenance. To demonstrate the feasibility and effec veness, a small-scale prototype

will be designed u lising a variety of materials and incorpora ng a proximity sensor as a water level detec on system.”

IES UPDATE

Launch of IES Student Chapter at ITE and signing of IES-IHL MoUs Mr Heng Swee Keat also witnessed the launch of the IES Student Chapter at the InsƟtute of Technical EducaƟon (ITE), as the 12th Student Chapter partner of IES. The new Chapter will provide ITE engineering students with a plaƞorm to join IES in promoƟng engineering and networking together with student chapters in other insƟtuƟons of higher learning (IHLs) and the engineering community.

of Singapore (NUS), Singapore InsƟtute of Technology (SIT), Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), Republic Polytechnic (RP), Singapore Polytechnic (SP), Temasek Polytechnic (TP) and PSB Academy (PSBA). “Engineering is more than a field of study. It is a gateway

for our younger generaƟon to make a posiƟve impact on our economy, our society and our lives. By deepening our partnership with ITE and the IHLs, IES aims to empower students with greater knowledge, skills and resources to unleash their engineering talent to solve increasingly complex challenges for Singapore and the world,” said Mr Syafiq Shahul, NED 2023 Chairman.

Through this chapter, ITE engineering students will also be given priority to parƟcipate in engineering-related talks, workshops and industry visits, organised by IES in Singapore and in the region. Another highlight of the event was the signing of the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between IES and 11 IHLs, aimed at strengthening collaboraƟons to nurture future-ready engineering professionals to lead Singapore’s future growth. The 11 IHLs are Nanyang Technological University (NTU), NaƟonal University

The 12th IES Student Chapter was launched at ITE.

The signing of the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between IES and 11 IHLs, and between IES and ITE, marks their commitment to work together to nurture future-ready engineering professionals for Singapore.

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

IES UPDATE

COMBUSTIBLE DUST EXPLOSION SYMPOSIUM The Combus ble Dust Explosion Symposium, held on 8 September 2023, at One Farrer Hotel, and organised by The Ins tu on of Engineers, Singapore (IES), was a pivotal event focused on addressing the cri cal issue of combus ble dust explosions. Experts from various industries gathered to share insights and strategies aimed at preven ng and mi ga ng these poten ally devasta ng incidents, thereby promo ng workplace safety and environmental protec on. With an impressive turnout of 150 par cipants, this event became a significant pla orm for addressing the pressing concern of combus ble dust explosions. Dis nguished experts from various industries, including the Guest-of-Honour, IES President, Mr Dalson Chung, came together to pool their collec ve knowledge, share valuable insights, and devise eﬀec ve strategies for the preven on and mi ga on of these poten ally catastrophic incidents. The symposium served as a beacon of awareness, shedding light on the gravity of combus ble dust explosions and their far-reaching consequences. A endees, represen ng a cross-sec on of industries, engaged in though ul discussions and presenta ons that delved into the intricacies of this safety challenge. By fostering collabora on and knowledge exchange, the event aimed to equip professionals and

decision-makers with the tools and know-how needed to safeguard their workplaces against such hazards.

In doing so, the symposium played a crucial role in advancing the mission of ensuring safe and sustainable workplaces for all.

The overarching goal of the Combus ble Dust Explosion Symposium was to champion the cause of workplace safety and environmental protec on. It sought to empower individuals and organisa ons with the exper se and best prac ces necessary to not only prevent these explosions but also to minimise their impact on both personnel and the environment.

Guest-of-Honour, IES President, Mr Dalson Chung delivering the welcome address at the symposium.

Moderator, Mr Soh Tiam Chwee (third from leŌ) iniƟated the Q&A session with the aŌernoon session speakers, engaging the aƩendees with thought-provoking insights.

More than 150 parƟcipants aƩended the symposium.

From leŌ, the speakers, Mr Jason Oh, Mr MaƩhew Tay, Dr Shaik Salim, Er. Lucas Ng, Mr Soh Tiam Chwee (IES Assistant Honorary Secretary, Manufacturing Cluster & Chemical & Process Engineering Technical CommiƩee Chairman), Mr Dalson Chung (IES President), Mr Felipe Ong, Mr Cheah Sin Moh, Ms Ng Mee Lin (IES Manufacturing Cluster Deputy Chairman), and Ms Wan Siew Ping (IES Council Member, Manufacturing Cluster Deputy Chairman & Intelligent Manufacturing Technical CommiƩee Chairman).

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

IES UPDATE

IES & IRSE RAILWAY INNOVATION SEMINAR 2023 The IES & IRSE Railway Innova on Seminar 2023, convened on 12 September 2023, at NUS Shaw Founda on Alumni House, stands as a remarkable collabora ve eﬀort between The Ins tu on of Engineers, Singapore (IES), and the Ins tu on of Railway Signal Engineers (Singapore Sec on). This seminar brought together an impressive gathering of over 100 par cipants represen ng a diverse spectrum of engineering disciplines within the railway industry. It emerged as a pivotal pla orm for the exchange of knowledge and ideas that are driving innova on in this cri cal sector. The event gained further prominence with the esteemed presence of notable dignitaries, including the Guest-of-Honour, the President of the Ins tu on of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE), Mr Steve Boshier, and IES President, Mr Dalson Chung. Their involvement underscored the significance of the seminar as they, along with other industry experts, shared their insights and exper se. The seminar's core mission was to explore the latest innova ons and advancements in the railway industry. A endees engaged in vibrant discussions and presentaons, delving into the cu ng-edge technologies and prac ces shaping the sector’s future. Beyond fostering collabora on and knowledge exchange, the event aimed to inspire forward-thinking solu ons that will enhance the eﬃciency, safety and sustainability of railway systems. In bringing together professionals from various engineering disciplines within the railway sector, the IES & IRSE Railway Innova on Seminar 2023 served as a nexus for ideas and exper se. It not only facilitated networking but also played a crucial role in accelera ng progress in this dynamic industry. By nurturing a culture of innova on and collabora on, the seminar contributed significantly to the con nual growth and improvement of the railway sector, ensuring its relevance and resilience in an ever-evolving world.

IES President Mr Dalson Chung presenƟng a token of appreciaƟon to Mr Steve Boshier, President of IRSE, who had travelled from the UK to parƟcipate in the seminar.

From leŌ, speakers from the morning session, Ir. Jasbinder Singh, Mr Robert Cooke (IRSE Singapore SecƟon Chairman), Mr Steve Boshier (IRSE President), Mr Dalson Chung (IES President), Mr Enrique Perez Sanchez and Mr Alex Barber.

From leŌ, Mr Robert Cooke (IRSE Singapore SecƟon Chairman), Mr Soon Ren Jun (SMRT), Mr Steve Boshier (IRSE President), Mr Alan Teh Chia Jian (Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd), Ms Shiliu Ni (LTA), and Mr Darius Teo (SBST), Winner of the Young Engineers PresentaƟon.

From leŌ, Railway InnovaƟon Expert Panel Speakers, Mr Robert Cooke (IRSE Singapore SecƟon Chairman), Mr Francisco Perez Fernandez (Siemens Mobility), Dr Zhou Yi (Singapore InsƟtute of Technology), Mr Steve Boshier (IRSE President), Mr Lam Sheau Kai (SMRT) and Mr Phil Dubery (CPC Project Services LLP).

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

NEWS & EVENTS

Contract awarded for purchase of 44 new trains for the Cross Island Line The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded a contract for the supply of 44 six-car trains for the Cross Island Line (CRL) to the consor um of CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co Ltd and Singapore CRRC Sifang Railway Vehicles Service Pte Ltd (CRRC Sifang). The contract, valued at SGD 589 million, includes the op on to procure up to 11 addi onal trains as well as the op on for provision of Long-Term Service Support (LTSS). The new fleet of fully automated CRL trains will be wholly designed and manufactured by CRRC Sifang in Qingdao, China. The CRL is Singapore’s eighth MRT line. It will serve exis ng and future developments in the eastern, north-eastern and western corridors, linking major hubs such as Jurong Lake District, Punggol Digital District and the Changi region. The CRL will have almost half of its sta ons as interchanges with other rail lines, making it easier and more convenient for commuters to travel across the rail network. The trains are expected to be delivered progressively from 2027, in me for commencement of CRL Phase 1 opera ons in 2030. Similar to the trains for the Thomson-East Coast Line, each car on the new train will have five doors on each side. To improve accessibility within the train, the gangways between CRL train cars will be wider, at 1.6 m, compared to the 1.4 m on the other train lines. The new trains will be powered by a 1500V DC Overhead Conductor Rail (OCR) system which will increase energy eﬃciency compared to a typical 750V DC third rail system. To enhance opera ons and maintenance, the CRL trains will include condi on monitoring and diagnos c systems for early detec on of poten al equipment faults. Some trains will also be equipped with an Automated Track Inspec on system to monitor the 12

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

ArƟst’s impression of a CRL Train.

condi on of the running rail and OCR in real me. CRRC Sifang has previously supplied trains for Singapore’s North-South and East-West Lines (NSEWL) and Thomson-East Coast Line, through a consor um formed with Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing. CRRC Sifang also has an established track record interna onally, having supplied trains to Beijing, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Chicago and Sao Paulo. Meanwhile, the first 16 of the 106 new trains for the NSEWL were scheduled to enter passenger service progressively from 4 June 2023. These new trains, purchased from Alstom SA (formerly known as Bombardier Transporta on) will replace the NSEWL’s earliest genera ons of six-car trains, with the oldest having served for over 30 years. As the tes ng is completed, approximately two trains will be put into passenger service every month and trains from the original fleets will be decommissioned accordingly. Sixty-six new trains were purchased in 2018, with another 40 purchased in 2020. Commuters from all walks of life can look forward to more pleasant

and convenient journeys, as the new train cabins have more open spaces to accommodate strollers and wheelchair users. Large, panoramic windows will provide commuters with an improved viewing experience while travelling above ground. The new trains are also designed with ergonomic perch seats which can accommodate more commuters on the trains. Other features include an LCD display system above every door to show the route and sta on informa on. To enhance train reliability and enable eﬃcient maintenance, the new trains are equipped with a self-test system which automa cally checks on whether the trains are fit for opera on, before services commence each day. These trains will subsequently be equipped with condi on-monitoring features to pre-emp vely iden fy emerging faults and enable early rec fica on. LTA has also purchased six new trains to serve the North East Line (NEL) and 23 new trains to serve the Circle Line (CCL), from Alstom. The new NEL and CCL trains are intended to cater for addi onal capacity when the North East Line Extension (NELe) and the Circle Line 6 (CCL6) begin opera ons.

