Newsletter of IStructE Singapore Regional Group ■ Vol. 13 ■ No. 1 ■ Jan 2017

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Welcome to our Lunar New Year Edition of the Structuralist ! A Happy Lunar New Year to all, best wishes for an amazing, prosperous, safe, fruitful and healthy new year to all our readers.

Ushering in the Lunar New Year in Singapore’s Chinatown and a new IES-IStructE term.

Introducing the IES-IStructE Joint Committee for 2017/2018:Front, L-R: Steve Yeung, Ang Chee Keong, Sam Tan, Francis Lok (Chairman), Pang Sze Dai, Mah Guan Pang. Back, L-R: Kong Kian Hau, Kang Jianhan, Cong Zhengxia, Liu Ziyue, Tran Chi Trung, Reve Chin, Ho Kwong Meng (Vice Chairman), Mak Yew Cheong, Leonard Heng, Wijaya Wong. Not in picture: Jeslin Quek, Michael Sien, CM Wang

This year, the IES-IStructE Joint Committee a.k.a. the IStructE Singapore Regional Group, has anew Chairman – Er. Assoc-Prof Francis Lok. Francis takes over from Prof CM Wang for the newterm 2017/2018. Prof CM Wang has re-located to the University of Queensland. We shall continueour association with him and meet whenever he shuttles between Australia and Singapore.

We asked Francis to say a few words, and this is what he wrote:

“I am very honored to be elected the Chairman of the IES-IStructE JointCommittee with effect from 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2018. Thisfollowed the re-location of Prof CM Wang, who was the Chairman from 2004to 2016, to the University of Queensland. On behalf of the Joint Committee, Iwould like to thank him for taking this Committee to new heights during histenure.

There are a few changes to the six elected positions of the Joint Committee,and I am pleased that we have a good mix of new and not-so-new membersin the Team. We look forward to serving all Institution Members.

Many of you may have noticed that we have started a campaign to serve younger members of theInstitution. For example, we invited Student and Graduate Members to attend site visits, seminars oniconic projects, career talks, presentations on the Chartered Membership Examination andprofessional courses. We continue to serve Corporate and Senior Members of the Institution withcourses that are specially developed to broaden understanding of specialised topics.

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Retired Members shall be invited to gatherings and encouraged to act as role models and supervisors toyounger members. Specially reduced rates are offered to Retired Members to attend our specialisedcourses.

I am delighted that we have an enthusiastic and professional Joint Committee representing both IStructEand IES, working together to serve the interests of all members of the engineering community inSingapore.”

(Editors’s Note: The six elected positions in the IES-IStructE Joint Committee are Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Asst. Hon. Secretary and Asst. Hon. Treasurer.)

We also have two new committee members, Assoc-Prof Pang Sze Dai and Er. Dr. Tran Chi Trung.

Assoc-Prof Pang Sze Dai is the Deputy Head (Academic Matters), Department ofCivil and Environmental Engineering, NUS. Sze Dai graduated from the NationalUniversity of Singapore with BEng. (First Class Honours) and MEng degrees in2001 and 2002 respectively under the Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP), andfrom the Northwestern University with PhD degree in 2005. He researched on thebehaviour of profiled steel-concrete composite structures subjected to blast loadingfor his MEng thesis, and on the size effect arising from energetic and probabilisticfracture mechanics in the mechanical properties of quasi-brittle materials for hisPhD dissertation.

Sze Dai joined the National University of Singapore in 2006 as an Assistant Professor in theDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) and the Engineering Science Programme(ESP). He designed and taught modules for the newly set-up ESP, and for his fresh approach towardsstudents' learning, he was awarded the Faculty of Engineering Innovative Teaching Award. Thestudents he mentored in CEE and ESP have won multiple awards at faculty and university levels.These include the Faculty Innovation and Research Awards, University Outstanding UndergraduateResearcher Awards and University Student Achievement Awards. At the international level, the teamsthat he mentored for the annual international earthquake design competition in Taiwan have won topawards every year. On top of the teaching of modules and mentoring of students, he is active inadministrative roles as the Acting Programme Manager for the MSc (Civil) and MSc (Geotech)programmes in 2008-2010. He is currently the Curriculum Co-ordinator for the Design-CentricCurriculum, which is delivered by the Engineering Design and Innovation Centre.

Sze Dai is currently conducting research in the area of protective building and sustainable buildingtechnologies using principles from bio-mimicry, and is also researching on size effect in cementitiousand metal matrix composites. He has attracted close to S$3 million in research funding as PrincipalInvestigator and collaborator. He has served on committees for a number of major conferences,reviewed multiple journal articles and also served as external reviewer for national research projects.He has also provided his expertise to industry on structural dynamics, steel structures and seismicengineering.

Dr Tran Chi Trung is currently a Principal Engineer of the Bridge and StructuralSteel Department, Building Engineering Group in BCA. He was a ResearchScholar with NUS pursing his doctorate degree since 2003 and was conferred aPhD in 2007. His research interests and professional experience have been in thearea of steel-composite structures, membrane structures and high-rise buildings.He has generated several technical publications (including journals, conferencepapers, technical presentations and in books). He has also been involved in thestructural design of several prestigious high-rise projects in Singapore andoverseas.

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The Structuralist Editorial Committee

Editors: Er Leonard HengDr Kong Kian Hau

Advisor: Assoc-Prof Lok Tat Seng

Dear Readers,Thanks for taking time to read this newsletter.We appreciate your continued support andwould also like to hear from you for whateverreasons. Please direct all your correspondenceand inquiries to:

Disclaimer:All views and opinions expressed therein aresolely those of the writers and its publication doesnot necessarily imply that such views and opinionsare endorsed by IES, IES/IStructE JointCommittee and the editorial committee of TheStructuralist.

Copyright:The reproduction in whole or in part of anymaterial in this publication must obtain writtenpermission from the editorial committee of thispublication and/or from the respective author(s).

