The Singapore Engineer January 2023

CONTENTS

FEATURES

COVER STORY

08 HDB pilots advanced construction technologies to design and build flats

A new target of 40% site productivity improvement by 2030, has been set.

STRUCTURAL AWARDS 2022

13 School gymnasium in Bali selected as joint winner of the highest accolade Atelier One and AKT II jointly receive The Supreme Award for Structural Excellence.

BUILT ENVIRONMENT PROSPECTS

20 Singapore’s construction demand to remain strong in 2023

The projection is similar to that of last year.

ASSET MANAGEMENT

24 Adoption of the SS ISO 55000 series of Asset Management Standards will benefit Asset Reliant Organisations

To promote the two newer Singapore SS/TR ISO 55000 series of standards in Singapore, a webinar was held in November last year.

BAUMA INNOVATION AWARD 2022

29 Honouring research and development teams from companies and universities

Their work helps to bring new technology to market readiness.

PROJECT APPLICATION

33 Tunnel approach for the A26 Danube Bridge in Austria

The challenges included different tunnel cross-sections, profile transitions and tight radii.

SECTIONS

President Mr Dalson Chung

Chief Editor T Bhaskaran t_b_n8@yahoo.com

Publications Manager Desmond Teo desmond@iesnet.org.sg

Snr Publications Executive Queek Jiayu jiayu@iesnet.org.sg

www.ies.org.sg

Editorial Panel

Dr Chandra Segaran

Dr Ang Keng Been

Mr Syafiq Shahul

Mr Jaime Vega Bautista Jr

Dr Victor Sim

Mr Soon Ren Jun

Dr Alexander Wiegand

Media Representative Multimedia Communications (2000) Pte Ltd sales@multimediacomms.sg

Design & layout by 2EZ Asia Pte Ltd

Cover designed by Irin Kuah

Cover image by HDB

The Singapore Engineer is published monthly by The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES). The publication is distributed free-of-charge to IES members and affiliates. Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or IES. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine shall be reproduced, mechanically or electronically, without the prior consent of IES. Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy of the content at press time, IES will not be liable for any discrepancies. Unsolicited contributions are welcome but their inclusion in the magazine is at the discretion of the Editor.

PUB seeks innovative solutions to support water resilience and environmental sustainability

PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, has launched the third edition of its Global Innovation Challenge (GIC). This edition will address key questions such as those relating to recovering soluble phosphorus from the used water treatment process, that can be used in hydroponics; and utilising the carbon by-products produced, when carbon dioxide is captured from seawater, to offset carbon emissions, during desalination.

Following the success of the last two editions, PUB is bringing back the GIC and inviting water industry partners and innovators to co-develop solutions across four challenge statements.

• Phos4SG – Recovering the ‘P’ from PUB’s used water treatment to improve Singapore’s food security Phosphorous is a critical resource required for modern agriculture. But the current global reserves of phosphorus are expected to be depleted within the next 50 to 100 years. However, it can be found in significant quantities, in used water. As part of the ongoing efforts to improve resource circularity and reduce the volume of waste sent to the landfill, PUB is sourcing for solutions to recover phosphorus from the waste streams of water reclamation plants.

Singapore aspires to build up the capability and capacity of its agrifood industry, to produce 30% of the nutritional needs, sustainably, by 2030. With limited land, Singapore has identified hydroponics as an agri-tech that can help speed up the growth cycle of the homegrown food tech sector, without compromising on nutritional value. The recovered phosphorous, free of contaminants and in soluble form, can be used for hydroponics cultivation and contribute to Singapore’s push towards food security.

PUB is interested to work with partners on solutions or ideas

to overcome the challenges and cost-effectively recover phosphorus from the wastewater streams, that can be used for safe and sustainable local vegetable production via hydroponics cultivation.

• Utilising by-products from carbon capture

Under the strategy to remove carbon, PUB, together with partners, is exploring technologies to capture CO2 in seawater and locking it in calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide/magnesium carbonate precipitates that form as by-products. Besides permanently storing CO2, these carbonate and hydroxide precipitates could potentially have valuable industrial applications such as their use as base materials for cement and concrete production, cosmetics, paints, and many other products.

PUB is seeking industry partners who can identify and demonstrate the application of these materials for reuse in industry.

• Sewer sampling robot

The discharge of trade effluent containing prohibited substances or excessive concentrations of regulated substances, into sewers, may cause health and safety risks to workers maintaining the system and disrupt downstream used water treatment processes in PUB’s water reclamation plants.

To ensure compliance with trade effluent discharge limits, industries with higher probabilities of discharging such substances are required to install online water quality monitoring instruments in their last inspection chambers. Inspections are conducted frequently at these premises.

Special operations are also conducted at premises suspected of illegal discharge activities. PUB is seeking a robust solution that can collect samples from all types of sanitary

sewer connections, which could be deployed for special operations.

• Smart Drain Inspector

Public drains are inspected regularly for defects and subjected to subsequent rectification, to ensure that the drainage network is structurally safe and functional.

Currently, manual inspections are conducted for most open and closed drains, which is labour intensive. In addition, closed drains with confined spaces pose atmospheric and physical hazards. Man-entry into closed drains is potentially hazardous and requires precautions, which reduces inspection efficiency and increases costs.

PUB is seeking an autonomous solution that can sustainably increase the inspections of drains for defect identification, and digitally map drain alignment as well as dimensions.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

The deadline for the submission of proposals under the third edition of the GIC is 1 March 2023.

From the submissions, viable proposals will be shortlisted by PUB and will receive pilot funding of up to SGD 250,000 each. During the development process, organisations and individuals will gain access to real-world test beds in PUB’s facilities and get the opportunity to work alongside its in-house engineers and water experts, with the goal of achieving commercial implementation.

Said Dr Pang Chee Meng, PUB’s Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, “The Global Innovation Challenge offers an exciting opportunity to companies around the world. We are hoping to leverage the best ideas globally to discover and adopt promising technology to revolutionise our operations, as part of our ongoing transformation to become a smart and sustainable utility of the future”.

Aurecon expands water and coastal expertise with experienced hire in Singapore

International design, engineering and advisory company, Aurecon, has appointed Ms Tracy Cheuk as its Market Director, Water, Coastal and Climate Change for Singapore. The appointment of Tracy is closely aligned with Aurecon’s Asia business growth strategy, and positions the company well to pursue opportunities in water infrastructure engineering, sustainability and climate change.

Tracy has more than 20 years of experience in Singapore and internationally. Throughout her career,

Tracy has been extensively involved in delivering infrastructure projects of differing scale and complexity. These include projects for PUB, PUB / Na tional Environment Agency and JTC.

Before Tracy joined Aurecon, she was Technical Director covering both Civil & Infrastructure and Water & Urban Development business units, for Singapore / Southeast Asia, at AECOM Singapore, as well as sup porting key regional initiatives on integrated water management.

Tracy holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering (Honours)

College Business School, UK. She is also a Chartered Engineer, MICE, MHKIE, and a PRINCE2 Practitioner, APMG International.

Construction commences on the Cross Island Line

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) recently marked the start of the Cross Island Line (CRL) Phase 1 construction, with a ground-breaking ceremony officiated by Minister for Transport, Mr S Iswaran, at the site of the future CRL Bright Hill Station (all station names are working names).

The CRL will be Singapore’s eighth and longest, fully-underground MRT line, at more than 50 km long when fully completed. It will serve the existing and future developments in the eastern, western and north-eastern corridors, linking major hubs such as the Jurong Lake District, Punggol Digital District and Changi. The projected daily ridership of the entire CRL is more than 600,000 in the initial years, from 2030, increasing to over 1 million in the longer term. It will be constructed and opened in three phases.

The first phase, CRL Phase 1, spans 29 km and comprises 12 stations, from Aviation Park to Bright Hill. This will serve residential and industrial areas, such as Loyang, Hougang and Ang Mo Kio. CRL Phase 1 will be linked to the East-West Line at Pasir Ris Station, North-East Line at Hougang Station, North-South Line at Ang Mo Kio Station and Thomson-East Coast Line at Bright Hill Station. LTA is progressively calling tenders for CRL Phase 2 which comprises six stations from Turf City to Jurong Lake District, while engineering studies are ongoing for the third phase.

CRL Bright Hill Station will also be connected to a new Transit Priority Corridor (TPC) along Sin Ming Avenue, to allow multi-modal transfer to the bus and active mobility networks. The 2 km stretch of TPC will include a dedicated bus lane, new cycling paths and wider footpaths. When the TPC is fully completed in 2029, residents in Sin Ming area will have more travel options to get to Bright Hill MRT Station and recreational spaces such as Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.

Residents, commuters and motorists in Pasir Ris and Changi/ Loyang can also look forward to increased convenience, shorter travelling times, as well as improved intra-town and inter-town connectivity, when the future CRL Pasir Ris, Pasir Ris East and Loyang stations are completed. Construction for CRL Phase 1 is expected to be completed by 2030.

Engineering challenges and construction methods

Various technologies have been adopted to enhance construction efficiency and safety at CRL. These include the use of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality tools, to enhance capabilities and facilitate coordination. Productivity is further increased, through platforms such as computer simulations of different operating scenarios at the Changi East Depot.

Large-diameter tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will be used to construct various stretches of tunnels between the CRL stations, such as between Aviation Park Station and Loyang Station. The 12.6 m large-diameter TBMs will have to bore through the ground only once, for the construction of the tunnel, with two tracks eventually housed in it. This will be the largest tunnel boring machine to be deployed on an LTA rail project and it is expected to increase work productivity and

reduce manpower requirements. Construction works for the paid transfer link to the existing EastWest Line (EWL) Pasir Ris Station are also ongoing. Due to site constraints at the track viaduct, specialised equipment, such as a low headroom mobile crane, have been deployed for works including the construction of the diaphragm wall. LTA and the contractor will monitor the works closely to ensure that they are carried out safely and inconveniences are minimised.

At the CRL Teck Ghee Station, a rectangular tunnel boring machine will be used for the construction of the underground linkways. To improve overall construction productivity and safety, LTA will be adopting the trenchless method, where operational parameters during tunnelling are controlled, to minimise surface settlement. LTA will also be exploring other innovative construction methods at the CRL to improve overall construction productivity and safety.

The CRL trains will be stabled at the 57 hectare Changi East Depot, located near Changi Exhibition Centre. The depot will include the Operations Control Centre as well as maintenance facilities for up to 70 CRL trains, and will be fitted with photovoltaic solar panels to generate renewable energy for depot operations.

CRL Hougang Station (artist’s impression)

The use of robotics for autonomous indoor construction layout

Trimble and HP are collaborating on the integration of Trimble’s latest robotic total station with HP’s new SitePrint robotic layout solution. The solution focuses on transforming the layout process for indoor construction projects.

The announcement was made at the Trimble Dimensions+ Conference, where HP and Trimble demonstrated the technology.

The construction industry faces a variety of challenges including the shortage of skilled workers and

productivity. HP and Trimble hope to address these challenges, with the integration of HP SitePrint and the recently introduced Trimble Ri total station.

The integrated solution can deliver an autonomous layout workflow that empowers efficiency and productivity on the job, while delivering layouts faster than traditional methods.

Augmenting the contractors’ work, SitePrint can avoid obstacles and print lines and complex objects, with pinpoint accuracy and consis-

tent repeatability. In addition, text printing capabilities bring additional data from the digital model to the construction site, to prevent errors. Using optical technology, the precise positioning and navigation of the HP SitePrint robot is driven by the Trimble Ri total station. Equipped with automatic level detection, self-calibration, and Trimble VISION technology for advanced tracking, the Trimble Ri enables the HP SitePrint robot to achieve autonomous, high-accuracy indoor layout work.

