May 2018 Construction Leaders Issue 014

Samer Halabi

Regional Managing Director

KONE Middle East and Africa

The Latest Updates American University of Sharjah’s New Engineering and Science Building Complex to House World-Class Research Facilities and a State-of-the-Art Learning Environment

How Engineers Can Be The Best At What They Do:

New Technology Brings The Latest Conservation Benefits To Building Owners

How Engineers Can Do More In Less Time

An Engineer’s Guide to Becoming a Quick Learner

MIT Develops Building Model That Can Sense Tremors

4 Things That Engineering Bosses Want to Tell You But Won’t Say

Solar Park Veendam – From Polluted Land to a Sustainable Energy Development

Why Engineers Should Make a Personal Development Plan

Wood Wastes are Now Being Used as Admixtures for Concrete

Creative Ways Engineers Can Increase How Much They Earn

MAY 2018 ISSUE NO. 014

GINEERSNOW TEAM Ems Bagatsing

Sales & Marketing Director Ems@LincolnMartin.com

Robert Bagatsing

Editor-In-Chief editor@GineersNow.com

Engr. Alice Hernandez Senior Editor-At-Large

John Vauden

Charity Bagatsing

Raymond Gerard del Valle

Hina Sapra

Engr. Dion Greg Reyes

Marketing and IT Manager

Senior Editor Asia-Paci!ic Senior Editor South Asia

Therese Matheren Senior Editor North America

Engr. Randy Williams Guest Editor North America

Amanda Pelletier Guest Editor North America

Senior Editor North America Junior Editor

Junior Editor

Goran Ćulibrk

Engr. Cielo Panda

Anthony Lucero

Engr. Aaron Kesel

Engr. Emmanuel Stalling

Junior Editor

Guest Editor North America

Margaret Banford Guest Editor United Kingdom

Afsana Alam

Video Editor Creative & Layout Guest Editor North America

Patricia Eldridge Guest Editor United Kingdom

Guest Editor United Arab Emirates

Publisher GineersNow Inc.

Global Sales Of!ice Lincoln Martin FZE

Level 10-1 One Global Place, 5th Avenue & 25th Street , BGC, Taguig, Philippines Tel: +632 2242 000

Level 14, Boulevard Plaza Tower 1, MBR Boulevard, Emaar Square, Downtown Dubai.

P.O. Box 334036 United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 50 4289684

Disclaimer: The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers.

Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers' particular circumstances.

The Copyright Law of the United States of America, Chapter 1, Subject 107, called the “Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use” states that, “Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means speci!ied by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include— (1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonpro!it educational purposes; (2) the nature of the copyrighted work; (3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and (4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.”

In this month’s Construction Leaders, we are featuring KONE and Samar Halabi, the Regional Managing Director for the company’s Middle East and Africa division.

With over 100 years of heritage, their history taught them the importance of using innovation and transforming the business according to the changing environment in order to renew themselves as a company. In this exclusive interview, learn more about KONE, their latest technologies and product innovations, their future expansion plans and goals and their methodologies in creating innovative solutions for their clients.

We have also included several special features on the magazine such as the following:

EDITOR’S NOTE

• • • • •

American University of Sharjah’s New Engineering and Science Building Complex to House World-Class Research Facilities and a State-of-the-Art Learning Environment New Technology Brings The Latest Conservation Benefits To Building Owners MIT Develops Building Model That Can Sense Tremors Solar Park Veendam – From Polluted Land to a Sustainable Energy Development Wood Wastes are Now Being Used as Admixtures for Concrete

Lastly, we have prepared special articles to help you be the best at what you do. Read our guide on how to become a quick learner. Find out how you can do more in less time and why engineers should make a personal development plan. Learn what your boss wants to tell you without directly saying it to you and find out which of our suggested creative ways you can apply to earn extra money.

So go ahead, scroll through our pages and read the latest stories that put the spotlight on the construction industry. It’s that time of the month to sit back and relax. Get your monthly dose of engineering and technology news and stories with GineersNow: Construction Leaders!

Engr. Alice Hernandez Senior Editor-at-Large

Contents Why Engineers Should Make a Personal Development Plan

10

American University of Sharjah’s New Engineering and Science Building Complex to House World-Class Research Facilities and a State-of-the-Art Learning Environment

12

How KONE Revolutionized The Elevator and Escalator Industry

16

4 Things That Engineering Bosses Want to Tell You But Won’t Say

27

MIT Develops Building Model That Can Sense Tremors

28

Creative Ways Engineers Can Increase How Much They Earn Solar Park Veendam – From Polluted Land to a Sustainable Energy Development

Aldar Launches Masterplan Alghadeer

34

How Engineers Can Do More In Less Time

36

New Technology Brings The Latest Conservation Benefits To Building Owners

38

Soil as a Modern Construction Material?

Why Not

40

An Engineer’s Guide to Becoming a Quick Learner

42

CHINT Cooperates with the Bangladesh Power Commission Supporting the 300MW IPP HFO Power Plant Project

44

30

“Doors and Rolling Shutter Products at Gulf Construction Expo”

46

32

How Engineers Can Be The Best At What They Do 48 Wood Wastes are Now Being Used as Admixtures for Concrete

50

LEADING GLOBAL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND INTEGRATED SUPPLIER CHINT is committed to providing the world with safe, reliable and stable electrical equipment and clean energy solutions.

After more than 30 years of growth,CHINT has developed from Asia’s largest LV apparatus supplier to leading global electrical equipment and integrated supplier,with strength transformation,distribution to terminal consumpion.

To date,with the annual sales revenue exceeding more than 6.7 billion euros and over 30,000 employees around the world,CHINT has provided reliable electrical equipment and solutions for more than 130 countries and regions worldwide as an active player of electric power construction in the global market.

ZHEJIANG CHINT ELECTRICS CO.,LTD. ADD: Office NO.LB182406,P.O.Box:263174,Jebel Ali,Dubai,United Arab Emirates TEL: 00971-48848286 FAX: 00971-48848287 E-mail: chintwaa@chint.com Website: www.chint.net

Why Engineers Should Make a Personal Development Plan This tool can have a great impact in your career.

More often than not, the career plans of engineers are only made inside their minds. They are almost never written or stated explicitly, which lacks the opportunity and convenience in checking if the current status of employment is in line with the career goals.

For engineers to be able to plan effectively for their future, establish a direction for career growth, and take responsibility for their career paths, they need to have a Personal Development Plan or PDP.

What is this exactly?