COVER STORY

Bukit Merah to get a makeover Residents can look forward to a transformaƟon of their town centre and community spaces, alongside enhanced connecƟvity to green nodes such as the Rail Corridor and Southern Ridges.

Under the ROH plans, the various estates in Bukit Merah will be rejuvenated.

As part of the ongoing series of enhancements under the Remaking Our Heartland (ROH) programme, which aims to bring city living close to nature, rejuvenaƟon plans for Bukit Merah were announced by Second Minister for NaƟonal Development and Adviser to Tanjong Pagar GRC GROs, Ms Indranee Rajah, at the launch of the town’s ROH exhibiƟon, recently. The ROH programme was first announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in 2007. It is a comprehensive rejuvenaƟon blueprint which brings together many agencies, including the Housing & Development Board (HDB), to renew and further develop exisƟng HDB towns and estates to meet the changing needs of the community, while ensuring that the heartlands remain disƟncƟve and endearing homes for Singaporeans. To-date, 13 towns and estates have been idenƟfied

for rejuvenaƟon across four ROH batches – namely Punggol, Dawson and Yishun in 2007; East Coast, Hougang and Jurong Lake in 2011; Woodlands, Toa Payoh and Pasir Ris in 2015; and the latest – Bukit Merah, Ang Mo Kio, Queenstown and Choa Chu Kang – in 2020. In drawing up the renewal plans for the fourth batch of ROH towns, HDB conducted a series of surveys and Focus Group Discussions with residents and stakeholders such as the local Merchants’ and Hawkers’ AssociaƟons, to seek their views and suggesƟons. Between 2020 and 2022, some 1,700 residents and community members from the four towns parƟcipated in these discussions, where they shared about the features they cherished most in their town, as well as gave suggesƟons on the improvements that they hoped to see. With their feedback, HDB has refined the plans to ensure

that the improvements will benefit residents of all ages.

RENEWAL PLANS TO REINVIGORATE BUKIT MERAH Bukit Merah is made up of several estates – Redhill, Tiong Bahru, Telok Blangah, Mount Faber and a part of Tanjong Pagar. Over the decades, Bukit Merah has seen conƟnuous improvements. Most of the older blocks of flats have been upgraded, even as new and more modern developments were added to the town. The latest renewal plans for Bukit Merah comprise several major improvements which will further reinvigorate the town.

MAKING KEY COMMUNITY SPACES MORE INVITING AND INCLUSIVE Refreshing the Town Centre The Bukit Merah Town Centre – akin to the heart of the town – will THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

COVER STORY

be given a makeover to enhance its a rac veness and provide a more comfortable shopping experience for residents: A new and larger sheltered event space, with sea ng, will replace the current sheltered stage next to the Rubikon building. This will oﬀer a more conducive space for larger community events such as performances, fes ve bazaars and fitness ac vi es, come rain or shine. The pedestrian malls at the town centre will be upgraded to include more sea ng areas for residents to catch up over a chat or take a break from their shopping. Where possible, new play areas will be built along the pedestrian malls to enliven the area. Residents will have the opportunity to co-create some of these community spaces, and HDB will reach out to them with the details, when ready. New pedestrian and cycling paths, as well as sheltered linkways, will be added along Redhill Close, to make it safer and more convenient for residents and visitors to travel between the Bukit Merah Town Centre and Redhill MRT sta on. Landscaping along these paths will also make the journey more pleasant.

Current Town Centre (top). Residents can look forward to a new sheltered Town Plaza at the Town Centre (boƩom).

Upgrading the Neighbourhood Centres The common areas of six exis ng Neighbourhood Centres (NCs) in Bukit Merah will also be refreshed with more ameni es such as outdoor sea ng, play facili es, pocket greens and spaces for community events, to create a more enjoyable experience for shoppers and residents. For example, the open space next to Blk 121 at Alexandra Village NC will be given a faceli with new facili es such as play areas, as well as landscaped sea ng areas. Alexandra Village NC, Beo Crescent NC, Brickworks NC and Bukit Merah View NC will be upgraded with new facili es such as sea ng and enhanced landscaping. Meanwhile, Redhill Lane NC and Tiong Bahru Orchid NC are currently being upgraded to spruce up the common areas and introduce new recrea onal corners and spaces for events. 14

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

Current open area next to Bukit Merah Central Food Centre (top). Pedestrian malls at the Town Centre will be enhanced with more seaƟng and spaces for play, rest, and community bonding (boƩom).

COVER STORY

The connecƟon from Redhill MRT via Redhill Close to the Bukit Merah Town Centre will be enhanced with dedicated cycling and pedestrian paths, sheltered linkways and landscaping.

To make wayfinding easier, signages with larger and more colourful fonts and disƟncƟve murals on building facades will also be installed. HDB will be engaging grassroots organisaƟons and senior residents to refine the implementaƟon plans for these enhancements.

BETTER ACCESS TO NEW AND REFRESHED GREEN SPACES Celebrated for its urban character, Bukit Merah is also well-known for its ample green spaces which residents visit regularly. Residents have shared that they would like to see improved access to the scenic 24km long Rail Corridor, which passes through Bukit Merah, as well as parks around the town. With this in mind, HDB, together with the NaƟonal Parks Board (NParks), has planned the following enhancements:

Current open space at Alexandra Village NC (top). Upgraded space with refreshed paving, pocket parks, barrier-free accessibility and play areas (boƩom).

Making the living environment more senior-friendly In Bukit Merah, more than one third of residents are 60 years old and above. Hence, a key focus of the renewal plans for Bukit Merah is to make the homes and neighbourhoods more senior-friendly, such that residents can go about their daily acƟviƟes and lead acƟve and healthy lifestyles. The common spaces in the Town Centre, NCs and housing estates

will be upgraded with sheltered walkways, ramps and non-slip flooring, as well as more seaƟng areas. This will enable residents to get around safely while they navigate Bukit Merah’s hilly terrain. Across various parks in Bukit Merah, acƟve ageing ameniƟes such as therapeuƟc gardens, fitness trails/ corners, and exercise equipment will be added, to promote healthy living and facilitate social interacƟon among senior residents.

• A new pocket park next to the exisƟng mulƟ-storey carpark at Block 119 Bukit Merah Central, together with new cycling paths at the Town Centre, will provide seamless connecƟvity from the Town Centre to the Rail Corridor. This will also make it more convenient for nature and fitness enthusiasts using the Rail Corridor to make a stop at the Town Centre and enjoy its faciliƟes, adding fooƞall and vibrancy in the area. • The pedestrian paths along Henderson Road, which connects Alexandra Canal, the Southern Ridges and Telok Blangah Estate to the future Greater Southern Waterfront, will also be enhanced. New THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

COVER STORY

rest points with landscaped sea ng areas will be added along the paths, so that residents can take a break during their walk and make new friends with other residents and visitors. • At the Telok Blangah Hill Park and Mount Faber Park managed by NParks, fitness ameni es will be upgraded to encourage ac ve living. Residents can also look forward to enhanced access and be er wayfinding to the parks. • Meanwhile, improvements at neighbourhood parks like Alexandra Hill Park and Bukit Purmei Park will include intensified greenery, new sheltered pavilions and mul -genera onal facili es.

Besides providing seamless connecƟvity to the Rail Corridor from the town centre, the new pocket park will also be fiƩed with sheltered rest areas.

NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS WITH FACILITIES To meet the strong housing demand, HDB has been introducing new housing projects in Bukit Merah to enable young families to live closer to their parents, while also bringing new life into this estate. Over the past two years, HDB has launched four new Build-to-Order (BTO) projects in Bukit Merah – Alexandra Vale, Havelock Hillside and Bukit Merah Ridge in 2022, as well as Telok Blangah Beacon in 2021. A fi h site at Prince Charles Crescent will be launched soon. As part of plans to kickstart the transforma on of the Greater Southern Waterfront, the former Keppel Club golf course will also be developed to provide about 9,000 homes, including some 6,000 public housing units. The first BTO project at the Greater Southern Waterfront is slated for launch within the next five years. When completed, these new public housing projects are expected to oﬀer about 10,700 flats in total, oﬀering new and younger families the opportunity of living in Bukit Merah, and making the town even more vibrant. These housing developments will also inject new commercial ameni es, social and communal facili es, and neighbourhood parks for the enjoyment of all residents. 16

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

Current access to Mount Faber Park near Blk 31 Telok Blangah Rise (top). Residents can look forward to enhanced access, beƩer wayfinding, and upgraded fitness faciliƟes in the park (boƩom).

Neighbourhood parks such as Alexandra Hill Park will also be upgraded with more greenery and mulƟ-generaƟonal faciliƟes.

COVER STORY

CELEBRATING BUKIT MERAH’S HISTORY During the engagement sessions, many residents spoke fondly of Bukit Merah’s unique charm and character, likening the town to a ‘living museum’. To strengthen Bukit Merah’s idenƟty, HDB together with other agencies, will explore ways to incorporate aspects of Bukit Merah’s history into the town, such as through themaƟc playgrounds, wall murals, as well as educaƟonal boards across the town. For example, the upcoming Alexandra Vale BTO development will feature a mural bearing a swordfish moƟf, inspired by local folklore about how Redhill got its name. HDB will be seeking residents’ views on how to best design some of these heritage elements around the town.

