Saturday 6 April 2019

Critical Reflection

At the start of this course, I expressed my goal of having the “ability to be confident presenting information in front of a large group of people”. Presentation opportunities were not as ubiquitous as writing assignments where I have previously studied in. However, this module has given me a platform to practice my public-speaking capabilities through a technical report in a professional setting. Extensive and prompt feedback from the course instructor regarding our idiosyncrasies and presentation style allowed me to be more adept and proficient at making effective presentation slides (which can really make or break your presentation) and has enabled me to articulate our team’s ideas to the class clearly and succinctly. Having adequate preparations and rehearsals albeit an unusually hectic trimester schedule has also granted my team the honour to present our ideas at the Presentation Showcase. 

My team’s preliminary project proposal, although fitting the assessment criteria of being “sustainable” to an extent, did not focus on an engineering problem by and of itself, which was the primary goal incipiently. Our main challenge during the initial stages of project conceptualisation was to therefore deliberate a more appropriate engineering problem that could be addressed through sustainable approaches. Through the process of researching for a more suitable engineering problem, I have come to appreciate the iterative process that correlates with crafting a technical report - being open to unfamiliar ideas and research is crucial to developing a well-rounded technical report with substantial perspectives from your groupmates, industry experts and researchers. 

My team was chosen to present our ideas at the Presentation Showcase due to our thorough preparation and considerations for our proposed solution regarding flooding on expressways. A stark difference between the class presentation and the Presentation Showcase was, firstly, the environment (a lecture theatre instead of a small classroom) and secondly, the number of audience members, the latter having a lot more course mates and even external judges, to boot. Anxiety and apprehension were thus to be expected. I was quivering slightly during my presentation segment, and even stumbled on my own words as I tried to articulate my thoughts into recognisable speech. Despite lacking the luxury of time for preparations, I felt that possessing a deep understanding of the technical report and the subject matter was crucial to being able to present effectively. 

These 13 weeks of Effective Communication have made me better able to edit grammar and language mistakes in my work and of others, writing in a way that is pertinent regarding the issue at hand and enhanced my confidence and ability to present in front of a discerning audience. This module compliments our other more technical modules and educates us on the importance of being proficient at communicating our ideas, which is imperative for future engineers-to-be.

Saturday 23 March 2019

Reflections on the Mapletree Forum

There was amalgam of remarkable ideas and solutions from not only the panellists, but also the audience, to combine sustainability and entrepreneurship, which was the central theme of the discussion on Wednesday night. 

With the bleak outlook of the Earth’s environmental condition and the actions (or lack thereof) taken against climate change and global warming, Nancy Ling, who hails from Australia where environmental awareness and conservation is more prevalent and widespread, aims to market sustainable products as a profitable business model. Her business focuses on selling premium sustainable disposable cutlery and tableware in Singapore.

What she observed as a major obstacle that hinders deeper penetration into the Singaporean market is that locals are “addicted” to plastic. Being a local Singaporean, I wholeheartedly concede with her comment that we are plastic “addicts”. Our groceries are all packed in plastic and our food-takeaways are all contained in non-biodegradable plastic and styrofoam, just to list a few examples. We love plastic, because it makes life convenient in our face-paced lives – it doesn’t take any effort to throw single-use plastic cutlery into the trash. 

However, this phenomenon of Singapore’s plastic addiction opens an enormous potential business opportunity. According to Nancy Ling, “being the first to jump into the boat” is paramount to becoming a leader in the market, and that any imitators are merely trying to leech onto your success. With the advent of a more environmentally conscious generation and the looming threat of rising sea levels and increasingly hotter days to come, I believe that more Singaporeans are concerned about saving the planet, and how they can do so. Nancy Ling’s start-up is the realisation of this growing awareness and she aspires to leverage on it to make sustainable products profitable and more commonplace in the future. 

I have learnt, among many other thought-provoking ideas, that it takes passion, a “fire in your belly”, and knowledge to become a successful entrepreneur. An innovative idea, coupled with the right know-how and mindset, sprinkled with a bit of luck, can lead to something wonderful and ground-breaking that can change the lives of millions and save the very planet we live in for future generations to come.