A Personal Development Plan is a structured tool in creating an action plan based on an individual’s learning, performance & achievements, to plan for his or her personal, professional and educational development. Its primary purpose is to help employees, like engineers, to reach shortand long-term career goals as well as improve current job performance.

It has be written in print or stored digitally, whichever is convenient. Because the PDP has to be constantly reviewed and updated since it is a lifelong process of guiding the engineers’ career.

There are four critical areas of 10

Construction Leaders

May 2018

importance that can be found in a PDP. Here are those listed below:

What goals are you aiming for?

The most basic aspect of all PDPs is the statement of goals, which is the first step. Without this, it’s fairly difficult to have a strategic plan and make career decisions along the way.

Goal statement requires an honest analysis of oneself. For engineers, this means that they should have a vision of what they want to do in the future, and which goals are considered short, medium, and long term.

Weigh in on your current situation Where are you now as an engineering professional? This question asks engineers to identify their key competencies, skills to develop, and resources available. To be able to establish the current situation helps in strategizing.

A concrete actionable plan This step is where engineers are needed to put into details what needs to be done to achieve career goals. Activities like completing trainings,

choosing employers, looking for other sources of income, and even planning family life, among others, are done in this stage. A concrete action plan should come with a reasonable timescale depending on objectives.

Review your progress After a considerable time, engineers should go back to their PDPs and check whether the goals have been met and action plans have been executed. The PDP has to be reviewed constantly if engineers want a much more secure career in the future.

American University of Sharjah’s New Engineering and Science Building Complex to House World-Class Research Facilities and a State-of-the-Art Learning Environment Faculty and students in the College of Engineering (CEN) at American University of Sharjah (AUS) are set to benefit from a stateof-the-art building currently being constructed on campus, and full renovation of the existing engineering building complex.

The new, two-story Engineering and Science Building will cover close to 30,000 square metres, and contain 25 classrooms and 33 new laboratories, equipped with the most upto-date facilities. The renovated engineering buildings will house a modern project-based learning environment with makerspace and fabrication facilities, along with research laboratories for faculty that will contribute to four new research institutes being established

at AUS: the Biosciences and Bioengineering Research Institute, the Materials Science and Engineering Research Institute, the Gulf Environments Research Institute, and the Smart Cities Research Institute.

The new building will assign a substaintial area as collaborative work space (“makerspace”).

The area will house equipment and supplies where CEN’s engineers-in-training can put their skills together to come up with ideas, and refine and perfect them to design an amazing range of projects. The space will also be used for the design aspect of the college’s Introduction to Engineering course where students are asked to design bridges, catapults, domes, planes, and cars using simple daily-used material.

With the recent launch of CEN’s first PhD program, Dean Dr. Richard Schoephoerster believes the new building will set the standard for engineering studies in the region, at both the undergraduate, and graduate level. He says: “We are witnessing impressive developments in engineering and science here at AUS, in large part thanks to the outstanding resources and facilities made available to faculty and students.

Increasingly, students undertaking a bachelor’s or master’s degree expect that laboratories and other university resources will meet the highest international specifications and afford them the opportunity to participate in research and learning that has a meaningful impact in their field of interest. The new Engineering and Science Building at AUS will exceed these expectations, providing our students and faculty with the same level of resources that can be found in the world’s very best engineering schools. As we launch our new PhD in Engineering – Engineering Systems Management, our doctoral students will also benefit from the world-class facilities housed by the new building.”

The construction is setting new standards for environmental sustainability, with a comprehensive waste and recycling management plan underpinning the new build. The building’s design has been awarded a “2 Pearl” rating

by Estidama, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s sustainable development initiative.

The Pearl Rating System, or PRS, functions as a way of assessing the sustainability of a building, rating a building on a scale of one to five against four criteria; environmental, economic, social and cultural. The Engineering and Science Building is the first to achieve a “2 Pearl” rating outside of Abu Dhabi.

Dean Schoephoerster says of the building’s environmental achievements; “From the very earliest design phase of the new building, we wanted to ensure that we were setting an example for sustainable construction.

Engineers are at the forefront of developing solutions that will overcome challenges associated with global warming, renewable energy and waste management. We, therefore,

needed to be confident that this new building utilizes the latest technology in energy and water use, and that it sets the benchmark for other new buildings, not just at the university, but throughout the UAE, and even further afield.”

As one of the largest engineering schools in the region, the College of Engineering at AUS currently has 2,438 students enrolled at the undergraduate level, and 254 students enrolled at the master’s level. With demand for places at the college high, the new building will be able to accommodate a growing number of engineering students at the university without compromising the quality of education for which AUS is well known. The new facility will also allow AUS to expand the number of programs it offers through the College of Engineering, with plans to expand the number of graduate programs, and enhance the university’s research impact.

Dr. Schoephoerster says: “We are currently developing a Strategic Plan for the College of Engineering, with one of the main objectives of this plan to expand the scope of programs we offer, particularly at a master’s and doctoral level. With seven bachelor’s programs and eight master’s programs currently available (and the first PhD program offered this coming Fall), we have one of the Middle East’s most

extensive engineering offerings. However, with a growing youth population in the Middle East, and more and more school students seeking a university place, demand continues to grow.

We, therefore, need to be taking action that will address this need and provide those students with the capability to undertake an engineering degree, the opportunity to do so “It is also of importance to us that we make a real contribution to research outcomes in the engineering and science fields. Part of our mission is to deliver research results that promote the UAE’ s aims of becoming an advanced, knowledge-based economy. This new Engineering and Science Building Complex will, therefore, help us deliver upon two of our key goals: opening up more places for talented engineering students, and giving these students and our faculty the sort of facilities that will allow for impressive research outcomes to be realized.”

With approximately 20 percent of the building now finished, the expected completion date for the new building is June 2019.

To find out more about the College of Engineering at American University of Sharjah, please visit: www.aus.edu/CEN.

How KONE Revolutionized The Elevator and Escalator Industry

Urbanisation in a Beijing Construction Site

USK (Kansas City/1954)

A Brief History of KONE As a company, we have over 100 years of heritage and our history has taught us the importance of renewing ourselves through innovation and transforming our business according to the changing environment.

KONE’s business grew during the 1920’s and 1930’s. However, it was in the 1940’s and 1950’s when the company produced a great volume of elevators, electric hoists and cranes. This helped spark industrialization in Finland, and led to KONE expanding capacity and developing new production processes.

Following a series of acquisitions, KONE became a player on the world stage. The 1990’s however, brought a new political landscape and a time of deep recession.

