See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/216656506

Utilisation Of Rice Husk Waste And Its Ash

Article · January 2009

CITATIONS READS

2 2,782

5 authors, including:

M. Rozainee Anwar Johari

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
32 PUBLICATIONS   830 CITATIONS    101 PUBLICATIONS   1,835 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Arshad Adam Salema Khee Giap Tan

Monash University (Malaysia) National University of Singapore
54 PUBLICATIONS   2,766 CITATIONS    464 PUBLICATIONS   23,839 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Development of pilot scale microwave technology for agricultural biomass View project

Techno-economic feasibility assessment of using solar energy for BRT-Sunway transport system View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Arshad Adam Salema on 12 February 2014.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

LEMBAGA JURUTERA MALAYSIA
BOARD OF ENGINEERS MALAYSIA

KDN PP11720/01/2010(023647) ISSN 0128-4347 VOL.41 MAR - MAY 2009 RM10.00

 contents
Volume 41 March - May 2009

4 President’s Message
Editor’s Note

6 Announcements
Cancellation Of Registration Of Registered Engineer And
8 Removal From Register

Publication Calendar

Invitation To Serve In Investigating Committee

Cover Feature
8 Solid Waste Management: Towards Better
16 Treatment And Disposal Facilities

13 Aquaponics: The Future Of Agriculture

17 Building Structures For The Future – The Green Way?

Engineering & Law

27 The JKR/PWD Forms (Rev. 2007): An Overview (Part 2)

21 Feature
34 Incorporating Electro-Magnetic Compatibility Design
Into Mission Critical Facilities

42 Riding The Economic Tsunami: Investing In Local

Workforce And IBS Construction Technology

46 Utilisation Of Rice Husk Waste And Its Ash (Part 1)

54
Lighter Moments
51 Sudoku : A Mental Callisthenics

Engineering Nostalgia
54 Bertam Valley New Village, Cameron Highlands
 KDN PP11720/01/2010(023647)
ISSN 0128-4347
president’s message

Industries thrive on innovation and cutting edge

Vol. 41 March - May 2009 technology. The engineering input towards new
technologies that satisfy clients’ needs which are
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS MALAYSIA
(BEM) 2009/2010 closely related to state-of-art technology, is without
President
doubt the most important aspect of the whole formula.
YBhg. Dato’ Sri Prof. Ir. Dr Judin Abdul Karim However, such input has to keep up with the fast
Registrar pace of innovation and discovery to stay competitive
Ir. Dr Mohd Johari Md. Arif
in this borderless world.
Secretary
Ir. Ruslan Abdul Aziz As the world’s economic trend moves from
Members
agriculture, industry, ICT and then to the nanotechnology era, we
YBhg Tan Sri Prof. Ir. Dr Mohd Zulkifli bin Tan Sri Mohd Ghazali expect to see more emerging technologies introduced to industrial and
YBhg Dato’ Ir. Hj. Ahmad Husaini bin Sulaiman
YBhg. Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid Maidin household products. Some of these are already at our doorsteps. If one
YBhg. Dato’ Ir. Dr Johari bin Basri
YBhg. Datuk (Dr) Ir. Abdul Rahim Hj. Hashim has not been to Cameron Highlands for the last 10 years, one will be
YBhg. Brig. Jen. Dato’ Pahlawan Ir. Abdul Nasser bin Ahmad
YBhg. Dato’ Ir. Prof. Dr Chuah Hean Teik surprised to see the new trend of tomato cultivation in bags laid on top
YBhg. Datuk Ir. Anjin Hj Ajik of concrete floors fed with tubes of nutrient water, called vertigation.
YBhg. Datuk Ar. Dr Amer Hamzah Mohd Yunus
Ir. Wong Siu Hieng Flower beds are lighted up at night to stop buds from blooming until
Ir. Mohd Rousdin bin Hassan
Ir. Prof. Dr Ruslan bin Hassan ready for harvesting
Ir. Tan Yean Chin
Ir. Vincent Chen Kim Kieong Malaysia, via its Science and Technology Policy for the 21st Century,
Ir. Chong Pick Eng
Jaafar bin Shahidan
has set an objective of spending 1.5% of GDP to enhance national
capacity in R&D and to achieve a competent work force of 60 RSEs
EDITORIAL BOARD
(researchers, scientists and engineers) per 10,000 labour force by 2010.
Advisor
YBhg. Dato’ Sri Prof. Ir. Dr Judin Abdul Karim This should be a good platform for innovative engineers to tap into and
Secretary move further up the value chain of industrial products. I hope more
Ir. Ruslan Abdul Aziz research groups will collaborate with locally trained engineers to move
Chairman into emerging technologies as the potential is immensely beneficial to
YBhg. Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid bin Maidin
the nation.
Editor
Ir. Fong Tian Yong