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Government accepts recommendations to strengthen workplace safety and health

The government has accepted the eight key recommendations made by an International Advisory Panel (IAP), on strengthening workplace safety and health (WSH). These recommendations aim to reduce workplace incidents, mitigate the WSH risks arising from climate change and green technology, and guide the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and stakeholders towards achieving the WSH 2028 goals. They include sustained reduction in workplace injury rates, minimising hazards that lead to occupational disease, promoting good workforce health and pervasive adoption of the Vision Zero culture.

The eighth IAP convened from 17 to 19 January 2023, and was held in conjunction with the second Multi-Agency Workplace Safety Taskforce (MAST) meeting. The MAST comprises representatives from Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Trade and Industry. The sessions brought together industry experts who provided ground insights from their respective industries.

WSH challenges in Singapore

Year 2022 saw a spate of workplace fatalities, largely due to basic safety lapses, such as inadequate safety planning and control measures, and non-compliance with safety measures. There is a need to prevent such workplace incidents from happening. In the longer term, Singapore also needs to better support its ageing workforce and be prepared for potential WSH hazards that may arise with the use of new technologies.

For example, installation of solar panels exposes more workers to working at height risks. Adoption of other green technologies such as converting waste into alternative energy sources may also pose

hazards such as from combustible dust. Servicing, repair, maintenance and recovery of electric and hybrid vehicles can expose workers to unfamiliar hazards, such as electric shocks; and fires and explosions, from the storage of energy fuels and release of liquids and gases from damaged batteries.

Key recommendations

To attain a sustainable WSH culture, stakeholders must have both the motivation – be it commercial, reputational or personal interests – as well as the knowledge. To generate stronger motivation for companies and workers to embrace WSH, the IAP recommended the following:

• Placing strong emphasis on top management’s responsibility for WSH. Top management must foster a safe operations culture, where safety considerations are embedded into all aspects.

• Extending WSH oversight to contractors in the whole supply chain.

• Bring the interest of business into greater alignment with WSH.

• Building workplaces where workers feel safe to speak up.

At the same time, the IAP recognised the need to strengthen the knowledge and awareness of stakeholders, to better manage WSH risks. It also recommended:

• Inculcating a more pervasive training culture, beyond foundational training and levelling up WSH practices.

• Improving the WSH know-how of small-to-medium enterprises.

• Promoting age-friendly workplace safety practices and designs.

• Pre-emptively addressing WSH risks arising from climate change and green technology.

WSH as a priority

Having accepted the IAP’s recommendations, MOM will study the

details and work with stakeholders as well as sectoral agencies, to implement appropriate measures to ensure that WSH remains a priority for employers and workers. MOM will continue its commitment to the WSH 2028 goals of building safer workplaces for workers and a more productive workforce for businesses.

Pond built on Jurong Island to enhance flood resilience

JTC, in collaboration with the National Parks Board and national water agency PUB, has built a retention pond at Jurong Island’s western Meranti area, that can hold up to 125,000 m3 of rainwater, which is equivalent to the capacity of 50 Olympic-sized swimming pools. This nature-based solution is designed to enhance the island’s flood resilience against projections of more intense and frequent storms, in the future, due to climate change.

The 8.9-hectare pond is built above an underground body of water-retaining permeable sand, known as an aquifer. During an extreme storm event, rainwater channelled into the pond will reduce the possibility of flooding in the surrounding areas. The rainwater will seep through the pond’s porous base over time into the aquifer, which eventually discharges into the surrounding sea. This allows the pond to hold rainwater again.

The entire process of retaining and releasing rainwater takes place naturally without pipes, pumps and mechanical drainage systems.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 set for biggest show yet

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023, the largest trade show in North America, has officially sold all available exhibit space, making it the biggest in the show's history.

“The addition of the new West Hall and Diamond Lot at the Las Vegas Convention Center gave us, and our exhibitors, a number of new opportunities to show how we are taking the construction industry to the next level. Now at 2.8 million square feet of exhibits, there is more for construction pros to see than ever before”, said Dana

Wuesthoff, CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show Director.

The show will feature 1,800 exhibitors and 150 education sessions, during its run from 14 to 18 March 2023.

Recent additions to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) will make it the easiest show to get around, as well. Beneath the entire LVCC campus runs the Convention Center Loop, an underground transportation system designed by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company that transports convention attendees

throughout the campus in under two minutes, in Tesla vehicles, freeof-charge.

“We are excited to welcome CONEXPO-CON/AGG back to Las Vegas for another record-setting event. The addition of the West Hall and the Convention Center Loop will only further enhance the ‘Only Vegas’ experience for attendees and exhibitors”, said Brian Yost, Chief Operating Officer of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) which owns and operates the LVCC.

HDB pilots advanced construction technologies to design and build flats

In a further push to raise construction productivity, HDB has set a new target of 40% site productivity improvement by 2030, building on the 25.9% improvement achieved in 2020, over the baseline year of 2010.

The Housing & Development Board (HDB) will be accelerating its push towards higher construction productivity in public housing projects, with a new target of 40% site improvement by 2030, even as it delivers quality homes to Singaporeans. This comes on the back of sustained productivity improvements for public housing projects over the last more than two decades. In 2020, HDB achieved a 25.9% productivity improvement, exceeding the target, set in 2010, to achieve a 25% improvement by 2020.

Since 2021, the adoption of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) in all new HDB projects, as well as Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) in some projects, has continued to contribute to productivity growth.

A key initiative in meeting HDB’s new target is a Construction Transformation Project (CTP) which will pilot a range of innovations and technologies to further raise productivity.

In partnership with construction firm, Obayashi Singapore Pte Ltd, HDB will adopt the latest advanced construction technologies, to design and build the upcoming Garden Waterfront I & II @ Tengah Build-To-Order (BTO) project.

When completed, the CTP aims to realise a 25% improvement in productivity as compared to other BTO projects then.

HDB’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tan Meng Dui said, “The pandemic, over the past two years, posed tremendous challenges to the building industry, not least in terms of workers shortage and supply chain resilience. As the largest housing developer in Singapore, HDB is keenly aware of our role

as a catalyst and market mover in driving construction productivity and transformation of the Built Environment sector. Our efforts in harnessing technology, including DfMA and IDD, have enabled us to continually improve productivity over more than two decades, and this continued even in 2021 when productivity improvements reached 26.2%. With the CTP, we hope to raise the bar further and find novel ways to construct quality homes, with less manpower, faster and safer. These efforts, which are geared towards achieving construction productivity improvements of 40% goal by 2030, will also enhance the resilience of our construction ecosystem, and support the ramp-up of HDB’s building programme over the next few years and deliver HDB flats faster to our buyers”.

THE CONSTRUCTION TRANSFORMATION PROJECT

The Construction Transformation Project (CTP) at Tengah seeks to transform the way HDB designs and constructs flats. To this end, HDB will break new ground in advanced prefabrication, pilot new technolo-

gies in automation, and implement innovations that make for more efficient construction management. Key takeaways from this project will be studied for future implementation in other BTO projects.

KEY STAGES AND CHANGES

HDB will adopt new technologies and innovations for the design, fabrication, and construction stages of the CTP.

Design

HDB will use Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) to simulate the design and construction activities virtually, so that they can be refined further by consultants and contractors, before the actual construction on site. This allows greater integration and collaboration among stakeholders across the construction value chain.

One main component of VDC is the virtual mock-up unit – a digital twin of the actual residential unit, with a high level of detail, such as the positions of pipes, sanitary fixtures, power points, switches, and furniture. This gives the project team an ‘X-ray vision’ of the unit, enabling the team to identify and

Figure 1: HDB’s construction productivity improvements from 2010 to 2021.

resolve potential design and construction issues upstream, collaboratively. Previously, life-size physical mock-ups of the kitchen and toilet, using plywood, i.e. timber mockups, had to be built, and this took up more time, effort, and resources. All new HDB projects launched from 2022, including the CTP, will use virtual mock-ups instead of timber mock-ups.

Fabrication

Hybrid precast system

Currently, full 3D Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) components are used in many HDB projects. For the residential units in this CTP, HDB will be using a more efficient, hybrid system that includes both 2D and 3D precast components.

Beamless flat plate system

The hybrid precast system will enable HDB to design and build residential units, using a beamless flat plate system, which results in consistently higher headroom compared to flats in typical BTO projects, which have beams. As a result, residents will have greater flexibility in configuring the layout of their flats.

Garden Waterfront I & II @ Tengah will be designed and built using the latest technologies and innovations.

Summary of key changes in the design, fabrication and construction stages of the CTP.

3D concrete printing

HDB is currently piloting the use of 3D concrete printing for small streetscape furniture and other landscape features, for some projects in Tengah and Bidadari. For the CTP, HDB will be going one step further, by using a special, fibre-glass reinforced concrete material to provide structural strength. This innovation allows HDB to potentially use less material than conventional 3D printing methods. This also paves the way for studies on larger and more complex structures that can be potentially fabricated in this manner, without the need for complex moulds.

Differences between current HDB flat layouts with beams (images on the left) and the beamless system which would be adopted for the CTP at Tengah (images on the right).

Hybrid precast system used in a 5-room unit.

Timber mock-up of kitchen/toilet in a current BTO project (image on left) versus a virtual mock-up of a toilet in the CTP (image on right).

Construction

To allow for cleaner, higher quality and less manpower-intensive construction, HDB will be testing a few innovations from Obayashi, on a pilot basis, to study their impact on productivity and construction safety.

The innovations

• To reduce manpower required for repetitive and labour-intensive activities, such as operating tower cranes, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be used in tower crane operations, to optimise the hoisting routes for precast components. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) will also be used to detect and avoid collisions. LiDAR is a remote sensing technology that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure distances to a target.

• Currently, crawler cranes are largely operated manually. With the Crane Machine Guid-

ance technology, crawler crane operators will be guided on the optimum path for lifting the elements in the construction of the multi-storey car park, using a combination of LiDAR and Building Information Modelling (BIM).

• In place of workers required to guide the components into place or to make manual adjustments using guide wires, the SkyJuster, which is attached to the end of the hoisting block, will orientate precast elements to their correct position before they are lowered into place. This helps to reduce the number of workers needed for the precast installation process.

INTEGRATED DIGITAL DELIVERY

Additionally, HDB will adopt IDD for this project. Digital technologies will be used extensively to integrate work processes and connect stakeholders throughout the various stages of the construction and

building life cycle, through a cloudbased common data environment. For example, precast components will be automatically tracked using RFID or Bluetooth tags, from the time they are fabricated at precast yards, to when they are delivered to site and assembled. IDD helps to better manage the logistics planning and movement of precast components from the precast yard to the construction site, for the project.

TARGET PRODUCTIVITY GAINS

The innovations in this CTP are expected to yield higher productivity, through more efficient use of manpower and resources, while reducing material wastage. Together with the use of digital technologies for tighter and more effective collaboration between project stakeholders, from design to construction, HDB has targeted a 25% improvement in productivity, compared to other BTO projects.

DEEPER COLLABORATIONS

Beyond the CTP, HDB also partners researchers, Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and companies, to continually explore ways to address challenges related to construction productivity and sustainability.

Two key initiatives are the Cities of Tomorrow R&D programme and the Cool Ideas Enterprise platform.

LAUNCH OF NEW GRANT CALLS UNDER THE CITIES OF TOMORROW R&D PROGRAMME

The Cities of Tomorrow (CoT) R&D Programme aims to establish Singapore as a highly liveable, sustainable, and resilient city of the future, and a vibrant urban solutions hub. HDB, together with MND (Ministry of National Development) and BCA (Building and Construction Authority), is launching new grant calls in search of innovative solutions, in the areas of advanced construction productivity, infrastructure resilience and facilities management. These will include the development of solutions to:

• Develop infrastructure to enable robotic assembly on construction sites.

Traditional 3D concrete printing (image on left) versus fibre-glass reinforced concrete printing (image

Complex street furniture, such as sheltered seats, produced using fibre-glass reinforced concrete. Image: Obayashi Corporation.

• Automate inspection, diagnosis and maintenance of external building facades.

• Geo-reference and detect underground services and assets for new estates.