Tuesday 12 March 2019

Technical Report Draft 1b: Mitigating Floods with Sustainble Porous Asphalt on Expressways

1. Introduction
written 
1.1. Background Information
Flash floods are considered to be of major inconvenience to motorists, exacerbated by the limited land we have in Singapore. Singapore, being one of the most densely populated countries in the world, has seen a growing transport demand among individual road users, logistic firms and public transportation agencies in the city. These users “expect reliable and safe road infrastructure for traveling from one location to another and transporting goods and people” (Hartmann & Ling, 2016, p. 29). However, due to the city’s tropical climate, Singapore receives abundant rainfall, which has been steadily rising over the years (Meteorological Service Singapore, 2018 (Fig 1.2)). This increase in frequency and intensity of rain, in conjunction with the increase in the car population in Singapore, is a catalyst for road accidents as wet road conditions reduces the friction car tyres have against the road surface. This in turn leads to higher chances of causing human casualties, property damage, and traffic disruption due to road flooding, landslides, or fallen trees from storms (Chow, Cheong & Ho, 2016).

According to media archives retrieved in a study led by Chow, Cheong and Ho (2016b), there was a total of 212 flood events reported in Singapore from 1965 to 2015, with only seven years that were absent of recorded newsworthy flood events. The data listed in The Straits Times categorized and defined 30.2% of the historical extent of flooding during the fifty-year period as flash floods (Fig 1).

These floods have led to the development of alternative techniques to increase the drainage capability of surfaces, such as the use of porous asphalt. Porous asphalt is a type of asphalt that allows water to permeate through its surface into a collection pond below the pavement. Water-permeable asphalt is made possible by controlling and/or changing the amount of materials used in conventional asphalt mixes, such as the fine and coarse aggregates, along with some variations in construction methods to produce the desired outcome of reducing surface runoff. Porous asphalt has the capacity to conserve water, reduce runoff and promote infiltration which cleanses stormwater, all of which are acquired from the relatively high porosity and permeability of the porous pavement layers (Fwa, Lim, Tan, 2015). According to Hesami, Ameri, Goli and Akbari (2013), several completed or ongoing studies on warm-mix asphalt and steel slag asphalt mixtures have been conducted all over the world.

Exemplifying the advantages porous asphalt would contribute toward sustainability, such as introducing recycled by-products in the production process such as steel slag. Non-potable use for the water collected from the asphalt after rain (Hammes, Thives & Ghisi 2018), together with recycled steel slag, are sustainable aspects of porous asphalt that can serve to urge the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to consider porous asphalt as an alternative to the conventional road mix.

1.2. Problem Statement
Flash floods have always been of major inconvenience to motorists in Singapore. With the aim of being a sustainable city, porous asphalt should be implemented on the roads of Singapore not only to mitigate the occurrence of floods, but also as a sustainable measure by introducing recycled by-products in the production process as well as providing non-potable use for the water collected from the asphalt.

1.3. Purpose Statement
The purpose of this report is to propose the implementation of porous asphalt on busy roads to reduce the occurrence of floods in areas that has lack of drainage system such as the Expressways. The proposed methodologies and application of porous asphalt roads would demonstrate to LTA that porous asphalt not only mitigates the occurrence of floods, it can also be presented as a sustainable approach to mitigate road flooding. 


2. Proposed Solution

2.1. Porous Asphalt Roads
The team’s proposed solution to mitigate the occurrence of flood is the implementation of porous asphalt on roads especially on areas where there is lack of drainage system such as the expressways. Incorporating porous asphalt is a strategic stormwater management with its unique functional benefits of having the capacity to conserve water, reduce runoff and promote infiltration with cleanses stormwater, all of which are acquired from the relatively high porosity and permeability of the porous pavement layers (Fwa, Lim, Tan, 2015).