In 1994, KONE bought the fourth largest elevator

group in the United States, Montgomery Elevator Company, and made plans to move decisively into China and expand operations in India.

Long-term investments into R&D paid off in 1996, when KONE revolutionized the elevator industry by introducing the world’s first machine-room-less elevator, the KONE MonoSpace®. The innovation quickly became the industry standard, and KONE later adapted the low-rise technology to mid- and high-rise elevators as well. Early investments in China also paid off with KONE at the forefront of developments which made China the biggest elevator and escalator market in the world.

Further innovations followed in 2013, including KONE UltraRope® technology. The superlight hoisting cable has a carbon fiber core and eliminates many of the disadvantages of conventional steel rope, enabling elevator travel of up to 1 kilometer while providing unparalleled elevator eco-efficiency, reliability and durability.

Service Department (1935)

KONE MonoSpace Elevator Shaft

KONE MonoSpace

The Company’s Latest Technologies and Product Innovations Today, we have a clear mission, which is to improve the flow of urban life. We make cities better places to live by understanding People Flow in and between buildings and making people’s journeys safe, convenient and reliable.

We service more than 1.2 million elevators and escalators and in 2017 we delivered 141,000 units. KONE moves more than 1 billion people every day, serving over 450,000 customers, like architects, construction companies, builders, developers, building owners and facility managers.

Urbanization continues around the world, as well as rapid changes in technology. We think these developments provide good opportunities, especially as our starting point is to always consider what is best for our customers.

A good example of recent product innovation is KONE 24/7 Connected Services, which uses KONE UltraRope Construction Leaders

May 2018

19

Tailored Services

the IBM Watson IoT (Internet of Things) platform and other technologies to bring safety, transparency and intelligence to services for elevators and escalators.

It means a completely new experience for KONE’s customers, because faults can be predicted before they happen and where equipment can be monitored in real time.

The Company’s Future Expansion Plans and Goals Ever since our foundation in 1910, KONE’s journey has seen us experience times of disruption and change, followed by times of success. As we look towards the future, we will continue to shape tomorrow’s cities for the better.

The trend for the building industry and especially for the elevator & escalator industry continues to be driven by urbanization, with the need for broader living and working environments, in combination with excellent public transportation infrastructure.

Above all, technologies will enable us to bring different services and equipment to better serve individual customers – and KONE is well placed to lead the way for the industry.

KONE’s Methodologies in Creating Innovative Solutions for Its Clients KONE UltraRope 2

Urbanisation

To succeed and differentiate in our industry, we need to serve our customers in much better ways – better than before. We need to ask “can technology help our customers business, or will technology give insights into areas that can improve service quality and safety?” Or: “how can digital services improve consumers’ lives when they use KONE solutions?”

And we need to be able to do this for the entire lifecycle of a building, which is especially important for the design of our services and experiences.

Product design alone is not enough. The whole people flow experience needs to be flexible to accommodate changes over several years, while meeting the user’s and customer’s needs. Whether developing new services from scratch or improving old ones, it means taking inspiration from our surroundings. It means getting out of the lab or studio and working together with customers and end-users.

At KONE, our strategy is to help our customers succeed, which means helping their buildings to become more functional and as user friendly as possible for their users. However, every one of our customers is different. To succeed in this environment, we need to deliver better value and meet those individual needs.

Urbanisation

TRIVIA

After the second world war, KONE made ice-skates, coffee makers, carbide lamps.

The Company’s Top Iconic Projects KONE has a very strong business with a number of prestigious installations in the Middle East. For example: • • • • • •

ICD Brookfield Place WOW Hotel Riyad’s metro Bahrain airport expansion Qatar metro Al Argan projects

Read and visit KONE’s website for more details.

KONE 24/7 Connected Services

About Samer Halabi Samer Halabi is the Regional Managing Director at KONE Middle East and Africa.

Samer leads KONE’s regional business strategy, and is in charge of the business development, budget planning and alignment of all operational activities within KONE’s guidelines and objectives. Samer has been living in Dubai since 1998 and over the years he has learnt a great deal through the wide international exposure and the pleasure of working with stakeholders from all over the world. Samer believes that transparency and humbleness are keys for success, in addition to being close to both colleagues and customers and always working towards adding value to their business and delivering what has been promised. He has an open door policy and welcomes a challenger mindset.

Samer is living in Dubai with his family since 1998, he is married with 2 children of 14 years old.

Samer holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Aleppo University in Syria, and has also received various trainings in leadership and innovation from the UK and Switzerland.

Kunshan Park

Kunshan Park

KONE Turnstile 100

KONE Accessâ„¢

KONE Destination

Enjoy a smooth journey with maximum security.

KONE, a world leader in the elevator and escalator industry, offers a range of access and destination guidance solutions.

KONE Middle East & Africa - P.O. Box 21474 Dubai UAE - Tel. +971-4-2794500 www.kone.ae

4 Things That Engineering Bosses Want to Tell You But Won’t Say Your engineering manager will not spoon-feed you all the stuff you need to know. There will be times that you will need to figure them out on your own.

When you are an engineer who is new to the field, you are most likely to work for a boss in a company. He or she will give you commands, guide you on how to do your work, and share some advice that could help you in your 8-to-5 job.

But your engineering manager will not spoonfeed you all the stuff you need to know. There will be times that you will need to figure them out on your own, and your boss will refuse to say it on your face.

Here are 4 things that could help you on your engineering job but your boss will never tell you:

Ask questions It’s a common newbie mistake to be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be. Bosses actually appreciate engineers who do not hold back when it comes to reaching out to others. Inquiry doesn’t make you vulnerable, it only says that you are paying attention, avoiding confusion, and thinking critically.

Invest in relationships

This include every single one of your coworkers not only engineers and your boss but also the janitor and the security guard. Having quality work relationships tend to enhance work productivity, efficiency, engagement, and communications. This is critical especially when engineers work with different departments in various levels of the company.

Use those vacation days Only good engineering managers actually promote this one, so be careful about this advice. Nonetheless, engineering managers also want you to maintain a work-life balance. They want you to take vacation leaves to take a break.

They understand that doing so avoids work burnout.

Plan beyond your next paycheck Your boss is also concerned about how you handle your money. This is one of the great sources of stress of which affects the quality of work of engineers. Engineering managers want its employees to have a financial security, so better develop smart habits early on and maximize your options.

MIT Develops Building Model That Can Sense Tremors Tremors and vibrations can travel through structures when there are earthquakes, or even when large trucks passes by buildings.