IES-IStructE Joint CommitteeEr Assoc-Prof Lok Tat Seng (Chairman):

ctslok@ntu.edu.sgEr. Dr. Ho Kwong Meng (Vice-Chairman):

kwongmeng.ho@surbanajurong.comEr Wijaya Wong (Hon. Secretary):

wijaya.wong@outlook.comEr Leonard Heng (Hon. Treasurer):

Lheng.IES2010@gmail.comEr Reve Chin (Asst. Hon. Secretary):

Jen_yee_chin@hotmail.comEr Michael Sien (Asst. Hon. Treasurer)

michael.sien@arup.comEr Mak Yew Cheong

Mak.yew.cheong@pmlink.com.sgEr Steve Yeung

Steve.Yeung@WorleyParsons.comEr Kang Jianhan,

jianhankang@gmail.comDr Kong Kian Hau

drkongkh@gmail.comEr Mah Guan Pang

admin@mabaengineeringEr Ang Chee Keong

angcheekeong@gmail.comEr Ms Cong Zheng Xia

cong_zx@wohhup.comEr Ms Jeslin Quek

jeslinquek@fyfeasia.comEr Sam Tan Gak Peng:

tangakpeng@yahoo.com.sgMs Liu Ziyue

LIU_Ziyue@lta.gov.sgAssoc-Prof Pang Sze Dai

ceedhacd@nus.edu.sgEr. Dr. Tran Chi Trung

TRAN_Chi_Trung@bca.gov.sg

Immediate Past-Chairman: Prof. CM Wang

cm.wang@uq.edu.au

Past Chairmen:

• Prof N.E. Shanmugam

• Dr Y.S. Lau

Chi Trung is currently serving as secretary/member of the Taskforceto draft the Singapore National Annexes for Eurocode 3 Part 1 series.He has been serving as a committee member of the Fire CodeReview Committee for the Singapore Civil Defence Force since 2014.He is also a member of the Singapore Structural Steel Society (SSSS)as well as a member of The Institution of Structural Engineers(IStructE). He is a Chartered Structural Engineer (CEng) and aregistered PE (Civil) in Singapore.

Through Francis and Sze Dai, we will continue to deepen our ties withengineering students at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU)and the National University of Singapore (NUS). Our role is to guideand groom future generations of structural engineers. Chi Trung willhelp us maintain ties with the Singapore Building Authorities, so thatthe committee can contribute to ties and communication frompracticing engineers in Singapore and the Authorities.

Together with the rest of us in the Joint Committee, we look forward toan exciting new year of learning and growing as structural engineers,and to the warm fellowship of engineers.

But before we look forward to 2017, let us recount for the record, thekey events of the IStructE Regional Group in the last quarter of 2016,since the last issue of the Structuralist in Oct 2016. Off-the-record, itwas a crazy, busy but totally satisfying quarter…

Introducing and Demonstrating Earthquake EngineeringResearch in Schools (IDEERS)

We continued to support engineering education in Singapore.

The Joint Committee sponsored five Nanyang TechnologicalUniversity (NTU) students to participate in a competition in Taiwanfrom 8-11th September 2016. The participants were Mr Chee Khai Yin(observer), Mr Handoko, Mr Kelvin Teheri, Mr Kevin Janiardy and MrTan Thai Wu.

The competition, entitled "Introducing and Demonstrating EarthquakeEngineering Research in Schools (IDEERS)", is jointly organised bythe Taiwan National Centre for Research on Earthquake Engineering(NCREE), the National Applied Research Laboratories (NAR Labs)and the British Council. The purpose was to promote understandingof earthquake engineering, seismic protection education and, moreimportantly, to encourage students to participate in a creativescientific competition. The competition attracted many teams of highschool, undergraduates and graduate students from Taiwan, HongKong, Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Australiaand UK.

In the competition, teams of 4 students each were required toconstruct a scaled model skeleton structure to resist a simulatedearthquake generated by a shaking table at NCREE. Tools andmaterials were provided to each team to enable the skeletonstructure to be constructed. 104 teams participated in thecompetition.

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In a guided field tour prior to the competition, the teams were exposed to seismic damage to structurescaused by past earthquakes in Taiwan. The tour took participants to a number of historical sites.

Damaged Longteng Bridge - built in 1906, thisbridge consists of a central steel truss flanked bymultiple brick masonry arches. In April 1935, theShinchiku-Taichū earthquake, and subsequentaftershocks in July, damaged the bridge.

Successive repairs/earthquakes resulted in thecurrent final state in the picture on the left. Theseexisting piers are monuments to the history ofearthquakes in Taiwan.

The team visited the Chelungpu Fault Preservation Park located at Zhushan Township, Nantou County. Amuseum in this park was establised when a professor of geology from the National TaiwanUniversity discovered the original Chengpu Fault caused by the 921 earthquake in 1999.

A visit to the Earthquake Museum of Taiwan inWufeng District, Taichung, showed the brutality ofnature. An earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struckthe centre of Taiwan on 21 September 1999,causing the collapse of several buildings. Themuseum conducts educational tours and activitiesfeaturing aspects of natural science, thehumanities, and historical records.

Competition DetailsEach team was required to design and construct a building model at the competition venue over two days.The model had to resist the earthquake generated by the shaking table at NCREE. The theme of this year’scompetition involved the construction of a leisure hotel within the assigned building site. The shape of floorin plan was unrestricted. However, the lobby and banquet halls of the hotel were to be located on the firstand second storeys. These two storeys were required to be elevated and be larger in area than the otherfloors. Therefore, setbacks had to be built into the 3rd and upper floors. In addition, there was an outdoorswimming pool at the top of the hotel. Teams were encouraged to use their knowledge and creativity toconstruct effective and efficient building models.

On the first day, each team had 6.5 hours to construct the building model. Model construction was held atthe National Centre for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE). Each member of the team hadassigned responsibilities such as cutting wooden sticks, dimensioning, assembling wooden sticks using hotglue gun, etc.The organisers provided materials and tools.

On the second day, tests were conducted by placing the models on the shaking table at NCREE. Theshaking table generates artificial earthquake of various intensities. The peak ground acceleration (PGA)was gradually increased to 800 gal (gal = cm/sec2). An Efficiency Ratio (ER) ranks all the constructedmodels. The ER is computed from the mass of the model, the number of mass blocks supported by themodel and the resisting PGA.