Alexandra Vale will feature a new linear park with outdoor play and fitness faciliƟes.

When completed, the rejuvenaƟon of Bukit Merah is set to benefit close to 130,500 residents and even more visitors. Residents can look forward to the plans being implemented within the next five to 10 years. The actual implementaƟon Ɵmeframe for individual proposals will vary depending on the nature and complexity of the project. All images by HDB

Telok Blangah Beacon will be built with new community plaza, supermarket, market and hawker centre. The development will be integrated with the exisƟng NC, Telok Blangah Mall, providing even more retail and dining opƟons when it is completed in early 2027.

ArƟst’s impression of new park within the future Keppel housing area which forms part of the Greater Southern Waterfront. THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

WASTEWATER ENGINEERING

PUB completes tunnelling works for second phase of Deep Tunnel Sewerage System A major milestone is crossed in the eﬀorts towards a aining water sustainability. PUB, Singapore’s Na onal Water Agency, has concluded tunnelling works for the second phase of the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS), which brings the country a significant step closer to the full comple on of the major used water infrastructure that will boost water recycling and enhance Singapore’s long-term water sustainability. A ceremony to mark this important milestone was a ended by Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, and more than 300 guests, including pioneer engineers who started the DTSS project more than two decades ago. Phase 2 of the DTSS involves the construc on of a 98 km long network of deep tunnels and link sewers, as well as the future Tuas Water Reclama on Plant. These new infrastructure components extend the DTSS network to serve the western half of Singapore, including

Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, speaking at the event to mark the compleƟon of the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System Phase 2 tunnelling works.

the downtown area and upcoming developments such as Tengah Town and Jurong Lake District. Spanning mul ple tunnelling and construc on contracts, the DTSS Phase 2 project involved over 5,000 workers at the peak of its construc on works.

Evolu on of Singapore’s used water management Conceived in the 1990s to transform Singapore’s used water management

system, the DTSS is a massive underground project designed to meet the country’s long-term needs for used water collec on, treatment, reclama on and discharge. It holds the key to enable PUB to reclaim and recycle water in an endless cycle, thus boos ng the capacity to produce NEWater, Singapore’s third Na onal Tap and a weather-resilient source of water. Prior to the DTSS, Singapore was divided into six used water catchment zones, each served by a Water Reclama on Plant (WRP) and a total of over 130 pumping sta ons across the island. These pumping sta ons were needed to convey used water to the WRPs for treatment before the treated eﬄuent was discharged to the sea. As Singapore’s popula on and economy grew rapidly, the Government sought a more cost- and land-eﬃcient solu on for used water management.

At the event are, from leŌ to right, Ms Woo Lai Lynn, Chief Engineer (Conveyance) of DTSS Phase 2; Mr Hew Kit San, Director of DTSS Phase 2; Mr Goh Si Hou, Chief ExecuƟve of PUB; Mr Chiang Chie Foo, Chairman of PUB; Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment; and pioneers of DTSS, Mr Chiang Kok Meng, Mr Yeo Seow Eng and Mr Moh Wung Hee. In the foreground is a model of the Tunnel Boring Machine. 18

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

WASTEWATER ENGINEERING

Tokens of AppreciaƟon were presented to the tunnel contractors.

Over two phases, the DTSS comprises a 206 km long network of deep tunnels and link sewers that will convey used water en rely via gravity to three centralised water reclama on plants, located in Changi, Kranji and Tuas. The conveyance of used water via gravity instead of energy-intensive pumping sta ons enhances the robustness and reliability of the used water collec on system. This also eliminates the risk of pollu on in the rainwater catchments. The implementa on of the en re DTSS will allow PUB to reduce the overall land footprint of the used water system across Singapore by half, freeing up to 150 hectares of land (nearly twice the size of the sprawling Singapore Botanic Gardens) for higher value land use. Mr Goh Si Hou, PUB’s Chief Execu ve said, “As one of the most water-stressed countries in the world, the ability to eﬀec vely collect and recycle our used water in a closed water loop has been a game-changer in our quest for water security. The Deep Tunnel Sewerage System is not only an engineering feat, but a key pillar in strengthening Singapore’s water resilience to meet the long-term challenges of climate change and growing water needs. This has been made possible

through the bold vision and innovaon of our pioneers, and decades of me culous planning and hard work by our planners, engineers and contractors. We look forward to the upcoming comple on of our Water Reclama on and NEWater plants, which will realise the full poten al of the DTSS in the years to come.”

Significant investment to benefit future generaƟons Cos ng around SGD 10 billion and designed to last for 100 years, the DTSS is an example of long-term water infrastructure planning and investment to benefit mul ple genera ons. Due to its scale and complexity, the construc on of DTSS had to be carried out in two phases. Phase 1 of the DTSS serves the eastern half of Singapore and was completed in 2008. Tunnelling work for Phase 2, which commenced in 2019, was a challenging process, conducted through highly built-up areas, that required strong exper se and significant amount of preparatory work. The tunnelling works had to be carried out by five diﬀerent contractors, using pioneering construc on methods and smart technologies for safe and smooth opera ons. This

served to greatly reduce disrup on to above-ground infrastructure and the public. Phase 2 of the DTSS has also implemented new features to ensure the integrity of the deep tunnels and ease of maintenance. These include the use of concrete that is resistant to microbiological-influenced corrosion, isola on gates to allow for flow diversion, fibre op c cables for remote monitoring of a tunnel’s structural integrity, and the use of air jumpers to control air flow within the tunnels. A key component of DTSS Phase 2 is the future Tuas Water Reclama on Plant (WRP) which will be equipped with advanced technology to treat two separate streams of domes c and industrial used water in an energy-eﬃcient manner. When ready in 2026, Tuas WRP will be co-located with the Na onal Environment Agency’s (NEA) Integrated Waste Management Facility, to form Tuas Nexus, Singapore’s first integrated used water and solid waste treatment facility, that will be fully energy self-suﬃcient. All images by PUB, Singapore’s Na onal Water Agency THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

WASTEWATER ENGINEERING

The Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS): Scope and benefits.

The Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS): Key milestones, facts and figures. 20

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

WASTEWATER ENGINEERING

InnovaƟve engineering features of DTSS Phase 2.

A completed tunnel secƟon of DTSS Phase 2. THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

WASTEWATER ENGINEERING

North and Spur Tunnel

48 km

Link Sewers

60 km

Changi Water Reclama on Plant

Ini al Capacity • 800,000 m per day Current Capacity • 1,020,000 m per day

Ou all

5 km long

Cost of DTSS Phase 1

SGD 3.4 billion

DTSS Phase 1: Key facts and figures.

South (Domes c) Used Water Tunnel

28 km Diameter: 3 m – 6 m Tunnel Depth: 35 m – 55 m

Industrial Used Water Tunnel

7 km Diameter: 3.3 m to 4 m Depth: 45 m – 55 m

Link Sewers

63 km Diameter: 0.3 m – 3 m

Tuas Water Reclama on Plant • Domes c Used Water Treatment Module • Non-Domes c Used Water Treatment Module

Ini al capacity • 650,000 m per day • 150,000 m per day

Ou all

Near-Shore

Es mated Cost of DTSS Phase 2

SGD 6.5 billion

DTSS Phase 2: Key facts and figures.

Wastewater presents resource-recovery opportuniƟes Wastewater is a growing health and environmental threat. Yet with the right policies, wastewater could provide alterna ve energy to half a billion people, supply over 10 mes the water provided by current global desalina on capacity and oﬀset over 10% of global fer liser use. These findings appear in an analysis published recently by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and GRID-Arendal with the Global Wastewater Ini a ve (GWWI). The report, ‘Wastewater - Turning problem to solu on’, urges governments and businesses to treat wastewater as a circular economy opportunity. Today, only 11% of the world’s treated wastewater is reused and around half of the world’s

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

untreated wastewater s ll enters rivers, lakes, and seas. To safely fulfill the poten al of wastewater as a valuable resource, the report highlights the need to reduce the volume of wastewater being produced, prevent and reduce contaminaon, and manage wastewater to capture the resources that can be safely reused. Chemicals and excessive nutrients in wastewater degrade ecosystems, including soil, freshwater sources and oceans, contribu ng to food insecurity and other social issues. Through the release of potent greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide, wastewater accounts for about 1.57% of global emissions. Yet wastewater can become a

climate solu on. By genera ng biogas, heat and electricity, it can produce about five mes more energy than is required for its treatment. Reusing nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium from wastewater would also help reduce dependence on synthe c fer lisers, oﬀse ng 13.4% of the global agricultural nutrient demand. There are addi onal resources that can be recovered from wastewater, which are already benefi ng various industries. Proper management of wastewater also has the poten al to irrigate around 40 million hectares. The report highlights examples of successful wastewater management by both high- and low-income countries.

DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SAFETY

Three professional engineers win the BCA Design and Engineering Safety Award 2023 The recogniƟon has been given for innovaƟve designs and engineering soluƟons in challenging projects. Three Professional Engineers were conferred with the Award this year. They are Er. Teoh Eng Sin, from Mo MacDonald Singapore Pte Ltd, for lyf one-north Singapore; Er. Lim Keong Liam, from Arup Singapore Pte Ltd, for Kallang Polyclinic and Long-Term Care; and Er. Heng Kim Huat, from TW-Asia Consultants Pte Ltd, for Whistler Grand. BCA Group Director (Building Engineering), Er. Tan Chun Yong said, “Professional Engineers have an important role to play in our built environment. They not only ensure the safety of our buildings but also employ innova ve engineering soluons to overcome challenges while improving the way we build. The Design and Engineering Safety Award recognises Singapore’s top engineering professionals who have developed crea ve engineering methods for challenging architectural designs and overcoming site constraints so that their projects can be completed safely. We hope that they will inspire younger Singaporeans towards a fulfilling and rewarding career in our built environment, contribu ng to our country’s development.”

