ACEM Engineering Award 2013

Gold Award of Special Merit

Arup Jururunding Sdn Bhd
Gurney Paragon is located along Gurney Drive in Penang,
consisting of two phases. Phase One comprises two 43-storey
high end residential towers with food and beverage outlets
on the lowest three levels. The ground oor level features an
open square (Festival Square) between the two towers fronting
an almost 100 year old three-storey heritage building the St.
Josephs Novitiate.
Phase Two is a retail complex.
A common two and three level basement underlies both phases.
Arup Jururunding Sdn Bhd is the Civil, Structural and Geotechnical
consulting engineers for Phase One.
The Clients requirements for St. Josephs@Paragon were to
preserve the entire structure and building fabric that will keep its
integrity. St. Jos existence has to be given a new lease of life and
functionality within the new development.
St. Jos is an old load bearing masonry building. Vertical load
carrying elements are predominantly brick columns. The brick
columns rested on footings comprising either stone slabs, old
brick mats and concrete footings. Reinforced concrete beams
span between the brick columns supporting timber joists and
oor boards.
The engineering challenge of St. Jos did not lie in the conservation
or rehabilitation of the superstructure, which was generally in
good condition. The challenge was ensuring the St. Jos would
not be adversely affected by the two-level basement excavation
and construction all around it, and to ensure that such adverse
effects, if any, would neither be short term nor long term.
The Underpinnings of St. Josephs Novitiate Building won Arup
Jururunding Sdn Bhd the Gold Award of Special Merit, the highest
ACEM Engineering Award, conferred in recognition of excellent
engineering solution and outstanding merit.
St. Josephs @ Paragon.
The solution adopted by Arup was to give St. Jos new pile
foundations, support it on those new piles, then go below the
building, remove the earth under it and create two levels of
basement under St. Jos.
A new ground foor slab-and-beam foor plate was conceived
that would be supported by new micropiles was installed
under St. Jos.
Load paths were created to allow almost the entire
superstructure load to be supported by the slab-and-beam
plate which was supported by micropiles.
Small excavators were used to dug out the earth below St.
Jos, exposing the old foundations and allowing them to
drop. As the old foundations were removed, the casting of
the ground oor plate began.
When the old brick columns were supported by the new
ground oor plate, excavation proceeded to the lowest
basement level (B2).
Basement construction under St. Jos began with the casting
of B2. The B2 slab was bonded to the micropile shafts forming
a raft. The micropile shafts were then cast up to the soft
of B1 by encasing in concrete with steel bars thus becoming
reinforced concrete columns. B1 beams and slabs were then
cast up to the soft of the slab-and-beam plate at the ground
oor. The last bit of column casting at the top just under the
soft was achieved by the pumping of grout.
The successful underpinning of St. Jos gave it a new foundation
and two levels of basement slabs had been created under it.
The cost of the Arups innovative engineering solution costs
approximately RM 3.5 million. Yet, the engineering solution
employed had made possible the conservation of St. Jos, turning
it into an integral part of a new development by ensuring its
long term accessibility and usage. Arups impressive work created
value for the Client and brought about immense benets to the
community at large.
The ACEM Engineering Awards 2013 was organised in conjunction with the ACEM 50th Anniversary Dinner of the Association. The
competition was open to ACEM Member Firms only and this year, the Panel of Judges has awarded six entries with the following awards:
Gold Award of Special Merit to Arup Jururunding Sdn Bhd
Silver Award of Merit to SMHB Sdn Bhd
Silver Award of Merit to HSS Integrated Sdn Bhd
Silver Award of Merit to Angkasa Consulting Services Sdn Bhd
Bronze Award of Commendation to T Y Lin International Sdn Bhd
Bronze Award of Commendation to Minconsult Sdn Bhd
ACEM Engineering Award 2013
Silver Award of Merit
SMHB Sdn Bhd
The beautication and rehabilitation of the Sg. Melaka was an
initiative by the Melaka State Government to enhance the tourism
potential of the state and improve the living environment of the
residents.
SMHB Sdn Bhd is the Civil and Structural consulting engineers
responsible for the engineering design and construction
supervision works for the project.
The condition of river bank and water quality of Sg. Melaka has
deteriorated over the years due to population density on the river
bank and absence of a sewerage system in the area. Sewage
was discharged into drainage channels and into the river without
proper treatment, contributing towards the degradation of the
water quality in the river.