• Automate the collection of waste at older estates served by individual refuse chutes.

Launched in 2017, the Cities of Tomorrow (CoT) is MND’s flagship R&D programme to develop Urban Solutions and Sustainability for the Built Environment.

COOL IDEAS ENTERPRISE

HDB and Enterprise Singapore have committed another SGD 5 million to support the Cool Ideas Enterprise (CIE). The additional funding provided to the open-innovation platform will continue

to support enterprises’ efforts to co-develop solutions to improve HDB living. To this end, HDB is currently calling for solutions to increase productivity and reduce manpower at construction sites and off-site facilities (e.g. precast yards), through automation or digital solutions, without compromising quality and safety.

Launched in 2018, the Cool Ideas Enterprise (CIE) is an open innovation platform for companies and innovators to co-develop solutions with HDB, to address public housing challenges. An estimated SGD 5 million funding was set aside, then. Companies, with projects supported by the CIE, will receive co-funding from Enterprise Singapore, and will have access to HDB’s technical mentorship, test-bedding facilities at HDB’s Centre of Building

Research, as well as opportunities to pilot their solutions on a small scale, in HDB towns.

CONTINUED PARTNERSHIPS WITH INDUSTRY

HDB values the close collaborations with industry partners to develop joint solutions or ideas that can be piloted in new housing projects. Several transformations that have been brought about in the design and construction of public housing are a result of these partnerships and cross-sharing of knowledge. These efforts will enable HDB to continue delivering quality homes and living environments.

All images by HDB, unless otherwise stated

Currently, crawler and tower cranes are largely operated manually (image on left). With the use of AI (image in the centre) and the Crane Machine Guidance technology (image on right), hoisting of precast components will be more efficient and safe. Image in the centre and on right: Obayashi Corporation.

The traditional method of orientating the precast component to be hoisted (image on left) versus the SkyJuster method which allows for precise, mid-air orientation (image on right). Image on right: Obayashi Corporation.

School gymnasium in Bali selected as joint winner of the highest accolade

Atelier One and AKT II jointly receive The Supreme Award for Structural Excellence.

The winners of the Structural Awards 2022 were announced at a gala awards ceremony, held in London, in November last year.

Judged according to a new set of attributes, focusing on sustainability, social impact, innovation and ingenuity, Structural Awards 2022 reflect IStructE’s increasing focus on the societal and environmental role of structural engineers.

The 2022 Supreme Award for Structural Excellence was jointly awarded to Atelier One and AKT II.

When deciding on the winners of this prestigious accolade, the judges were unanimous in their feeling that both practices, and the projects they entered, showcased exceptional engineering skill and accomplishment.

Atelier One was singled out for its work on The Arc Gymnasium at Green School, in Bali, Indonesia. The judges were impressed by the project’s use of local, low-carbon materials, innovative technology and creativity, to produce an impressive and eye-catching building. The judges, particularly, praised its ability to showcase the use of natural materials throughout, making a clear case for this type of specification. As they highlighted, ‘This is a marvellous demonstration of artistry, tech know-how and net zero construction’.

Sharing the accolade, AKT II was recognised for its work on London’s HYLO building, which tested the skill and problem-solving abilities of the engineers involved. A challenging brief from the outset, the project required a new 13-storey building to be added to an existing 16-storey one. Ultimately, success was achieved through cleverly harnessing the strength of the existing frame and foundation to bear the load of the new structure,

delivering significant carbon savings with minimal intervention. In the judges’ words, ‘A brilliant example of structural retrofit.’

Beyond the Supreme Award, eight other shortlisted projects were awarded the 2022 prize. They were chosen for their contribution to a more holistically sustainable approach to structural engineering.

Winners included a number of renowned practices, including Arup, Webb Yates Engineers, Eckersley O’Callaghan, BECA, Schlaich Bergermann Partner, Heyne Tillett Steel, StructureCraft and China Architecture Design & Research Group, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

All were lauded for their commitment to low environmental impact structural solutions, from design specification through to embracing circular economy principles throughout the build.

Commenting on this year’s landmark programme, the Chair of the judges, Prof Tim Ibell said, “We have seen a truly remarkable set of submissions this year and I am hugely encouraged, not only by the calibre of entries but how structural engineers worldwide are stepping up to the huge social, economic and environmental challenges society currently faces”.

“The winning projects perfectly encapsulate our new guiding attributes of Planet, People, Process and Profession, and should serve as an example to the entire global construction sector. I was delighted to see a record number of retrofit projects in this year’s awards and hope it sparks a trend going forwards, where the focus on repurpose and reuse, over new build, is prioritised. This will demonstrate how, in addition to safeguarding the public within the built environ-

ment, we are also protecting the planet”, he added.

The Structural Awards

The Structural Awards are the world’s foremost celebration of structural engineers as innovative, creative design professionals and the guardians of public safety.

For over 50 years, the Structural Awards have showcased the world’s most cutting edge engineering achievements. Past winners include iconic structures such as the Sydney Opera House, the Pompidou Centre and the Severn Bridge.

All entries are reviewed by a panel of world renowned judges who are truly passionate about structural engineers’ contribution to society as design professionals.

For 2022, the judging was guided by the following four new attributes: Planet – Entries are judged on their holistic environmental impact, including efficiency of design, sustainability, resilience, response to local conditions, regeneration, circular economic principles and alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

People – Entries are judged on principles such as collaborative design and procurement, how they add community value and their positive impact on end-users and the wider society.

Process – Entries are judged on technical achievement and the role of innovation in achieving a successful outcome. This will focus on the originality and application of new and improved technologies and structural design procedures to deliver greater efficiencies and economies.

Profession – Entries are judged on how the project/project team has inspired others, raised stan-

STRUCTURAL AWARDS 2022

dards of design and enhanced the reputation of the global structural engineering community.

The Institution of Structural Engineers

The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) is the world’s largest membership organisation

dedicated to the art and science of structural engineering.

The Institution has over 29,000 members working in 112 countries around the world.

The Institution is an internationally recognised source of expertise and information concerning all issues

WINNERS OF STRUCTURAL AWARDS 2022

The Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence

Award for advancing the structural application of low carbon materials

Winner: The Arc, Green School

Location: Bali, Indonesia

Structural Designer: Atelier One

Client: The Green School, Bali

Key Attributes: Planet, Process

Project description

This school gymnasium in Bali is an

ambitious demonstration of the structural use of bamboo, utilising the material’s unique combination of strength and flexibility. Anticlastic shells span between 19 m wide by 13 m high arches, both of which contribute to the structural spanning. Due to the variable material properties of bamboo and the pioneering form, extensive testing was carried out to justify the design.

Judges’ comments

Ark Gymnasium is an extraordinary

that involve structural engineering and public safety within the built environment.

The work of the Institution is protecting public safety by setting and maintaining standards in the structural engineering profession. It also acts as an international voice for structural engineers.

project. It brings together local materials, fundamental research and creativity-charged structural engineering expertise to produce something of pure delight. Not only does it demonstrate how we might consider the spectacular use of natural building materials for major projects, but it also lays out the path, via research, which can lead to the confident use of such materials. This is a marvellous demonstration of artistry, technical know-how and a drive towards net zero.

The Arc, Green School. Image: Chris Matthews.

The Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence

Award for full exploitation of an existing structure to maximise retrofit potential

Winner: HYLO

Location: London, UK

Structural Designer: AKT II

Client: CIT Group

Key Attributes: Planet, Process

Project description

A transformative retrofit project providing modern workspace and affordable housing on the fringe of the City of London. The existing mid-rise 1960s building was extended upwards by 70% – adding 13 storeys on top of the existing 16, and effectively doubling the leasable area by simply reusing its existing frame and foundations.

Judges’ comments

HYLO could only have been achieved through masterful structural engineering. A 13-storey building was added on top of an existing 16-storey building, with only the most essential strengthening works necessary to the existing frame and foundations. This was achieved through redirecting load paths, and allowed the designers to exploit the inherent robustness in the original structure – in essence, they cashed in on previous carbon footprint to save carbon on the extension. A quite brilliant example of structural retrofit.

Award for showcasing the power of circular economy principles across all aspects of a project

Winner: 1 Triton Square

Location: London, UK

Structural Designer: Arup

Client: British Land

Key Attributes: Planet, Profession

Project description

A 10-storey commercial o ffi ce development that doubled the office floorplate of the pre-existing building, delivering a high-quality, future facing

workplace. A shared low-carbon and sustainability agenda drove ambitious goals for the project, targeting maximum retention and reuse of the existing structure and facade. With the aid of a detailed forensic review of available record information and a range of innovative structural strengthening techniques, the collaborative cross-discipline approach achieved the targeted BREEAM Outstanding rating.

Judges’ comments

An excellent project-wide approach to minimising carbon and nega-

tive impacts. The structural team adopted a comprehensive raft of measures and demonstrated a noteworthy willingness to minimise strengthening of the existing building through precise investigation and analysis.

As a result, the project is a valuable reference to the industry at large for reuse of buildings and the profession will benefit greatly from the lessons learnt.

The completed building sets a benchmark for the environmental targets that can be reached now and improved upon in the future.

HYLO. Image: Sophie Lawrence / Jan Friedlein / AKT II.

1 Triton Square. Image: Andrew Robertson.

STRUCTURAL AWARDS 2022

Award for exemplar use of timber at scale in a retrofit project

Winner: The Gramophone Works

Location: London, UK

Structural Designer: Heyne Tillett

Steel

Client: Resolution Property

Key Attributes: Planet, Profession

Project description

A landmark commercial development project comprising refurbished, extended, and new-build office spaces for the creative industries. The existing building was extended outwards and upwards to create a timber structured 6-storey office building. The building champions low carbon design, with around 70% of the original structure retained, and the new timber extensions storing 439 tonnes of embodied carbon.

Judges’ comments

This major reuse project champions the use of mass timber in the commercial sector to create an adaptive space which is responsive to the end user’s needs.

A lightweight CLT and glulam structure has been used to extend the existing concrete frame, increasing the building from two to six storeys and adding 60,000 ft².

Specifying timber as opposed to a heavier building material such as steel or concrete has allowed for minimal strengthening to the existing foundations which have been reused to support the additional four storeys.

Exemplary low-carbon thinking.

Award for transformative sustainable design through minimal intervention

Winner: London South Bank University - London Road Building

Location: London, UK

Structural Designer: Eckersley O’Callaghan

Client: London South Bank University

Key Attributes: Planet

Project description

A vibrant new student hub transformed from an outdated reinforced concrete frame building. By refurbishing and saving as much of the existing materials as possible, the embodied carbon component related to substructure and superstructure for the project is just 49 kgCO2e/m2. Design and construction works have been extensive including existing structure verification, carbon-fibre strengthening, further modifications and new structural additions of various scale.

The Gramophone Works. Image: Lauren Hawkins / Ben Clarkson.

London South Bank University - London Road Building. Image: Christina Gulvanessi.

Judges’ comments

A retrofit first approach to sustainable building design has transformed an outdated concrete building into a vibrant new student centre. The project team enabled minimal intervention based on detailed analysis of the existing structure, extending its design life by another 50 years and also achieving a great visual improvement.

Great care was taken to minimise the carbon footprint of construction by refurbishing and saving as much of the existing materials as possible. The SCORS A+ rating is fantastic for such a major project.

Award for creative sustainable design at scale that responds to the unique environment

Winner: United Nations New Office Building

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Structural Designer: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and INGENI INGENIERIE STRUCTURALE

Client: United Nations

Key Attributes: Planet

Project description

This vast administrative building was developed to achieve the highest standards of sustainability and wellbeing, aligning with the UN’s development goals and the Swiss Minergie standard. Strategically responding to a sloping site,

the design is a series of cascading terraces. Exposed concrete structural slabs provide thermal mass to help regulate temperatures while integrated pipework within the slabs provides heating and cooling to spaces. This heating and cooling system taps into the existing network of sustainably sourced energy from Lake Geneva.