WINNER OF BCA DESIGN ENGINEERING AND SAFETY AWARD 2023 (Commercial) lyf one-north Singapore lyf one-north Singapore is a co-living residen al development at onenorth. The building comprises two seven-storey blocks of rooms with a ached bathrooms and shared communal kitchen, lounges and entertainment areas. Challenges • Engineering a three-storey link bridge building, to connect two L-shaped, seven-storey buildings, from the 5th to 7th storey. 24

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

lyf one-north Singapore

• A ght and narrow sloping site, with a height diﬀerence of 5 m, from front (Portsdown Road) to back (Nepal Hill). Also, a sec on of the site is only 20 m above the two Circle Line (CCL) MRT tunnels. • Site restric ons included the Government Land Sales requirement of a five-storey, unobstructed, viewing and ven la on corridor to conserved bungalows near the edge of the slope. SoluƟons and features • The elevated swimming pool is supported on a shallow foundaon directly above the CCL MRT tunnels. This was needed to free up the site, outside the 1st reserve, for the pile founda ons for the whole building. The team used 3D finite element analysis to ensure minimum impact to the CCL tunnels and verified this through the readings from the automa c tunnel monitoring system, which showed that the tunnel movement was limited to less than 0.1 cm. • Collabora ve design development led to the crea on of steel

structures, called transfer girders, which are supported by six slanted columns, forming a link bridge connec ng the two blocks. This not only simplified the construc on for this part of the project but also allowed for some rooms to be built along the link bridge without compromising the architect’s original design intent of a five-storey high viewing and ven la on corridor. This design also contributed to a safer build programme. • The transfer plate girders and slanted columns, being cri cal elements, were designed with redundancy, to code compliance, for a safe and robust design, and protected with fireproof paint and exposed as part of the building features. • Adop ng soil nailing for temporary stabilised slope with glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bar as earth retaining stabilising structure (ERSS) for excava on. Instrumenta on and monitoring confirmed minimal ground movement and that the bungalow structure at higher ground was unaﬀected by the excava on.

DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SAFETY

• The team designed the gravity deten on drain system at high ground, removing the need for an underground tank and pumps, which led to capital cost- and energy-savings.

PROJECT CREDITS Qualified Person Er. Teoh Eng Sin C&S Consultant Mo MacDonald Singapore Pte Ltd Builder Nakano Singapore (Pte) Ltd Developer DBS Trustee Limited (As Trustee of CapitaLand Asco Real Estate Investment Trust) Architectural Consultant WOHA Architects Pte Ltd

WINNER OF BCA DESIGN ENGINEERING AND SAFETY AWARD 2023 (InsƟtuƟonal & Industrial) Kallang Polyclinic and Long-Term Care Kallang Polyclinic and Long-Term Care (Kallang Polyclinic) is a healthcare facility, with its first five storeys housing the Kallang Polyclinic

and the next five storeys housing a long-term care facility. Challenges • Designing and construc ng a barrier-free, public healthcare and long-term care facility with seamless and sheltered connec vity to the main public transport node, within a congested and land-locked site flanked by a conserva on building. • The development has to cater specially for a prominent visual landmark at the main entrance which is a shared entry with the adjacent building, while ensuring suﬃcient green spaces and outdoor sea ng amidst space constraints. One-fourth of the 4,000 m site is situated over the 1st Railway Reserve Line (RRL) zone that is par ally bisected by twin bored tunnels. • The superstructure was expected to be erected within a challenging and ght 26-month construc on meline. SoluƟons and features • Geotechnical inves ga ons and analyses were carried out to provide a robust no onal excava on scheme, over an area with diverse geology across varying depths, that would not impact the MRT tunnel structures. The overall building form was also extensively studied

and set back from the first reserve to bypass this constraint. The detailed analysis and implemented solu ons resulted in minimal movements of the MRT tunnels during the project’s construc on. • A ‘hybrid’ construc on method was employed. Design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA) techniques, including precast, PPVC, and structural steel elements, were integrated into the superstructure to align with the accelerated construc on programme. Pre-cast components were used for the first five storeys of the building which houses the polyclinic and prefabricated prefinished volumetric construc on (PPVC) modules made up the next five storeys for the long-term care facility. • PPVC was employed due to its low weight, reduced crane usage and streamlined module connec ons. The team reduced the PPVC modules to five types, op mising repe on of modules for produc on. Oﬀ-site, factory-made PPVC modules, featuring welded intra-module connec ons, were bolted together on-site. This modular strategy facilitated simultaneous construc on of the long-term care facility modules and the polyclinic, accelera ng construcon produc vity and workmanship, and reducing man-hours on-site. Five storeys of the superstructure, comprising 131 modules, were installed within just four weeks. This also minimised disrup ons to Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital, located next to the site, and to the surrounding HDB apartment blocks, through be er noise and dust control.

PROJECT CREDITS Qualified Person Er. Lim Keong Liam C&S Consultant Arup Singapore Pte Ltd Builder Tiong Seng Contractors (Pte) Ltd Developer Ministry of Health Architectural Consultant RDC Architects Pte Ltd Kallang Polyclinic and Long-Term Care THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SAFETY

WINNER OF BCA DESIGN ENGINEERING AND SAFETY AWARD 2023 (ResidenƟal) Whistler Grand Whistler Grand is a private condominium at West Coast Vale, comprising two blocks of 36-storey apartments and with two basement carparks and a three-storey high sky terrace at each block. Challenges • Understanding the concept and constraints, and designing a suitable Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construc on (PPVC) system. • Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) and coordina on of PPVC module works. • Handling of large and heavy PPVC modules. • Presence of a non-typical Sky Terrace pla orm at a typical PPVC floor. SoluƟons and features • The Government Land Sales requirement for this project s pulated the incorpora on of produc ve construc on methods. Accordingly, a plan was devised such that at least 65% of the floor area for both blocks, from the 2nd to the 36th storeys, were constructed using PPVC modules that were prefabricated and prefinished at a manufacturing plant.

Whistler Grand

was also conducted, that indicated minimal vibra on, thereby ensuring the comfort of gymnasium users.

Each module would then be transported to the site, hoisted and assembled together, with a few modules combining to form a residen al unit. With this construc on method, all modules at Whistler Grand would have been installed and completed within a year, if not for the COVID19 pandemic.

• Early engagement with the builder and project team achieved a common mindset and an understanding of the necessary technical capabili es, which are crucial for the successful and cost-eﬀec ve adop on of the PPVC system. Design for standardisa on of units helped to achieve eﬀec veness of the PPVC system, while using the innova ve, patented ‘Composite Shear Wall System’ helped to maximise room area and usage.

• Another engineering feature was the gymnasium, which extends 7.4 m in length, above the swimming pool. Accordingly, a rigid, horizontal, structural floor element was designed as a can lever, supported only at one end of the structure. To control the deflec on, the canlever floor uses closely spaced steel beams which are encased in concrete. A floor vibra on analysis

• Working with the builder ensured accurate fabrica on of the carcass of the PPVC modules (with dimensional controls using 3-D steel mould cas ng) and accurate site installa on (made possible by survey controls for levelling and ver cality). Coordina ng closely with the builder ensured the whole PPVC construc on cycle was smooth and seamless.

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

• Early planning and study on the heavy-duty crane hois ng capacity and transporta on rou ng enabled compliance with the Land Transport Authority’s requirements to avoid costly police escort. Adop on by the builder of the use of a large-piece ‘integrated precast slab-beam element’ for construc on of the non-typical Sky Terrace extension pla orm over the void, eliminated the use of a conven onal formwork system.

PROJECT CREDITS Qualified Person Er. Heng Kim Huat C&S Consultant TW-Asia Consultants Pte Ltd Builder Woh Hup (Private) Limited Developer CDL Pegasus Pte Ltd Architectural Consultant ADDP Architects LLP

SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE

LTA honours 42 organisaƟons at annual convenƟon They were recognised for outstanding performance and pracƟces. A total of 42 organisa ons were recognised by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for their outstanding workplace safety, health and environmental management prac ces at the 25th Annual Safety, Health and Environmental Awards Conven on (ASAC). Held recently at the Singapore EXPO and graced by Ac ng Minister for Transport, Mr Chee Hong Tat, this year’s ASAC addressed the theme ‘Transforming Workforce for SHE Excellence’. The event reinforces LTA’s emphasis to achieve be er workplace safety and health (WSH) performance in the workforce against the backdrop of con nued manpower challenges and the resump on of construcon ac vi es. Santarli Construc on Pte Ltd – Zheng Keng Engineering & Construc on Pte Ltd Joint Venture was presented with the top award, the LTA Contractors Champion Shield, for its exemplary WSH performance for the design and construc on of Sengkang West Bus Depot.

Entrance driveway

Internal driveway

New award A new award category – Good Housekeeping Award – was introduced this year to recognise the exemplary eﬀorts of contractors in maintaining good housekeeping at worksites to ensure an orderly, clean and safe working environment. This helps prevent accidents at the worksite and eliminate pest breeding spots. Santarli Construc on Pte Ltd – Zheng Keng Engineering & Construc on Pte Ltd Joint Venture was a winner of the inaugural Good Housekeeping Award in recogni on of their eﬀorts for the construc on of the mul -storey bus depot at

Entrance B Worksite of Santarli ConstrucƟon Pte Ltd – Zheng Keng Engineering & ConstrucƟon Pte Ltd Joint Venture THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE

Sengkang West. They were lauded for effec vely implemen ng the 5S method for achieving clean and organised workspaces, as well as for ins lling in supervisors and workers the importance of keeping their designated areas dy, clean and neat. The 5S method is a workplace organisa on method, based on a Japanese quality management concept, that companies may use to achieve a clean and organised workplace. Through a systema c approach, 5S [Sort, Straighten (set in order), Shine, Standardise, Sustain] offers opportuni es for con nual improvement and enhanced workplace efficiency and effec veness.