The Sg. Melaka project posed various constraints including limited
river reserve, soft marine clay conditions, close proximity of houses,
diurnal tidal fuctuations from RL -0.5m to RL +1.20m, presence
of boat trafc and inaccessibility of certain stretches by land. Due
to proximity to residential and commercial properties, there is also
limited land availability and social impact considerations.
SMHB conceptualized a holistic approach requiring improvement
to the river banks, providing wall structures to improve the
supports for the building sitting directly alongside the river banks,
drainage improvements, provision of an interceptor sewer system
and sewage treatment plant, attenuation of localized foods using
a storm water pumping system and a barrage system for controls
of river levels.
Requirements for the engineering design and subsequent
enhancement were supported by ood modeling and tidal study,
sedimentation study, physical model study for the barrage, water
quality modeling and environmental study.
SMHB overcomed major challenges in the project by employing
effective and innovative engineering solutions that took care of
environmental and social issues as well.
(i) Five (5) types of river embankment wall were designed to suit
the surrounding conditions along different stretches of the Sg.
Melaka riverbank.
(ii) Interceptor Sewers were introduced to cut off the discharge
of partially and untreated sewage from entering the river
directly. These interceptor sewers would form part of a
centralized sewerage system to be provided for the city of
Melaka later.
(iii) A storm water system was designed to manage the combined
sewage and storm water ows using a pumping system
comprising a ow separator chamber, a one-way ow check
valve, and storm water pumps. This dual system caters to dry
weather and wet weather ows.
(iv) Minor dredging of the river bed was carried out to compensate
for the loss of waterway area due to the construction of the
river revetment walls and to remove the toxic mud deposit.
(v) Tidal barrage was designed to allow for river boat cruising
along Sg. Melaka by providing a consistent depth of water
along the river. The structure is also able to evacuate ood
fows and minimized local fooding due to high tides and
upper catchment inows in the surrounding riverine areas.
(vi) A bridge was built across Sg. Melaka to access the new CIQ
complex which had been relocated to the core island. Due
to the limited land available at the core island, the bridge
embankment was designed to be curved to avoid the new
CIQ complex.
SMHB has successfully fulflled the Clients requirements with
the project completed on time and within budget. The people of
Melaka has beneted from the beautication and rehabilitation
of Sg. Melaka
Sg. Melaka is gradually becoming a clean and living river again
due to the sewer interception system. The water quality has
improved from Class IV status (polluted) to Class III (slightly
polluted).
The construction of the Barrage at the river mouth has
enabled the river water level to be maintained at a relatively
constant depth. Aesthetics of the riverfront has improved.
Recreational activities can be held along the river and cruises
can take place throughout the year.
The storm water pumping scheme helped alleviate the local
ooding at Kg. Morten, improving the quality of life of its
residents.
The city of Melaka is able to tap the tourism potential provided
by Sg. Melaka and create job opportunities for local residents.
Sungai Melaka Rehabilitation and Beautication Project.
ACEM Engineering Award 2013
Silver Award of Merit
HSS Integrated Sdn Bhd
The Penang Bridge was built in 1985, as a tolled road crossing,
maintained and operated under a concession agreement. The
overall length of the crossing, including interchanges on either
side, is approximately 13.5 km, of which 8.5 km is over water.
The marine sections comprise a 440m long cable-stayed bridge
over the main navigation channel, high-level approach viaducts,
a 1.8 m long low-level approach viaduct on the Penang Island
side, a 3.96 km long low-level approach viaduct on the Prai side
and several interchange structures on the Penang Island shoreline.
The existing cable stayed bridge and high-level approach viaducts
were built to dual three-lane standard, while the low level
approach viaducts were built to dual two-lane standard.
The concession company was required, under their concession
agreement, to widen the low-level viaducts at an appropriate
time to enable traffc capacity and toll revenue to be maximized.
In 2003, the concession company commissioned HSSI to examine
options for widening the whole length of the low-level viaducts
and the ramps on the interchange at the Penang Island shoreline.
The Clients requirements included:
(i) the structural widening of 5.76 km of low-level viaducts to
carry a road carriageway from dual two-lane to dual three-
lane (with larger-width nearside lanes to accommodate the
high number of motorcycles using the crossing).
(ii) Minimum disruption to trafc during construction of the
widening, including no reduction in lane number or width
during day time and minimum lane closures during night.
(iii) The widening works should cause no damage to the existing
viaduct approach spans or their piled foundations, nor should
they affect the serviceability of the existing crossing.
