Hyper

it is another hectic and busy day...
i was working... and my heat beat goes, faster... faster... and FASTER!
at some rate i thought my heart is going to burst out from my body.
i think i am getting hyper again during work!!!

The study on the Engineering Softwares - Cedrus (CUBUS)

4. Cedrus - CUBUS

Cedrus - CUBUS is not a popular engineering software in Malaysia. i bet 9 out of 10 engineers in Malaysia have not heard about this software. however, its function is as complex as RAM PT (another software which does Prestressed Design in 3D and 2 direction)

things that Cedrus can do is amazing. however, it only suits the purpose of higher analysis, such as:

• irregular Floor plan design
  
• transfer slab
• flat slab (PT)

a lot of commands for Cedrus whereby i find it amazing and unique. Besides the very popular command of importing CAD drawings to your model space, it also separates the layers of lines you have imported. The imported lines serves as dummies to your model, and can be turn on/off easily.

Cedrus also exports floor to floor loading, from the reactions of the supports. Therefore step construction is easy to be carried out. For the complexity and not so regular of your building layout, it can cut section at anywhere and integrate the reactions (Moments, Shear, Stresses, Deflections etc.) where u desired.

One thing i find it quite annoying with Cedrus is that the beam elements it the model cannot overlap. Cedrus separates Beam and Slab elements very transparently. When you have a Beam element in the model, the stiffness of the beam will attract more moments as compared to your slab element.

Also, you have to make sure that your model is in complete order before you execute the analysis. The user has to be very organized and tidy when modeling the layout. A minor mistake will thus cause you to spend more time searching for the mistake and trying to rectify the problems.

Another key feature of Cedrus is the capability to model Prestressed Tendons in 2 Direction (meaning 2 way action) instead of you normal 1 way design. Its easy handling of the tendons by just setting the high/low point of the profile ease your work.

Overall, Cedrus is most suitable for advanced analysis.

The study on the Engineering Softwares - RAPT

3.RAPT

RAPT is by far the most reliable design software (local elements) i've encountered. it can only do continuous Beam Design (Reinforced Concrete and Prestressed Concrete), as well as Column design. because of its simplicity of function (only elements design), therefore it is stable, and easy to manage. I truly admire the function of its detail layout, especially when it comes to Prestressed beams. it clearly shows the profile of your Prestressed tendons as well as the variation of your beam dimensions (drops or changes of section).

Although RAPT prepares very detail calculations report, it however doesn't create CAD drawings. thus this will disappoint most of the ciplak 1 cent consultant since it cannot save the cost of your draughtsman/draughtswoman.

However, you HAVE to appreciate the RAPT when it comes to prestressed design. The details point to point profile and also its calculated stresses should be appreciated. Also, when it comes to complex beam sections or load cases, you will truly admire RAPT. It allows you to modify the beam section point to point and also your desired design sections.

Overall, RAPT is a very stable software, the model file rarely corrupts, and it is clear and easy to handle. Only bigger consultants will appreciate the luxury of RAPT.

The study on the Engineering Softwares - StaadPro2006

2. Staadpro2006

StaadPro is a very powerful tool for both Local and Global structural analysis. it can perform Finite Element Analaysis (FEA), modeling a plate, roof trusses, a globe, and it also can do Bridge Design.

One thing i like about this software is that it has various type of predefined model in the structure wizard. so one click away from your very typical model, and you will be in business. it can also perform various design such as concrete and steel.

Although having the ability to import CAD drawings, when it comes to managing the lines where you have imported from the CAD drawings, i found it quite helpless. You will import a lot of dummy lines to your model space, undefined and unwanted. This thus will cause you to have more time deleting and tidying up your model instead of getting what you want. This also reviewed the fact where it is harder to control the model in staadpro under different angles and different floors. When it comes to controlling the model, ETABS still crown the best.

Many does not know that Staadpro DO exports CAD drawings (in detail). after you have completed your analysis and design, you can actually create the detail drawings (in .dxf format). For an example, you have design a 3 span RC beam. The profile of the 3 span beam as well as the reinforcement layout of the beams, lapping details can be created by the software itself.

the older version Staad2000 has some problems with bugs therefore your model will be automatically shut down if there is any errors. you have to constantly save your model (manually) or else if it is your UNLUCKY day... all changes before last saving will be totally wiped out. however, things improved when it comes to StaadPro2006 as the Auto Saving command will keep your work secured. not very sure about StaadPro2007 as but i presumed it is better.