ConƟnued focus on environmental management iniƟaƟves LTA’s eﬀorts to promote sustainability and encourage good environ-

mental management prac ces saw Eng Lam Contractors Co Pte Ltd and Samwoh Corpora on Pte Ltd being awarded the Environmental Sustainability Innova on Award for their use of innova ve solu ons to automate, monitor and remotely control silty water treatment plants. Eng Lam Contractors was recognised for their Automated Silty Discharge Control System, which diverts silty water back into the sedimenta on pond when the water quality exceeds permissible limits, so that it is not accidentally discharged into public drains. Samwoh Corpora on also introduced an accompanying smart phone applica on to monitor the status of their equipment (e.g. pump, generator and chemical levels) and allow users to control the silty water treatment system remotely. These solu ons increased

Diagram of Automated Silty Discharge Control System from Eng Lam Contractors. 28

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

eﬃciency and reduced reliance on manpower. At the same me, they cut down generator idling me and fuel consump on.

Using technology to achieve good WSH performance Technology con nues to be a key enabler of higher produc vity and good WSH performance. The Construc on Safety Innova on Award recognises eﬀorts of contractors in adop ng innova ve solu ons to improve workplace safety. Santarli Construc on Pte Ltd – Zheng Keng Engineering & Construc on Pte Ltd Joint Venture was recognised for the use of AI camerabased blind spot detec on sensors mounted on telescopic handlers which are used to transfer materials around worksites. This helps minimise workplace hazards for operators and provide an addi onal layer of visibility as they will be able

SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE

to detect if there are other workers on the blind spots. The operators are alerted to these hazards via visual and audio alerts, allowing them to take evasive ac on and avoid accidents. Workers near the telescopic handlers can also hear audio alerts, and promptly move to a safe distance away from the machinery.

Championing environmental sustainability in LTA projects From this year onwards, LTA will also start placing greater emphasis in its tender evalua on on environmental sustainability prac ces, as well as the use of innova ve technology to achieve good WSH performance. For example, tenderers will be given addi onal points for their sustainability eﬀorts (e.g. corporate carbon disclosure, green accredita on) and environment-friendly technical proposals (e.g. use of low-carbon building materials, electrified construcon machineries). They will also receive a higher score for the use of technology to improve WSH (e.g. personal wearable devices enabling loca on tracing, geofencing and health monitoring of workers in worksites). New LTA contracts will also encourage the adop on of technology for construc on supervision, as well as the use of more sustainable construc on materials such as low-carbon concrete and green steel. Contractors of new rail projects will also be required to monitor the carbon footprint of their projects by submi ng an Embodied Carbon Report.

ASAC ASAC was inaugurated in 1999 to recognise contractors who have been proac ve and successful in promo ng Workplace Safety and Health management prac ces at their worksites, ensuring high health, safety and welfare standards of workers, and giving due considera on to protec ng the public and the environment.

AI camera-based blind spot detecƟon system from Santarli ConstrucƟon Pte Ltd – Zheng Keng Engineering & ConstrucƟon Pte Ltd Joint Venture. THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE

WINNERS AT 25TH ASAC LTA Contractors Champion Shield • Contract DE133 – Santarli Construc on Pte Ltd-Zheng Keng Engineering & Construc on Pte Ltd Joint Venture

ConstrucƟon Safety Excellence Award (a) Category A (civil contracts ≥ SGD 50 million) • Contract 883 – China State Construc on Engineering Corpora on Limited Singapore Branch • Contract DE113 – Hwa Seng Builder Pte Ltd • Contract DE133 – Santarli Construc on Pte Ltd-Zheng Keng Engineering & Construc on Pte Ltd Joint Venture

(c) Category D (Civil & E&M contracts < SGD 20 million) • Contract 833E – Deluge Fire Protec on (SEA) Pte Ltd • Contract T3162 – Fugro Singapore Land Pte Ltd

ConstrucƟon Environmental Excellence Award

(b) Category C (E&M contracts ≥ SGD 20 million) • Contract T260 – ST Engineering Urban Solu ons Ltd • Contract T375A – UG M&E Pte Ltd

(a) Category A (civil contracts ≥ SGD 50 million) • Contract T232 – Penta-Ocean Construc on Co Ltd • Contract T235 – China Communica ons Construc on Company Limited (Singapore Branch)

ConstrucƟon Safety Merit Award

ConstrucƟon Environmental Merit Award

(a) Category A (civil contracts ≥ SGD 50 million) • Contract 190 – GS Engineering & Construc on Corp • Contract 882 – China State Construc on Engineering Corpora on Limited – Nishimatsu Construc on Co Ltd Joint Venture • Contract N102 – Ssangyong Engineering & Construc on Co Ltd - Wai Fong Construc on Pte Ltd Joint Venture • Contract N105 – Penta Ocean Construc on Co Ltd – Bachy Soletanche Singapore Pte Ltd (Joint Venture) • Contract N113 – Hyundai Engineering & Construc on Co Ltd • Contract T235 – China Communica ons Construc on Company Limited (Singapore Branch) (b) Category C (E&M contracts ≥ SGD 20 million)

• Contract 952A – Siemens Rail Automa on SAU and Siemens Mobility Pte Ltd Consor um • Contract R153 – Meiden Singapore Pte Ltd • Contract T252 – Alstom Transport (S) Pte Ltd • Contract T261 – ST Engineering Urban Solu ons Ltd

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

(a) Category A (civil contracts ≥ SGD 50 million) • Contract J106 – China Communica ons Construc on Company Limited (Singapore Branch) • Contract N115 – Hyundai Engineering & Construc on Co Ltd

Project SHE CommendaƟon Award • Rail Expansion (Civil 2) Project Safety & Environmental Commi ee • Road & Commuter Facility Development Project Safety & Environmental Commi ee

Accident-Free RecogniƟon Award (a) For Category 1a (civil contracts ≥ SGD 120 million) and has achieved above 2 million accident-free man-hours worked. • Contract T301 – GS Engineering & Construc on Corp

• Contract J102 – Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co (S) Pte Ltd • Contract 190 – GS Engineering & Construc on Corp (b) For Category 1b (civil contracts ≥ SGD 120 million and has achieved above 1 million accident-free man-hours worked) • Contract DE133 - Santarli Construc on Pte Ltd-Zheng Keng Engineering & Construcon Pte Ltd Joint Venture • Contract DE142 – Gamuda Berhad Singapore Branch • Contract N113 – Hyundai Engineering & Construc on Co Ltd (c) For Category 2 (civil contracts < SGD 120 million and has achieved above 400,000 accident-free man-hours worked) • Contract DE113 – Hwa Seng Builder Pte Ltd • Contract DE159 – Samwoh Corpora on Pte Ltd • Contract DE143 – Eng Lam Contractors Co (Pte) Ltd • Contract P1090A – CCECC Singapore Pte Ltd (d) For Category 3 (E&M contracts and has achieved above 400,000 accident-free manhours worked. • Contract T252 – Alstom Transport (S) Pte Ltd • Contract T375A – UG M&E Pte Ltd • Contract R153 – Meiden Singapore Pte Ltd

Subcontractor’s Safety RecogniƟon Award • System Founda on Pte Ltd • Pintary Founda on Pte Ltd • Y3 Construc on Pte Ltd • BCS – Prokon Contractors (Pte) Ltd

QPS Safety Award • Contract 8819 – RCY Pte Ltd • Contract 1901 – JIB Specialist Consultants Pte Ltd • Contract N1081 – R J Crocker Consultants Pte Ltd

SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE

• Contract N1071 – Worley Pte Limited • Contract N1011 – Bureau Veritas Building & Infrastructure Pte Ltd

WSH Oﬃcer Recogni on Award • Contract N105 – Penta Ocean Construc on Co Ltd – Bachy Soletanche Singapore Pte Ltd (Joint Venture) – Mr Amriq Ali

Construc on Workplace Health Award • Contract DE133 – Santarli Construc on Pte Ltd-Zheng Keng Engineering & Construcon Pte Ltd Joint Venture

Construc on Safety Innova on Award • Contract DE133 – Santarli Construc on Pte Ltd-Zheng Keng Engineering & Construcon Pte Ltd Joint Venture • Contract 883 – China State Construc on Engineering Corpora on Limited Singapore Branch • Contract 832E – Shinryo Corpora on

• Contract DE113 – Hwa Seng Builder Pte Ltd • Contract DE133 – Santarli Construc on Pte Ltd-Zheng Keng Engineering & Construcon Pte Ltd Joint Venture

Road Traﬃc System & Road Tunnel Opera ons Safety Award (Tunnel, Road Opera on & Systems) (a) Cer ficate of Excellence • Contract TR343E – Eng Hup Engineering Pte Ltd (b) Cer ficate of Merit • Contract TR343C – ATS Traﬃc Pte Ltd • Contract TR347B – Island Recovery Services Pte Ltd – Hua ong Inland Transport Services Pte Ltd Consor um (VRS West Sector)

Mechanical & Electrical Maintenance Safety Award (Public Facili es & Systems) (a) Cer ficate of Excellence • Contract TR302C – Fonda Global Engineering Pte Ltd

Environmental Sustainability Innova on Award

(b) Cer ficate of Merit • Contract TR287 – XJ Elevator Private Limited • Contract TR255 – Surbana Technologies Pte Ltd