Members Dato’ Sri Prof Ir. Dr. Judin bin Abdul Karim
Prof. Sr. Ir. Dr Suhaimi bin Abdul Talib President
Ir. Ishak bin Abdul Rahman
Ir. Prof. Dr K.S. Kannan BOARD OF ENGINEERS MALAYSIA
Ir. Mustaza bin Salim
Ir. Prem Kumar
Ir. Rasid Osman
Ir. Dr Zuhairi Abdul Hamid
Ir. Ali Askar bin Sher Mohamad

Executive Director
editor’s note
Ir. Ashari Mohd Yakub

Publication Officer
Pn. Nik Kamaliah Nik Abdul Rahman
The increasing pace of scientific and technological
Assistant Publication Officer innovation has kept engineers on their toes to update
Pn. Che Asiah Mohamad Ali
themselves with the latest codes of practices, technologies
Design and Production
Inforeach Communications Sdn Bhd and scientific breakthroughs. Engineering, as an applied
Printer science, has improved the quality of life for man through
Art Printing Works Sdn Bhd the introduction of new and improved products. Emerging
29 Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
engineering technology holds an important place for the
The Ingenieur is published by the Board of Engineers Malaysia
(Lembaga Jurutera Malaysia) and is distributed free of charge to nation and practising engineers to stay relevant in the manufacturing
registered Professional Engineers.
and construction industry.
The statements and opinions expressed in this This issue of the publication looks at green ways of building structures
publication are those of the writers.
for the future and some of the policies towards Industralised Building
BEM invites all registered engineers to contribute articles or
send their views and comments to System (IBS) construction technology. Innovations in agriculture that
the following address:
integrate aquaculture and hydroponics offer wide economic potential
Commnunication & IT Dept. for local industrial players and practising engineers to ponder about.
Lembaga Jurutera Malaysia,
Tingkat 17, Ibu Pejabat JKR, Technology on incineration of solid waste is relatively new to Malaysia.
Jalan Sultan Salahuddin,
50580 Kuala Lumpur. The article dedicated to this technology should provide readers some
Tel: 03-2698 0590 Fax: 03-2692 5017
E-mail: bem1@streamyx.com; publication@bem.org.my insight into the wide range of technologies available to incinerate solid
Website: http://www.bem.org.my waste.
Advertising
Subscription Form is on page 33
Advertisement Form is on page 37 Ir Fong Tian Yong
4 THE INGENIEUR Editor
 INVITATION TO SERVE IN
announcement INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
The Board of Engineers Malaysia would like to invite
Registration Of Engineers Act 1967 all Professional Engineers of not less than ten years
Cancellation Of Registration Of standing as Professional Engineers to serve as members
Registered Engineer And Removal in Investigating Committee.
From Register Pursuant To Section 15
And Paragraph 16(c) The Committee’s prime duty is to investigate into
complaints involving professionalism and breach of
IN ACCORDANCE with subsubparagraph 6(2)(a)(i)(B) ethics of professional engineers.
and subparagraph 6(2)(a)(ii) of the Registration of
Engineers Act 1967 [Act A138], the Registrar publishes If you are interested in serving this Committee, kindly fill
the particulars of the registered Engineer as stated in in the form below and return to the Secretariat. Training
Schedule whose registration has been cancelled and would be given to potential members.
removed from the Register pursuant to paragraphs ✁
15(1)(g), 15(1A)(d) and 16(c) of the Act with effect To:
from 1 August 2008.
Chairman
SCHEDULE
Professional Practice Committee
No. Name, Address and Registration Number Board of Engineers Malaysia
Qualification 17th Floor JKR HQ Building
1. Leong Pui Kun 4112 Jln. Sultan Salahuddin,
No. 52 Tengkat Tong Shin
50580 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel. No: 03-26912090
50200 Kuala Lumpur
Fax. No: 03-26925017
BE (Civil) e-mail: ppc@bem.org.my
Dated 12 November 2008 I am interested to serve as a member of
[KKR.PUU.110-1/4/3/1 Jld.2; PN(PU2)47/X] Investigation Committee.
- SGD - Name:
Ir. Dr. Mohd Johari Bin Md Arif PE Registration:
Registrar of the Board of Engineers Malaysia
Discipline:
Date Registration:
Tel. No.:
Fax. No.:
E-mail:

Office Address:

Home Address:

Specialization:

Signature

June 2009:
PUBLIC AMENITIES

Sept 2009:
SAFETY & HEALTH

Dec 2009:
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
 cover feature
Solid Waste Management:
Towards Better Treatment
And Disposal Facilities
By Nadzri Bin Yahaya (PhD)
Director-General, Department of National Solid Waste Management, Ministry of Housing and Local Government
S
o l i d Wa s t e M a n a g e m e n t
(SWM) in Malaysia, as in
most countries worldwide,
has traditionally been a task for
Local Authorities (LA). It falls
under sanitation which is listed
as an item under the concurrent
list of the Federal Constitution.
Items listed in the concurrent list
indicate that both the State and
the Federal Governments have
jurisdiction over it.
RDF Plant in Semenyih
8 THE INGENIEUR
I n t h i s r e g a r d , Th e L o c a l
Government Act (Act 171)
empowers the LAs to establish,
maintain and carry out sanitary
services with regard to solid
waste and public cleansing for
areas within their jurisdiction.
Another piece of legislation that
empowered the LAs relating to
the maintenance, repair and
provision of ash pits, dustbin
and like receptacles is the Street,
Drainage and Building Act, 1974
(Act 133).
Th e Fe d e ra l G ove r n m e n t ’s
engagement in the se ctor is
traditionally restricted to financing
of facilities, equipment and
collection vehicles, based on
applications from local authorities,
and establishing policies and
awareness. In addition, the States
play an important role as the
authority on land and hence
responsible for the allocation
of land for landfills and other
facilities.
Th e m a n a g e m e n t o f s o l i d
waste by LAs has given rise to
increasing criticism from the
public, due to poor quality in
some places. The quality of the
service to a large degree depends
on financial resources. LAs are
also handicapped in handling the
latest technologies for disposal
and treatment of solid waste. Lack
of human resources also hamper
good quality enforcement. All
these factors contributed to the
deterioration in the quality of
the environment, in particular,
those surrounding the landfill
sites. In its effort to ensure a co-
ordinated, effective and efficient
solid waste management, the
Federal Government embarked on
 cover feature

a two-prong strategy; federalising

the SWM through the enactment
of the Solid Waste and Public
Cleansing Management Act 2007
and privatising the collection and
transportation of the household
solid waste to reduce financial
pressure on LAs. The enactment
of the Act saw the establishment
of the Department of National
Solid Waste Management and the
Corporation on Solid Waste and
Public Cleansing Management as
dedicated agencies to manage
solid waste in the country.

Policy and National

Strategic Plan on Waste
Management
The importance of technologies
in the management of solid waste
in the country was clearly defined
by the 3rd Outline Perspective Plan
(2001-2010). The 3rd OPP reported
that the Government will install
incinerators for safe and efficient
disposal of solid waste. The
National Policy on Solid Waste
Management which was approved
by Cabinet in 2006 as well as the
National Strategic Plan on Solid
Waste Management which was
approved by Cabinet in 2005 put
great emphasis on the importance
of technologies to improve the
quality of solid waste management.
The National Strategic Plan laid
down the provision of sustainable
technologies as its fourth strategy
to achieve the Plan’s objectives
among which is to adopt an
integrated management of solid
w a s t e . Th e N a t i o n a l Po l i c y
provides clear guidance on the
criteria of technologies to be
used. Its 5 th thrust emphasizes
that only technologies which
are environmental-friendly, cost
effective and proven should be
adopted for use in this country.
Another criterion is that local
Mini incinerator in Pulau Tioman
technologies will be given
priority.
To ensure that solid waste
management technologies which
are proposed for implementation
in the county comply with the
criteria laid down by the National
Policy and National Strategic Plan,
a National Committee to evaluate
solid waste technologies was
formed under the Chairmanship of
the Secretary-General of Ministry
of Housing and Local Government.
Its members among others consist
of professionals and academicians
from various universities and
research institutions that are well
versed in solid waste management
technologies. The Committee will
analyse not only the technical
and technological features of the
proposed facilities, but also the
economic and financial aspects.
Cost which includes capital and
operating expenditure remains a
crucial criterion in any proposal
to built solid waste management
facilities in the country. Hence,
the reason behind the termination
of the Broga’s Incinerator as
announced by the Deputy Prime
Minister in 2007. He cited high
cost as the main reason for the
cancellation of the project.
Provision on technologies
in the Solid Waste and
Public Cleansing Act 2007
The Act besides laying down
the various provisions on general
management of solid waste has
also recognized the importance
of standards and specifications
in the building of facilities to
treat and dispose solid waste.
Under Section 108 of the Act,
the Minister may prescribe the
standards and specifications for
the design, construction, operation
and maintenance of any prescribed
solid waste management facilities.
The Minister also may order any
solid waste generator to reduce

THE INGENIEUR 9
cover feature

the generation of solid waste, to

use environment-friendly materials
as well as use specified amount
of recycled materials. All the
requirements as laid down by
the Act can only be achieved if
research and development activities
are carried out in search of
emerging environmentally sound
technologies as well as new
approaches in production processes.
Best available technology (BAT) and
‘Best available technology not at
excessive cost’ (BATNEC) will be
the main guiding principle in the
search for emerging technologies
under the new National Solid
Waste Management Department.