Now, MIT researchers have developed a computational building model that has the capability of making sense of these ambient vibrations, and getting data from the noise that give indications of a building’s stability. This model can be useful to monitor a building over time for different signs of damage or mechanical stress. The researcher’s results have been published online in the journal Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing.

According to Oral Buyukozturk, a professor in MIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), “The broader implication is, 28

Construction Leaders

May 2018

after an event like an earthquake, we would see immediately the changes of these features, and if and where there is damage in the system. This provides continuous monitoring and a database that would be like a health book for the building, as a function of time, much like a person’s changing blood pressure with age.”

The research team was able to test its computational model on MIT’s Green Building, which is a 21-story research building that is made completely out of reinforced concrete. This building was designed in the 1960’s by the architect and MIT alum I.M. Pei ’40. It stands as the tallest structure in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 2010, the MIT team collaborated with the United States Geological Survey to install the building with

36 accelerometers which record vibrations and movements on selected floors, from the building’s foundation to the roof.

To be able to accurately predict a building’s response to different vibrations, the group got data from the Green Building’s accelerometers, searching for key features that correspond directly to a buildings indicators of health. So the team developed a new method with the seismic interferometry concept which shows how a vibration’s pattern changes as it travels from the ground level to the roof.

The researchers ran the model many times, each with a set of measurements they got from the accelerometers at a given point in time. The researchers plugged into the model vibration measurements which were taken continuously over two weeks in May 2015.

“We are continuously making our computational system more intelligent over time, with more data.

We’re confident if there is damage in the building, it will show up in our system.” Buyukozturk said.

The Result According to Buyukozturk in Science Daily,

“The building is safe, but it is subject to quite a bit of vibration, particularly in the upper floors.

The building, which is built on soft soil, is long in one direction and narrow in the other with stiff concrete walls on each end. Therefore, it manifests torsional movements and rocking, especially on windy days.”

The team is planning to verity their computational model with experiments done in the lab. They have created a 4-meter tall replica of a building structure, and install accelerometers. They will be further studying ambient vibrations, particularly on their effects on the structure. They will also be testing the response of the structure to hammer strikes as well as other tremor stimuli. They will also be constructing a large steel structure in Woburn, Massachusetts, which will be as tall as a cellphone tower to do experiments that will help strengthen their computational model.

Once this research will be refined in the future, it would be a great idea to have it installed on all buildings especially in countries where earthquakes are prevalent. This monitoring system can make structures “smart” and keep us alert after strong tremors to see if the structures are still safe to occupy or work in. After all, safety is one of the most important priorities.

Construction Leaders

May 2018

29

Creative Ways Engineers Can Increase How Much They Earn How can you increase your value at work to be able to earn more?

Everyone wants to earn more. However, most of the time working hard has little effect on how much you earn. It may seem harsh, but most of the time it’s true. No matter how much overtime hours you render at work, will have little or no effect on your current salary. In our society, what you earn is usually based on the value of what it is you do.

30

Construction Leaders

May 2018

Dollar amounts are placed on everyday tasks, and payment is offered based on who can give the desired outcome. Payment is also related to supply and demand. For example, lots of people are capable of scrubbing toilets, but not everyone can manage a construction project.

you to earn more for yourself. Do some research and look for different parties that are willing to pay for that role.

Choose long term jackpots Learn to be patient. No one becomes an instant expert at something overnight. Even those who are innately talented still have a lot to learn through experience. Once you’ve chosen a role don’t just focus on short term raises, focus on long term jackpots instead. As you are still in the lower end of the learning curve, continue to prove yourself and improve your abilities. Forget asking for extra pay for the extra 2 hours you’ve spent at a certain task. When you’re still starting, it’s better to focus on quality, as well as connections.

Instead of asking for that extra 2 hours pay, ask your client to introduce you to someone that you could add to your connections. This will help you ladder up your success to your next projects.

Master your craft while making connections.

Don’t tell people why they should pay you more. Show them.

So, as engineers who want to improve in their field and earn more, what can you do? How can you increase your value to the point where you are earning more than what is considered average for your responsibilities?

Research and Absorb Do some research and learn what is most valuable about your role. You can try rereading your job description that was given to you when you first started your job, and from the list of responsibilities find out which one is of most value. Or if you currently don’t have a job, find a strong characteristic that you have that can help

Action speaks louder than words. We all know this. If you’re an engineer who is currently employed, then show everyone (especially your bosses) that you deserve to be paid more or be given a promotion. If you have a business on the side, show your clients that what they are paying for is so worth it that they will want to come back again.

Stop telling. Start showing.

Ask Not everything will be served on a silver platter for you. While there are bosses who suddenly call you up and give you that raise you deserve, most aren’t like that. If you feel that you deserve to be paid more, in whatever you are working in, it’s your responsibility to ask. Talk to your boss.

You may need to be prepared for a “no”, but don’t be disheartened. Explain to them what value you provide that makes you believe you deserve those earnings.

Construction Leaders

May 2018

31

Solar Park Veendam – From Polluted Land to a Sustainable Energy Development Astronergy / Chint Solar officially inaugurates a new 15.5 MW solar park in the municipality of Veendam, Province of Groningen, Netherlands.

Astronergy / Chint Solar officially inaugurates a new 15.5 MW solar park in the municipality of Veendam, Province of Groningen, Netherlands.

The project, which was the largest solar PV project connected in 2017 in the Netherlands, was acquired end of 2016 from a local developer and was brought to a successful completion and connection in December 2017

by Chint. The polluted land that was found unsuitable for agricultural use found in solar a new purpose.

The 15 hectares strip of land located in the heart of the industrial area of Veendam, was vacant for a long time and part of the ground had suffered from contamination during years

of industrial use. Solar presents itself as perfect solution for such cases, where little to no disturbance of the soil is desirable and can convert an otherwise unusable land into an economic and sustainability landmark for the region. The solar park, which will, during its operational lifetime, offset more than 240 kiloton of CO2, will produce enough energy every year to power 5900 homes. “We are proud to have stepped into this project and to have contributed to its full success. It was a team effort which enabled the realization of the project with a strong collaboration and participation from all public stakeholders. We see the Veendam Solar Park as a landmark

and role model that we wish to replicate in the Netherlands in the coming years. Chint is a pioneer in the solar energy sector and is fully committed to contribute to a successful energy transition in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe, away from fossil fuels and into a sustainable and clean energy future.” Dr. Lu, Chuan the CEO of Astronergy/Chint Solar commented.