The winner would be the team whose model obtained the largest value of ER. There were also otherawards such as Structural Design Awards, Aesthetics Awards, and Design Concept Awards.

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The sequence of events for day-of-reckoning - day 2, when the models would be subject to the shakingtable, was as follows:

• Before the models were tested on the shaking table, two members of each team mounted their modelonto the shaking table and fixed the mass blocks within 15 minutes;

• Only a screwdriver, screws, a hot-melt glue gun and hot-melt glue provided by the organizer, wereallowed for mounting the model onto the shaking table;

• After all teams completed the task of mounting their models onto the shaking table and fixing the massblocks, IDEERS staff checked for mounting safety, and made the necessary adjustments andreinforcement;

• All models were tested simultaneously on the shaking table. There were at most six tests, in which thePGA was arranged in sequence of 250 gal, 400 gal, 500 gal, 600 gal, 700 gal, 800 gal;

• The team(s), whose models passed the test with the PGA equal to 400 gal (which is equivalent to anearthquake with the intensity VI in Taiwan), would receive the Quake-Resistant Certificate.

Competition ResultsThe Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Team constructed a 5-storey structure with an octagonal-shaped base in the lower floors, and rectangular-shaped floors from the 3rd storey upwards. The self-weight of the model structure was 734.7 grammes and it help up a 41 kg of mass (block load) during theearthquake test. The model structure failed at 500 gal PGA.

Most of the awards were swept up by Taiwanese institutions. However, the NTU Team still managed toclinch the “Quake-Resistant Award, and was also nominated for the Best Design Concept Award.

Efficiency Ratio Awards (Categories)Placing High School Undergraduate GraduateFirst KaoHsiung Senior Vocational

Industrial High SchoolNational Taiwan University of Science and Technology

National Taiwan University

Second National Taichung Industrial High School

National United University National Chung HsingUniversity

Third Yang-Tze High School National Chiao Tung University National Cheng Kung University

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From this competition, the NTU team gained valuable and fundamental knowledge of seismic-resistantdesign of structures, as well as the importance of construction detailing in earthquake models. The teamlearned how to use the software ETABS, which is a common computational tool for analysis and design ofseismic structures. The NTU team’s ETABS model and deformed mode of vibration are shown below.

AcknowledgementThe NTU Team would like to acknowledge the expert advice provided by their mentor, Assoc-Prof Li Bing.He introduced the concept of earthquake model design to the Team and contributed ideas and suggestionsthroughout the competition.

They would also like to thank Assoc-Prof Lok T.S. who initiated and encouraged the Team members tomake a formal application to compete in Taiwan. He assisted in seeking financial contribution from theIStructE Singapore Regional Group, which made this competition and learning journey possible. Membersof the NTU Team are registered Student Members of the Institution of Structural Engineers, UK.

Finally, they wish to thank Prof Wang Rong, Chair of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, forher support of this programme and for the financial contributions, that made this educational trip possible.

October 2016 was packed with activities … a course, a seminar, a site visit, Members’ Night and theSingapore Structural Awards …

One-day course on Why Structures Fail?

A one-day course on Why Structures Fail was held on 12 Oct 2016 at Hotel Novotel Clarke Quay. WhyStructures Fail has been the burning question of not only Engineers but also of building insurers andrelated industry. So the IES-IStructE Joint Committee organised the course to re-visit this interesting topic.

The one-day course was delivered by IStructE Past-President Nick Russell (2014 President of IStructE).Nick is widely recognised as an industry expert and is often called up as an expert witness. He has recentlybeen named the Civil and Structural Engineer Expert Witness of the Year 2016 by Lawyer MonthlyMagazine. A barrister with whom he had worked with closely, and who had nominated him for the 2016award, said: “Nick is one of the best expert witness I have ever called. He has that rare ability to explain toa layman a difficult, technical subject concisely and with absolute clarity. He is easy to work with, respondsquickly and in witness box presents as a balanced and thoughtful witness. One cannot ask for more froman expert witness.” True to the citation, his vast experience in industry, and as an expert witness, madeNick the perfect person to speak on this topic.

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Nick Russell with IES-IStructE Joint committee members

There was much enthusiasm; about80 Engineers attended the one-daycourse. The course included acombination of technical knowledge ofconstruction law and of professionalindemnity. Participants came fromvarious background, e.g. consultants,contractors, clients, and governmentagencies. Nick shared about variousstructural failure cases in the UnitedKingdom, and their costs to society. Afew of these failures were due to grossnegligence, resulting in costlylitigation.

In the afternoon, guest speaker Michael Wright presented about recent advances in steel materials.Thereafter, Nick rounded up the course by talking about professional indemnity and engineering contractlaw.

During the Question-and-Answer session, it was evident that there is growing interest amongst Engineersabout building classification and the difference between Class 2A, 2B and Class 3 structures in Eurocode1. Apparently Eurocode gives the general framework and guideline on these building classifications, but issilent on exact requirements of Class 3. It merely says that Class 3 structures need further risk assessmentand evaluation. The IES-IStructE Joint Committee is currently considering and looking at the possibility oforganising a short course on Resilience of Building Structures to address this growing interest and to shedmore light on the topic. Stay tuned for this possible upcoming course in 2017.

Assoc-Prof Lok presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to Nick Russell

One of the greatest advantages of having a Joint Committee involving both IES and IStructE is the ability totap into the rich diversity of Civil and Structural Engineering, which only such a partnership brings, and to beable to go into considerable depth to mine the wealth of knowledge in Structural Engineering.

Members of IES and IStructE, and the larger engineering community, enjoyed this on 14th Oct 2016, whenleading Civil Engineers working in Singapore came together to share their work with the community …

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ONE-DAY IES/ISTRUCTE JOINT SEMINAR ON ADVANCES IN CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING PROJECTS 2016 HELD ON 14 OCTOBER 2016

A one-day seminar on Advances in Civil and Structural Engineering Projects2016, jointly organized by IES/IStructE Joint Committee and the StructuralDivision of C&S Engineering Technical Committee (C&S TC) of IES, was heldon 14 October 2016 at the Novotel Clarke Quay Singapore. 95 participantsattended this Seminar. The Morning Session was chaired by the SeminarCoordinator Er. Dr. Ho Kwong Meng and the Afternoon Session was chairedby Er. Chu Jiang Yong, Committee Member of C&S TC.