The widening of the existing Penang Bridge posed the following
challenges:
Long term safety and integrity of the bridge
A brownfeld site
Proximity of the existing bridge foundation
Systematic monitoring of bridge
Variable and poor ground conditions
Pile construction issues
The role of HSSI Integrated Sdn Bhd covered:
Overall management and coordination of the preliminary
study
Preliminary highway engineering design and study
Preliminary utilities and drainage engineering design and
study
Detailed highway engineering design
Detailed utilities and drainage engineering design
Preparation of tender documents and drawings
Technical support and supervision for construction works.
To suit the Clients requirements, HSSI adopted a widening scheme
that involved extending the substructure at each pier location and
providing two additional longtitudinal beams with a composite
deck slab on each side of the deck in each span. At each pier,
two reinforced concrete bored piles were provided at each end
of the existing pilecap to support an extension to the pilecap, a
new column and an extension of the existing crosshead in order
to accommodate the extended deck. Structural connections
between the existing and new works were provided at the pilecap
and at the deck slab.
Engineering solutions and innovative approaches adopted by
HSSI in the project addressed the concerns of:
The scope and complexity of piling works;
Layby widening/sliding;
Deck stitching works; and
Monitoring of existing structure.
HSSIs contribution in the successful completion of the project
over a four year period with full compliance to the Clients
requirements is to be commended.
Widening of the Existing Penang Bridge.
ACEM Engineering Award 2013
Silver Award of Merit
Angkasa Consulting Services Sdn Bhd
The project is one of the pioneering green energy projects in
Malaysia under the renewable energy programme. The project
started in 2005 when RE is relatively new to the public. Due to
the low tariff then and the stringent condition on power factor
imposed on the developer, many mini- and small-hydropower
projects were not nancially viable and therefore not implemented.
The Clients requirement was to develop a small hydropower
plant for green energy generation and achieve maximum return
on investment while meeting the conditions stipulated by
Government agencies
(i) Optimum power plant design while maximizing ROI.
(ii) No reduction in fow at Chamang Waterfall after power
generation;
(iii) No interruption to the recreational activities by construction
activities;
(iv) Minimum Annual Capacity Factor of 0.8 imposed by TNB.
Angkasa Consulting Services Sdn Bhd is the engineering
consultant and lead consultant for the project.
In order to achieve the minimum of IRR of 12% so that the project
is viable for implementation, ACS has evaluated many design
options and value engineering to optimize the design.
Deserving mention is ACSs originality and innovative approach
in power potential analysis. ACS has developed a method to
estimate the ow duration curve of the river at an un-gauged site
which can be used to estimate the hydropower potential of the
proposed scheme. A quick method to estimate the hydro power
potential of the proposed site (that has no nearby river gauging
stations) during the feasibility study stage is essential for screening
and selection of design options. This new approach is named as
Normalized Flow Duration curve method.
This 4MW hydropower project is constructed in an environmentally
sensitive area located in the Bukit Tinggi forest reserve, at the
Chamang Waterfall recreational area. This project demonstrated
that, with careful selection of site, attention to details in design
and construction and risk management, natural resources can be
harnessed without signicant negative impact to the environment.
The key challenge in this project is to manage the risk of damage
to the natural environment particularly the recreational value of
the Chamang Waterfall and camping ground along Perting river.
It is critical to preserve the water quality of the river which can
deteriorate due to construction activities and operation of the
hydro power plant. The steep terrain and high rainfall intensity
also posed a challenge to control the soil erosion.
Key engineering features of the project:
The position of the power house is sited just above the
Chamang Waterfall so that its water emission from the
turbines after power generation forms part of the picturesque
waterfall at the recreational site;
The project utilizes natural water resources available and the
hydraulic head at the Sg. Perting to generate electrical energy.
Avoiding unnecessary disturbance to natural ground
conditions and the soil erosion control measures put in place
has successfully mitigated soil erosion problems.
This small hydropower plant made a small but signicant
contribution to the green economy of Malaysia, generating
electricity from a RE source thus reducing carbon emission,
avoiding environmental pollution caused by burning of fossil
fuels and has no negative impact as it does not involve any tree
cutting or deforestation.
The power plant has been performing well beyond the Clients
expectation, and has been classied as one of the best performing
plant by SEDA and Bank Pembangunan.
Cadangan Pembangunan Janakuasa Mini-hidro Di Sg. Perting, Bentong, Pahang.