Overall, it is a worth buying software for the medium based consultant. The software is stable, powerful for structural analysis, and the model file will not corrupt easily.

The study on the Engineering Softwares - ETABS

this will be a series of posts where i will give out my comments about the listed design structural softwares where i utilize on my daily basis. besides locating the pro and cons of the software, i will also cover the function and my experiences with these softwares.

1. ETABS (Extended Three Dimensional Building System)

this is a frequent software i use in work. throughout my experience with this software, i found it quite stable. i have never experience any difficulties, nor encounter any bugs with this software, except for once but i managed to copy the whole model and paste it in a new file. The Model HARDLY corrupts. No problem dealing with this one at all.

As its name implies, this software is mainly for Building System. it is one of the most popular software in the United States, and i believe so in worldwide. It is very powerful for Global analysis, and suitable for advanced analysis such as Lateral (Wind and Seismic Analysis). It can import CAD files in .dxf format to allow you to model your structure easily. but it is advised to create your own grid line to build up your model. Very user friendly, divides every floor on a separated plan making it easier for user to handle the modifications of the model. Also Capable of viewing the model in every single angle.

Although ETABS performs complicated analysis, however it can only give you output like Moment, Shear, Deflection etc. It can perform design (concrete, steel & composite), and provide calculation details, it however does not export detail CAD drawings (in .dxf format). Therefore, only big consultants who has big building jobs which requires advanced analysis would be more favor to this software. dont expect a ciplak 1 cent 1 man show consultant to perform a lateral analysis using this complicated software.

Busy Days

i never thought blogging would be such taxing...

but nvm... recently i have a little problem about blogging, and my busy schedule has kept me away from it. and also some accident occurred...

but nvm all the pain, now it is back to order. had a few days off from office. and by the time i return, all the stuffs has piled up. and that is really bad. i am currently under 4+1 job, the reason why i wrote 4+1 instead of 5 is because the 1 is still not confirmed job yet. but i still need to work for it.

and then... so much of Xtra work unofficially. giving advise to someone, and working hard on other similiar design jobs as well. One thing i dont really feel happy about being a structural engineer is that you need to work everything from scratch til the end. and the process is not straight to the end. u have so SO SOOOOO much amendments until sometimes u feel helpless (those under the same situation will understand). but whether u like it or not, this is the way how this profession earn a living. No Pain No Gain!

but the recent popularity of the developed softwares have ease our work so much until we're depending for it completely...

haha... i shall return for some interesting stories about softwares i've been using all the time!

Jokes of the day I

Too much silly stories i heard from this industry. Too silly too ridiculous you will never believe what i am writing now...

- capacity: 2000kN, design load: 60kN ---> overdesigned? 30times!!

- submit calculations for authority approval ---> my computer kena virus (infected by virus), i cant print out the calculations!!
err... what about writing down the procedures, design and analysis on the calculation sheet? do you know how to do hand calculations, without using the computer? i mean... do u know how to use the calculator? or... do u know what u are doing?

- Senior professional talking to Junior / sub-professional: 'why not we get someone more experience to set up the layout?' (before he continues the design)
*akhem* aren't you supposed to lead the job and set up the layout? because... you are Senior and i am junior/sub professional.... u know...

- OMG we have a deadline to catch, we need to issue the drawings!!!
emm... what is our scope of work? what are the drawings we need to issue?

- We design the pile cap to NOT to take any Moment since we already design all column at each level to be pinned at both ends, so there will be no Moment induced to the pile cap!
pinned column at both ends? every floor? then ur building will look like....

- slab (150mm); perimeter beams (b=150mm, h=150mm)
.... .... .... Contractor: 'how to crank in the bars?' etc etc

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so much for today... i shall return someday with more jokes!