The topics and speakers were:1. “Is Land Reclamation Sustainable In Singapore?”, presented by ProfessorChu Jian of Nanyang Technological University (NTU). He suggested usingdredged soil and industrial waste as alternative filled materials. The othermethod is to use the underwater city or floating structures.

Professor Chu Jian

Er. Lim Peng Hong

Professor David Chua

Er. Ong Geok Soo

Er. Dr. Kog Yue Choong

Er Ms Jeslin Quek

Underwater Cum Floating City by Professor Chu Jian

Cutting of Hills for Jurong Industrial Town Construction by Er Ong Geok Soo

2. “Design for Safety: Role of the design Engineers” was presented by Er.Lim Peng Hong, Managing Director of PH Consulting Pte Ltd.3. “Latest Development in Building Information Modeling (BIM)” waspresented by Prof. David Chua Kim Huat of NUS.4. “Sharing of Soft Ground Reclamation Engineering and development ofJurong Island Into a Petro-Chemical Hub” was presented by Er. Ong GeokSoo.5. “Cost-Saving Compensated Foundation for a 22-Storey Office Building”was presented by Er. Dr. Kog Yue Choong.6. “Advances in Underwater Repair and Rehabilitation of StructuresUsing FRP” was presented by Er. Ms Jeslin Quek. Completed Projectsusing FRP to repair underwater structures were illustrated.

Futuristic Waterfront Structures off Tanjong Pagar by Er. Dr. Ho Kwong Meng

Futuristic Marina City at Keppel Channel by Er. Dr. Ho Kwong Meng

Er. Dr. Ho Kwong Meng

7. “Futuristic Waterfront Structures – Some Ideas”, was presented by Er. Dr Ho Kwong Meng.Ideas for “Modern futuristic Waterfront Structures at Southern Part of Tanjong Pagar and Keppel Channel”,“Under Sea Level Offshore Cities Off Marina South and Off East Coast Park” were proposed and discussed.

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During the tour of the construction site, Er. Cong, her colleagues and several members of theIES-IStructE Joint Committee explained the inter-connectivity of the site, and responded to queriesraised by students regarding the design, monitoring, construction and progress of thedevelopment. Students were impressed by the enormity and complexity of the project. Moreimportantly, the students felt safe as they walked around the site because they were guided byseveral safety officers.

After hosting a gathering of engineers discussing several wonderful ideas and designs, which may one daybecome reality, eighht days later, another group of Joint Committee members moved on to hostinguniversity students to view a specific iconic design take shape. This is one of the joint committee’s ideas forengaging in the development of young engineers who would some day become great structural engineers.

This is what one of the students who went for the visit reported:

Site Visit to Project Jewelby

Zhu Tinger, School of Civil & Environmental EngineeringNanyang Technological University (NTU)

The IES-IStructE Joint Committee worked with the student leaders of the NTU Civil andEnvironmental Engineering Club to arrange a site visit to Project Jewel for CEE students on 22October 2016.

Project Jewel is one of the iconic mega-projects in Singapore. It involves the construction of anew mixed-use complex at Singapore Changi Airport. The project is undertaken by joint venturecontractors, Woh Hup (Private) Ltd and Obayashi Singapore Pte Ltd. The cutting-edge constructionideas and technology involved in this project makes it attractive for students who wished to learnabout the complexity of mega-project management, and of ways to handle such projects.

The site visit received an enthusiastic response from students; many showed great interest inparticipating in the event. A total of 24 students ventured to Changi Airport on 22 October. On arrivalat the site, the students were warmly welcomed by Er. Cong Zhengxia (Project Manager for WohHup) and her colleagues. The event started with a safety briefing followed by the presentation of anIES-IStructE Token of Appreciation to the Safety Manager, Mr Yang Yong Hong. The students weregrateful for his enthusiastic briefing and for his safety concerns of all visitors. Er. Cong presented anintroduction to the project and the scale of the construction site.

Project briefing by Er. Cong Zhengxia Presenting token of appreciation to the Safety Manager, Mr. Yang Yong Hong by Er. Kang Jianhan

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Detailed explanation by a site engineer

Group photo of IES-IStructE members and CEE students

This site visit received many positive feedbacks from students. As future civil, structural andenvironmental engineers, they believed that it was a valuable learning experience, helping thembroaden their horizons, and to experience the work of professional engineers and managers.They also expressed their hope to be involved in other site visits with the IES-IStructE JointCommittee. Here is a sample of feedback gathered from students:

“The site visit was a fruitful one. As a 2nd year student, I have yet to learn more about civilengineering. This site visit gave me a better idea of the technologies involved, and howconstruction is on the ground. The engineers and people-in-charge were helpful in explaining tous about the site area as well. Overall, it was a unique experience to see the construction of thesite before completion. I learnt a lot.” – Samantha Ng

“It was a great experience to have visited the Project Jewel site. I gained many insights in such apractical field. This is knowledge that I can never learn from textbooks. I definitely enjoyed thesite tour and briefing.” – Kiefer Soon Jing Fung

“It is definitely a great opportunity for students to have an insightful exposure about this fantasticproject. We get to know some techniques used in the construction industry, like how theymanaged to use inclined structural columns to support glazing, which is not taught in School. Weare very proud of this iconic project.” – Li Hongting

“This is my first site visit as a student. I felt that the sheer size of the construction site wascompletely beyond my imagination. Practical application is so different from theoreticalconsiderations. This is because when it comes to real construction, there are many moreconsiderations to take account of. I found it very interesting when experienced engineersexplained to me how the structure was formed/constructed, the kind of materials used, and theway frames or trusses were joined together. There is a lot of knowledge that I cannot learn fromtextbooks.” – Choo Kian Tatt

“The engineers on site are very passionate about their work and in answering every questionposed by participants. It is good to have occasional site visits so that we are learning through thelecture notes, as well as having a taste of what real construction site looks like.” – WilliamHoward

In conclusion, the site visit to Project Jewel has given students a glimpse of the work that theycould be doing in the future. The entire visit was well-organized and provided valuableunderstanding of what engineers are capable of doing. This experience has inspired the studentsto put in more effort to become competent and professional engineers !