• Contract DE143 – Eng Lam Contractors Co (Pte) Ltd • Contract DE159 – Samwoh Corpora on Pte Ltd

Road Opera ons Inspec on & Consultancy Safety Award

Good Housekeeping Award (new award at ASAC 2023)

(a) Cer ficate of Merit • Contract TR323 – Fong Consult Pte Ltd

• Contract 882 – China State Construc on Engineering Corpora on Limited – Nishimatsu Construc on Co Ltd JV • Contract T235 – China Communica ons Construc on Company Limited (Singapore Branch) • Contract N112 – China Civil Engineering – China Railway 11 – Wai Fong Consor um

Civil Maintenance Safety Award (Maintenance/ Upgrading Contract) (a) Cer ficate of Merit • Contract TR310C – Avenue Engineering Pte Ltd • Contract TR310B – Eng Lam Contractors Co (Pte) Ltd – United E&P Pte Ltd Joint Venture

Proac ve approach needed to stop health and safety standards slipping The Ins tu on of Occupa onal Safety and Health (IOSH) is keen to see countries around the world ra fy the Internaonal Labour Organiza on’s (ILO) conven ons rela ng to occupa onal safety and health. As part of this, it has urged the UK Government to consider a more proac ve and holis c approach to workplace health and safety, to prevent standards ‘falling way behind other developed countries’. Currently, fewer than one in five conven ons are ra fied in the UK, despite a safe and healthy working environment now being classed as a fundamental principle and right at work by the ILO, since June last year. Ruth Wilkinson, IOSH’s Head of Policy, said, “The Government is focused on economic growth and reducing economically inac ve workers, so let us make sure we iden fy and ac on holis c ways to support these agendas through good work.” “Occupa onal safety and health actually has a key role here, through suppor ng people back into work, to work healthier and more sustainably, and to prevent them falling out of work,” Ruth added. Last year, 135 people were killed in workplace accidents in the UK. Added to this, many thousands of people were injured – some severely – in such accidents, while 1.8 million people are es mated to be suﬀering from work-related ill health. IOSH has also called on the Government to protect health and safety legisla on, following the passing of the Retained EU Law (Revoca on and Reform) Act 2023.

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

DIGITALISATION

Two industrial projects complete first virtual Temporary OccupaƟon Permit inspecƟon The success of the pilot applicaƟons paves the way for more widespread adopƟon of the technologies.

JTC LogisƟcs Hub @ Gul (leŌ) and JTC semiconSpace (right).

JTC and the Building and Construc on Authority (BCA) have successfully piloted Singapore’s first virtual Temporary Occupa on Permit (TOP) inspec on at two JTC industrial projects, elimina ng the need for inspectors from technical authori es to be present on-site, hence saving me and manpower resources. These pilots will pave the way for industry-wide adop on. The virtual TOP inspec ons took place at JTC Logis cs Hub @ Gul in April 2021 and JTC semiconSpace in Tampines Wafer Fab Park in September 2022. The projects then received their TOP in May 2021 and October 2022, respecvely. Since then, JTC and BCA have been working closely to develop the virtual TOP guidelines for JTC projects, which will pave the way for an industry framework for wider adop on. JTC has also specified the requirement for virtual TOP inspecons in JTC’s subsequent construcon projects. The virtual inspec on at the two sites was enabled by advancements in reality capture technology, which allow accurate and reliable 3D data to be produced. Using point cloud data and integra ng with 360° photo capture solu ons, detailed inspec ons can be conducted 32

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

on works to allow for checking and easy tracking of progress for construc on. LiDAR scanning has been u lised for the first virtual TOP inspec on at JTC Logis cs Hub @ Gul as it produces highly accurate 3D data (also known as point cloud data), with devia ons of less than 2 mm. A er the first virtual TOP inspecon, JTC improved the workflow by adding a 360° photo pla orm for the second inspec on at JTC semiconSpace project. Also known as a panoramic photo or spherical photo, a 360° photo is an image that captures a complete view of the surroundings in all direc ons (akin to the street view func on in common digital maps). This helps to speed up the process because virtual site walkthroughs in the 360° photo pla orm can be done. Instead of a physical TOP inspecon, the piloted new workflow allows the BCA inspector and project team to access the site virtually together through the 360° photo pla orm and point cloud data. Measurements and close-up photos can be prepared ahead of me and a ached in the 360° photo pla orm. Inspec on loca ons within the building can be switched instantaneously on the pla orm to

check the measurements a ached, for regulatory compliance, and cross-referenced with the point cloud data, if necessary. This process is much faster, as compared to physically accessing the site and manually taking measurements across the building site. The quality of the inspec on is further ensured, as the inspec on comments are digitally recorded and tracked for closure. A report can also be auto-generated, for ease of reference and documenta on. Comparisons before and a er the follow-ups, can also be traced through the pla orm, to enhance and streamline the TOP process. This new virtual TOP workflow can poten ally reduce me and manpower by up to 30%, for both the project team and inspec on oﬃcers. Said Mr Darren Lim, Group Director, Audit & Inspec on, BCA, “Virtual TOP inspec on makes the process more eﬃcient, saving me both for the industry and government agencies, and enabling manpower upskilling. BCA is developing a set of technical guidelines for virtual TOP requirements for the industry, learning from the experience of the pilot trials with JTC and other stakeholders. We will share the details when ready.”

DIGITALISATION

Besides adop ng technology solu ons for virtual TOP inspecon, JTC is also using 360° reality capture solu ons in construc on site management. The 360° images of construc on sites are captured regularly and the pla orm is used for coordina on, progress tracking, documenta on and repor ng, by the site teams, across various me periods. JTC’s ini al trials show poten al manhours savings and produc vity gains of up to 50% across the en re construc on value chain, from the developers to site staﬀ, main contractors and sub-contractors.

be er manage projects at JTC and the public sector.” To capture the savings and proliferate the use of reality capture technologies to the industry, JTC has launched a tender to use such reality capture technologies at all JTC-managed projects. This will enable JTC to

enhance progress tracking, improve quality control, and improve safety through remote inspec on. JTC is also exploring other use cases to maximise the benefits of such technologies in the areas of facili es management and preliminary construc on work surveys.

This technology also provides JTC with a be er oversight of the whole construc on site, improves the speed and accuracy of site informa on shared among project team members for ease of follow-up, and ensures be er accountability. Said Mr Tan Chee Kiat, Group Director, Engineering, JTC, “As the public sector’s Centre of Excellence for Building and Infrastructure, JTC is con nually working on digitalising our construc on processes. We are excited that the virtual TOP pilot is successful and look forward to implemen ng it to all JTC projects. This will support Singapore’s push for integrated digital delivery across the en re chain of the built environment. We will con nue to explore smart technology inspecon solu ons that can help us All images by JTC

LiDAR scanning, a laser scanning technology, was uƟlised for the first virtual TOP inspecƟon at JTC LogisƟcs Hub @ Gul. LiDAR scanning produces highly accurate point cloud data (a collecƟon of data points in a 3D coordinate system), with deviaƟons of less than 2 mm. In the photo, the width of the stair treads and height of the stair risers are measured from point cloud data.

The 360° photo plaƞorm was used for the second virtual TOP inspecƟon at JTC’s semiconSpace. The photo aƩached to the plaƞorm (leŌ) captures a complete view of the restroom in all direcƟons, allowing virtual site walkthroughs to be done. Measurements and close up photos, for example, showing the height of the emergency call bell (right), can be prepared ahead of Ɵme and aƩached in the 360° plaƞorm.

The virtual TOP inspecƟon session in progress at JTC semiconSpace, with the screen, on leŌ, showing a 360° photo of the building and the screen, on right, showing its point cloud data. THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

DIGITALISATION

Key trends driving the AEC industry Mr Brenden Roche, Product Expert, FaciliƟes Engineering, Bentley Systems, comments on the importance of decarbonisaƟon, the exciƟng transiƟon from physical to virtual environments, the post-pandemic adopƟon of beƩer working paƩerns, and the need to build greater resilience against cyber threats.

Mr Brenden Roche

The Singapore Engineer (TSE): What are the major global trends that are shaping the architecture, engineering, and construcƟon (AEC) industry? Brenden Roche (BR): Urbanisa on con nues to be a key trend impac ng the AEC industry. Around the world, about 56% of the world’s popula on, equivalent to 4.4 billion inhabitants, live in ci es and this urban populaon is expected to double by 2050. In Southeast Asia, the urban populaon is also expected to grow rapidly, from 280 million people today to 373 million people by 2030.

The construc on sector has become a significant contributor to adverse environmental impacts, making it impera ve that industry players decarbonise their processes. Image: Bentley Systems.