2.1.1. Application
• A proposal to LTA will be made to have a pilot study on a small section of road. 

• Instead of using a traditional asphalt mix, our proposed porous asphalt mix can be used during the maintenance of roads

• After studies and research on the small section of road is conducted, if it is sustainable, the porous asphalt can be applied to more roads other than our pilot road

• Substituting crushed stone aggregates with steel furnace slag. According to Ahmedzade & Sengoz (2009b), steel slag used as coarse aggregate improved the mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures as the results of different tests conducted with steel slag indicated that steel slag mixtures have excellent engineering properties. Currently, steel slag is supplied by NatSteel Asia, the only steel mill in Singapore, as a by-product of reinforcement bar production. It is treated by NSL Chemicals Ltd (formerly known as NatSteel Envirotech Pte Ltd).


3. Benefits of Proposed Solution

3.1. Reducing impact of floods and ponding
The higher void content of porous asphalt as compared to the conventional asphalt mix, will allow the seepage of rainwater through the road surface, thus maintaining a relatively dry surface. Reduced ponding on the road surface allows for a safer and pleasant driving experience as the car tyres do not lose friction against a wet road surface.

3.2. Stormwater management
The collection of stormwater from under porous asphalt roads can be collected for non-potable use in buildings, such as “flushing urinals and toilets”, in a building, which led to savings of 53 to 54% of potable water (Hammes, G., Thives, L., & Ghisi, E., 2018). This would make porous asphalt roads dual-purpose and hence sustainable (preventing floods and recycling water simultaneously).

3.3. Recycled by-product: Steel Slag
According to Chen and Wei (2016), the use of steel slag as a coarse aggregate substitute could improve the engineering properties of asphalt mixtures with higher durability, higher skid resistance and has longer road lifespan resulting in lesser carbon emissions. Also, steel slag have angular and rough textured particles that would improve the interlocking mechanism and provide good mechanical properties.


4. Proposal Evaluation

4.1. Case Study
According to Takahashi (2013), the number of traffic accidents on wet surface conditions in Japan since 1998 has decreased drastically because of the spread of porous asphalt used widely across the expressways (refer to Figure 4). Due to the wet surface caused by rain, the loss of vehicle control at high-speed travel was one of the main reasons for these traffic accidents. At that time, with the growing economy and with the unexpected increase in the number of vehicles, many surfaces of expressways in Japan were severely damaged.

4.2. Challenges
Porous asphalt may seem to be highly efficient and sustainable to the environment, but there are certain traits to be forgone in exchange for such benefits.

- Strength
The large amount of pore size in the porous asphalt mix, allows water seepage through the surface, but significantly reduces the strength of the road surface as well (Mo, Huurman, Woldekidan, Wu, Molenaar, 2010). This suggests that porous asphalt mix might not be feasible on roads with high occurrences of heavy traffic such as roads junctions. The sheer amount of vehicles at rest at road junctions will generate relatively large amounts of static forces which may not be suitable for porous asphalt to withstand. 

To overcome this challenge, the team has suggested for the porous asphalt mix to be implemented on highway roads instead. The reduced congestion in traffic and a swifter road flow, as compared to road junctions, will be a good fit for the use of porous asphalt. 


5. Methodology and Procedure

5.1. Primary Research
According to an interview done on March 6, 2019 with Teo Yong Boon, the Laboratory Manager for Samwoh Corporation Pte Ltd, porous asphalt is not currently being implemented on expressways on a large enough scale, and therefore consider proposing the implementation of porous asphalt on expressways.

5.2. Secondary Research
Sources of secondary research include research articles and online journals which are relevant sources that support the contents of this technical report. An example of an article is by Fwa, T. F., Lim, E., & Tan, K. H. (2015) which discussed the characteristics of porous asphalt and pervious concrete pavement materials. Another relevant source is by Hesami, S., Ameri, M., Goli, H., & Akbari, A. (2015), where it talks about the warm-mix asphalt mixtures containing steel slag aggregates. The figures as listed in the appendices were sourced from Meteorological Service Singapore (2018) and several academic articles. 


6. Conclusion
The upward trend of increasing annual rainfall that is expected in Singapore due to changes in the global climate will be a major cause of flooding and ponding on roads in the future. There is a compelling need to prevent flooding and ponding and hence accidents from occuring on expressways where vehicles travel at a fast speed, which can also pose health and safety hazards to road users and pedestrians along such roads. While our proposed porous asphalt solution could mitigate floods and reduce ponding on expressways, it is also sustainable approach to solving our problem. Sustainable aspects include the potential of stormwater collection and its various non-potable uses in buildings and the usage of recycled steel-slag aggregates in place of traditional aggregates.