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We wish to acknowledge the following:

Woh Hup Pte Ltd, Er. Cong Zengxia and Mr. Yang Yong Hong – for taking such good care of studentsthroughout the visit. Thanks are also due to Er. Kang Jianhan and Ms. Liu Ziyue of IES-IStructE JointCommittee for accompanying students and explaining the critical structural elements, design, etc..

School of Civil & Environmental Engineering – for encouraging and sponsoring students to undertakethis site visit.

IES-IStructE Joint Committee – for making all the arrangements and sponsoring tokens ofappreciation and refreshments.

6 days later, members of IStructE in Singapore gathered to celebrate Structural Engineering achievementsin Singapore and to renew ties within the community at an annual Member’s gathering.

IStructE Members’ Night and Singapore IStructE Awards 2016

IStructE Members’ Night and Singapore IStructE Awards 2016 was held on 28 Oct 2016 at MarinaMandarin Hotel. It promised to be the grand event for the Engineering community for the year as there aremore than 100 Engineers who turned up for the event. Many project entries were submitted to compete forthe top structural award - The Supreme Structural award. The project which clinches the SupremeStructural Award will be the automatic entry for the Regional Structural Awards category of IStructE inLondon in 2017. The event was also graced by the Commissioner of Building Control, Er Chew KeatChuan, and many eminent Engineers from the profession and industry.

Commissioner of Building Control, Er ChewKeat Chuan, sharing his overseas trekkingexperience in Mongolia

Er Chew Keat Chuan shared with guests his overseastrekking experience; a light and less technical topic,fitting for the Awards night. He went on to present ashort video of his trekking adventure in Mongolia andhighlighted key challenges and lessons learnt fromthis unforgettable and extraordinary journey.

18 candidates who were successful in the2016 Chartered and SupplementaryExaminations received their Certificatesand were conferred the title of CharteredStructural Engineer. The ceremonyrecognises the effort and tenacity ofindividuals who had invested in thepreparation of the often-quoted “GoldStandard” Examination of the Institution. Certificate presentation by Prof CM Wang to Chartered members who

passed their Chartered and Supplementary Examinations 2016

The IES-IStructE Joint Committee also announced a change of leadership from the year 2017 onwards. ProfFrancis Lok takes over as Chairman of the Joint Committee as Past Chairman Prof Wang Chien Ming relocatesto Brisbane. The Joint Committee expressed their gratitude and presented a token of appreciation in the form ofa commemorative plaque to Prof Wang as Chairman of the committee for 12 years.

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Prof Wang receiving token of appreciation from Jeslin Quek (presenting to Prof Wang on behalf of the IES-IStructE Committee for his 12 year of service as Chairman of the Singapore Regional Group)

This is the last event that Prof Wang presided over in 2016. The Committee wishes to thank Prof Wang for his years of commitment and leadership in the IES-IStructE Joint Committee. We will miss him, his jokes and warmth. We wish him all the best in his new position as the Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Chair Professor in Structural Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, University of Queensland.

Amidst the food and fellowship, theSingapore Structural Engineeringcommunity paused to recognise andcelebrate our best structural engineersthrough the Singapore Structural Awards.

Arup emerged as the Awards Nightwinner. They clinched a total of 3 Awards.These were award for CommercialStructures (South Beach- Ribbon Canopy),award for Retail Structures (The Capitol),award for Pedestrian Bridge (Jubileebridge). The top prize of the night, theSupreme Structural Award was the JubileeBridge. CPG clinched 3 Awards - awardfor Structural Heritage (National Gallery)and Healthcare Structures (Ng Teng FongGeneral Hospital & Jurong CommunityHospital), and a “Worthy of specialmention” award for the National Gallery.

The Joint Committee wishes to thankeveryone involved in the organisation ofthe Annual Members’ Night and the

Arup winning the Supreme Structural Award of the Night

Singapore Structural Awards Competition. Specialthanks go to Jeslin Quek, members of the JointCommittee, competition judges, Angela Loke,colleagues from IES and all members/supporters ofIStructE. Without this joint effort, we would not havesuch a successful evening.

It was a magical night.

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3 questions for Er. Dr. See Lin Ming, Structures Leader of Arup Singapore.

Er. Dr. See Lin Ming

Arup won the IStructE 2016 award for Commercial Structures (South Beach -Ribbon Canopy), award for Retail Structures (The Capitol), award for PedestrianBridge (Jubilee Bridge) and clinched the top structure prize of the night TheSupreme Structural Award for the Jubilee Bridge. What are the engineers of suchprojects like in person?

Er. Michael Sien from the Joint Committee caught up with Er. Dr See Lin Ming,who was also the QP for the project which clinched the Supreme Award - theJubilee Bridge.

Michael: I would say this is the first time in many years where a consultant clinched so many awards at thebi-annual IStructE Singapore Awards Night. What is the secret recipe behind such success?

Dr See:It’s a real privilege to work on these ground-breaking projects and partnering a team of design visionaries.The bold ambitions of our clients and collaborators requires us to push the boundaries of design. Oftentimes, we set out to overcome the challenges on these projects with the main goal of making our designefficient and practical, both for our clients and for the users of the space or infrastructure. This drives ourapproach and thinking, resulting in high quality and innovative design solutions. It is in this vein that we havegained recognition from clients and architects to become their trusted engineer of choice.

Michael: How does Arup remain as the industry’s leading engineering firm and what are the firm’s plans tocontinue with this success story?