Strategies towards
sustainable solid waste
management
As reported by the 9th Malaysia
Plan, 17,000 tonnes of solid waste
were generated each day in 2002
of which 45% is food waste, 24%
plastics, 7% paper and 6% iron. The
Plan forecasted that in 2020, we
will generate about 30,000 tonnes
per day if no new effort is put in
place to address the ever increasing
generation of solid waste. In this
regard, the Department of National
Solid Waste Management has put in
place two strategies: prevention at
source and providing facilities for
solid waste management treatment
and disposal. To address this
menace, high priority is given to
reducing, reusing and recycling
(3R) solid waste. Whilst lifestyle
can largely contribute to the
reduction of household solid
waste, manufacturing process and
technologies play a key role in the
reduction of other types of solid
waste, in particular, industrial and
commercial waste as well as in
recycling activities.
Facilities under the solid waste
management concept include
Composting process
the various thermal treatment
technologies such as incineration,
pyrolysis and gasification
technologies as well as material
recovery facilities and mechanical
and biological treatment, mechanical
heat treatment; renewable energy
and waste technologies. Sanitary
landfill is still the most common
disposal facility in the country.
Incineration is the most
established and matured thermal
treatment technology whereas
pyrolysis and gasification
technologies are termed as the
emerging, advance technologies in
solid waste treatment and disposal.
Incineration usually involves the
combustion of mingled solid
waste with the presence of air or
sufficient oxygen. Typically, the
temperature in the incinerator is
more than 850ºC and the waste
is converted into carbon dioxide
and water. Dioxin is the main
concern but is destroyed with
high temperature. An incinerator
will give rise to two types of
ash; fly ash and bottom ash. Fly
ash is categorised as scheduled
wa s t e a n d c o n t r o l l e d u n d e r
the Environmental Quality Act
1974 and can only be disposed
off at prescribed facilities as
designated by the Department
of Environment. The bottom ash
consist of any non-combustible
materials that contain a small
amount of residual carbon. This
can be used as materials in road
making as well brick making.
In contrast to incineration,
pyrolysis is the thermal degradation
of a substance in the absence of
oxygen. This process requires an
external heat source to maintain
the temperature required. Typically,
relatively low temperatures of
between 300ºC and 850ºC are
used during pyrolysis of materials
such as solid waste. The products
produced from pyrolysing materials
are a solid residue and a synthetic
gas (syngas). The solid residue

10 THE INGENIEUR

(sometimes described as char) is
a combination of non-combustible
materials and carbon. The syngas
is a mixture of gases (combustible
constituents include carbon
monoxide, hydrogen, methane
and a broad range of other VOCs).
A proportion of these can be
condensed to produce oils, waxes
and tars. The syngas typically has
a net calorific value (NCV) of
between 10 and 20 MJ/Nm3.
Gasification can be seen as
between pyrolysis and incineration
(combustion) in that it involves the
partial oxidation of a substance.
This means that oxygen is added
but the amounts are not sufficient
to allow the fuel to be completely
oxidised and full combustion to
occur. The temperatures employed
are typically above 650°C. The
process is largely exothermic but
some heat may be required to
initialise and sustain the gasification
process. The main product is a
syngas, which contains carbon
monoxide, hydrogen and methane.
Typically, the gas generated from
Mini incinerator in Denmark
gasification will have a net calorific
value (NCV) of 4 - 10 MJ/Nm3.
While we are engaged in
thermal treatment technologies, we
are concerned with the existing
method of disposal; the landfills.
At present, we have about 261
landfills all over the country, 111
of these are no longer in operation
and only 10 of the 150 operating
landfills are sanitary landfills.
Thus, the Department’s strategies
on landfill management are laid
down as follows:
(i) Decide location, types and size
of landfills and coverage area
of each landfill;
(ii) Build regional landfills with
centralised treatment plant;
(iii) Safe closure of landfills in
sensitive areas
(iv) Safe closure of the non-
sanitary landfills which are
no longer operating;
(v) Upgrade non-sanitary landfills
that are still operating; and
(vi) Build new sanitary landfills
with Recycling Facilities
cover feature
Although the technical
specifications of sanitary landfill is
not new, materials used for lining
of landfill is now undergoing
various changes, thanks to
research and development to find
better materials. Traditionally,
lining material is made of High-
Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE). But
new technologies have emerged
suggesting other materials as
alternatives. These new materials
are expected to better prevent
the leakages of leachate into
the surrounding environment
thus preventing pollution, in
particular, of underground water,
rivers and soil.
Waste to Energies
Facilities
Waste to energies facilities in
solid waste management is quite
new in Malaysia. Although this has
caught on in the palm oil sector
where waste from the industries
are converted to energy, in solid
waste management it has some
hurdles to overcome before it can
be made viable. The characteristics
of waste which has high moisture
content and its co-mingling nature
make it difficult to harness its
potential. Furthermore, incentives
to encourage the private sector to
venture into renewable energy are
not very lucrative. In Europe, most
solid waste treatment facilities are
also power plants. They generate
electricity and steam for central
heating facilities.
Conclusion
Solid waste management
in Malaysia is undergoing a
paradigm shift from being a local
authority concern to a Federal
Government responsibility. A
structured approach has been
established with policy, strategic
THE INGENIEUR 11
 DD ®®
cover feature