Judges’ comments

This project has a clear focus on both the environment and the end-user. An innovative hybrid timber and concrete structural slab and beam system solution was adopted and significantly reduced the embodied carbon emissions. The timber landscape stairs and the perimeter columns directly use unadorned structures to express the architectural aesthetics.

A fantastic example of timber concrete composite being used at scale.

Award for structural elegance through integrated design and construction

Winner: Tianfu Agricultural Expo Main Hall

Location: Chengdu, China

Structural Designer: StructureCraft and China Architecture Design & Research Group

Client: Sichuan TianFu Agriculture Expo Investment Ltd

Key Attributes: People, Process

Project description

At over 75,000 m2, this is the largest timber structure in Asia. This series of five vaults use unique Vierendeel-inspired trusses which are a hybrid of timber chords and steel webbing, achieving clear spans up to 110 m and heights up to 44 m. The unique wave of the building ensemble blends gently into the landscape, but also provided challenges for the engineering team in order to materialise the architectural scheme into a bold project on a very tight schedule.

Judges’ comments

The design of the vierendeel-inspired timber chord and steel webbing structure with ETFE membranes is aesthetically pleasing and seemingly melts into the surrounding environment. Thoughtful detailing of the unique shear-key connection is innovative and able to withstand seismic force.

Computational design aided the geometry design process. An integrated workflow enabled the design data to be directly used by the manufacturer, streamlining the processes of fabrication and ensuring clear communication. The CNC manufacturing process further increased the accuracy of assembly of all components and ensured an efficient erection process with minimised wastage. Efficient, thoughtful and collaborative engineering at its best.

UN New Office Building HQ. Image: Fadi Asmar / Dave Burk.

STRUCTURAL AWARDS 2022

library, which was a serious consideration.

Judges’ comments

Great pains have been taken to restore this library following earthquake damage and the efforts to justify the building through repairs and upgrade are admirable, providing enormous savings on the alternative of new construction. The design implemented improvements beyond code requirements under severe working constraints as the library remained in use throughout. There was impressive communication of the engineer’s role in the process at a digestible level for everyone involved to understand. This communication of the complex works to building users throughout the project stands out as a good example of the importance of our profession: teamwork, communication, collaboration and responsiveness.

Award for innovative form-finding and detailing in response to complex environmental conditions

Winner: Expo 2020 Dubai Sunshades

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Structural Designer: Webb Yates

Engineers

Client: Bureau Expo Dubai 2020 c/o Hopkins Architects

Key Attributes: Process

Project description

Award for a technically impressive and well communicated response to save a public building after earthquake damage

Winner: Rankine Brown Library

Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Structural Designer: Beca

Client: Te Herenga Waka-Victoria

University of Wellington

Key Attributes: People, Profession

Project description

A sensitive seismic repair project

to the inside of a working library following significant damage in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake. Base isolating an occupied building’s lift shafts was an unusual challenge and potentially a world first. It required creative thinking to overcome the constraints of a short time-frame and incredibly tight site within the building. There was also a significant carbon dividend, as restoring full use of the lifts was far more sustainable than demolishing and building a replacement

A series of over 50 shading structures which line the main streets of the Dubai Expo and are multifunctional in providing shade during the day and light at night. The structures are formed by suspending a thin steel cable-net from a steel mast and pulling it tight to the base. From this net, thin perforated aluminium panels are hung, carefully balanced to follow the shape of the net. These panels are free to pivot around the cable they are hung from, in the wind, shedding wind and creating a beautifully active rippling sculpture.

Judges’ comments

These simple and elegant structures served many aesthetic and

Rankine Brown Library. Image: Matthew Plummer.

Tianfu Agricultural Expo Main Hall.

practical functions and are beautifully detailed.

The rigorous testing, analysis and design of the aerodynamics of the swinging panels required high levels of analysis and wind-tunnel testing to investigate and understand wind effects. These complex dynamic issues were successfully dealt with, offering benefit of dynamic analysis for future projects.

Award for research informed innovation of novel highperformance materials

Winner: Stadtbahnbrücke

Location: Stuttgart, Germany

Structural Designer: Schlaich Bergermann Partner

Client: SSB Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG

Key Attributes: Process

Project description

A network arch bridge with hangers made entirely of carbon fibre (CFPC). The integral design and the use of a high-performance material for the hangers in the case of the light rail bridge allow for a low material input and high transparency. The bridge consists of a central main span and two approach spans. The main span is connected by an 80 m network arch and two protruding truss frames, which continue the swing of the slender arches – not only as sloped concrete supports but also as a visual element.

Judges’ comments

A worthy demonstration of new materials and new applications. The resulting design embodies a combination of well-known techniques and new cutting-edge technology to provide a graceful, highly efficient take on the classic cable-hanger arched bridge.

The development of the bonded carbon-fibre composite members was the result of material science research and a very rigorous testing regime, involving over a million stress-test cycles, to demonstrate the suitability of this hybrid material for use in these circumstances.

Expo 2020 Dubai Sunshades. Image: Donna Gage.

Stadtbahnbrücke. Image: Victoria Weht / sbp / Andreas Schnubel.

ENVIRONMENT PROSPECTS

Singapore’s construction demand to remain strong in 2023

Total construction demand this year is expected to be similar to last year’s projection. Also, Built Environment (BE) firms are increasing their transformation efforts, against the background of the strong construction demand.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) projects the total construction demand in 2023 (i.e. the value of construction contracts to be awarded) to range between SGD 27 billion and SGD 32 billion.

These figures were released at the BCA-REDAS BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND PROPERTY PROSPECTS SEMINAR 2023, organised by BCA and REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS’ ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE (REDAS), and held on 12 January 2023.

Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development & Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration, delivered the Opening Address.

The public sector is expected to contribute about 60% of the total construction demand, i.e. between SGD 16 billion and SGD 19 billion. This is supported by a continued strong pipeline of public housing projects amidst the Housing Development Board’s (HDB) ramping up of the Build-To-Order (BTO) flats supply.

Industrial and institutional building construction is expected to contribute strongly to public sector demand, with more projects for the construction of water treatment plants, educational buildings and community clubs.

Civil engineering construction demand is anticipated to stay firm with continued support from MRT line construction and other infrastructure works.

Private sector construction demand is projected to be between SGD 11 billion and SGD 13 billion in 2023, which are comparable with 2022 figures. Both residential and industrial building construction demand are expected to be similar to last year’s level, underpinned by the

development of new condominiums and high-specification industrial buildings. Due to the rescheduling of some major projects from 2022 to 2023, as well as the redevelopment of old commercial premises to enhance asset values, commercial building demand is anticipated to increase.

Preliminary actual construction demand in 2022

The preliminary total construction demand for 2022 reached SGD 29.8 billion, within BCA’s earlier forecast of SGD 27 billion to SGD 32 billion, and similar to the SGD 29.9 billion recorded in 2021. The continued firm demand was largely supported by residential and infrastructure projects, in both public and private sectors.

Public sector construction demand improved slightly from SGD 17.8 billion in 2021 to SGD 17.9 billion in 2022, underpinned by major projects such as the Cross Island MRT Line (Phase 1), Jurong Region MRT Line, the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) healthcare facilities and HDB’s new Build-To-Order (BTO) units.

On the other hand, while the private sector construction demand moderated slightly from SGD 12.1 billion in 2021 to SGD 11.9 billion in 2022, amidst various economic downside risks, demand for private residential and industrial building developments remained resilient.

Forecast for 2024 to 2027

Over the medium-term, BCA expects the total construction demand to reach between SGD 25 billion and SGD 32 billion per year, from 2024 to 2027.

The projection excludes Changi

Airport Terminal 5 development and its associated infrastructure projects, as well as the two Integrated Resorts’ (IRs) expansion, in view of the confirmed details, such as award timelines and construction phasing for both mega developments, being still unavailable at this point in time. The public sector will continue to lead demand and is expected to contribute SGD 14 billion to SGD 18 billion per annum, from 2024 to 2027, with about 60% of demand made up by building projects and the rest by civil engineering works. Besides public housing developments, public sector construction demand over the medium term will be supported by various major developments such as MRT projects including the Cross Island Line (Phases 2 & 3), Downtown Line Extension to Sungei Kadut and Brickland North South Line Station, Toa Payoh Integrated Development and Woodlands Checkpoint redevelopment.

Private sector construction demand is projected to remain steady over the medium-term, reaching approximately SGD 11 billion to SGD 14 billion per annum, from 2024 to 2027, in view of healthy investment commitments amidst Singapore’s strong economic fundamentals.

Construction output

The total nominal construction output (value of certified progress payments) is projected to increase to between SGD 30 billion to SGD 33 billion in 2023, from the preliminary estimate of about SGD 30.2 billion for 2022.

This is due to a steady level of construction demand and some backlog of workload impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, since 2020.

p: preliminary, f: forecast

*Construction demand: Value of contracts awarded

^Construction output: Value of certified progress payments

Note: Construction demand forecast in 2023-2027 excludes any potential awards of construction contracts for expansion of the two Integrated Resorts as well as the development of Changi Airport Terminal 5 and its associated infrastructure projects, as the confirmed details such as award timelines and construction phasing for both mega developments are still unavailable, at this point in time.

Stepping up the Built Environment value chain collaboration

With strong construction demand projected for the year, Built Environment (BE) firms are also stepping up transformation efforts to seize these opportunities by developing stronger and longer-term relationships with their value chain partners.

Four developers – CapitaLand Development, City Developments Limited, GuocoLand and UOL Group Limited – have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with their respective value chain partners (builders, consultants and sub-contractors), to support one another on this transformation journey and collectively achieve best-in-class outcomes, to improve productivity, reduce foreign labour and build resilience against unprecedented crises. These firms will be jointly applying for BCA’s Growth and Transformation Scheme (GTS) which was announced in March 2021, and other relevant grants. To receive support in the transformation journey, the firms are required to demonstrate that their proposed business plans and initiatives will meet outcomes under five categories:

• Strategic Collaboration/Business Growth

• Human Capital Development

• Advanced Manufacturing and Assembly

• Integrated Planning and Design

• Sustainable Urban Systems

BCA will continue to support all stakeholders across the BE value chain in transformation efforts. This will enable BE stakeholders to be better equipped to meet an increased construction demand.

Transformation across the BE value chain

To enhance industry resilience and collaboration, it is imperative that firms in the BE sector take a long-term view and work with their partners to collectively transform business and human capital practices, while they attend to business-as-usual work. Adopting this approach has helped firms better manage the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and has prepared them well to seize new opportunities, post-pandemic.

The Growth and Transformation Scheme

The Growth and Transformation Scheme (GTS) was first announced at the Committee of Supply 2021, as a scheme that supports value chain transformation efforts in the BE sector, and the qualifying criteria were announced at the International Built Environment Week

2022. This is a significant shift from project-based support schemes, where stakeholders usually focus on implementing initiatives to deliver the project on hand.

The GTS supports initiatives that build best-in-class capabilities and enable holistic transformation for BE value chains. These initiatives are undertaken by groups of firms –each led by a progressive developer, and includes consultants, builders, and subcontractors, – to achieve mutually beneficial, transformation outcomes. The key objectives of GTS are to:

• Groom a core group of strong industry leaders to drive industry transformation.

• Push the boundaries for best-inclass capabilities, and spearhead adoption of advanced technologies such as Advanced Manufacturing and Assembly (AMA), Integrated Planning and Design (IPD) and Sustainable Urban Systems (SUS).

• Achieve transformative workforce development and business growth/strategic collaboration goals.

Over the past year, BCA has worked with the industry to refine the scheme further. The developer, as

how the group of firms will work collectively over multiple projects to meet more ambitious business transformation targets. This ensures that firms take a longer-term view on capability development and their working relationships. Applicants are required to demonstrate that their proposed business plans and initiatives will meet all of the de fined outcomes.