Monday 4 March 2019

Technical Report (Draft 1): Flood Reduction with Sustainable Porous Asphalt

1. Introduction writte

1.1. Background Information

Porous asphalt is a type of asphalt that allows water to permeate through its surface into a collection pond underlying soil below the pavement. This is made possible by controlling and/or changing the amount of materials used in conventional asphalt mixes, such as the fine and coarse aggregates, along with some variations in construction methods to produce the desired outcome of reducing surface runoff. Porous asphalt has the capacity to conserve water, reduce runoff and promote infiltration which cleanses stormwater, all of which are acquired from the relatively high porosity and permeability of the porous pavement layers. Due to its unique functional benefits, porous asphalt has thus been used for many years worldwide as an effective means of stormwater management.

1.2. Problem Statement

The rainfall recorded in Singapore has been steadily rising over the years (Fig. 1) (Meteorological Service Singapore, 2018). This increase in frequency and intensity of rain, in conjunction with the increase in the car population in Singapore, is a catalyst for road accidents as wet road conditions reduces the friction car tyres have against the road surface. This in turn leads to higher chances of skidding and accidents as motorists lose control of their vehicles. When the road surface allows for water seepage, it reduces ponding and will therefore provide motorists a safer and pleasant driving experience. However, there is a relatively large initial cost and work required to replace existing asphalt surfaces with its porous variant (Fig. 2). Highlighting the advantages porous asphalt would contribute toward sustainability, such as introducing recycled by-products in the production process as well as providing non-potable use for the water collected from the asphalt, might greatly encourage transport engineers to consider porous asphalt as an alternative to the conventional road mix.


Figure 1



Figure 2


1.3. Purpose Statement

The purpose of this report is to propose the implementation of porous asphalt on busy roads to reduce the occurrence of floods in areas such as the Central Business District. The proposed methodologies and application of porous asphalt roads would demonstrate to Land Transport Authority (LTA) that porous asphalt not only mitigates the occurrence of floods, it can also be presented as a sustainable approach to mitigate road flooding.

Sunday 17 February 2019

Annotated Summary

Hammes, G., Thives, L., & Ghisi, E. (2018). Application of stormwater collected from porous asphalt pavements for non-potable uses in buildings. Journal of Environmental Management, 222, 338–347. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.05.094

This article focuses on the applications of stormwater filtered by a porous asphalt pavement in a parking lot in Brazil, which include non-potable uses in buildings such as for toilets and sanitary purposes (flushing urinals and toilets). Evaluation of two dissimilar porous asphalt pavement models were made, and both models showed a high potential of filtered stormwater collection of more than 70% each. The stormwater collected was then later used for “flushing urinals and toilets” in a building, which led to savings of 53 to 54% of potable water. The article highlighted that even though these porous asphalt pavements would require capital for additional infrastructure like “tanks, pipes and filters’, the expansion and common use of these pavements would make the more cost-effective in the long run. The article provides a useful platform for our research project on the use of porous asphalt roads to prevent flooding. From the aspect of sustainability, the collection of stormwater from the abovementioned porous asphalt roads, as shown by the research in the article, can be collected for non-potable use in buildings. This would make porous asphalt roads dual-purpose and sustainable (preventing floods and recycling water simultaneously). While the research in the article was only performed and tested in a parking lot, the article still provides useful information and statistics about the potential water savings from stormwater collection, which is a relevant aspect for our research project. 


Friday 15 February 2019

Summary _ Reader Response (Draft 3)

In the article from Science Daily, “Natural Engineering Offers Solution against Future Flooding” by Newcastle University (2014), it was stated that “back-to-nature flood schemes”, which utilise the environment’s inherent protection capabilities, could be an economical alternative to curtailing floods. Research lead, Dr Mark Wilkinson, also mentioned that winter rainfall and flooding occurrence would surge in the future. It was reported that river management strategies were exhibited in Belford, Northumberland, UK, which illustrated the reduction of surface run-off and soil mineral depletion. The article described that Natural Flood Management (NFM) aspires to scale down the peak water height or delay flood arrival, adding more preparation time for response. This would be done by hampering the progress of water while working sustainably with the environment. Strategies include storing, slowing and redirecting water and increasing soil infiltration. This proved to be much cheaper (~£200,000) in the Belford Scheme, opposed to a “full conventional flood defence scheme” (~£2.5m). Mirroring Belford’s flooding situation, many other rural towns could also benefit from the NFM, according to the article. Overall, it was established that the scheme was a triumph due to the backing and approval of the Belford community, together with the comprehensive awareness of the “land and local environment”. 

