Typical Engineer Story

  Courtesy of THB Maintenance Sdn Bhd In tropical regions with rainfall stands as the crucial factors to starting the landslide mechanism, a proper surface drainage is important to avert any unwanted incidents. I only focusing on the surface runoff and the role of cascading drain to channel the runoff safely to designated discharged point. A rainfall on a steep slopes will run as surface runoff with lower probability for the water to infiltrate into the soil. This necessitate the introduction of cascading drain to collect the water from the berm or slope drain. The design of cascading drain is basically allowing the hydraulic jump, an abrupt changes from supercritical to subcritical flow that will reduce the water flow rate and act as an energy dissipater. The effectiveness of hydraulic jump depends on the input of the rainfall volumes and flow rate in which failure to do so will resulted to  flood and nuisance to the public.  ...

A case of slope failure which occurred in Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang was Engineers' worst nightmare especially if it involves the death of civilians. The Principle Engineer of a Civil & Structural Consulting firm which I decline to name committed of nearly 15 negligent acts, attributed to the slope failure. I'm particularly more interested as to why an experienced professional engineer commit to such gross negligence. Circular No. 004, Supervision of Construction Works, Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) clearly reinforces the need of qualified person (Professional Engineers with Practicing Certificate) or any person duly authorised by him undertakes the supervision of works. Meanwhile, the temporary works which are mainly contractor's responsibility shall be given similar due respect as to the design of permanent works by Professional Engineers. This is stipulated in Guideline No. 001: The Role and Responsibility of Professional Engineers for Tempora

OBSESSION IN COMMERCIAL COMPUTER SOFTWARES APPLICATION FOR PROBLEMS SOLVING by Muhammad Azmir In the old days, engineers relied on an intuitive and highly developed sense of structural behaviour. As time passes, the invention of computer software is sought to expedite the problem solving processes and to cater for the current design complexity. In typical small talk between two consulting engineers, the prime subjects normally will be the ongoing projects and the software they use. I'm not a gainst the usage of any commercial softwares, be it ESTEEM, ORION, TEKLA, STAAD PRO, PLAXIS, just to name a few. In this new era, it is inevitable and unavoidable for engineers to incorporate the softwares to achieve the desired outcomes. The underpinning issue is in regard to quality software operators vs quality engineers. Quality software operators are the one that understand the steps to produce the results as stipulated in the manuals. By attending any short courses, any in

UNLOCKING THE VALUE OF SLIM RIVER by Muhammad Azmir Whenever people talk about Slim River, especially the outsiders, the scope of contexts will only evolve around the “slimming remarks” and the jam along the PLUS highway. As expected, nothing special can be discussed by them about Slim River’s town compared to the infamous Tanjong Malim. As to my best knowledge, Slim River has a lot of untapped values. It has a perfect ecosystem for business people to invest and to create more attractions for  higher return. Reliable infrastructures, strategic location, untapped skilled workers from Giat MARA and Vocational College, vast land, tourism attraction and local talents, are list of invaluable assets. The setting up of Econsave mall and the Summit Hotel was the turning point that lifted the familiar dull backdrop, creating more jobs to the communities. It goes without saying that the initial development creates the ripples, spreading to the locals by forming a business ecosys

Interesting by looking at the speed of the amendment move by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). To be fair, they should include LAM/PAM as part of the crucial stakeholders before tabling the OSHA amendment. By the way, creating another rule of law to regulate the architectural practice will be redundant and thus creating more pressure to the practice as the Architects Act 1967 is more than suffice to safeguard the interest of the public. The same goes t o engineers under Engineers Act 1967. In the aspect concerning professional demeanor, it would be unrealistic to justify such move that undermine the professionals' credibility in construction industries. A knee-jerk reaction is not a professional way to harmonise the construction issues and well-being . Listen to the voice of professionals. By Muhammad Azmir

Back then in 2015, there were some, well sort of uproars in regard to restriction of “Engr.” abbreviation before the graduate engineers’ name. The privilege of “Engr.” originated under the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) and definitely became as the beacon for engineering graduates to submit their membership registration. The restriction was due to the Board of Engineers Malaysia ( BEM) argument that such abbreviation will be misconstrued by the publics as “Professional Engineer”. Professional Engineer is the highest testament for any engineers in Malaysia in pursuing their career or establishing their own consultancy practice. Since its inception, the primary goal of having the Professional Engineer “licensure” is to provide engineering services in full-scale and in accordance to Engineer’s Act 1967. In 2015, the Engineer’s Act 1967 was amended to enhance the quality of engineers and in quest for the liberalisation of engineering services. The action has resulted t

Sculptor and engineer Arthur Ganson talks about his work — kinetic art that explores deep philosophical ideas and is gee-whiz fun to look at.