The expected benefits of collective transformation

Recognising the value of collec tive transformation, CapitaLand Development, City Developments Limited, GuocoLand and UOL Group Limited have stepped forward to further strengthen their relationships with builders, consultants, and subcontractors, through the signing of MoUs with their respective partners. The MoUs are a demonstration of the strong commitment of industry-leading firms to support each other on this transformation journey and collectively achieve best-in-class outcomes to improve productivity, reduce foreign labour and build resilience against unprecedented crises.

supply chain resilience in Singa pore. These SMEs can potentially benefit from the collective process improvements, leverage available support to improve human capital practices and digitalise their operations to achieve longer-term transformation.

Through the strategic partnership, CapitaLand Development (CLD) and its MoU partners are studying the implementation of collaborative

es with enablers, such as a digital platform and systematic mechanism, to facilitate better communications and collaboration, guide early identification of issues as well as manage dispute resolution and risk allocation.

CLD’s MoU partners are Woh Hup (Private) Limited, Threesixty Cost Management Pte Ltd, SJ Architecture, Santai Construction (S) Pte Ltd and Kai Peng Construction Pte Ltd.

CapitaLand Development has signed an MoU with partners, Woh Hup (Private) Limited, Threesixty Cost Management Pte Ltd., SJ Architecture, Santai Construction (S) Pte Ltd and Kai Peng Construction Pte Ltd.

City Developments Limited has signed an MoU with partners, Woh Hup (Private) Limited, ADDP Architects LLP, Teamtech Private Limited and China Star Building Construction.

City Developments Limited (CDL) is working towards establishing a Common Data Environment (CDE) platform that connects value chain partners working on a project. CDE enables data sharing across all par ties, creating a one-stop conducive environment for upfront cross-dis ciplinary collaboration and facilitat ing a single source of truth for all stakeholders.

CDL’s MoU partners are Woh Hup (Private) Limited, ADDP Architects LLP, Teamtech Private Limited and China Star Building Construction.

GuocoLand aims to establish a cloud-based CDE platform from De sign to Facilities Management (FM), that will enable the value chain partners to work towards com mon productivity, quality control, decarbonisation and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals. GuocoLand will look into making it commercially available for their partners. In addition, GuocoLand has also begun to transform existing assets into smarter and greener buildings, and implement integrated data delivery and digital solutions for all their ongoing developments.

GuocoLand’s MoU partners are Kimly Construction Pte Ltd, Woh Hup (Private) Limited, ADDP Ar-

Integrated Precast Solutions Pte Ltd, APP Engineering Pte Ltd, DLE M&E Pte Ltd and Sing Moh Electrical Engineering Pte Ltd.

UOL Group Limited (UOL) is committed to supporting its partners in the adoption of new technology, to improve productivity across the value chain. UOL and United Tec have collaborated on several projects, including the 56-storey Avenue South Residence which is the world’s tallest residential building using the

success of such support and collaboration has increased confidence between partners, to leverage technology, develop strong alliances and accelerate transformation growth in the BE industry.

UOL’s MoU partners are United Tec Construction Pte Ltd and P&T Consultants Pte Ltd.

GuocoLand has signed an MoU with partners, Kimly Construction Pte Ltd, Woh Hup (Private) Limited, ADDP Architects LLP, DP Architects Pte Ltd, CGW Construction & Engineering, Integrated Precast Solutions Pte Ltd, APP Engineering Pte Ltd, DLE M&E Pte Ltd and Sing Moh Electrical Engineering Pte Ltd.

UOL Group Limited has signed an MoU with partners, United Tec Construction Pte Ltd and P&T Consultants Pte Ltd.

All images by BCA-REDAS

Adoption of the SS ISO 55000 series of Asset Management Standards will benefit Asset Reliant Organisations

To promote the two newer Singapore SS/TR ISO 55000 series of standards in Singapore, IES Asset Management Technical Committee (AMTC), in collaboration with the National Mirror Working Group of ISO TC 251 on Asset Management (NMWG), conducted a webinar on 24 November 2022, on the standards.

The event provided a platform for industry experts to share their Asset Management experiences and their thoughts on the organisational benefits realised.

IES Asset Management Technical Committee (AMTC) was established in October 2016 to explore, monitor and develop thought leadership in various topics under Asset Management, in Singapore. AMTC submitted a Standards Development/Review And International Participation Proposal Form to Singapore Standards Council and Enterprise Singapore (ESG), proposing national participation in international standardisation, under ISO TC 251, the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Technical Committee for Asset Management, responsible for the development of the ISO 55000 series of standards. These standards define good practices in Asset Management and Requirements for a Management System. The standards apply to all types of assets and to all organisations. After obtaining the approval from ESG, the National Mirror Working Group of ISO TC 251 on Asset Management (NMWG), which comprises mostly members from IES AMTC, was established in July 2021.

The NMWG reviewed the existing Singapore Standard SS ISO 55002:2016 Asset management –Management systems – Guidelines for the application of ISO 55001, and recommended the identical adoption of the revised edition, ISO 55002:2018. The NMWG also reviewed a new standard, ISO/TS 55010:2019 Asset management – Guidance on the alignment of financial and non-financial functions in asset management, and recom-

mended the identical adoption as a Technical Reference. These two documents were subsequently published as, respectively, SS ISO 55002:2021 Asset management –Management systems – Guidelines for the application of ISO 55001, and TR ISO/TS 55010:2022 Asset management – Guidance on the alignment of financial and non-financial functions in asset management.

PROMOTING ASSET MANAGEMENT

Asset Management is about realising value from an organisation’s asset base. The ISO 55000 series of standards on Asset Management provides a framework to establish Asset Management policies, objectives, decision-making, plans, risk management and governance, so as to facilitate an organisation’s achievement of its strategic goals. It comprises life cycle delivery activities encompassing design, procurement, operations and maintenance, renewals and disposals; and uses information and data for an integrated technical-financial-people-resource approach to manage the organisation’s assets. The standard utilises a structured, effective and efficient management process that drives continual improvement and ongoing value creation by optimising asset-related cost, performance and risk.

Singapore, as a participating member/country of ISO/Technical Committee 251 on Asset Management, has adopted the following ISO standards:

• ISO 55000:2014 Asset management – Overview, principles and terminology, as SS ISO 55000:2016

• ISO 55001:2014 Asset management – Management systems – Requirements, as SS ISO 55001:2016

• ISO 55002:2018 Asset management – Management systems –Guidelines for the application of ISO 55001, as SS ISO 55002:2021

• ISO/TS 55010:2019 Asset management – Guidance on the alignment of financial and non-financial functions in asset management, as TR ISO/TS 55010:2022

WEBINAR TOPICS AND SPEAKERS

‘Introduction to Asset Management and an Overview of ISO 55000 series standards’ by Mr Cho Sungin, Deputy Chairman, AMTC and a member of NMWG

Mr Cho has more than 10 years of industry experience relevant to the Asset Management of electrical infrastructure and currently works in Singapore Power Group, delivering collaboration research projects with NTU (Nanyang Technological University) on Risk-based Asset Investment and Planning Optimisation, as well as Failure Mode Analysis and Mitigation Optimisation.

Mr Cho shared the general concept of Asset Management for the physical infrastructure and provided a comprehensive overview of various

- People involvement and competence, and ISO 55013 - Guidance on the management of Data Assets in asset management, which are currently being developed by ISO TC 251 Asset Management.

In the face of challenges like unexpected asset failures and the need for cost-efficiencies and sustainable development, Mr Cho highlighted the importance of Asset Management in overcoming them, through providing the fundamental structure of the Asset Management system and data driven, decision-making process. He also provided answers to questions such as “What is an asset?”, “What is Asset Management and why is there a need to implement it?”, “What is risk?” and “How to realise the value of an asset?”. He ended by highlighting that the ISO 55000 series of Asset Management standards is an excellent starting point for Asset Management, that would also enable a continuous process of improvement, to best realise the value of assets in the organisation.

Introduction to SS ISO 55002:2021

Asset management – Management systems – Guidelines for the application of ISO 55001

by Mr Leow Meng Fai, Chairman, AMTC and a member of NMWG

Mr Leow has more than a decade of senior management experience in varied Asset Management and Maintenance roles in aviation and

urban rail transport sectors. He is a Chartered Engineer (Singapore) in Systems Engineering and an Asset Management Professional regis-

Clockwise, from top left, moderator, Er. Yeo Howe Chien and speakers, Er. Seow Kang Seng, Mr Cho Sungin and Mr Leow Meng Fai.

Clockwise, from top left, speaker, Mr Ho Chee Kit; moderator, Er. Yeo Howe Chien; and speakers, Mr Jon Arnup and Mr Lim Yong Ming.

The speakers and moderator at IES Building.

tered with the Institute of Asset Management UK.

Mr Leow shared the requirements related to the key fundamentals of Asset Management, in ISO 55001, how these requirements can be implemented in the different domains of Asset Management (Asset Portfolio, Asset Management System and Asset Management), and the recommended good practices in Asset Management, in the SS ISO 55002 Standard. He also shared on the key changes that have resulted in significant expansion, from the first 2014 version to include, in particular, the new guidance on cross-cutting subjects identified in the Asset Management domains. The cross-cutting subjects of Value, Scope of Asset Management Sys-

tem, Strategic Asset Management Plan, Decision-Making, Risk Management, Finance and Scalability, provide useful guidelines on the application of the requirements in ISO 55001, and will help address the cross-functional issues and queries typically encountered by organisations in their Asset Management implementation journey.

Introduction to TR ISO/TS 55010:2022 Asset management

– Guidance on the alignment of financial and non-financial functions in asset management by Er. Seow Kang Seng, Advisor to AMTC and Convenor of NMWG

Er. Seow has more than four decades of management, strategic planning, technical, operational, regulatory and consulting experi-

ence, in the electricity utility industry, where his duties spanned the conducting of feasibility studies to planning, design and implementation of numerous power engineering projects. He is a Professional Engineer and a Chartered Engineer (Singapore) in Systems Engineering.

Mr Seow highlighted why the alignment of financial and non-financial functions of Asset Management is important, and based on the Technical Reference ISO/TS 55010:2022, provided guidance on how this alignment can be achieved, to promote the benefits for the organisation and its stakeholders, as well as enable the organisation’s functional areas to share information and collaborate, to achieve the objectives of the organisation. He concluded his presentation by shar-

ing an example of the implementation, explaining how alignment was achieved in a rapidly growing decentralised company which had a very immature Asset Management System, a poorly aligned Records System and Processes, and, generally, not aligned Accounting and Operational Systems.

SMRT Trains Asset Management Excellence Journey by Mr Lim Yong Ming, Head of System Management, SMRT Trains Limited and a member of AMTC

Mr Lim oversees rail system sustainability, at SMRT Trains Limited. He is also the Convenor for the Singapore Rail Standard Asset Readiness Work Group. Mr Lim is a Chartered Engineer (Singapore) in Systems Engineering and a member of the Systems Engineering

Technical Committee, Singapore Rail Academy. He has experience in Asset and Supply Chain Management in the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) environment.

Mr Lim shared on SMRT’s core business and the New Rail Financing Framework (2016). He then presented SMRT Train’s journey in embracing ISO 55001 Asset management framework, from organisational, people, process and technological perspectives, in enhancing rail system reliability, and in ensuring that assets entrusted by LTA are being appropriately maintained, with risks properly identified and addressed. As part of its journey, SMRT Trains had coupled its Asset Management framework with a Systems Engineering approach and the use of technologies as an enabler, to achieve effective Asset Management practices. The benefits of systematic Asset Management can be seen in the successful renewal and upgrades undertaken, in close partnership with LTA.

REAL Business Results Through Alignment, Plans and Strategies –Asset Management for Ports

by Mr Jon Arnup, Founder CEO of Trent Port Services and Trent Moscord

Both Trent Port Services and Trent Moscord are headquartered in Singapore and provide global port-focused services solutions. In the seven years of operation, Trent has received an award from APAC Business Headlines magazine for being a Top 10 Start-up Company in APAC region.

