Typical Engineer Story

With the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in civil engineering, some tasks can be automated to improve efficiency and accuracy while also benefiting the environment. Although technology will not be able to replace human employees, its function is projected to expand as machines become more advanced. AI is anticipated to play a big role in many everyday applications in the future, from self-driving cars to precision agriculture. Project management is one area in civil engineering where AI can have a substantial impact. Engineers must consider numerous critical elements when interpreting complicated designs in building projects, including work sequence and time. This can be difficult for people to keep track of, resulting in costly errors and delays. Engineers can avoid these issues by utilising AI technologies to monitor and control construction projects. Automated monitoring systems can be set to detect possible delays and other issues early, allowing them to be corrected b

In construction industry, it involves architect, engineer, quantity surveyor, project manager, landscape architect, acoustician, and the list goes on. Architects are the main professionals who will first deal with the clients. After obtaining the basic ideas or problems, the architect will submit a brief solution for the client’s consideration. Prior to getting client's approval, architect provides a detail solution by getting input from other professionals to materialise the building construction.  An architect's dream is an engineer's nightmare has become a well-known perception in the construction industry. However, is there any merit or truth in such perception? Is it true that creativity is only for architects, while engineers only provide solutions to ensure architectural creativity is safe to build? Architect akin to an artist. The first phase is the sketching phase of the fundamental creative ideas and translating the client’s intent via the artistic shape, space an

  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