ACEM Engineering Award 2013
Bronze Award
of Commendation
T Y Lin International Sdn Bhd
CapSquare Tower 2 is part of the Capital Square mixed
development and is a prominent landmark along Lebuh Ampang
and Jalan Dang Wangi, Kuala Lumpur. Its construction started in
1996 but was suspended in Level 1 due to the 1997 economic
crisis. The project resumes in 2008 and completed in 2011 after
several major design revamps to meet new buyers requirements.
T Y Lin International Sdn Bhd is the Civil and Structural consulting
engineers in respect of the schematic design, design development,
tender and contract documentation, contract implementation
and management of the project.
CapSquare Tower 2 stands on top of eight (8) nos of 3.0m
diameter columns. With its 31.13m wide frontal columns, the
entire tower of 40 storeys sits over a 7.65m deep transfer beam
structural system above the grand lobby.
The structural system of the project was put in place in 1996.
When the project resumed in 2008, the Client imposed new
requirements which included:
(i) Increase of net sellable foor area from 550,000 to 600,000
sq. ft.;
(ii) Relocation of 6 nos. of perimeter column at L25 and above;
(iii) Commitment of 38 month design and construction completion
time;
(iv) Addition of main entrance hanging canopy;
(v) Removal of key holds faade feature; and
(vi) Strengthening works for independent plant and equipment at
Basement 2.
The structural challenge posed by the new requirements
initiated a total review and re-design of the structure, with due
consideration to the constraints of the as-constructed structure
up to that point in time. T Y Lins following creative engineering
solutions fullled the Clients requirement:
Introduced a second transfer structure system at Level
25/25M to reduce loading due to the additional foor areas
onto the existing transfer beam at L1 to minimize hacking
and re-construction works.
Optimized the structural foor framing elements to minimize
weight to cater for the increase of oor areas and to eliminate
underpinning to existing foundation.
Introduced a symmetrical inclined frame structure system from
L26 to L30 to meet Clients requirement of column free offce
space and at the same time, to eliminate any strengthening
work to the existing structures.
Provided structure solution on additional grand hanging
canopy at the existing ground foor;
Provided structure solution on the new centralized plant room
at basement.
Provided effective solution to rectifcation work to transfer
beam columns at L1.
The structure also featured environmental considerations through
the reused of L1 pre-stressing strands (after verifying the capacity)
and used of recycled materials such as Mascrete containing PFA
from coal-red power plant for foundation casting.
CapSquare Tower 2 was completed ahead of schedule by nearly
1.5 months, made possible by T Y Lins engineering design
solutions and approaches in problem solving.
CapSquare Tower 2.
ACEM Engineering Award 2013
Bronze Award
of Commendation
Minconsult Sdn Bhd
With the enactment of the Fit-in-Tariff (FiT) under the RE Act
2011, small RE power producers have been granted the Feed-in
approvals by SEDA for 2012, the rst year of implementation of
the FiT programme.
Eight (8) Clients have successfully rolled out their respective
FiT building-integrated solar PV generation systems on existing
factory/warehouse rooftops located in Shah Alam and Port Klang
industrial zones. These totaled up to approximately 6.5MW
installed capacity at rooftop and 1MW of ground mounting
installation at the end of 2012.
Minconsult Sdn Bhd in association with Pathgreen Energy Sdn
Bhd have been engaged by these Clients as the engineering,
procurement, constructi on/commi ssi oni ng and proj ect
management consultant in the implementation of this rst FiT
factory/warehouse Rooftop Solar PV Projects in Malaysia. The
consultancy services offered to the Clients include:
(i) Detailed electrical power supply designs for both low
voltage DC/AC systems and high voltage 11kV utility grid-tie
interconnection systems; and
(ii) Fast-track project management for procurement of equipment
supply and works packages and supervision of construction/
commissioning activities.
Innovations introduced during the project design stage include:
The design of the generator step-up transformer which has
two/three delta connected LV windings connected to two/
three independent grid-tie central inverters which are the
sources of solar PV power generation.
The design of compact AC substation which houses the
generator step-up transformer/11kV switchgear provides
easy transportation to specic project locations. The inverter
room and compact ACE substation were able to be installed
adjacent to each other, thus allowing Clients to locate these
sub-systems within the space-constrained footprint allocated
by the warehouse owner.
These projects were completed/commissioned for commercial
operation within the tight timeline given by the respective Clients,
i.e., between 3 - 5 months. These projects were also delivered
with lower than the projected budget used in the nancial
payback calculation model.
First Large-scale FiT Rooftop Solar PV Projects.