Mr Arnup has more than 30 years of international experience in the port industry, in various senior line management roles and as Corporate Director, working for some of today’s leading global port operators. He was DP World’s Director of Global Engineering, from 2004 to 2014. Mr Arnup has also played key roles in the successful expansion, acquisition, development and integration of multiple terminals and port operators around the world, and led a team that, to-date, has been responsible for delivering more than USD 3 billion worth of large port cranes and mobile equip-

ment around the world. Together with his team, he led and developed the Asset Management ISO 55000 program. They have executed and implemented the full Asset Management program in a number of ports on five continents, which was later recognised at a formal ISO 55000 gathering in London, as the world’s largest single Asset Management program at that time.

In his presentation, Mr Arnup shared that in many ports and other organisations, he sees opportunities and benefits in addressing alignment from top to bottom and across the organisation. That is, alignment in strategy, goals objectives, decision-making, budgeting, operational risk and more. Organisations such as ports, are asset-intensive. The Asset Management standard, ISO 55000 was the first to set out a more holistic approach which includes the encompassing of financial components, in order to improve an organisation's management system and realise the true value of its assets. He highlighted the approach in getting the ISO 55000 standard to speak the language of ports, and the engagement needed to execute the full program, and bring it across the line, with demonstrable results in a number of areas, such as strategy, operations, human resources, finance and engineering.

To help Asset Management have a positive impact on the port terminals business, be it for greenfield terminals, brownfield acquisitions, expansions or mode changes, Mr Arnup shared that he uses a multi-faceted methodology covering System Dynamics, Change Dynamics, Risk Dynamics and Asset Performance Dynamics, which are important for businesses to succeed in their journey.

Integrated Knowledge Based (IKB) and IoT Driven Approach in Asset Management – Lowering Whole Life Cycle Costs of Energy Systems in a Smart Building by Mr Ho Chee Kit, Senior Director for Sustainability, Asset Management Services and Integrated Facilities Management, C&W Services (S) Pte Ltd

Mr Ho holds a Master of Science (Electrical Engineering) degree from National University of Singapore and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical (Hons) from Nanyang Technological University. He also has a Diploma in Asset Management, from Institute of Asset Management, UK.

Mr Ho has more than 20 years of working experience in technical engineering and Facility Management for institutional, healthcare, defence and commercial buildings. In his presentation, Mr Ho explained that equipment that is ageing or under-maintained is usually expected to perform less efficiently than a new equipment. However, by implementing smart Asset Management practices, this can be otherwise. These practices involve integrated, strategic and sustainable Asset Management practices based on green and smart Facility Management concepts, Internet of Things (IoT) as well as big data analytics with computational intelligence).

They enable maintainability, reliability, cost management and risk profiling, and will optimise performance and maximise availability. He also presented a case study, in which through an integrated Facility Management and Asset Life Cycle Management approach, a 11-yearold chiller plant achieved a performance that was at least 20% more efficient and had a lower carbon footprint, in 2021, as compared to when it was first installed.

CLOSING REFLECTIONS

The webinar, including panel discussions, was moderated by Er. Yeo Howe Chien, member of AMTC and member of NMWG. Er. Yeo is the General Manager, Operations Development and Strategy for Certis Integrated Facilities Management.

Er. Yeo observed that asset-intensive industries can benefit from the ISO 55000 series of standards and recommended practices, by enabling them to start and improve their Asset Management implementation

to deliver good business results. He noted from the industry presenters, how their respective journeys and initiatives in Asset Management had delivered business results, innovations and better decisions for organisations. He said that good Asset Management will go a long way towards sustainable development, with assets that can perform longer, while reducing resource consumption and carbon footprints, with greener operations and optimisation of the asset life cycle.

(AMTC also announced, at the webinar, that all participants would be included in a list of Asset Management practitioners / interested individuals, enabling them to receive relevant information, including on future seminars / webinars, workshops, training courses, sharing sessions, as well as articles on Asset Management etc, from AMTC. They may also be contacted by the AMTC to find out their areas of interest in Asset Management. Any participant who does not wish to be included in this list, should inform IES by email)

Industrial Asset Management market to be worth USD 14.4 billion by 2029

Meticulous Research, a leading global market research company, recently published a research report titled, ‘Industrial Asset Management Market by Offering, Deployment Mode, Asset Type, and End-use Industry (Food & Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Medical Devices, and Other Industries), and Geography

- Global Forecast to 2029.’

According to the publication, the global industrial Asset Management market is projected to reach USD 14.4 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 12.2% from 2022 to 2029.

The global Industrial Asset Management market is segmented by offering solutions (predictive maintenance solutions, asset lifecycle management solutions, inventory management solutions, reporting & analytics solutions, and other Industrial Asset Management solutions), services

(professional services, managed services), deployment mode (on-premise deployment, cloudbased deployment), asset type (conventional assets, automation assets), and end-use industry (food & beverage, chemicals, automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, metal & mining, energy & power, aerospace & defence, electronics & semiconductors, and other industries).

Based on offering, the global Industrial Asset Management market is segmented into solutions and services. In 2022, the solutions segment accounted for the larger share of the global Industrial Asset Management market. This segment is also expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on deployment mode, the Industrial Asset Management market is segmented into

on-premise deployment and cloud-based deployment. In 2022, the on-premise deployment segment accounted for the larger share of the global Industrial Asset Management market. However, the cloudbased deployment segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Based on asset type, the Industrial Asset Management market is segmented into conventional assets and automation assets. In 2022, the automation assets segment accounted for the larger share of the global Industrial Asset Management market. This segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific accounted for the largest share of the global Industrial Asset Management market, in 2022. This region is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Honouring research and development teams from companies and universities

Their work helps to bring new technology to market readiness.

Several companies and institutes from Germany and abroad competed for the bauma Innovation Award 2022, under five categories, at bauma 2022, the World’s Leading Trade Fair for Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, Mining Machines, Construction Vehicles and Construction Equipment. After a multi-stage selection process, five winners were announced.

The five categories and winners are:

• Climate Protection – Liebherr France SAS, for the hydrogen-powered excavator.

• Digitalisation – MiC 4.0 Machines in Construction with one common digital language for construction sites.

• Mechanical Engineering – Herrenknecht AG, for the continuous tunnelling process.

• Construction – Holcim (Germany) GmbH, for CPC – Carbon Prestressed Concrete

• Research – Freiberg University of Mining and Technology Mechanical Engineering Institute, for Deep Sea Sampling.

A total of 133 entries were received, of which 41 finalists made it to the next round. In two rounds of voting, the expert jury and task force chose their favourites. The trade journalists attending the bauma Media Dialog in Munich also had the opportunity to cast their votes in the final round.

The competition is a joint project under the auspices of the VDMA Construction – Equipment and Plant Engineering, Messe München, the Federation of the German Construction Industry (HDB), the German Construction Confederation (ZDB) and the German Building Materials Association (bbs).

bauma 2022 was held from 24 to 30 October 2022, in Munich, Germany.

HYDROGEN-POWERED EXCAVATOR FROM LIEBHERR FRANCE

SAS

Winner 2022. Category: Climate protection

The H2 drive in the crawler excavator does not require a permanent energy supply and produces very low NOx and CO2 emissions. Depending on the assessment method used in each case, and if the entire life cycle of the machine is taken into account, the hydrogen combustion engine can help to reduce CO2 emissions by almost 100%, when considering ‘tank to wheel’, or by 70% , when considering the ‘cradle to grave’ principle.

The H966 engine – heart of the machine

The first Liebherr hydrogen engine, the H966, is the heart of the new R 9H2 crawler excavator. This is an engine designed for both demonstration and field trials, and is based on an intake manifold injection technology (also known as PFI). The achieved results offer evidence of a great potential for hydrogen propulsion and indicate the possibility of using such drives for off-road applications, as well.

In addition, the company’s components product segment is working on further hydrogen-based drive technologies, such as H2 direct injection. This would enable a higher power density than the established H2 intake manifold injection and is, thus, particularly suitable for heavy-duty applications in demanding working environments, such as the construction and mining industries.

The design of the R 9H2 crawler excavator is based on the current and future Generation 8 of crawler excavators. It shares a focus for a more comfortable and efficient application. The excavator reaches the same overall performance as its diesel engine counterpart, both in terms of power output, engine dynamics and response. Suitable for extreme temperatures, shock and dust-intensive site operations, the R 9H2, with its operating weight of 50 t, can become as robust a solution for earthmoving and quarrying applications in the future, as the conventionally powered Liebherr crawler excavators in the same class already are. The only differences are in refuelling the machines. Fast

The winners of the bauma Innovation Award 2022.

and safe refuelling is ensured via infrared communication between the excavator and the refuelling station, where users benefit from the standardised high-speed protocol.

ONE COMMON DIGITAL LANGUAGE FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES

Winner: 2022. Category: Digital-

isation

Today, many types of machines work together on construction sites. They become more digital and virtually connected every day. However, communication between construction machines and their attachments is still manufacturer-specific and is not compatible across manufacturers.

In cluster 7 (attachments) of the Machines in Construction working group MiC 4.0, a standard is being developed for cross-manufacturer communication between attachments and construction machines. The aim is not to standardise the existing mechanical, hydraulic

or electrical interfaces between attachment and construction machine, but to create a universal, uniform and manufacturer-independent data interface between construction machine and attachment. Through the cooperation of over 25 users and machine and tool manufacturers, a data interface via CAN bus is being defined under the name, MiC 4.0 BUS, which can map all relevant use cases for communication between tool and machine.

This includes the identification of the tool during coupling, so that information such as serial number, tool type and manufacturer are transmitted to the machine and are available for evaluations of the use of machine and tool. Subsequently, based on the information, such as the required hydraulic pressure, the construction machine can be automatically adjusted to the tool and the machine operator can be relieved and incorrect operation can be avoided. The MiC 4.0 BUS also provides for the transmission of control data so that operation is as simple and clear as possible. By transmitting geometry data, assistance systems, such as working area limitation, can automatically work with correct data and thus support the operators in their work.

With the MiC 4.0 BUS, the control of the tools is simplified and additional operating elements and displays, which are common today, can be omitted. The provision of tool information to assistance

systems eliminates the need for time-consuming manual setup. In this way, the MiC 4.0 BUS contributes to the avoidance of incorrect operation and increases safety on the construction site.

Both customers and manufacturers benefit from the fact that with the MiC 4.0 BUS, even complex tools can be used via ‘plug and work’ and time-consuming adaptions can be avoided. This means that the use of efficient, specialised tools becomes easier and more attractive, which has a positive effect on the profitability and efficiency of construction sites.

With the help of the MiC 4.0 BUS, information on the use of tools on the construction site also becomes available. This information can be used to draw conclusions for the customer about the load and operating hours of attachments, so that the MiC 4.0 BUS represents a step in the direction of ‘attachment as IoT device’. On a higher level, knowledge about tool use can also provide insights into the progress of the construction site, so that the MiC 4.0 BUS also contributes to Construction Site 4.0.

As part of proof-of-concept tests, the MiC 4.0 BUS has already been successfully tested on prototype machines and attachments from different manufacturers.

FASTER AND MORE EFFICIENT PROGRESS WITH CONTINUOUS TUNNELLING FROM

HERRENKNECHT AG

Winner: 2022. Category: Mechanical Engineering

Herrenknecht AG is implementing a next innovation boost for the mechanised production of high-performance tunnel infrastructure in all common, soft ground constellations (soft ground formations with or without water-bearing layers). Using the latest technology, the continuous tunnelling process leads to a significant reduction in construction times for longer tunnel sections.

Up to now, mechanised tunnelling with shield machines in soft ground has always been a stop-and-go sequential process. Each excavation

The Liebherr R 9H2 crawler excavator.

The H966 PFI engine.