Design Softwares II

so much for the rain since Sunday, they shut down the smart tunnel for flood mitigation. causing the whole KLCC area to jam like disable traffic. My... it must be such a failure for a tunnel which is supposed to function to relieve BOTH the traffic as well as the flooding at the same time. but heck, regardless whether it is raining heavily or not, it has been treated as major storms.

back to the topic... if you are still not convinced that most of the design engineering softwares are evil, then you should reconsider again. well, it is also not true that you should take no action to the trend of the popularity of the design engineering softwares nowadays. but let me tell you one thing, mastering any of the softwares will NOT make you A GREAT ENGINEER, or will make you go far. instead, you will be more and more relying on the softwares until one day it will kill all your knowledge in your brain.

i want to considered myself a lucky person. my first job, and the one i'm still with it now, is a place where all engineers are so very familiar to these softwares, because it is only a new trend for the recent 10 years. it is quite hard to find a person who is smart BOTH in the knowledge as well as someone who master the software. but i can tell you straight, knowing the software is NOTHING to be excited about. Since the older engineers survived without the computer, so what is really exciting about the "click a button and get everything out" aka garbage in garbage out function if you do not know what you are doing? Smart engineers will know whether you have done it correctly with the software or not, even though they don't know how to use it. believe me or not, i've really encounter these circumstances before, and it doesn't happen just once!!!

but the good thing about softwares are, they are capable of delivering your job fast. and with the help of the software and an experienced superior (or if you are capable to stand up yourself), you will be the king of the industry!

So young engineers, be prepared to meet more and more challenges to stand up yourself. By doing so, you will excel!

Design Softwares I

haha... i am starting to enjoy writing here now. i get to express myself (not mentioning about my anger)

in the previous post i talk about the trends of working environment in Malaysia. now i am going to continue to talk about what the employer seeks from a design structural engineer nowadays. you will be very surprised that nowadays those vacancies posted in jobstreet seeking for design structural engineers, will have the basic requirements of knowing design softwares. These are such as Esteem( i find this most COMMON), Orion, ETABS, Prokon, StaadPro etc etc etc...

what i fear is that, the uncontrolled growth of solely using design softwares to perform work will lead the engineers to no where but dead end. Lets say a fresh engineer, he is trained to deliver his job based on the usage of Esteem (since Esteem produces Drawings such as key plans, beam details and foundation design, QS, calculation, which is what most of the employer seeks). As time goes by, he will become a "Beam Slabs Column ---> issue the drawing engineer" (pardon me for giving them such a name).

so now let say if we take away the software, of even the computer. can the engineer perform his duty without the technology? a lot of them has forgotten how to use their C.A.L.C.U.L.A.T.O.R. nowadays. if you are used to the design softwares, do u know how to design a beam? slabs? or even column? everything you learn from the university has gone back to its own place.

i am not trying to say that all design softwares are evil. at least they serves the function of producing the concept faster than step-by-step calculations, and i also found that these design softwares serves the function of tendering purposes. but this is only subjecting to SIMPLE buildings, maybe less than 10 stories only.

til now a lot of engineers still think that if they "taruh" (key in) everything into the software, and click the magic button, they will get the analysis, design and detailing in one goal, and you can consider your job complete. This garbage in garbage out concept will not make you go far. And i foresee that this is the trend in most Consulting Firms nowadays, because competition is very tough, and time is very limited. Therefore people start to rely on computer softwares which will produce instant outcome... but they don't foresee the future.

Does anyone know about the fundamental theories behind the softwares? how to do calculations step by step? or do you know what the software is doing when u apply the 'predefined' functions? Do you know what is natural frequency, periods (not the one girls having every month), diaphragm, vibration etc etc... or even, those who are using the design softwares, have u EVER read all the design Codes such as:

British Standards 8110, British Standards 5950, British Standards 6339, or if i go further, the Uniform Building Code-97 (UBC-97)?

if you are aiming to do something like

then u need to look beyond other normal people.

Many of the softwares users don't actually understand what are they doing when they are using the programme. Of course it feels GREAT when u hit the button and let the computer do the job. but based on my humble experience, i have found out that all softwares has its LIMITATIONS. i am not pinpointing which one has the most limitations or which one is not doing the right thing. As u are getting more and more familiar with the industry, you will realise that there is no such thing as a complete right, or a complete wrong...

(to be continued)

The Journey Begins

lets talk about the trend of work in Malaysia now.

i heard that the consulting industry is booming, sort of. After years of being low paid since the economy crisis in 1997, i saw a ray of light from the mist. That shows a shortage for professionals like us (engineers). Ever wonder why the IEM magazine, keep having advertisement like global migration to Australia? the answer is simple, they need more professionals (labours) like us to work, and i am not talking solely about Malaysia, but also other countries. More and more people took the opportunity to work in places like Australia, Middle East, UK etc etc as they thought they will be paid higher over there.