*** 

The article postulated that Natural Flood Management (NFM) significantly reduced expenditure compared to a more traditional flood management system. However, in my opinion, the environmental and social benefits the implementation of NFM would bring were overlooked and neglected. Highlighting these constructive assets would further accentuate the benefits of implementing NFM and encourage stakeholders to consider NFM. 

The first element of consideration would be the environmental benefits NFM provides for native species of animals and the climate. Exhibiting an example in Singapore, The Public Utilities Board’s (PUB) Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Programme was implemented in 2006 for an environmentally-aware alternative to stormwater management, according to PUB’s ABC Waters Design Guidelines (2018). The planting of vegetation along rivers and canals not only reduces the velocity of stormwater runoff, it also inadvertently creates habitats for many animals, including the rare, native, Crimson Dropwing (a pink dragonfly). According to the ABC Waters Design Guidelines (2018), the programme “enhances the aesthetics and biodiversity of the landscape” as well. The wetlands and woodlands create by NFM would likewise be an effective carbon-store, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, alleviating the effects of global warming to an extent. Conversely, a more traditional flood management approach would not be able to perform the same function. As reported by the Hamburg University of Technology article "Traditional Flood Management and its Shortcomings" (2010), traditional flood management relies “mostly on structural measures”, which are unable to capture carbon emissions. 

Another aspect for deliberation is the social benefits NFM would deliver for residents living near NFM-administered areas. The ABC Waters Design Guidelines explained that having an increase in green spaces among residential spaces where NFM is implemented offers areas to “socialise, exercise and relax while enjoying the view of the Bishan skyline” in ABC Water’s flagship NFM project to Bishan residents. In the research article “Urban green spaces, recreation and spiritual experiences” (2018), a study stated that “nearby nature areas can provide benefits including opportunities for exercise, psychological revitalization and better physical health”, thereby displaying the myriad health and social benefits NFM would bring. In a highly urbanised environment like Singapore, it is important that residents have ample opportunities to explore and enjoy nature and green spaces. 

The amalgamation of these advantages shows the preeminent need for sustainability towards environmental management. Contrary to traditional flood management practices like utilising unsightly gabions and concrete structures to mitigate the intensity of floods, the Natural Flood Management system demonstrates a cost-efficient and aesthetically pleasing approach to flood management. It also presents social areas for people to perform leisurely activities, as well as raising the biodiversity of native flora and fauna. 



References

Baur, J. (2018). Urban green spaces, recreation and spiritual experiences. Leisure/Loisir, 42(2), 205–229. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/14927713.2018.1449131

Hamburg University of Technology. (2010). Traditional flood management and its shortcomings. Retrieved from http://daad.wb.tu-harburg.de/?id=1013

Jayne. (2018, August 30). The multiple benefits of natural flood management – infographic. Communications and Management for Sustainability. Retrieved from http://www.cmscoms.com/?p=1497

Newcastle University. (2014, January 28). 'Natural' engineering offers solution against future flooding. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 11, 2019 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140128094531.htm

Public Utilities Board. (2018, July 11). Active, beautiful, clean waters design guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.pub.gov.sg/resources/publications/abcwaters

Rey Gozalo, G., Barrigón Morillas, J., Montes González, D., & Atanasio Moraga, P. (2018). Relationships among satisfaction, noise perception, and use of urban green spaces. Science of the Total Environment, 624, 438–450. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.14


-

Saturday 9 February 2019

Summary _ Reader Response (Draft 2)