With

stroke is followed by the ring build ing sequence, so that the excavation has to pause and the subsequent driving cycle started only when the next segmental ring has been com pletely installed. The interruptions to tunnel advance in soft ground for mations caused by these sequential operations costs time, when viewed over longer distances. In contrast, a continuous tunnelling process, in which the machine can continue excavation while the lining rings are being installed, can contribute to considerable savings in construction time. For this purpose, Herrenknecht engineers designed a process based on the latest technologies and engineering.

The new continuous tunnelling system, developed by the company’s engineers, achieves a notable increase in efficiency during tunnel construction. Particularly in the case of longer tunnel sections, continuously organised tunnelling leads to measurable savings in construction time.

Basic principles of continuous tunnelling

In continuous tunnelling, the thrust cylinders that push the machine forward during advance take over the share of the force of those cylinders that are retracted for ring building.

To ensure that the machine remains on course under these conditions, the centre of thrust resulting from the combined driving forces of the applied thrust cylinders must remain unchanged in its position. At the heart of continuous tunnelling is therefore a powerful computer system and process-specific soft-

ware programs that can precisely calculate the necessary pressures in the thrust cylinders. It ensures that the machine operator can reliably control the tunnel boring machine along the specified alignment as before.

Safe control in continuous tunnelling

In continuous advance, the machine operator no longer controls the pressures in the thrust cylinders manually using rotary controls (potentiometers) on the control panel. For this purpose, Herrenknecht has developed the new Center of Thrust (CoT) system, which helps the shield operator to precisely control the machine. It consists of a display panel that shows the operator the current position of the centre of pressure, based on which he select as the desired position of the centre of thrust. The corresponding control of the thrust cylinders is handled by the algorithms in the computer system. Compared to manual control by potentiometers, the CoT offers the prospect of maintaining the specified alignment

more efficiently and effectively. The CoT system can thus make a sustainable contribution to the economic efficiency of the construction project, in addition to the quality of the underground structure.

With continuous tunnelling, an increase in total tunnelling performance by a factor of up to 1.6 can be achieved compared to the previous, discontinuous method. This can lead to a significant reduction in construction time for long tunnels. The unique feature of Herrenknecht’s solution is that continuous tunnelling can be used on all machine types, in soft ground.

CARBON PRESTRESSED CONCRETE FROM HOLCIM (DEUTSCHLAND) GMBH

Winner: 2022. Category: Building Carbon Prestressed Concrete (CPC) panels are made from concrete reinforced with prestressed carbon fibres, instead of the usual steel. The high-performance, thin concrete elements can help achieve material savings of up to 80% and

The shield operator controls the tunnel boring machine by setting the centre of pressure on the new type of control panel.

the functional principle of continuous tunnelling, an increase in the total tunnelling performance by a factor of up to 1.6 can be achieved compared to the previous discontinuous method.

a reduction in the component’s carbon footprint by up to 75%.

The smaller amount of concrete massively reduces the self-load of the structure, lowers the CO2 footprint and also significantly reduces transport costs. A further CO2 reduction of the component results from the use of significantly smaller quantities of carbon, instead of large quantities of steel (factor of 30).

The thin elements can be manufactured industrially and in large formats and then cut to size. In addition to simple cuts, freely shaped cuts, surface treatments such as milling and brushing, drilling and slot milling can also be performed.

The CPC panels were developed by the Swiss company, CPC AG. Holcim Germany and its subsidiary Vetra Betonfertigteilwerke GmbH cooperate with the company in the market launch of the innovative components and further optimises their design (e.g. via concrete technology and composition). In Essen near Oldenburg (Lower Saxony), a large-scale plant for CPC panels is being built. CPC AG is supplying the technology and the carbon fibres which will be produced at a new plant that has been built in Switzerland.

With the first general building approval (abZ) for prestressed carbon concrete in Germany, which was granted at the end of 2021, the resource-saving and climate-friendly concrete components with CPC technology can now also be used without complications. The approval covers the complete structural design of the CPC slabs, which can be used to individually design many structural components, such as stair treads, balcony slabs and exterior wall cladding. Modular bridges can also be created easily, and in a resource-saving way, with CPC panels.

DEEP SEA SAMPLING FROM FREIBERG UNIVERSITY OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY MECHANICAL ENGINEERING INSTITUTE

Winner 2022. Category: Research

Whether copper, cobalt or rareearth metals, the global demand

for these and other raw materials is tremendous and will continue to grow in the coming years. This development is accelerated by major trends such as electrification and the energy revolution. To cover the demand for raw materials, existing capacities must be expanded, and new deposits developed. There is great potential in previously unexplored deposits (for example of massive sulfides) in the deep sea, i.e. at 2000 m or more, below sea level.

Nevertheless, new equipment and technologies are required for their exploration and extraction – which is the focus of the joint project Deep Sea Sampling, subsidised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz, BMWK).

The project partners are the TU Bergakademie Freiberg (Freiberg University of Mining and Technology), with its institute for treatment equipment and recycling system technology as well as its mechanical engineering institute; the University of Rostock; FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg along with Krebs & Aulich GmbH; and BAUER Maschinen GmbH. The Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe, BGR) as well as the Deep Sea Mining Alliance (DSMA) are also represented on the project support committee. The research project was launched in 2021 and is scheduled for com-

pletion in 2024. The goal is, instead of using a surface approach for the extraction of raw materials, to electrify a compact trench cutter and transform it into a smart, semi-automated vertical mining unit. This unit separates and characterises the extracted material during the mining process directly on the sea floor. This should not only ensure a minimally invasive, efficient mining of resources, but also capture turbidity clouds generated by the work in a closed, shielded process.

When developing such technology, numerous factors must be considered. Conditions on the sea floor include water pressures of up to 400 bar, complete darkness and temperatures around 1° C – enormous challenges for equipment technology. This is accompanied by the composition of the massive sulfide deposits with their rugged surfaces and extreme slope gradients.

The unit is brought to its place of deployment by ship. Image: BAUER Group.

The use of an electrically driven vertical mining unit can help to achieve minimally invasive extraction of resources in the deep sea. Image: BAUER Group.

Tunnel approach for the A26 Danube Bridge in Austria

The challenges included different tunnel cross-sections, profile transitions and tight radii.

The A26 project is one of the most important infrastructure projects in the Austrian city of Linz and the surrounding area, with the goal to ease congestion on its urban transport network. The key to success during the project implementation stage was a PERI engineering solution that was innovative, safe and efficient, in equal measure, coupled with comprehensive project support.

Tunnel construction work to the north and south of the Danube for the access and exit routes for the new Danube bridge has been in progress since May 2020. A large section of the tunnel runs underground so that the noise and pollution in the urban area are reduced to an even greater extent. Five different tunnel cross-sections, profile transitions, tight radii of between 50 m and 750 m in the bends, and varying gradients – these were just some of the challenges that had to be overcome when constructing the 1,600 m long access tunnels for the new suspension bridge over the Danube.

Special-purpose formwork carriage with caterpillar drive

The construction company’s top priority during the project execution phase was solution-oriented and collaborative working methods. In view of this, PERI engineers developed Austria’s first customised and fully hydraulic special-purpose steel formwork carriage with caterpillar drive and a weight of 250 t. This alone was enough to produce the different cross-sections in a total of 170 concreting sections.

Given the fact that the very tight curve radii made it difficult to transport the formwork carriage, an innovative caterpillar system was used to move it. The formwork

carriage measured 8.07 m in height and 14.50 m in length and 10.70 m in width, when ready to move, and 11.20 m in width, when ready to pour concrete.

The formwork carriage was assembled in front of the tunnel entrance under the guidance of a PERI supervisor. Only a short time later, the first concreting section was successfully completed, meaning that the formwork could be stripped the very next day and the formwork carriage moved forward to the next concreting section in an efficient and time-saving manner.

Mobile assembly and reinforcement carriages

Before the tunnel formwork carriage was called upon, a mobile 6 m long assembly carriage with rubber tyres and electric motor was used for the sealing work. This was followed by a reinforcement carriage adapted to the block length of 12 m, the principle of which is similar to the sealing carriage.

To construct the 1,600 m long access tunnel, PERI engineers developed the first customised and fully hydraulic specialpurpose formwork carriage. This alone was sufficient to construct the different crosssections in a total of 170 concreting sections. Image: PERI SE.

Both carriages consist of a stable VARIOKIT base frame, on which a PERI UP scaffold, adapted to the cross-sections, was erected. This made it possible to convert and relocate the carriages quickly and cost-effectively. Also, the erected PERI UP scaffold served as a work platform for site personnel. In the end, the drive was controlled by an integrated hydraulic system.

The A26 project stands out on account of its five different tunnel cross-sections. In addition, the bends feature tight radii of 50 m to 750 m and the tunnel gradients vary, making it difficult to implement the new transport network. Image: PERI SE.

LAUNCHING THE IES GREEN PLAN 2030 AND CELEBRATING ENGINEERING ACHIEVEMENTS AT IES 56TH ANNUAL DINNER

Marking a significant moment in IES’ history, the IES Green Plan 2030 was launched on 17 January 2023 at the IES 56th Annual Dinner, which took place at Marina Bay Sands.

Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, was the guest-of-honour, where she launched the Green Plan together with Mr Dalson Chung, IES President, the project team, and advisors.

The IES Green Plan 2030 aims to provide national-level institutional support to advance Singapore’s sustainable development imperative. It lays out concrete engineering-centric action plans from 2023 to 2030 to support the Singapore Green Plan 2030, structured along according to the stakeholder groups that IES interacts with: Internal, national and international, to drive action and inculcate a strong sustainability mindset amongst engineers. The Plan will also enhance collaborations between IES, government agencies and the industry in areas such as professional development, through training and upskilling in sustainability.

In support of upskilling engineers in the sustainability space, IES also

partnered SkillsFuture Singapore to release the Jobs-Skills Quarterly Insights (JSQI) publication. This issue of JSQI highlights a suite of green skills highly sought after by employers for engineering work, such as energy management and audit, environmental sustainability management and sustainable engineering.

JSQI also observed an emergence of newer “green” roles in areas such as solar photovoltaics and energy sustainability, requiring engineers to be well-versed in skills related to clean technologies and

ming and coding, and big data analytics, among others.

“Climate change is an existential threat to humankind and we must act immediately. As engineers, we can contribute to the goals set in the Singapore Green Plan with our expertise, innovations and creative solutions.

“The IES Green Plan is a bold, yet necessary plan to act as a springboard for future green initiatives and inspire more engineers to step forward to contribute towards Singapore’s green aspirations,” said

Ms Fu (foreground, right) and Mr Chung watered two potted plants as part of the IES Green

Ms Fu and Mr Chung, together with IES Council Members and Presidents Emeriti, gather on stage to commemorate the launch of the eight-year IES Green Plan 2030.

The same evening, IES celebrated exemplary contributions and achievements in engineering with several award presentations.

Mr Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport, was conferred the title of IES Honorary Fellow in recognition of his significant contributions to the public and private sectors and the engineering community.

Mr Seah Moon Ming, Chairman of SMRT Corporation, was presented with the IES Lifetime Engineering Achievement Award for his extraordinary leadership and sustained, outstanding contributions that immensely benefited the industry and community.

NTUC clinched the IES Outstanding Partner Award for its significant contributions to IES and for making a profound impact on the practice of engineering in Singapore.

The IES Prestigious Engineering Achievement Awards were also presented to five engineering teams in recognition of their contributions to engineering practice. The teams and projects are detailed in the following page.

Lastly, to support brilliant engineering students in the pursuit of their studies, the IES-Yayasan Mendaki Scholarship Awards were presented to Muhammad Raqib Rifai Bin Fadli, a third-year Electrical & Electronic Engineering student at Singapore Polytechnic, and Muhammad Nur Hazwan bin Mohamed Haron, a third-year Aircraft Systems Engineering student at the Singapore

Institute of Technology.