The project was initially developed by local company Powerfield and acquired by Chint in December 2016. From that point onwards Chint was actively engaged with the Municipality of Veendam, the Province of Groningen and other local entities, private companies and advisors to ensure the project’s development would be carried on fulfilling all of the regulatory and legal requirements. During the first half of 2017 all the open technical and development items were concluded, and the project reached financial closure in the summer time. Construction of the solar park, which was carried out by the specialized firm Golbeck Solar, started on the 4th of September and progressed at an impressive rate to mount all 57.288 solar panels and connect by 29th of December to the Enexis

Veendam substation across the canal from the project location.

“The end phase of the construction was quite challenging as the bad weather and amount of water on the ground threatened to delay the progress and endanger a timely connection.

With the excellent support of the local grid operator Enexis and all involved parties in construction we finally connected the park and achieved first energy export before the last days of 2017.” Dr. Lu, Chuan said What’s next?

Chint intends to remain very active in the Netherlands and is already planning the construction of the next solar park with 15.2 MW in Andijk, Municipality of Medemblik, province of Noord-Holland. The medium term goal is ambitious. The company is working on early stage development of additional 500 MW to be built over the course of the next 2 to 3 years.

This will be achieved in close collaboration with several municipalities, provinces and many other public entities, and in partnering with local private companies in the industry.

Aldar Launches Masterplan Alghadeer Aldar Properties PJSC (“Aldar”), announced the launch of a new AED10 billion masterplan that will incorporate and greatly enhance one of its already established destinations – Alghadeer, which sits close to the border of Abu Dhabi and Dubai within its Seih Al Sdeirah landbank.

Alghadeer masterplan consists of 14,408 units, including villas, townhouses, and maisonettes.

Total residential GFA is set to exceed 1.3 million sqm and will be complemented by office space, retail space, hospitality, education and community amenities.

Commenting, Talal Al Dhiyebi, Chief Executive 34

Construction Leaders

May 2018

Officer, Aldar Properties said: “The launch of Alghadeer is clear statement of Aldar’s ambition. From its strategic location to its sustainable living initiatives, Alghadeer signals the creation of a new way of living for UAE residents, now and in the future. We are confident of the demand for a community which offers a distinct lifestyle - peaceful residential neighbourhoods, within close proximity to the bustling cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

“This launch further underlines how Aldar is expanding its successful destination-led strategy to additional areas of Abu Dhabi, capitalizing

Airport, as well as Dubai Industrial and Wholesale Cities, which will further boost the demand for high quality living spaces on the border of the two Emirates. With easy access to the UAE’s arterial highways, Alghadeer will become home to those seeking both connectivity, and an escape from city life.

on the UAE’s flourishing population as well as our reputation as Abu Dhabi’s leading developer. The scale and 15-year timeframe of the development underlines Aldar’s confidence in the Abu Dhabi residential market.”

Alghadeer is designed to benefit from the significant growth being experienced in the north of Abu Dhabi and the south of Dubai. This area of the UAE includes major job creating projects such as Dubai Expo 2020, KIZAD, Dubai World Central incorporating Dubai South, the Al Maktoum

At the heart of Alghadeer is HARVEST, a multi-use agricultural led space featuring allotments, as well as THE HUB – a F&B outlet, THE STUDIO – an educational area for training and workshops, THE SHED – a dedicated area for purchasing farming tools and supplies, and THE MARKET – a retail area for freshly grown produce, and THE FIELD - where people can rent plots and grow their own produce. Appealing to those who prefer wide-open spaces and unique recreational amenities, the destination will also feature lakes, running and cycle tracks, gym, camping and BBQ sites and a network of walkable gardens and parks lit entirely by solar powered lights.

The new Alghadeer masterplan also includes schools, a hotel, public garden areas, community swimming pools, multi-use sports areas, and community centres.

FIRST HOMES TO GO ON SALE AT CITYSCAPE ABU DHABI – 17TH APRIL

the UAE Capital from 17-19 April. Customers will have the opportunity to purchase maisonettes, townhouses and villas. This neighbourhood is located to the north west of the masterplan, and near Alghadeer’s central amenities such as HARVEST. Prices within this first release will start from AED290,000 for maisonettes, with townhouses starting at AED899,900.

Construction of this first neighbourhood is scheduled to commence in 2018 and be completed during 2021.

A PROVEN TRACK RECORD IN THIS DESTINATION The new Alghadeer masterplan incorporates Aldar’s existing community of the same name which boasts over 2,000 homes and is a thriving destination for many families. Alghadeer’s key success factor is its proximity to major growth areas within the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai which enables residents of Alghadeer to have greater choice over where they work, shop, travel, and educate their children.

Alghadeer’s masterplan, development model and floorplans was available to view at Cityscape Abu Dhabi, which ran from 17 – 19 April, 2018.

For more information on the development, please visit www. aldar.com.

Aldar initially launched the first neighbourhood of 611 homes for sale during Cityscape Abu Dhabi taking place in Construction Leaders

May 2018

35

How Engineers Can Do More In Less Time Get things done in the least amount of time possible

Studies show that most people are unproductive at work. And when you’re an engineer trying to get to the top, that can be a very dangerous trap to fall in. But if there’s just so much to do in so little time, how do you handle it without the burnout?

Well luckily, Science has given us a few ways to help: Some people are more energized in the morning, some in the afternoon, and some at night. Try to find out where you stand in the spectrum.

If you tend to wake up early and do fine with the standard work hour, you’re likely to be a morning person. If you’re tired during the first half and get into full work mode on the second half, you’re an afternoon person. If you’re eternally exhausted throughout the workday but tend to stay up at night, you’re most likely a night owl.

Find out when you’re at your peak and try to adjust your work schedule to it.

Get enough sleep

Research has shown that sleep allows the body to rest and repair itself for the grind the following day. So despite our culture’s tendency to pull allnighters, just sleep in and set that work aside for tomorrow. Your body will thank you for it.

Take a break

Our bodies aren’t exactly designed to keep working and working for 8 hours straight. We get tired for a reason. Remember, Productivity is about excelling at the tasks that generate the highest value, not doing the most number of tasks.

Our body can only focus for 90-120 minutes at a time. To help you through this, you need to take the “basic rest-activity cycle”, where after every 1-2 hours you take a 15-20 minute break throughout the day. It gives you enough time to rest and refocus and still get stuff done.

Get an office plant

Yes, I know, this is a bit odd. But science says it helps. Apparently, houseplants in the office helps workers become 15% more productive. Maybe it’s the fresh air and reconnection to nature where we belong.