One of the idea where i do not agree with most of the people is, they pay the professionals higher in overseas as compared to Malaysia. Define better pay? Lets take an example. a fresh grad engineer in Australia will probably get a pay about Aud55,000 per annum now, that is about Aud4,500 per month, excluding tax. Bare in mind that Australian government tax about 30% of your income. There goes your Aud4,500 --> Aud3,000 per month. Also bear in mind that their living cost, accommodation, food, transport, petrol are generally ALOT higher compared to Malaysia. so there goes your Aud3,000 --> Aud1,000. You still get your Aud1,000 saving per month there. Ok, at least it is still better compared to a fresh grad here, because in general they only pay us RM2,000 per month here, for engineers working with the consultants.

A lot of my friends chose to stay in Australia upon graduation (i used to study in UNSW, Australia) Unless you are thinking of migrating to oversea, you can actually follow the plan. So you have to say goodbye to your neighbourhood mamak stalls, no nightlife as interesting as the Asians, food like nasi lemak roti canai teh tarik rendang satay tom yam laksa chicken rice ramlee burger etc etc... and make yourself familiar to the drinking beer culture and chinese restaurant dominated by chefs from china over there. but of course you can still find the food i listed out earlier over there, but Aud6 for one piece of roti canai? Aud10 for a nasi lemak? you have to think twice when u make the decision. and there are a lot more things to sacrifice if you are planning to stay there long term.

things are going to be the SAME if you don't convert the currency. you earn Aud3,000 there u save Aud1,000. you earn RM3,000 here and you save RM1,000... fair enough. you still don't get to own a house there with saving of Aud1,000 per month.

i'm not saying that working as an engineer in Malaysia has no prospect. i'm just trying to tell people out there that depending solely on your monthly income is not the way to make yourself to gain financial freedom, no matter where you are, and how much you are earning. Are you going to be satisfy with your salary 10,000 per month? do you think you are rich if you are having such pay?

Millionaires become rich not because of how much they earn, but rather how much they are able to save and invest
-- Adam Khoo "Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires"

There are still a lot of ways to earn extra money out of your monthly paid job. that's why i'm reading a lot of investment books right now, just like the one written by Adam Khoo "Secrets of self made Millionaires".

and i hope all the best to all the beginners out there!

ALAS, the day has finally come!

on the 22nd of March 2008, drizzling Saturday night of KL... most of the usual people is probably clubbing, pubbing, outing OR sitting at home watching television, upcoming qualifying round of F1 Malaysian Grand Prix, or just like what i will do usually at home, LAzYing!

but today is different. i've decided to start a blog about myself. not very 'myself' precisely. more about my profession (what sort of profession i am saying if i've only been working for 2 yrs zzz)

i'm just like those usual university graduate, majoring in civil engineering and achieved an honours 1 in my degree. i started working 2 years back. everything is so perfect when i begun. being in a so called 'professional' industry made me believed that i will achieve respect, dignity, wealth and also be fulfilled with my job. 2 yrs of working in the industry made me feel that these are nothing but merely dreams. it is very hard for one to achieve those which i have listed earlier, maybe a 0.01%. but yes i'm still working in the consulting industry.

the reason why i wanted to start blogging is to help those beginners in the industry. i know it is hard to be in such position, because i've experienced it in the 2 years. long working hours, hectic working environment, not being able to find help, inadequate training etc etc...

i might not be as experienced as your supervisor in work. but i am more familiar with the current trends of work - enginnering softwares. i wish to lend a hand to those who who are seeking for a light in the mist.

those that i master:

ETABS - Extended Three Dimensional Building System

RAPT - Both Reinforced Concrete and Prestressed

StaadPro - Modelling

Cedrus - Modelling, and Prestressed Design

those that i know:

EsteemPlus v6

SAFE

PROKON

RM2006

and a little bit of:

AutoCAD

SAFE

i'm here to share my experience with my fellow professionals out there. i still believe that when we start to work smart, unite, and share our valuable experience, we might be able to achieve something. NEVER under look yourself!!