The dinner was attended by close to 1,300 guests and also featured two energetic dance performances, one a joint segment by the IES Young Engineers Committee and NUS, PSB Academy, SIT, and Temasek Polytechnic student chapters, and the other by Dancin Plus Academy.

The IES Outstanding Partner Award was presented to NTUC, represented by Assistant Secretary-General Melvin Yong.

The IES-Yayasan Mendaki Scholarship Awards were presented to Muhammad Raqib Rifai Bin Fadli (left) and Muhammad Nur Hazwan bin Mohamed Haron.

The dance ensemble comprising members of the Young Engineers Committee and Student Chapters strike a pose to cap off their exhilarating performance.

IES Prestigious Engineering Achievement Awards 2022: Recipients and project descriptions

Applied Research and Development Category

Use of Plastic Waste to Construct Durable Asphalt

Pavement by Samwoh Innovation Centre and Singapore Polytechnic, supported by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the National Environment Agency (NEA)

A joint study was conducted to evaluate the use of plastic waste in asphalt. Laboratory test results have shown that the use of certain types of plastic waste in asphalt can enhance its durability and performance as well as reduce the life cycle cost as compared to conventional asphalt. A field trial is being conducted to validate the performance of the plastic asphalt under actual traffic and weather conditions to monitor the road pavement condition as well as groundwater and surface runoff, with input from government agencies.

Engineering Project Category

A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport Hangar by Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA)

The A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport hangar is currently the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) first and largest integrated hangar for wide-body aircraft maintenance. The hangar was conceptualised and developed by DSTA, in collaboration with the Republic of Singapore Air Force and industry partners. It features an environmentally sustainable design that improves work efficiency and reduces aircraft maintenance downtime. The hangar is also the SAF’s first net positive energy building with an integrated solar energy harvesting system and is a best-in-class energy performing building generating 30% more electricity than it consumes.

Waterfront I & II @ Northshore by Housing & Development Board (HDB)

Waterfront I & II @ Northshore is one of HDB’s first smart and sustainable precincts planned from the design stage through a well-integrated multi-disciplinary approach. Guided by the Sustainable Development Framework and Smart HDB Town Framework, this development leads the transformation of Punggol Northshore into a living laboratory for smart and sustainable living. Featuring a suite of smart and sustainable initiatives, this development aims to bring about a more liveable, efficient, sustainable and safe living environment for our residents.

Tuas Port Phase 1 (TPP1): Reclamation, Wharf Construction & Dredging Project by Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Surbana Jurong Consultants Pte Ltd

The reclamation, wharf construction and dredging for TPP1 was completed in November 2021, marking a significant milestone for Singapore’s move to consolidate the container terminals and develop the Tuas nextgeneration port to be the world’s largest fully automated containerised terminal by 2040. TPP1 consists of 21 deep-water berths that can handle 20 million twenty-foot equivalent units annually, and the project entailed soil improvement works on 414 hectares of reclaimed and existing land, fabrication and installation of 221 10-storey tall caissons (each weighing 15,000 tons) to form 8.6km of seawall, and the deepening of the sea bed to 23m below sea level. TPP1 is recognised for the adoption of several innovative and sustainable engineering solutions and green initiatives to protect the environment and reduce carbon footprint.

Young Creators Category

HaptGlove – Wireless Pneumatic Glove for Multimode Haptic Feedback in the Metaverse by National University of Singapore (NUS)

The team developed a patent pending haptic glove (HaptGlove) which is wireless and lightweight and allows users to “physically” interact with the virtual world and enable the sense of touch in a natural and realistic manner. HaptGlove is highly integrated with five pairs of haptic feedback modules, providing both kinesthetic and cutaneous feedback. With its software development kit, HaptGlove can be easily implemented to deliver various haptic effects for different applications in the metaverse, such as training, education and entertainment.

Engineering Project Category

VOLVO Construction Equipment introduces Collision Mitigation System for jobsite safety

Delivering on its vision for zero accidents, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has launched the Collision Mitigation System for Volvo Wheel Loaders – an automatic braking feature that supports operator response and helps reduce the risk or consequences of collision when working in reverse. It assists operators while working in reverse and automatically applies service brakes when the wheel loader approaches any obstacle, alerting the operator to take further action. With wheel loaders spending an average of 40% to 50% of their time being driven in reverse, the Collision Mitigation System is a valuable solution for operators and site managers.

While not designed to replace safe operator behaviour, it is a smart tool to further enhance jobsite safety – a central focus and core value for Volvo CE. As part of the Volvo Group, the company is committed to safety with its Zero Accident Vision which is delivered not only through its products, but also its operations.

With this new system, customers are moving a step closer to not only eliminating accidents – and therefore improving jobsite safety for everyone – but also reducing any unplanned interruptions that can be incurred during those avoidable knocks and bumps.

It works by identifying when there is a risk of collision and responding, by automatically activating the brakes for 2 to 3 seconds to slow the machine down, prior to impact, or bring it to a stop to avoid it. This initiation of the braking alerts the operator to intervene.

For seamless stockpiling operations, the system will remember the last slope the machine climbed, allowing operators to reverse down a pile without activating it. It can also be temporarily deactivated for specific site conditions.

Functioning only when the wheel loader is in reverse, and driving at speeds of between 3-15 km/h (1.86-9.32mp/h), no matter what gear it is in, it serves as a facilitator to jobsite safety.

Developed in-house by Volvo CE, the patent-pending Collision Mitigation System for Volvo Wheel Loaders is a factory-fit option currently available on the L110H/ L120H equipped with OptiShift, L150H, L180H, L220H, L260H and

L200H High Lift wheel loaders. Requiring a Radar Detect System to be fitted, it works as an additional system to the existing wide range of features, options and site services provided by Volvo CE for its line of wheel loaders, all of which have been designed to elevate jobsite safety and minimise unplanned interruptions.

The Collision Mitigation System is available in all markets around the world.

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has launched the Collision Mitigation System for Volvo Wheel Loaders.

The Collision Mitigation System enhances jobsite safety.

New Cat 793 features increased payload and fuel efficiency

Building on a foundation of nearly 6,000 trucks sold, the new Cat 793 offers up to 6% more payload than the 793F and boasts the highest payload in its size class, up to 244 tonnes (265 tons). The available High Performance (HP) Body design further reduces empty machine weight to increase payload capacity. Increased productivity combines with industry-leading powertrain efficiency to deliver up to 10% more fuel efficiency than competitive trucks, according to Caterpillar, and up to a 5% lower fuel consumption compared to the 793F. A choice of full or economy mode settings fine-tunes power needs to the task at hand. Full integration of all Cat components, software, systems and engine ensures the entire truck can be fully optimised to deliver the lowest cost per ton.

With a top speed of 60 km/h (37 mph), the new Cat 793 is said to offer up to 10% faster cycle times than competitive trucks. It travels at a class-leading speed of 12.9 km/h (8 mph) on 10% grades and can navigate a maximum 25% grade fully loaded. Enhanced automatic retarding control automatically selects optimum speed based on grade, payload and brake oil temperature, to increase speed up to 25% during retarding.

Offering maximum uptime availability, the Cat C175-16 engine powering the new 793 has more than 21 million operating field hours and can achieve over 3.8 million litres (1 million gallons) of fuel burn before overhaul. Its new Cat enhanced oil filtration system increases engine life, eliminates cartridge filter changes and allows for extended oil change intervals.

Simplifying truck operation, advanced speed controls allow the operator to set the desired machine speed and control it with a rotary dial, allowing the powertrain to automatically select the optimum gear and engine speed. The 793’s

Advanced Power Electronic Control Strategy transmission maintains forward momentum and torque while shifting with optimum gear selection, providing faster acceleration times.

Improvements to the Cat Payload system on the 793 deliver more accurate payload measurement and monitoring. Available operator speed coaching helps the operator achieve the truck’s maximum potential. The optional AutoHoist lowers fuel burn and simplifies body dump by automating four continuous operator hand and foot inputs into two easy hand inputs to reduce dump cycle times by up to 12 seconds.

The new Cat 793 delivers cutting-edge connectivity with fully integrated Cat electronics featuring 100 Mbps, two-wire ethernet connectivity for faster data transfer, improving access to information. With its future-proof technology platform, every truck is shipped factory-equipped with Cat Product Link Elite with standard 4G/LTE cellular connectivity or optional dual mode cellular/satellite or local Wi-Fi networks for reliable data transfer. The new 793 shares a common cab and next gen technology design with the 785 and 789 truck models, offering the same familiar driving and operating experience. Two ideally located 254 mm (10 in) screens consolidate all machine data, controls and guidance information, and

of required displays. An available advanced filtration system includes optional high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to reduce respirable dust penetration by 96%.

A host of confidence-building operator controls include configurable second gear start that monitors grade and payload to determine if the 793 can automatically start in second gear, improving drivability and durability and using less fuel. Reducing tyre wear and damage, enhanced traction control increases control responsiveness and power to the ground to improve machine controllability and performance. An available anti-lock brake system helps maintain the travel path when sliding, and dynamic stability control monitors operator steering intention and machine motion to keep the machine tracking.

Standard Cat Detect – Object Detection combines radar and camera systems to warn operators of light vehicles and stationary hazards within the truck’s immediate vicinity. The optional in-cab Driver Safety System features technology that instantly detects and alerts operators the moment fatigue or distraction are identified. Eliminating two-foot hill starts and reducing collision potential, the truck’s hill start keeps the truck stationary on grades and anti-rollback automatically stops the truck when rolling in the oppo-

The Cat 793

Double-deck post-screening unit for KLEEMANN cone and impact crushers

The HX series of pivot-steered tandem rollers from Hamm

The mobile cone crusher MOBICONE MCO 90i EVO2 and the mobile impact crusher MOBIREX MR 110i EVO2 can now be fitted with a double-deck post-screening unit, as an option.

Cone crushers are mainly used in hard stone, while impact crushers are mainly used in soft to medium-hard stone and in recycling. A high product quality is expected from both plant types. Thanks to the new optional double-deck, post-screening unit, it is now also possible, with a single machine –without the use of an additional screening plant – to produce two classified final grain sizes.

The large screening surface makes effective screening possible especially for grain sizes below 7/8”. The discharge height of the fine grain conveyor is designed for a maximum stockpile volume. Oversize grain can be processed in a closed material circuit via a return conveyor. As an

option, the conveyor can be swivelled hydraulically by up to 100°, which also makes side discharge possible. A kidney-shaped stockpile can thus be created manually.

If an application is only to produce one classified final grain size, the post-screening unit can simply be used as a single-deck version.

As the MOBIREX MR 110i EVO2 is frequently used in recycling applications, wind sifters are used here as an option. They provide better material quality because lightweight material (e.g. wood and plastic) contamination is removed from the material. The air flow can be controlled precisely, depending on the material, reducing manual sorting work. The wind sifter can be used only in conjunction with the post-screening unit. With the double-deck, post-screening unit, a second wind sifter can be used as an option for cleaning the medium grain.

The HX series of pivot-steered tandem rollers from Hamm replaces the previous DV+ series. The highlights of the new series includes intuitive operation with Easy Drive, high performance data, many comfort features and sustainable operation, as well as the ‘Smart Compact’ digital compaction assistant. Furthermore, Hamm has incorporated many improvements, new options and interfaces in the HX series. All models are available in countries with the EPA Tier 4/EU Stage V emissions regulation.

Designed for asphalt compaction, the HX 70i model (7 t/55.4 kW) and HX 90i (9 t/74.4 kW) model achieve high surface outputs on large construction sites. They also perform tasks, such as compaction in curves, with a high degree of precision. Here, the pivot steering shows its strengths with a large turning angle, large track offset and four different steering modes.

A basis for compaction quality is intelligent drive control with automatic reversing. Along with the electrically adjustable seat operating unit, it ensures quality.

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The MOBICONE MCO 90i EVO2 and MOBIREX MR 110i EVO2 can now be equipped with an optional double-deck, post screening unit.

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