The
Themost
mostinnovative
innovativeand
andrevolutionary
revolutionarysoil
soil
monitoring
monitoring and and reinforcement
reinforcement system
system
developed
developedinindecades!
decades!

• •The
Theworld’s
world’smost
mostadvanced
advancedand
andcost
costeffective
effective
live
livesoil
soilfailure
failurewarning
warningsystem
system
• •Accurately
Accuratelymeasures
measuresfinite
finitesoil
soilmovement
movementand
and
strain
strain
• •Automated,
Automated,live
livecollection,
collection,assimilation
assimilationand
and
transmission
transmissionofofdata
data
• •Suitable
Suitablefor
forallallsoil
soilslopes,
slopes,walls
wallsand
andreinforced
reinforced
structures
structures
• •Easy
Easytotoinstall
install
• •Cost
Costeffective
effective Sanitary landfill in Malaysia

plan and legislation in place as well as dedicated

agencies. The policy will provide the general
principles and guidance for management of solid
waste. The law will provide the catalyst for the
policy and strategic plan to be implemented in
an integrated manner. However, the much needed
push to ensure that solid waste being treated
and disposed in an environment-friendly manner,
cost effective and feasible depends on technology
and technical know-how. Without expert and
professional human resources, all the best policies
and plans to ensure that solid waste management
is carried out effectively and efficiently will not
be successfully implemented. BEM

REFERENCE
1. Federalising Solid Waste Management In
Peninsula Malaysia: Dr. Nadzri Bin Yahaya1 and
Ib Larsen2

1
Director General, Department of National
Solid Waste Management, Ministry of
Housing and Local Government, Level 2 &
4, Block B North, Pusat Bandar Damansara,
50644 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2
Chief Technical Advisor, Danish International
Development Assistance (DANIDA) Solid
Waste Management Component (SWMC),
Level 4, Block B North, Pusat Bandar
Damansara 50644 Kuala Lumpur

2. Advance Thermal Treatment of Municipal

Solid Waste: Defra- Department for Environment,
TenCate
TenCate
Geosynthetics
Geosynthetics
Asia
Asia
Sdn
Sdn
Bhd
Bhd Food and Rural Affairs, UK
14,14,
Jalan
Jalan
Sementa
Sementa
27/91,
27/91,
Seksyen
Seksyen
27,27,
ShahShah
AlamAlam
40400,
40400,
Selangor
Selangor
Darul
Darul
Ehsan,
Ehsan,
Malaysia
Malaysia
Tel:Tel:
+6+6 03 03
5192
5192
8568,
8568,Fax:Fax:
+6+6
03 03
5192
5192
8575
8575
Website:
Website:
www.tencate.com
www.tencate.com
 cover feature

AQUAPONICS:
The Future Of Agriculture
By Lim Keng Tee
INSAP

Figure 1: Overview of Aquaponics System

A
recent report from Farmer’s
Organisation Authority
(FOA) Malaysia stating that
the maximum potential marine
capture fisheries has probably
been reached, triggered increased
attention on aquaculture, which
will soon account for half of
fish consumed. Based on world
population growth projection to
2030, an extra 27 million tonnes of
fish will be needed to maintain the
current consumption rate of 16.7kg
per person per year.
Fish farming or aquaculture
is a system where commercial
fishes are reared in a contained
system e.g. ponds or tanks. The
water quality of the contained
system will directly affect the
growth rate as well as the feed
conversion rate (weight of feed
needed to convert a kilogramme
of fish meat). Hence, aquaculture
is said to be a highly polluting
system due to the discharge of
polluted water into the surrounding

THE INGENIEUR 13
cover feature

Figure 2: Aquaculture portion Figure 3: Filtering system of the Aquaponics System

environment in order to improve
water quality. However, over
time many techniques have been
invented to reduce the pollution,
one of them is the AQUAPONIC
system.
Aquaponics is the combination
of Aquaculture and Hydroponic
systems whereby nutrient rich waste
water from the Aquaculture system
is directed into the Hydroponic
system. Plants will absorb the
nutrient from the waste water
and improve or purify the water
quality for the aquaculture system.
This provides an eco-friendly as
well as sustainable system for the
agriculture sector.
This fantastic integrated farming
system was invented by Dr James
Rakocy from the University of Virgin
Island (UVI). Over time this system
has been improved from a test
system to an improved commercial
system. UVI continuously improves
its system with the focus on
effective model design, which
improves and optimizes water
turnover rates. Figure 1, 2 and 3
show the actual site pictures of