36

Construction Leaders

May 2018

New Technology Brings The Latest Conservation Benefits To Building Owners

Futuristic Solution Reduces Costs While Boosting Energy Efficiency and Durability In today’s hyper-competitive property market, building owners and managers are constantly on the lookout for ways to increase tenant satisfaction, while reducing overhead. This constant tension has had a profound impact

38

Construction Leaders

May 2018

on the way that buildings are designed, staffed and maintained. But now, the rise of advanced HVAC solutions is even helping to protect the planet. How can this be? How can technology designed primarily to meet the key needs of building owners (durability, flexibility, efficiency and effectiveness) yield benefits on such a wide scale?

First, we need to take a step back and examine how energy efficiency took on such a degree of importance, particularly in the most developed economies. Building owners have long flocked to efficient solutions for their ability to reduce operational costs, but in recent years another justifying reason has emerged. More than any other design trend, the desire to reduce a building’s environmental footprint has become an important cultural signifier. While once seen as simply a way to save costs, an increasing number of building owners now view effective energy consumption as a moral issue. This rise in interest has financed a new generation of innovation in energy efficient solutions specifically designed to bring down operational costs. Headlining this fresh wave of usercentered solutions is the LG MULTI V 5, which offers the streamlined functionality necessary to both optimize energy efficiency, and maximize user comfort.

Mr. Yong Geun Choi, President, LG Electronics Gulf, said, “Building owners are increasingly looking to provide their tenants with energyefficient cooling solutions. This ensures that occupants have clean air, but without the added operational costs and the bonus of sustainability. LG recognizes the need for such sustainable solutions and is constantly innovating to bring the latest technological advances to market, serving building owners and the communities they house with the best climate control solutions available.”

Balancing eco-friendly credentials with impressive performance specs, the MULTI V 5 emerged as the right solution at the right time.

Its innovative Dual Sensing Control monitors temperature and humidity levels, allowing the MULTI V 5 to expertly combine advanced software and smart sensors with engineering knowledge.

In addition to keeping energy costs down via its array of efficiency-boosting features, the MULTI V 5 is also equipped with advanced software that allows users to set predefined limits on energy consumption. These smart operational guidelines serve to increase efficiency by

analyzing and comparing usage patterns on a month-by-month basis. The information gleaned from these tests helps reduce energy use, lowering operational costs for the benefit of the building owner and the environment.

Like energy efficiency, durability has long been a key criterion for building owners looking to invest in a new HVAC solution. While not generally regarded as a threat to advanced solutions, salt, sand and other elements brought in by strong sea winds (as well as industrial pollution) can reduce the lifespan of even the most sophisticated units. LG’s exclusive Ocean Black Fin heat exchanger is specially designed for durable and long-lasting performance even in corrosive environments.

This ability to thrive in any environment testifies to the versatility and flexibility of the MULTI V 5. The solution’s sleek appearance combines with its slim profile to diminish is impact on the building’s external appearance. In addition, the compact nature of the VRF helps to speed up the installation process while also freeing up additional floor space. For building owners looking to get the most out of their properties, these space-efficient solutions allow for a greater degree of freedom in floor design.

Whether clearing space for large atriums or creating additional storage nooks, savvy building owners will be sure that none of their newfound space goes to waste.

While the MULTI V 5 is ideal for building owners, in the end we all benefit from the advancing capabilities of modern HVAC solutions. Seamlessly combining features that improve energy efficiency, boost durability and strengthen flexibility, the MULTI V 5 is delicately crafted to provide everything that building owners prioritize in their solutions.

These benefits and more make it clear that the MULTI V 5 is the ultimate solution for building owners precisely because of its ability to reliably create comfortable environments for occupants.

Everything from modern offices and loft apartments to open public buildings can benefit from what the MULTI V 5 can offer.

Construction Leaders

May 2018

39

Soil as a Modern Construction Material? Why Not Researchers have re-examined soil and discovered how to better it as a construction material.

Soil is often used in construction for foundation purposes. But when mixed with water, it becomes a viable building material that could be used for building structures like what the people did in the Neolithic Period. One could notice in history that there are several mud constructions especially in dry regions, some even existing until today. In fact in 2014, nearly 40% of the world’s population still lived or worked in structures using soil as a construction material.

But using soil as a construction material has been 40

Construction Leaders

May 2018

limited and became less famous because of the emergence of concrete. It is unable to compete in terms of building applications.

That is about to change now as researchers have made a huge step in making dirt as a modern material for structures.

By adding calcium carbide residue and fly ash as binding agents in what they call as rammed earth or compressed soil, engineers at University of British Columbia discovered that the walls containing such binding agents were 25 times

stronger than those without after being cured for 60 days. With soil being used in rammed earth walls, earth bricks and compressed earth blocks, the technique has the potential to be used widely in modern construction.

“Conventional cement construction is the principle building material for buildings, roads, pipelines and bridges around the world. But builders today are seeking cheaper and more environmentally responsible construction materials. One such material may be compressed—or rammed—earth,” says UBC Okanagan engineering professor Sumi Siddiqua.

She worked with her student Priscila Barreto from Brazil who started this research as an undergraduate student and continued it in graduate school.

“The core of our challenge was to pinpoint the strongest composition of binding materials,” says Siddiqua. “While research shows that some amount of clay is required to stabilize soils, having a mechanism to better bind the soil grains is the key.”

Meanwhile, Barreto relates her home country to the application of this new technique. She said, “In countries like Brazil and regions like the Sertão in the country’s northeast, rammed earth is commonly used as a building technique. The opportunity to enable people to build stronger and safer structures with natural soil is one of my central motivations for doing this research.”

Construction Leaders

May 2018

41

An Engineer’s Guide to Becoming a Quick Learner Picking up on things quicker than other people is not really a ‘gift’. Simple practices allows young engineers to be quick learners themselves.

42

Construction Leaders

May 2018

a knack for learning things faster. Here are some ways on how you can improve your speed of learning.

You have to learn how to fail If you want to develop a skill or to learn something new, you have to be prepared for everything. Failure is a step that’s bound to be inevitable, especially to people who are just starting out. You don’t get good at one things by just being successful all the time.

Newbies become experts through constant practice, and constant practice means undergoing multiple failures.

Quick learners are people who are the first to fall and the first ones to try again. They don’t wallow on failure, they accept it.

Practice makes perfect

People often think that being a quick learner is not something everyone can do. Do you often wonder how some people learn quicker than others? What practices do they do to absorb information quickly? If you’ve asked these questions before, you’re in for a surprise. With these strategies and processes, almost everyone can acquire

You’ve thought of it before and you might still think it today — people who “pick up” faster are generally “smarter”.