Dr See:Arup is an employees’ owned company; we are held in trust. Every year we divide our profits into portionsthat go to staff and the rest is invested back into the firm through Arup University. Arup University is ourresearch, foresight and innovation arm that set us apart from other firms. It oversees our in-house andcollaborative research program with our partners and oversees all our training needs, from graduatemodules to leadership courses. Beside our extensive training programme, we have a very efficientknowledge sharing platform within Arup via our Skill Networks. This allows us to share knowledge instantlyacross the globe. I would say, it is the nature of the firm, the foresight of enriching staff knowledge with anefficient system in place, and the sharing culture, which makes us a leading engineering firm.

Michael: What would be your advice to graduating engineers who will be joining the industry soon?

Dr See:In an ever-changing world, I think it is important for engineering graduates to equip themselves withknowledge of current global issues such as climate change, resource scarcity, urbanisation, etc.. This wouldhelp guide their work approach and truly achieve people-centred designs on their projects. I think in atechnical role such as engineering, assuming an attitude of life-long learning would be very critical. Youwould want to keep updating your knowledge of things, and growing in technical skills, – of all which wouldhelp hone skills of critical thinking and right judgement.

I believe only a small fraction of knowledge that we acquire in school/university is eventually useful in ourcareer. Assuming a humble attitude, coupled with the passionate quest of knowledge, and the determinationto polish our problem solving skills, will lead to an enjoyable, meaningful and purposeful career.

Thank you Dr See. It is inspiring to know that there is hope for all engineers to buildwonderful creations, if we are humble, learning continuously, drive for excellence and havefun along the way. Let us see what inspired engineers can deliver …

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Singapore IStructE Awards 2016 – Winning Projects!

In November 2015, Singapore celebratedthe opening of an iconic pedestrianbridge that commemorates the country’s50 years of independence. Measuring220m in length, 6 metres in width, 3,000tonnes in weight, the naturally curvilinearJubilee Bridge forms the final link of thebarrier-free 3.5km Marina Bay waterfrontloop. With its timely completion tocelebrate Singapore’s 50th year ofindependence, the bridge, part of an 8kmheritage trail around the Civic District,has become linked to the nation’shistory.

Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence 2016

PedestrianBridges

by Arup

The British science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke said, “Any sufficiently advanced technology isindistinguishable from magic”. The projects which received the Structural Awards often lookedastonishing and, of course, magical. Check out which project received awards and why …

Offering an unobstructed panoramic view of Singapore’s magnificent skyline, the Jubilee Bridge hassince added to the city’s vibrancy and aided its aspiration of becoming a walkable city.

Awarded because of:

Engineering elegance.Consisting of three spans and supported on two main piers, the bridge is continuous across its length,forming a lean and elegant structure, minimising clutter in the bay area. The piers form two keystructural elements that hold up the entire weight of the bridge. At the two ends, the bridge spans aresupported on abutments that are seamlessly connected to the existing promenades and Merlion Park.

Jubilee Bridge

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The bridge utilises a post-tensioned, single-cell concrete box girder of varying depth as its structuralsystem. This forms a continuous slender box spanning between piers. The structure does not have anystructural elements above the deck, allowing for unhindered and panoramic views of the surroundingsand events in Marina Bay.

Technical excellence For the Jubilee Bridge to pin its entire weight on two piers, Arup designed a robuststructural system that would allow it maximum flexibility and strength. This considerationalso took into the account the durability to resist any accidental impact forces, loads duringconstruction and operation, which would include ship impact and the dynamic effect of oneprecast segment disengaging during the erection process. Arup adopted an innovativedesign solution for construction of the pier head using two half precast shells and post-tensioning, to reduce impact on the surroundings.

Worthy of Special Mention Award 2016

StructuralHeritage

by CPG Consultants Pte LtdThe new National Gallery was formed by merging two heritage buildings, the formerSupreme Court and City Hall buildings, into the largest visual arts institution in Singapore.The winning design by Studio Milou and CPG Consultants Pte Ltd, achieved this whileaccentuating all the rich historical and intricate design of the heritage buildings. A metaland glass roof unified both buildings at the top, whilst a 16m deep basement allowedgreater synergy between both buildings by further connecting them together. To maximisereal estate, the basement footprint almost matched that of the building footprint; thebasement walls were constructed as close as 1.5m to the existing external façade walls.This was one of the largest undertakings in Singapore involving the expansion andalteration works within a National Monument.

Awarded because of innovations developed to :

• Construct the 16m deep basement under the two old heritage buildings;• Support the free-standing façade heritage walls while excavating the basement;• Construct in very tight spaces using specialised machines;• Suspend the entire buildings intact while excavating and constructing the basement

below these heritage buildings.

The National Gallery, Singapore

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Residential Structures

d'Leedon

by Woh Hup (Private) Limited (Design & Build)

d’Leedon is Singapore’s largest residential development to date. Located at Farrer Road/King’sRoad/Leedon Height, it consists of 7 blocks of 36-storey residential flats (1703 Units) and 6 pairs of 2-storey with Attic strata semi-detached house (12 units) with 2 levels of basement car parks, swimmingpool and communal facilities. In particular, each tower has a unique twist and each floor plan opens upin ‘petal-like’ configuration. The tower blocks are arranged in an architecturally elegant but structurallychallenging twisting configuration.

Awarded because:

Woh Hup overcame significant existing siteconstraints which affected the Earth Retainingore Stabilising Structures (ERSS) and buildingstructure design.

Woh Hup used BIM modelling to identifyissues of complex geometry, terminationdetailing and clashes detection in design.They increased buildability throughstandardisation of precast elements. Forexample, by using BIM to extract the dataand after analysis, 19 sets of moulds forplanters and 20 sets of moulds for baywindows are adopted to minimize the cost,in the process achieving the desiredproductivity and constructability objectives.

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Sustainability

A Biophillic MyWaterway @Punggol-Innovative Floating Wetlands System

by Housing & Development Board

Development of Floating Wetlands System

A floating wetlands systems was required for the new waterway traversing through the Punggol town,called MyWaterway @Punggol. Completed in 2011, the waterway provided a delightful waterfrontresidential living environment under the theme of “Green Living by the Waters”. However there wasconcern that accidental leaching of nitrogen and phosphorus from soil would result in eutrophication inthe waterbody. It was decided that biological floating wetlands could improve the water quality in theimmediate vicinity through absorption of nutrients via roots of the plants, and soften the hardscape, suchas columns of footbridge and concrete structures, along the waterway. But there was a need to find asustainable way to float the wetlands.