The UVI Aquaponic System

Tank dimensions Sump: Diameter: 4 ft, Height: 3 ft, Water volume: 160 gal
Rearing tanks: Diameter: 10 ft, height: 4 ft, Water volume: Base addition tank: Diameter: 2 ft, Height: 3 ft, Water
2,060 gal each volume: 50 gal
Clarifiers: Diameter: 6 ft, Height of cylinder: 4 ft, Depth of cone: Total system water volume: 29,375 gal
3.6 ft, Slope: 45o, Water volume: 1,000 gal Flow rate: 100 GPM
Filter and degassing tanks: Length: 6 ft, Width: 2.5 ft, Depth: Water pump: !s hp
2 ft, Water volume: 185 gal Blowers: 1 !s hp (fish) and 1 hp (plants)
Hydroponics tanks: Length: 100 ft, Width: 4 ft, Depth: 16 in, Total land area: Qi acre
Water volume: 3,000 gal, Growing area: 2,304 ft2

Figure 4: Basic Layout of the Aquaponics System

14 THE INGENIEUR
 cover feature

the UVI Aquaponics System, while

Figure 4 shows the basic layout
of the UVI Aquaponics system.
D
(Source: Rakocy et al, 2006)
C
From the above figures, it can
be seen that water is recirculating
within the contained aquaponics A
system. Hence water wastage
can be minimized, compared to
the aquaculture system (frequent
changing of fish water to ensure B
water quality) or plant cultivation
E
on soil (roughly 10% of the water
is absorbed by the plant, while
90% of the water is wasted). Along
with saving water, the fertilizer
and pesticide needed for plants
can be further reduced, which
directly contributes to operational Figure 5: Cross-sectional view of modified UVI clarifier. (Source: Rakocy
cost savings. Besides that, labour et al, 2006)
needed is also reduced, as several
operations such as watering plants, the sludge without disturbing the Moreover, the solid sludge filtered
spraying fertilizer or pesticides can system. Figure 5 shows the cross- out can be further processed to
be minimized accordingly. section of a modified clarifier become bio-fertilizer. Figure 6
In order to prevent solid sludge which is easy to clean. shows the Geotexile Technology/
from clotting the system, a filtration Besides that, the filtrating Geotube ® used to extract the
system is installed between the system also plays a crucial role solid sludge from the system.
aquaculture portion and the to allow the growth of beneficial (Source: Danahar J, 2008)
hydroponic portion. UVI has even bacteria which converts ammonia Land scarcity is a common
improved the effectiveness by (waste from the fish) to nitrate issue for the agricultural sector,
modifying the clarifier. Sludge will and nitrite that plants are able and cultivatable land is even more
slowly sink to the bottom, whereby to utilize for growth, as well scarce. However this system does
the operator can easily suck out as control the fruiting period. not require soil for cultivation.

Figure 6: Geotexile Technology used in extracting the solid sludge

THE INGENIEUR 15
cover feature
Figure 7: Multilayer cultivation of plants under the Aquaponic system.
Hence, soil fertility is not an
issue. Furthermore, plants can
even be cultivated in multilayers
to maximize the utilization of
land as shown in Figure 7. The
critical point of this system is to
maintain the correct balance, so
that one does not deviate from the
optimized ratio. (Source: Ramos,
2009)
Another beauty in this
aquaponics system is scaleability,
whereby the unit system can be
scaled up to commercial sizes
by retaining the same ratios of
16 THE INGENIEUR
(b) Less pesticide as well as
fertilizer is needed.
(c) Less labour needed.
(ii) Intensive production and
maximizing space utilization.
(iii) Scaleable and applicable to
both ornamental and food fish/
plant.
(iv) Environment-friendly system
which produces healthy products.
(v) No wastage of valuable by-
products (biomass and fertilizer).
In view of the need for
eco-friendly systems, scientist,
agriculturalist as well as engineers
should cooperate to invent and
improve integrated agricultural
systems. BEM
REFERENCE
Danaher, J. (2008). Evaluating
Geotexile Technology To
Enhance Sustainability Of
Agricultural Production
Systems In The U.S. Virgin
Island. Aquaponic Journal,
50, 18-20.
each component. However, it is
James E. Rakocy, M. P.
advisable to multiply the model
units when scaling up as this (2006). Recirculating
allows flexibility in controlling the Aquaculture Tank Production
production rate, and gives constant System: Aquaponics -
supplies as well as standard Intergrating Fish and Plant
produce.
Culture. Southern Region
In a nutshell, the benefits of
the Aquaponics system can be Aquaculture Centre, 454.
summarized below:
Ramos, C. L. (2009).
(i) Operational cost will be Aquaponic Development in
reduced Mexico. Aquaponic Journal,
(a) Wa s t a g e o f w a t e r i s 52, 32-35.
minimized.
 cover feature