Well, that’s not completely true. In some cases, people who perform better may have practiced more. In order to learn efficiently, you have to put time and effort in. The more practice you put, the better results you’ll get.

Try out some memory tricks You don’t need a high IQ to be able to memorize certain things. There are numerous mnemonic devices that you can use to remember things

easier. This removes the creepiness of having to sit in a corner murmuring something to yourself repeatedly. For example, if you’re trying to remember which months have a 31st, line your knuckles together and count your knuckles and the spaces in between from left to right.

All the months that line on a knuckle have a 31st while those that land in between only have 30 or less days.

Make it a habit Rome didn’t get built in a day, and learning also doesn’t get done in a day. If you do things constantly you’ll find it easier to absorb anything related to it faster. Writing on a daily basis helps keep your brain active, allowing it to retain information faster. This also applies to things like learning an instrument or a sport. If you continuously do it and set your mind to it, you’ll learn different principles such as patience, discipline, and other things that would help you grow.

Find yourself a good mentor The quickest way to learning things quickly is to have someone each you. Learning from someone who knows what they’re talking about is the best way to speed up your growth.

They’ll be able to tell you about their experiences, how they overcame hurdles, and why they had to do specific things to tackle those hurdles. They’ve seen it, all you’ll have to do is listen, and listen well.

Construction Leaders

May 2018

43

CHINT Cooperates with the Bangladesh Power Commission Supporting the 300MW IPP HFO Power Plant Project CHINT Cooperates with the Bangladesh Power Commission Supporting the 300MW IPP HFO Power Plant Project In February, 2018, CHINT began collaboration on the IPP project of the Bangladesh Power Development Commission in Jessore and Comilla. The HFO power plant’s total capacity of electricity is about 400MW and installed capacity is more than 300MW. When finished, the electricity supplied by the plant will be incorporated directly into the National grid of Bangladesh, which will provide electricity throughout the local areas of that region.

Bangladesh is one of the most important countries in the one belt, one road and maritime Silk Road. Because of this important initiative, CHINT has expanded investment and has begun cooperation on projects of the governments of Pilipinas, Malaysia, Indonesia, Russia, Turkey. The Bangladesh economy has poised for great things most recently. When this project goes into operation, it will greatly relieve

the local demand and promote local economic development and social development within the country.

CHINT can offer the one-stop solutions for our customers with a complete product line portfolio that provides solid power protection and complete global certification standards. Although this construction project has aggressive timetables, CHINT can be expected to complete its part on budget, on time, and also delivering top product quality. The Bangladesh Power Development Commission’s tough evaluation of CHINT’s capabilities resulted finally in beating out all other competitors through a determined and sustained effort by the CHINT team.

The installation and construction of the substation is currently under way and is

expected to be completed in April. CHINT is providing 132 kV primary equipment, complete integration covering three product lines for high voltage transmission and distribution: power transformers, high-voltage switch (isolation switch, circuit breaker), high-voltage components (current Transformer, voltage transformer, lightning arrester), 35kV and below power cable.

This project is perfectly aligned with CHINT’s market positioning. The end result will be a thriving, growing economy in Bangladesh as a result of this project.

CHINT’s Product Line will Launch in Algeria From Feb 12-15th, CHINT attended the 2018 SEER fair in Algeria. During the exhibition, multiple products and systems were presented to many professional participants on site, such as House building, solar power supply system, Industrial control, Industrial inverter and softstarter solution, and the NEXT series. Even though it was the first appearance at this event,

CHINT’s booth attracted much attention from more than 200 participants. Because the event was held during the China Spring Festival, CHINT staffers all wore Chinese traditional costume to celebrate!

The 2018 SEER fair is the first event dedicated exclusively to electricity and renewable energies in Algeria. This fair was held from February 12th through the 15th, 2018 in Alger, and exhibitors included most of the local equipment manufacturers, distributors, design institute, panel builders etc.

The stable growth of international trade in CHINTAlgeria market, is a result of CHINT’s strategy of local events and Marketing focus within the region to boost sales. Participation at the SEER fair demonstrates CHINT’s determination in following through on this marketing strategy.

Later this year in 2018, the first overseas CHINT assembly line will begin production in Algeria, further accelerating CHINT’s regional development in the Algeria market.

“Doors and Rolling Shutter Products at Gulf Construction Expo” being Gulf Construction Expos first Doors and Rolling Shutter product sponsors”

Al Nisr Aluminium and Metal Fabrication Co Ltd, Bahrain’s leading provider of Rolling shutters & Sectional doors, will be promoting their renowned products at Gulf Construction Expo 2018.

46

such as FLEXIDOOR, R&D DOORS, EFAFLEX, KENT, ISEA, OCM, SIPAR and JEWERS to name a few.

The Northern Gulf’s leading expo for construction and building materials is held under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain and takes place from the 24th – 26th April 2018 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Al-Nisr Aluminium, established in the year 1976, was the first company to introduce Window rolling shutters into the Kingdom of Bahrain .

The company’s passionate dedication to be the best in their field, saw them bring Micro-perforated Rolling shutters to the market in 1989.

With over 35 models of Rolling shutters, Customers have a wide range to choose from.

Al- Nisr Aluminium will showcase a wide range of products and brands of several models of Rolling shutters, Sectional overhead doors, Folding doors,High speed doors, Window rolling shutters, Fire-curtains, etc.

The company is also Bahrain’s agent for international brands

Al Nisr General Manager, Devraj Das commenting on their support for the expo says :“The Gulf Construction expo, is established as the platform to promote innovative products and services to the sector. As a leading supplier in Bahrain we have taken the opportunity to promote our company by

Construction Leaders

May 2018

Exhibition Director Ahmed Suleiman said “AlNisr are a very professional and well established business. They are held in high esteem by the industry as a whole, this is seen in the number of the world’s leading brands in door and shuttering systems who will be on the Al Nisr stand from Germany, Italy and U.K..

Visitors to the show will have a first-hand market knowledge of Al Nisr together with the expertise of the manufacturers to guide them through their questions”.

Gulf Construction Expo carries the strategic sponsorship of Haji Hassan Group of Companies and Kavalani and Sons; in addition Al Nisr ( Doors and Shutters) joins Amna Insulations (Green Technology) as sector sponsors.

The show is supported by the Chartered Institute of Building and PHD Chambers India.

Gulf Construction Expo takes place alongside two other major exhibitions - The Gulf Property Show and Interiors Expo - thus ensuring the continued success of the biggest integrated business-to-business showcase for the construction, interiors and property sectors in the Northern Gulf.