Awarded because:

The HDB team collaborated with the National University of Singapore (NUS) to develop a first-of-its-kindfloating wetlands system, that is modular, has better buoyancy, higher loading capacity and which wouldbe easy to transport. The system developed is cost effective, durable and self-sustaining. Moreover, it isunique in its form, structure and usage.

Each module is hexagonal in shape with 1m diagonals and ismade from High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) that can withstandthe harsh environment of the tropics and river waters, as well asbe light enough for easy handling. The assembly of the modulesto any desired configuration provides the platform for sustainableplants species to be cultivated in an environmental friendly plantmedium (coconut fibres and woven mats), that is best suitedunder freshwater reservoir conditions withinMyWaterway@Punggol.

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EntertainmentStructures

The New MediaCorp Campus Building @One North

by Web Structures Pte Ltd

Opened in 2015, this building was intended to be a fabulous new facility that will provide the physicalinfrastructure for the next 80 years of national media development in Singapore. It was hoped that thebuilding would be among the most beautiful and innovative building structures in Singapore, one whichstands out with its elegant lines and innovative structure.

To this end, five storeys are seamlessly engineered into the architecture, to appear to be effortlesslysuspended eight levels above the ground. The originality comes not simply from the use of a cantileverstructure extending up to 24m out on three sides of a central core, but from how the structure is fusedwithin the overall architectural form.

Awarded because:

The architectural intent was achieved.

Through the complex use of steel, steel-concrete and pure reinforced concrete materials, the structuralcomponents and system are seamlessly engineered into the architecture, making the five storeysappear to be effortlessly suspended eight levels above the ground.

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HealthcareStructures

Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Jurong Community Hospital, Singapore

by CPG Consultants Pte. Ltd.

Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Jurong Community Hospital (NTFGH &JCH) are key components of the Jurong Lake District Master Plan, featuring a700-bed acute hospital and outpatient clinics with a 400-bed community hospital,providing seamless patient care, with efficiency and convenience. The entireNTFGH & JCH cluster comprises an 8-storey Specialist Outpatient Clinic tower,16-storey ward tower with 4 levels of podium, and a 12-storey CommunityHospital, all connected by 2 levels of basements below.

Awarded because :

It is a perfect example of an aesthetically pleasing structure without the need ofadditional curtain walls to dress up exposed elements.

Instead of the using full curtain wall system to encase the entire building, thestructural elements were fused into the ward design to form part of theaesthetical outlook. From the ground up, the external side of every cantilevercurved beam is visible. These beams forming the planter boxes were exposedand integrated into the overall visual outlook of the building. To provide additionalvisual depth, concrete nibs were added to the side of the beams contouring thebeams to be perceived as thinner when seen from a distance. This was thensimply covered with a plaster and paint finish to smother any imperfections.

It uses a variety of structural systems and materials to optimise the structuralskeleton of the buildings.

For matching structural form, from construction to materials and to buildability,high strength concrete was used for all columns within all 3 blocks

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CommercialStructures

South Beach-Ribbon Canopy

by Arup

South Beach development was conceived as a response to Singapore’s aspiration to be a ‘city in agarden’, and intended to be an iconic landmark and a showcase of sustainability strategies. In keepingwith this aspiration to be a Garden City development, the project takes its primary cue from nature andits ability to provide natural filters and regulators that act in harmony with the local climate.

The central feature of South Beach is a ribbon-like and lightweight, ‘environmental filter’ canopy that isinspired by the natural form and function of a tree. The 280m-long canopy floats across the entiredevelopment to filter sunlight, solar glare and to channel wind breezes into the public spaces.Concurrently, it also serves as a unifier that connects the open space, the two towers, podiums andheritage buildings together, presenting a cohesive development.

Awarded because :

It is the world’s first environmental canopy. The undulating,unsymmetrical large-span canopy is the largest sustainabilityfeature of the development. It features ribbons of steel andaluminium louvres, supported by slim pillars, which rise and dip invarious sections to create a microclimate within the canopy,maintaining the comfort of the space below without air conditioning

Canopy is ribbon-like and lightweight; an ‘Environmental filter’canopy inspired by the natural form and function of a tree..

Thus, satiated from sumptuous food, warmed by fellowship of engineers, wowed and inspired by the greatstructural engineering projects in Singapore, we turned back to the plow, sowing the seeds for the nextgenerations of engineers…

An Examiner’s Perspective of The Chartered Membership Examination

On 11 Nov 2016 at NUS, Er. Wijaya presented his view of the Chartered Membership Examination (CME) toGraduate and Student Members of IStructE. The talk was so well received that a second talk is planned later,in the ealier part of 2017.

Wijaya has more than 20 years of working experience in design and project delivery of infrastructure,industrial, commercial, residential, as well as in institutional projects in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, HongKong and China. As a Chartered Member of the IStructE, Wijaya is also a Marking Examiner of the IStructEChartered Membership Examination.

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RetailStructures

The Capitol

by Arup

As the first major private development within Singapore’s new civic district, the Capitol forms aprototype for conserving the old buildings within the precinct, while finding new usage for them.Strategically sited in Singapore’s civic and cultural district, the Capitol has brought a new breath of lifeand energy with its vibrant mix of lifestyle, retail and entertainment. In particular this developmentincluded a new Capitol Piazza, which had six basement levels for retail and carparks, a 3-storey retailpodium with a residential E deck, on which a 9-storey residential tower sits. The Capitol will have thedeepest basements for a mixed-development in Singapore to date.

Awarded because :

The development found a safe and buildablemethod for deep basements, amidst dense urbansurroundings which included heritage buildings,train lines, many building services and lots ofhuman traffic and activities. Close coordination withthe contractor (Shimizu), from an early stage,resulted in a top-down construction buildablesolution which shortened the schedule forbasement construction from 25 months to 20months.. Top-Down Construction in progress

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Wijaya opened the talk by sharing the benefits of being a member of IStructE, including free and exclusiveaccess to the IStructE website and IStructE’s technical library, receiving technical journals whichdisseminate advanced practices around the world, and attending the seminars at member-prices. To stepup the efforts to obtain an international passport to practice, as well as to achieve their professional best,young members were encouraged to join the Chartered Membership by sitting for the CME, or forcandidates who are already Singapore Professional Engineers, by siting for the SupplementaryExamination .