Building Structures For

The Future – The Green Way?
By Ir. Chen Thiam Leong

The need and urgency of sustainable development for the built industry is beyond the deliberation
stage (or at least we hope so). Energy Efficiency can be deemed to be the prelude to Sustainability,
and locally we did not fare too tardily having developed our MS1525 in 2001. It is only unfortunate
that the incorporation of MS1525 into our Uniform Building By-laws (UBBL) has been delayed
since 2003.

However, of more significant concern (and damage) is our local modus operandi where Energy
Efficiency (and now Sustainability) issues are more than often regarded as the sole responsibility
of M&E Engineers. The sad reality is that not many Architects in Malaysia are conversant or have
taken the lead role in sustainable design. Hence, it is not at all surprising that most Structural
(Civil) Engineers have hardly heard of or have participated in sustainable structural designs.

This paper will serve to highlight the role Structural (Civil) Engineers can and should play to
realize the Sustainable (Green) agenda and the need for a holistic design approach by all relevant
players. An introduction to the proposed Malaysian Green Building Rating tool will be included.

I
t is no more a matter of WHY
we need to build green but
rather HOW we can build
green and it should be starting
NOW.
Unless we remain closeted
(somehow), the effects of Global
Warming (GW) cannot be unknown.
GW has been attributed to the
Ozone Hole; given gradual rise in
the earth’s temperature; and leading
to the Greenhouse Effect. The
frightening statistic is temperatures
in the far north have increased 5-
70C in the last 50 years, and as
the temperatures get warmer, the
sea level rises causing a difference
in the amount of precipitation.
Th i s i n t u r n c a u s e s e x t r e m e
weather conditions to develop
resulting in excessive storms with
heavier rainfall. The ecosystem is
then affected with difference in
agricultural growth and harvest,
leading to extinction of certain
animal and plant species.
The main Green House Gases
(GHG) are CO2, methane and water
vapour. While water vapour and
methane are not present for very
long in the earth’s atmosphere, CO2
can remain in the atmosphere for
many years and when combined
with the water vapour can escalate
the rate at which GW takes place.
Therein lies the need to stop GW
by removing CO2 present in the
atmosphere or at least not add
more to it. The Montreal Protocol
and Kyoto Protocol are aimed at
arresting or at least mitigating this
man-made disaster.
So what can we do about
GW? Plenty! We can reduce
consumption of energy to decrease
GHG, starting with reducing use
of electricity. It is amazing to
know that about 11% of electricity
is consumed by phantom loads
alone. We are ready and have the
capacity to use more efficient light
bulbs. For instance, in US alone,
if every household were to apply
a compact florescent bulb instead
of a glowing light bulb, we can
realize a staggering reduction of 90
billion pounds of CO2 emission!

THE INGENIEUR 17
cover feature

In terms of Climate Change,

apart from the great financial
impact, the human impact is
already being felt. Millions are
starving throughout the globe,
and with the World’s population
increasing steadily, the situation
will continue to deteriorate if
temperature and climate changes
are allowed to continue unimpeded.
It will take years if not decades
to put an end to the emission of
GHG. This can only be achieved
through a gradual transition to
cleaner energy. In the meantime,
mankind will have to live with
the catastrophic effects that these
temperature and climate changes
are bringing upon us.
Global GHG emissions have
increased by 70% between 1970
and 2004 and the largest growth
of this emission has come from
the energy supply sector.
So where do we stand locally?
Malaysia’s population grew at a
rate of about 2.8% from 23 million
in 2000 to 27 million today.
Rising population and changes
in life style have accelerated the
demand for energy. The Malaysian
energy sector is still heavily
dependant on non-renewable
fuels. These non-renewable fuels
are finite, gradually depleting and
contributing significantly to the
emission of GHG.
What is meant by building
Green?
A Green or Sustainable building
is one which is designed:
● To save energy and resources,
recycle materials and minimise
the emission of toxic substances
throughout its life cycle,
● To h a r m o n i s e w i t h l o c a l
climate, traditions, culture and the
surrounding environment, and
● To be able to sustain and
improve the quality of human life
Pusat Tenaga Malaysia - Zero Energy Office (ZEO) building
while maintaining the capacity of
the ecosystem at local and global
levels
Building Green in the future
is a necessity and not an option
as the following statistics will
attest;
● Buildings consume 40% of our
planet's materials and 30% of its
energy
● Their construction uses up
to three million tonnes of raw
materials a year and generates
20% of the solid waste stream
Therefore, if we want to survive
our urban future, there is no option
but to build in ways which improve
the health of ecosystems.
Understanding the concept
of ecological sustainability and
translating it into practice as
sustainable development is a
key challenge for today's built
environment professionals
To quote Peter Graham;
The skill and vision of those
who shape our cities and
h o m e s i s v i t a l t o a ch i e v i n g
sustainable solutions to the many
environmental, economic and
social problems we face on a
local, national and global scale
How to build Green?
The term ‘Green building’
is a loosely defined collection
of land-use, building design,
and construction strategies that
reduce the environmental impact
that buildings have on their
surroundings. Traditional building
p ra c t i c e s o f t e n ove r l o o k t h e
inter-relationships between a
building, its components, its
surroundings, and its occupants.
Typical buildings consume more
of our resources than necessary
and generate large amounts of
waste. Green buildings have
many benefits, such as better use
of building resources, significant
operational savings, and increased
workplace productivity. Building
green sends the right message
about a company or organisation
- that it’s well run, responsible,
and committed to the future.