In the article from Science Daily, “Natural Engineering Offers Solution against Future Flooding” by Newcastle University (2014), it was stated that “back-to-nature flood schemes”, which utilise the environment’s inherent protection capabilities, could be an economical alternative to curtailing floods. Research lead, Dr Mark Wilkinson, also mentioned that winter rainfall and flooding occurrence would surge in the future. It was reported that river management strategies were exhibited in Belford, Northumberland, which illustrated the reduction of surface run-off and soil mineral depletion. The article described that Natural Flood Management (NFM) aspires to scale down the peak water height or delay flood arrival, adding more preparation time for response. This would be done by hampering the progress of water while working sustainably with the environment. Strategies include storing, slowing and redirecting water and increasing soil infiltration. This proved to be much cheaper (~£200,000) in the Belford Scheme, opposed to a “full conventional flood defence scheme” (~£2.5m). Mirroring Belford’s flooding situation, many other rural towns could also benefit from the NFM, according to the article. Overall, it was established that the scheme was a triumph due to the backing and approval of the Belford community, together with the comprehensive awareness of the “land and local environment”. 


***

The article postulated that Natural Flood Management (NFM) significantly reduced expenditure compared to a more traditional flood management system. However, in my opinion, the various environmental and social benefits the implementation of NFM would bring were overlooked and neglected. Highlighting these boons would further accentuate the benefits of implementing NFM and encourage stakeholders to consider NFM.

Notwithstanding, NFM also provides environment benefits for native species of animals and the climate to an extent. Exhibiting an example closer to home in Singapore, The Public Utilities Board’s (PUB) Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Programme was implemented in 2006 for an environmentally-aware alternative to stormwater management. The planting of vegetation along rivers and canals not only reduces the velocity of stormwater runoff, it also inadvertently creates habitats for many animals, including the rare, native, Crimson Dropwing (a pink dragonfly). According to the ABC Water Design Guidelines (2018), the programme “enhances the aesthetics and biodiversity of the landscape” as well. The wetlands and woodlands create by NFM would likewise be an effective carbon-store, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, alleviating the effects of global warming to an extent. Conversely, a more traditional flood management approach would not be able to perform the same function. As reported by the Hamburg University of Technology article "Traditional Flood Management and its Shortcomings" (2010), traditional flood management relies “mostly on structural measures”, which are unable to capture carbon emissions.

Another aspect for consideration is the social benefits NFM would deliver for residents living near NFM-administered areas. Having an increase in green spaces among residential spaces where NFM is implemented offers areas to “socialise, exercise and relax while enjoying the view of the Bishan skyline” in ABC Water’s flagship project to Bishan residents. In the research article “Urban green spaces, recreation and spiritual experiences” (2018), the study stated that “nearby nature areas can provide benefits including opportunities for exercise, psychological revitalization and better physical health”, thereby displaying the myriad health and social benefits NFM would bring. In a highly urbanised environment like Singapore, it is important that residents have ample opportunities to explore and enjoy nature and green spaces.

The amalgamation of these advantages shows the preeminent need for sustainability towards environmental management. Contrary to traditional flood management practices like utilising unsightly gabions and concrete structures to mitigate the intensity of floods, NFM demonstrates a cost-efficient and aesthetically pleasing approach to flood management. It also presents social areas for people to perform leisurely activities, as well as raising the biodiversity of native flora and fauna.



Bibliography


Multiple benefits of NFM Infographic (2018, August 30). Communications and Management for Sustainability. Retrieved from http://www.cmscoms.com/?p=14979

PUB (2018, July 11). Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Design Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.pub.gov.sg/resources/publications/abcwaters

Rey Gozalo, G., Barrigón Morillas, J., Montes González, D., & Atanasio Moraga, P. (2018). Relationships among satisfaction, noise perception, and use of urban green spaces. Science of the Total Environment, 624, 438–450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.148

Baur, J. (2018). Urban green spaces, recreation and spiritual experiences. Leisure/Loisir, 42(2), 205–229. https://doi.org/10.1080/14927713.2018.1449131

Hamburg University of Technology. (2010). Traditional Flood Management and its Shortcomings. Retrieved from http://daad.wb.tu-harburg.de/?id=1013


Critical Reflection

At the start of this course, I expressed my goal of having the “ability to be confident presenting information in front of a large group of...