Wijaya elaborated on both paths toMIStructE, and gave valuable advice,from an Examiner’s perspective, onhow to prepare for the exams. Theparticipants fedback that the talk wasespecially informative for those whointend to take CME.

More details on the CME will becovered in the second part of the talkin Mar 2017. This talk will beconducted by Er. Steve Yeung. Steveis also an experienced MarkingExaminer. The registration link willreach you soon. Check for our emailsoften, and grab the chance to interactwith an Examiner.

It had really been a crazy last quarter of 2016. The committee ended their work year, tired but happy, witha retreat to Zhangjiajie, China. The trip provided an opportunity for a meeting on leadership transfer andfor planning of the way forward.

Retreat to Zhangjiajie, China (18 – 24 Nov 2016)

Accompanied by family members, 12 committee members led by Prof Wang and guided by Er. CongZhengxia headed for Zhangjiaxie, a city in the northwest of China's Hunan province. Zhangjiaxie, is hometo the famed Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Compare the photo below with the photo on the front page of thisNewsletter. How many members can you recognise?

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Die-hard engineers that committee members are, they just could not get away from structural engineering.The group visited a magnificent ‘glass bridge’, and brought their families along for the walk across thedeep canyon. Check out this suspension wonder and the statistics:

About this Bridge:

The world's longest andhighest glass bridge,Zhangjiajie Grand CanyonGlass Bridge was opened tothe public on 20 Aug 2016. Itoffers a way to enjoy apanoramic view of the stunningZhangjiajie Grand Canyon — ifyou dare to walk on the glasspane floor!

The so-called ‘glass bridge’will not only serve as awalkway. Visitors can attemptbungee jumping and zip-liningoff the bridge as well.

Length: 430 metres (1410 feet)Width: 6 metres (20 feet)Height: 300 metres (984 feet)

Highlights: bungee jump andbeautiful natural views oftowering sandstone pillars

The ticket to enter ZhangjiajieGrand Canyon Scenic Area isRMB118; the entry cost forZhangjiajie Glass Bridge isRMB138 yuan.

The next run of our “Structural Design with Glass” course will have a new case study benchmark!

Further, the committee members could not get away from planning things for the IES-IStructE JointCommittee. They discussed and constructed an matrix to allocate members to specific groups to take updifferent tasks/areas in the new session beginning 1st January 2017.

These areas included (1)Bridge between IStructE HQ and members, (2)Bridge between IES and otherinstitutions (3)Bridge to Universities and Student Members, (4)Bridge to Senior Members and practioners,(5)Bridge to BCA and other Statutory Bodies, (7)Sponsorship, M&C bridge to developers & contractors,(8)Managing meetings, (9)Managing finances (IES & IStructE), (10)Publication (Structuralist), (11)Socialmedia, (12)Event management (courses & seminars, etc.), (13)Structural Award and Members’ Night, (14)Research Route (RR), PRI, & Supplementary Examination, (15)CME Preparatory Course, (16)Bridge toVietnam Chapter, links with Regional Groups & Outreach to Indonesia.

It looks like the 2017/2018 Joint Committee term is going to be busier than ever, and this newsletter “TheStructuralist” is one way to communicate with members and friends. But there are more ways… such asFacebook…

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Reve Chin, our 2015/2016 Assist. Hon. Secretary had these reflections after the retreat:

"The retreat to ZJJ had given the opportunity for the committee, without the distraction ofwork, to take a step back, reflect on our achievements of 2016 and how we could do morefor IES and IStructE members. As Prof Wang is relocating to Australia in 2017, this retreathad allowed the Chairman-elect, Assoc-Prof Francis Lok, to chart the direction for theCommittee, and assign clear roles and responsibilities to each member. Even as I write,Francis is already talking about succession planning! Moving forward is never easy.

Structural Awards

You may know how to design acolumn or beam, but do you knowhow to appreciate the beauty of thestructure holistically? Let the judgingpanel of Singapore Structural Awardsinspire you with the secrets, and maythe old structures look brand-new toyou in this brand-new year!

Site Visits

Not satisfied with the plain images inlecture notes? Come and join our sitevisit to local iconic projects andcheck out the real structures! The“hosts” will welcome you withutmost hospitality and professionalexplanation.

Poke Us at Facebook

If you think our activities are usually long-awaiting, and writing an email to us is tooformal, we are now on Facebook. Simplydrop a message to IStructE SingaporeRegional Group Page with whateverfeedback you have, and we are secondsaway to answering you. Plus, “like” ourpage, and you will never miss any excitingactivities again!

Motivation Sessions

You have heard career talks fromengineering professionals fromconsultancies, contractors and projectmanagers in our previous career talks.How about some more sharing sessionsto add extra spur? Dr. Tran Chi Trung(Principal Engineer at BCA) will open themotivation sessions by providing youwith the benefits of membership andbecoming a Chartered Member.

The Committee also brainstormed about the activities to be organised, so that they would best benefitIStructE members and the engineering community in the coming year and beyond.

Most important of all, this retreat has brought everyone closer together, and created great camaraderieamong members! With this synergy, I am confident that the renewed leadership will take the IES-IStructEJoint Committee to even greater heights.“

What can you expect from the Young Member’s Panel in the new year?

Liu Ziyue, who will be spearheading the outreach to young members had this to say:

“IES-IStructE joint committee has been emphasising to bring together young and vibrantengineers by organizing interactive talks, site visits to iconic projects and informativeseminars for their development. Thanks to support from industrial professionals, localcompanies and government agencies, 2016 was a ‘happening year’, with various activitiesspecially tailored for young members. In this new year, we will continue the efforts. Staytuned and you will be pampered with these exciting exposures. And there’s more to come.Stay tuned!

Like Ziyue said, Stay tuned!