These trends increase the pressure to rapidly develop ci es, leading to construc on of new infrastructure assets and emission of more carbon into the atmosphere. It is es mated that ongoing new construc on, which consumes a massive quan ty of raw materials, contributes to about 39% of the world’s carbon emissions. With the construc on sector becoming a significant contributor to adverse environmental impacts, it is pivotal for industry players to decarbonise construc on processes to reduce their nega ve climate influences. TSE: What are some of the latest developments and applicaƟons in the digital transformaƟon of the AEC industry, parƟcularly in areas such as Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, BIM and digital twins? BR: The AEC industry is indeed going through a major paradigm shi as it transi ons from physical to virtual environments. Virtual reality (VR) has gained popularity in this industry as it enables immersive experiences for stakeholders. Architects and designers can create virtual walkthroughs, allowing clients to visualise spaces 34

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

Mixed reality combines augmented reality with virtual reality, oﬀering new and exci ng benefits to the construc on industry. Image: Adobe Stock.

and make informed decisions. VR technology also helps detect design clashes and improves safety planning. On the other hand, augmented reality (AR) overlays digital informa on on the real world, making it useful for on-site construc on and maintenance. Contractors can use AR-enabled devices to view building plans, iden fy u li es and visualise designs on-site. AR can also assist in quality checks, reducing errors and improving eﬃciency. We have seen exci ng progress in this area, whereby AR and VR are

combined in mixed reality (MR) to oﬀer new and exci ng benefits to the construc on industry. With MR headsets, architects and engineers can now conduct virtual tours of models or construc on sites, such as on the ITER nuclear fusion project. These tools allow workers to hear and see instruc ons for installa ons and repairs, before overlaying that informa on onto their work. In some advanced use cases, AEC professionals are leveraging MR to control remote equipment and owner-operators are using MR to monitor HVAC, ligh ng and access

DIGITALISATION

control systems remotely. Data from laser scanning or photogrammetric survey of a site or an exis ng building can be fed into ar ficial intelligence- and machine learning-enabled applica ons to automa cally tag equipment or assets. This leads to reduced manual interven on while ensuring higher accuracy and me savings. The extent of adop on of MR technology will depend on the readiness of the industry to go through digital transforma on and the maturity of the technology itself. But the future of the technology looks promising. In the construc on industry, building informa on modelling (BIM) has become an accepted single source of truth and a ubiquitous tool in the space. That being said, we are seeing con nuous improvements to the technology. For example, Bentley Systems is powering Evercam’s 4D View tool with Bentley’s iTwin pla orm. The tool separates itself from a typical BIM pla orm by combining the model with real- me camera footage. This means that the user can seamlessly switch back and forth between the views. The model can be shared easily with anyone who already has access to the live video feed, with automa c updates as soon as changes are made. Regarding Bentley’s latest developments and applica ons for digital twins, Bentley and their users are seeing significant value in the ability to drive insights from the federa on of digital content based upon a user’s assets. Users are capitalising on the insights they gain through the integra on capabili es of these solu ons. Crea ng digital twins around buildings, for example, can lead to campus development and city planning. Users are crea ve in how they find value, and the ability to federate and review their digital assets, while leveraging the power of large language models for insights and guidance, is providing a new direc on for these forward-thinking users. These capabili es highlight how important it is to be delivering high quality BIM models to a mul tude of

The post-pandemic adopƟon of new technology plaƞorms, such as the cloud, has changed the technology landscape, while increasing the importance of the push for openness. Image: Adobe Stock.

engineering roles. The ability for oponeering to become part of a day’s work, rather than as part of quarterly planning, has delivered value, but the insights provided, as the new digital twins emerge, should mean that asset owners can deliver be er eﬃciencies with limited resources in our quickly changing environment. We are star ng to see digital twins that provide insights that benefit society and our environment, and it is a trend that engineers and enterprises need to adopt quickly. These decisions, whether small or large, can have posi ve outcomes on our daily lives. TSE: Interoperability among the various so ware products from diﬀerent solu on providers has always been a challenge. What are the latest improvements in this regard? BR: Yes, interoperability, or the flow of graphical and non-graphical data between so ware applica ons or technology pla orms, has always been a challenge in the AEC industry. The adop on of new technology pla orms, such as the cloud, has altered the technology landscape while increasing the importance of the push for openness, especially in the post-pandemic era. In addi on, the industry’s search for new ways of working has increased. The Interna onal Founda on Class (IFC) standard has been at the heart of many approaches to solving these issues. Its status as ISO 167391:2018 has seen it being used in typical ver cal construc on for years.

The IFC4.3 Standard, which has been submi ed to the ISO Council, has expanded this approach for linear projects, such as road and rail, thanks to behind-the-scenes work by the buildingSMART organisa on to incorporate various aspects of infrastructure. IFC standards are at the heart of data sharing and data flow within the emerging cloud-based carbon databases and calculators, thus helping the industry drive decarbonisa on in construc on projects. The pandemic and subsequent changes to remote working patterns have provided challenges that have been met by the adop on of be er work-sharing op ons, such as ProjectWise and ProjectWise 365 with ProjectWise Drive. The latter oﬀering mixes the power of the ProjectWise collabora ve common data environment pla orm with the convenience of Microso ’s OneDrive document pla orm. As technology and collabora on so ware con nue to advance, the construc on industry looks set to further evolve to meet the demands of a changing world. TSE: Advanced digitalisa on increases the importance of cybersecurity. Could you comment on the challenges and the approach that the built environment industry should take? BR: Various cybersecurity challenges arising from the digitalisa on of the built environment industry need to be addressed to ensure the protec on of sensi ve data and cri cal infrastructure. THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

DIGITALISATION

The industry relies on various suppliers, contractors and partners. Implemen ng robust cybersecurity prac ces across the supply chain, including strong contractual obliga ons and regular security audits, can help mi gate risks. Retrofi ng security measures, conduc ng regular system updates, and inves ng in modern, secure technologies are important for safeguarding against cyber threats. It is important to know that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. This makes it crucial to educate employees about best prac ces, such as using strong passwords, recognising phishing a empts, and repor ng any suspicious ac vi es. Regular training programmes and awareness campaigns can help build a security-conscious culture. In addi on, security should be incorporated into the design of infrastructure projects, from the beginning. It involves considering cybersecurity risks, implemen ng secure access controls, encryp on and crea ng segmented network architectures to limit the poten al impact of breaches. Promo ng collabora on and informa on-sharing among stakeholders, including sharing best prac ces, threat intelligence, and lessons learned from cybersecurity incidents, are vital in building industrywide resilience against cyber threats. TSE: Any other informaƟon that you would like to provide? BR: Embodied carbon is present in every building and infrastructure asset, due to its presence in the products and materials used in construc ng the asset. There is also opera onal carbon generated from the day-to-day economics of powering the facility and in adap ng it when its business purposes or internal func ons change. When carrying out carbon lifecycle assessments, professionals can consider a cradle-to-grave or cradle-to-gate approach. In the cradle-to-grave prac ce, the main considera on is a building’s end of life when it is demolished and the carbon emission cost of those ac ons such as material recycling. In 36

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

There has been a rising interest in standardising the components used in construcƟon. Image: Bentley Systems.

the cradle-to-gate approach, users consider adapta ons or refits. They can be significant in carbon emission terms and may occur more than once during a facility’s lifespan. These approaches are part of the circularity concept. Should designers then consider adaptability and flexibility in their ini al design planning to make gate stage changes less costly in terms of carbon emissions and thereby extend the facility’s life? To control opera onal carbon emissions from a building, it is important to pay a en on to early planning during the design phase. Several layout op ons can be assessed from energy and material considera ons for lifecycle and opera ng costs, allowing professionals to arrive at the greenest op on. Embodied carbon has to be considered, not only during ini al construc on but also during refits and adapta ons. One approach is the concept of ‘Buildings as Material Banks’, which is based on reversible building design and material passports. The la er is informa on about material reuse and recovery, and the former is about the eﬃcient access to and retrieval of materials during adaptaons and refits. OpenBuildings Energy Simulator – the energy analysis capability of

Bentley’s OpenBuildings Designer – allows engineers, architects and designers to integrate ligh ng, thermal, and solar analysis into their workflow, as well as empowers them to develop sustainable building designs. Users can predict energy behaviour and fuel eﬃciency while analysing the thermal proper es of diﬀerent construc on materials to design more energy-efficient buildings that consume less energy during opera on. Digital twin technology can also play a crucial role in helping to decarbonise exis ng buildings. Owners and facility managers can use OpenCi es 365, Bentley’s infrastructure digital twin solu on for ci es and campuses, with Microso Cloud, to create digital twins of their physical assets. By integra ng digital twins with Internet of Things sensors and devices, owners and facility managers can comprehensively understand how a building is used, and reduce its environmental footprint by decreasing energy consump on from various components and systems. Users can also understand the building’s carbon lifecycle and predict future carbon emissions across the asset lifecycle, helping them make informed decisions about the building’s expansion or modifica on plans.

PROJECT APPLICATION

Tower cranes build new train staƟon LiŌs of up to 35 tonnes have been completed. The highlight of the new NoisyChamps train sta on is a 25 m high spiral-shaped dome. The new sta on, part of the major French Grand Paris Express project, will form a hub for metro lines in south-eastern Paris. Two Liebherr 1000 EC-H 40 Litronic tower cranes have played a significant part in construc ng both the dome of the sta on and the building. Liebherr machines are at work on 13 sites in the infrastructure project which aims to improve connec ons between the centre of Paris and surrounding areas. The two Liebherr 1000 EC-H 40 Litronic tower cranes were used for structural work on the sta on building and for roof-related tasks. The two high-top cranes’ enormous li ing capaci es, together with sound customer service and fast availability of spare parts, convinced the site operators to rely on Liebherr tower cranes for this par cular Grand Paris construc on site. The heaviest part li ed weighed 35 tonnes, the lightest 15 tonnes.

ConstrucƟon of the dome The construc on site for NoisyChamps sta on encompasses a forecourt, the sta on building itself and an underground sec on, stretching 250 m, with tracks for parking and turning trains. The 150 m long sta on building will feature three storeys, when the shell is completed, later, in 2023. A 25 m high dome made from wood, steel and glass, supported by 12 steel columns, will form the focal point of the building. The dome’s suppor ng structure will weigh 450 tonnes in total, while the metal frame of the dome itself will weigh 1.5 tonnes. Accordingly, the parts that the cranes had to move were both massive and heavy. The prefabricated supports and masts weighed up to 20 tonnes each, the formwork around 30 tonnes. During the li ing

The two 1000 EC-H 40s moved parts weighing between 15 tonnes and 35 tonnes on site, during the construcƟon of the Noisy-Champs staƟon.

and placing of metal roof struts, 35 tonne elements were involved, and the metal and wood dome frame sec ons weighed up to 25 tonnes. The walkway system consists of 24 metal modules that were pre-assembled on the ground and then li ed into posi on by crane.