How Engineers Can Be The Best At What They Do Here is a guide to help bring out the best version of yourselves.

There are some people with simple dreams.

Mostly they just want to live a normal life and earn enough to support themselves. Others dream big, and these people have the most exciting journeys.

Then again, dreaming bigger also means having to face bigger obstacles, and in order to overcome these, you have to become a master at what you do, and be the best version of yourself.

Doing just that can be difficult. We already have little free time as working engineers, giving us little room to develop our skills. Most people fall into the trap of pushing it aside, or just giving up. There’s just too little time and too much competition.

But a simple change in lifestyle can give anyone the strength to push through, and become a better version of themselves in the process. This

is phase 1: and at this point, you’re good enough that you’re in a high position, a boss or manager at a firm or the founder of your own startup.

Here, you’re earning enough off of your passion for engineering to support yourself plus a little more, and are closer to your dream than most.

But that isn’t enough. Being the best means being in that top 1% at your own game. And getting there requires a total change of your very being. Your habits, your thoughts, and your way of thinking.

How do you do that, well here’s where to start:

Start As An Amateur This is where a lot of people get stuck. Some people are just way too much of a perfectionist.

They want their first work to immediately become a masterpiece. But that shouldn’t be the case.

Instead of worrying about perfection, just do it to finish it– and as you continue on you’ll learn and

improve your way to mastery. There are a lot of online sensations that start of simple like posting random YouTube videos continuously for a few months. Usually they would go unnoticed until eventually, one or more of their content becomes viral.

marathon. Most burn out and quit. It’ll test your commitment and will. Keep doing what you’re doing, no matter how long or exhausted you are.

Remind yourself that you’re doing this because you love it, not because you want to be rich or popular.

The goal at first is “finish, not perfect”. If you’re an engineer who loves to design, or maybe invent new gadgets and gizmos, go ahead and plan something out and finish it. Don’t stress too much on additional details. Finish a project first and keep creating more consistently. You’ll soon get to that breakthrough moment.

Allow Time For Recovery

Get Coaching/Education Next is that you have to take your dreams seriously. That means getting a mentor, because there’s always more to learn to improve your craft. Get a teacher. Go to graduate school. Take an online course. Get a few business courses.

Whatever it takes, you need to learn from the best to become the best.

Stop Living The Broken Rules Everyone Else Is Living Most people play by the rules- it’s the normal thing to do. But you know what? Sometimes to get something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done. So go ahead, think outside of the box. Take calculated risks.

When everyone else is zigging, you zag. Do the opposite of what everyone else is doing, it’ll help you stand out.

“The day before something is a breakthrough, it’s a crazy idea,” says Peter Diamandis. A crazy idea to some means it’s the right path for you.

C’mon, Bill Gates didn’t say “I’ll just optimize the performance of this blue-screened textonly machinery.” He wanted to create a digital revolution, and he did.

Be Consistent Until You Have A Break Through Waiting for that breakthrough moment can be tough, since we never know how long it’ll take. While you’re waiting for it to happen, make sure to be consistent. Remember, life is a

Learn to be 100% on when you’re working, and 100% off when you’re not. While it’s great to work hard, doing too much will burn you out and bring you towards a downward spiral of fatigue and procrastination. So give yourself a break from time to time. Hang out with friends. Take a vacation. Party. Do whatever makes you feel great and you’ll have much more energy to jump back into work.

Get in the zone You need to warm up before the marathon. The same goes for working. Before you start, you need to ease yourself into the zone before you obtain that optimal performance. Give yourself 20-60 minutes to do any routine that’ll help alter your emotional state. Get rid off all that fear and anxiety and negativity before you work. Gear your mind. Begin to focus. This can be yoga, exercise, doing a simple part of your work and progressively working towards harder stuff.

Embrace the anxiety Let’s face it, fearlessness doesn’t exist. We all have fear, it’s part of our biology. So instead of learning how not to be afraid, learn to deal with it. The moment before euphoria is a moment of pain. When most people hit this block, they quit.

Remind yourself that getting through this will put you ahead of them. Charge on. Push yourself beyond what you think your limits are.

Do it because you love it Finally, remind yourself this is all because of what you love. If you live for the fame and the fortune, you’re doing it wrong, and you’re more likely to quit when a mountain is in your way.

Your passion for engineering is what drives you towards success. It’s this passion that makes you want to become the best.

Wood Wastes are Now Being Used as Admixtures for Concrete Researchers in Singapore find a way to use saw dust, which typically ends up in landfills, into a concrete admixture which improves the quality of concrete.

In 2016, Singapore produced 530,000 tonnes of wood waste majority of which is in the form of saw dust. Much of the total wood wastes come from furniture factories, often disposed in landfills or ending up incinerated.

Now, researchers from National University of Singapore have discovered a way to make use of the saw dust: turn them into a concrete admixture which helps enhance building structures.

The method essentially creates biochar, usually employed in the agricultural industry as soil amendment to improve crop yield. With its good water absorption and retention properties, professors and students from the Department of Building at NUS School of Design and Environment innovated biochar by producing one from saw dust with applications in building construction.

Such biochar that Associate Professor Kua Harn Wei, his Ph.D. student, Mr Souradeep Gupta, and their team developed has been tested to improve the mechanical and permeability properties of concrete and mortar.

Like any concrete admixture, the biochar is added to concrete or mortar while being mixed. A small amount of dry biochar powder is put into the mixture, altering its curing and hardening later.

50

Construction Leaders

May 2018

Their experiments revealed that by adding the biochar made out of saw dust, the early strength of impermeability of the concrete and mortar mixture improved up to 20% and 50% respectively. For this, formworks during construction could be removed earlier than usual, substantially saving construction time and costs.

Moreover, biochar has a “carbon lock in” property.

This means that stores carbon in buildings rather than releasing it to the atmosphere by decay or by incineration of biomass.

“This is a simple and affordable strategy to enhance our building structures, particularly in Singapore, where water leakage from rain and water pipes are common problems,” Assoc Prof Kua said.

“At the same time, we are putting the large amount of wood waste generated in Singapore into good use. Close to 50 kilograms of wood waste can be utilised for every tonne of concrete fabricated. We typically require 0.5 cubic metre of concrete for every square metre of floor area built in Singapore.

This translates to around six tonnes of wood waste being recycled to build a residential apartment with a floor area of 100 square metres,” he added.

Now, the team is looking at commercializing the idea. It is now talking with a local firm in Singapore.