LiŌs of up to 40 tonnes possible The 1000 EC-H 40 is capable of li ing up to 40 tonnes. Li s of up to 11.5 tonnes are s ll possible at maximum radius. The two 1000 EC-H 40 Litronic high-top cranes reached a hook height of 49.43 m and 35.19 m. Both machines used the same jib length of 65 m. The maximum possible hook height for this type of crane stands at 88.4 m, the maximum radius at 80 m. Both cranes are equipped with the LiUP crane driver elevator, which is able to transport two people. The li provides crane operators and service technicians with an alternave to climbing steps. Once at the top, the ergonomically designed LiCAB cabin promotes fa gue-free working. The high-top cranes also feature the ‘Micromove’ fine posi oning system and ‘Load-Plus’ which enables a load increase of

up to 20 %. In-house manufactured high-performance drives, which are both fast and low maintenance, ensure high handling capacity. Ge ng the crane to site is cost-eﬀec ve and does not require special transport.

Design symbolising the geographical border of two towns The name ‘Noisy-Champs’ comes from the loca on of the sta on. It is named a er the two towns of Noisyle-Grand and Champs-sur-Marne, the first, to the east, and the second, to the south-east of Paris. This coming together of the two towns is also reflected in the sta on’s architecture, by way of the dome’s two intertwined spirals. The spirals meet above their geographical border. Noisy-Champs is one of the 68 new sta ons included in the Grand Paris Express project. A total of six new metro lines are being built across 200 km. Noisy-Champs will form a hub for lines 15 South and 16 of the Grand Paris Express, above and below the exis ng ‘RER A’ rapid transit line, at the intersec on of the two towns. It is scheduled to open at the end of 2025. The two cranes started work on the site in 2019 and were successfully dismantled in spring 2023. THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

PROJECT APPLICATION

Adhesives and grouts to create a huge work of art The recent renovaƟon of Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport in New York City includes the installaƟon of a mosaic mural.

LaGuardia Airport, whose Terminal B was lately renovated, sports a mosaic mural completed with Mapei products, in the arrivals and departures area.

LaGuardia Airport is an internaƟonal airport located in the borough of Queens, New York, that spans across 680 acres (275 hectares) of land. It was originally built in 1939 and named aŌer New York City’s mayor at the Ɵme, Fiorello La Guardia. Today, LaGuardia Airport is the third busiest airport in New York City. Over the years, parts of the airport interior became severely outdated and aestheƟcally too old-fashioned for a place such as New York City which is known for its diverse, fastpaced, ever-evolving and unforgettable landscape. In 2019, to revitalise the layout of Terminal B, New York City’s Public Art Fund teamed with LaGuardia Gateway Partners to commission an art programme to capture the creaƟvity, arƟstry and energy of the city. Revitalising Terminal B was no small feat. Because the terminal is one of the largest and busiest epicentres for travel to and from New York City, construcƟon would need to be funcƟonal but grand, unique yet universal, beauƟful and iconic. 38

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

The mural features 80 iconic images from New York City’s five boroughs, ranging from the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building, created by using handmade glazed ceramic and subway les grouted with KERACOLOR S epoxy grout in four diﬀerent shades.

PROJECT APPLICATION

PROJECT DATA Project LaGuardia Airport, Queens, New York Owner Port Authority of New York and New Jersey General contractor BRB Ceramic Tile, Marble & Stone Inc

The mosaic les were installed with TYPE 1 adhesive before grou ng joints with four diﬀerent colour shades of KERACOLOR S cemen ous grout.

Four interna onally recognised ar sts (Laura Owens, Sarah Sze, Sabine Hornig and Jeppe Hein) were chosen to design large-scale installa ons throughout the arrivals and departures hall of Terminal B. The mosaic mural was designed by Owens and serves as a celebra on of the history, culture and architecture of New York City. It features 80 iconic images from New York City’s five boroughs, ranging from the Statue of Liberty and the Staten Island Ferry to a MetroCard and a slice of pizza. Handmade glazed ceramic and subway les (5 cm x 5 cm, 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm and 10 cm x 10 cm) were used to create the images which are all connected by a backdrop of sky and clouds. White subway les (a type of thin, lowfired and glazed les), measuring 7.6 cm x 15 cm were used to form the clouds.

Four shades of KERACOLOR S Products from Mapei Corpora on’s Tile & Stone Installa on Systems line were put to work in order to complete the mosaic wall le project. Over 25,000 (2,323 m ) of les – in various shades, sizes and colours – were installed by BRB Ceramic Tile, Marble & Stone Inc, from August 2019 to May 2020. The work was consistent, significantly detailed and a big challenge for installers to create this seamless design con nuity. Mapei Corpora on is the Mapei Group’s US subsidiary. PLANITOP 330 FAST rendering

mortar was used to level the wall substrates and taper the transi ons for an easier installa on. Used to bond the les, TYPE 1 adhesive provided good adhesion, extended open me and low VOC (vola le organic compounds) emissions. The mural consists of 135 colours (36 of which were custom developed by the le makers) and required three diﬀerent shades of KERACOLOR S cemen ous grout (Rain, Pearl Gray and White) and LaGuardia, a customised gray grout colour that is unique to this project, and was developed and supplied by Mapei Corpora on. To create depth in the sky por on of the mural, the grout colour, Rain, was used predominately in the clearer sec ons of the sky. Pearl Gray was used inside the en re cloud area and acted as a transi on colour between darker shadows. In addi on, LaGuardia was used in the darkest parts of shadows (generally underneath clouds) in the mosaic, while White was used alongside cut subway les in curved areas for a smooth transi on. To touch up joints and create a uniform transi on between colours for a clean finish, ULTRACARE GROUT REFRESH ready-to-use, polymer-modified colourant and sealer for grout joints was applied. MAPESIL T 100%-silicone sealant was also used, oﬀering This editorial feature is based on an ar cle from Realtà MAPEI INTERNATIONAL ISSUE 96. Images by Mapei.

Period of construcƟon 2019-2020

INTERVENTION BY MAPEI Period of the intervenƟon 2019-2020 ContribuƟon by Mapei Supply of products for the mosaic wall le project Installer company BRB Ceramic Tile, Marble & Stone Inc ApplicaƟon of Mapei products Preparing substrates – PLANITOP 330 FAST Installing mosaic les – TYPE 1 Grou ng le joints – KERACOLOR S Finishing joints – ULTRACARE GROUT REFRESH Sealing expansion joints – MAPESIL T Website for further informaƟon www.mapei.com/sg u .mapei.com (Some products are available in Singapore. Please contact customer service at Mapei Far East for the available products). good elonga on and flexibility as well as aiding in the preven on of mould and mildew. The mosaic mural now gracing the walls of LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B is iconic, historic and unique. In addi on, the mural is now a candidate for recogni on by the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the largest indoor murals in the world. THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

PRODUCTS & SOLUTIONS

New Cat 995 Wheel Loader offers be er performance while using less fuel Building on the success of the 994K, the new Cat 995 Wheel Loader features up to 19% more produc vity than the previous model, with its higher rated payload and 6% increase in hydraulic force with equal hydraulic cycle me. This new loader delivers up to 13% lower hourly fuel consump on and offers up to an addi onal 8% efficiency gain when opera ng in Enhanced Eco Mode compared to the thro le lock mode. It is also up to 19% more efficient than the 994K in equal comparisons of thro le lock opera on. Built to the same size as the 994K, the new 995 offers a higher rated payload. The new 995 meets the global industry’s demand for high produc on and greater payloads with its powerful Cat 3516E engine offering configura ons based on regional needs, mee ng EU Stage V/US EPA Tier 4 Final or US EPA Tier 1 equivalent emissions. Its 39% torque rise ensures high lugging forces during digging and acceleraon in high rimpull condi ons. Integrated with electronics, the new Cat 995 Wheel Loader offers flexible levels of informa on and technologies for a smart machine and a more informed operator. Standard p up preven on technology avoids unnecessary stress on the drivetrain and structural components by delivering full breakout forces while preven ng the back tyres from significantly li ing off the ground. New, op onal, Autodig components automate three of the dig cycle’s most difficult parts in both

The new Cat 995 Wheel Loader is an improvement on the previous model.

rehandling and tough digging applica ons to improve produc vity and reduce tyre wear. Tyre Slip Preven on reduces rimpull before the tyres are set and increases rimpull when the downward force is applied. Auto Set Tyres detects pile contact and automa cally li s against the pile to set the tyres and increase available trac on, discouraging premature racking. Li Stall Preven on manages rimpull in-dig to prevent hydraulic stall when li ing through the face, so the 995 spends less me in the pile. Available Payload Overload Preven on improves produc vity and eﬃciency by allowing a larger bucket to be used to achieve passmatch targets across a range of material densi es without the risk of overload. It is configurable to either stop or slow li arms when the maximum allowed payload, including bucket weight, is exceeded. Oﬀering a 500-hour engine oil

change interval and improved air filter life, the 995 spends more me working. The number of steering hoses has been reduced from 15 to 10 and tubes are cut from 11 to 1 to improve steering system reliability. An enhanced service sta on gives access to provisions like coolant and oil as well as level indicators, and it features a Cat ba ery charging connector and indicator lights for fuel tanks. The loader’s redesigned pump bay improves access to transmission components, oﬀers discharge ports on the side of the pumps and has simplified lines routed directly to the high-pressure screens. The bay includes a brake pump filter, implement pilot filter and implement discharge screens, and diagnos c ports are accessible from the front walk deck and pump bay. Groundline provisions now include a steering pilot filter, transmission filters and steering pump discharge screen.

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THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER September 2023

IES Membership –––––––––––––––––––––––––– Page 23 Industrial Transforma on ASIA-PACIFIC 2023 ––– Page 01 World Engineers Summit 2023 –––––––– Page 04 and 05