18 THE INGENIEUR
 cover feature

Elements of a Green Building greenly) navigated, the design team designers will need to write into
There is not any one single will be next to play their full role. the contract conditions for the
t e ch n i q u e f o r d e s i g n i n g a n d From there on, the need to strike builder to undertake the protection
building a green building, but a balance between ‘company’s of the environment (in terms
green buildings often: green policy’, value engineering, of air and waste pollution) at
● Preserve natural vegetation life cycle cost et al will determine commencement of construction.
● Contain non-toxic or recycled- the success or otherwise of the Vendors have to supply products
content building materials project. that are environmental-friendly
● Maintain good indoor air- Nowadays when we talk about and so on. The simple chart
quality green buildings, the project team below summarizes this integrated
● Use water and energy (helmed by the owner) will have approach to achieving green.
efficiently to determine which Green Building
● Conserve natural resources Rating system to adopt. There is no Local Design Consultants/
● Feature natural lighting right or wrong tool but rather the Professionals
● Include recycling facilities most appropriate tool to choose
throughout from. The notorious modus operandi
● Include access to public All green rating tools of the local consultant team needs
transportation i n c o r p o ra t e b a s i c a l l y s i m i l a r to be highlighted at this juncture.
● Feature flexible interiors; and criteria of assessments (albeit with We have to admit that it is an
● Recycle construction and differing weightings) and these exception rather than the rule
demolition waste. criteria require the entire team’s to experience a fully integrated
participation. For instance, the design team working together in
Who are involved in Green owner will have to agree to pay to Malaysia (for a green project).
Buildings? save the environment and commit With the advent of green
that the end users will procure buildings, the design team leader
A truly green building can only energy efficient appliances. The (architect for majority of building
materialize and thereafter sustain
itself when all parties involved
with its birth are involved. Notice
the choice of word – birth and not
construction. If involvement by all
commence only at the construction
stage, then the end result would
definitely be a tainted green at
most.
Obviously the starting point is
the particular piece of land on
which the building will stand.
Hence, it starts with the owner/
developer who will probably consult
the advice of the relevant experts
which includes the professional
architect or engineer (as the case
maybe). It is at this stage that
issues such as developing on a
protected green lung, brown field
and green field are relevant and
decisive on achieving a green
building.
After the initial hurdle (which
includes the social impact
assessment) is successfully (and

THE INGENIEUR 19
cover feature

Comparison of Selected Green Rating Tools

Name BREEAM LEED GREEN STAR GREEN MARK
Country UK USA Australia Singapore
Bldg Research Establishment Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Assessmt Method Environmental Design
Year 1990 1996 2003 2005
1. Management 1. Sustainable site 1. Management 1. Energy Efficiency
2. Health & Comfort 2. Water Efficiency 2. Transport 2. Water Efficiency
3. Energy 3. Energy & Atmosphere 3. Ecology 3. Environmental
Assessment Criteria

4. Transportation 4. Materials & Resources 4. Emissions Protection

5. Water Consumption 5. Indoor Environmental 5. Water 4. Indoor Environmental
6. Materials Quality 6. Energy Quality
7. Land Use 6. Innovation & Design / 7. Materials 5. Other Green Features
8. Ecology Construction Process 8. Indoor Environmental
9. Pollution Quality
9. Innovation

t y p e s a n d c iv i l e n g i n e e r f o r an integrated design approach to realized by the second quarter

industrial type buildings) must
take the role to lead the whole
team, failing which they can
only blame themselves if they
are subsequently made irrelevant
in green matters by other allied
professionals. A simple case in
point would be architects not
interested (or not conversant) in
dictating the design development
a n d c a l c u l a t i o n s f o r O ve ra l l
Thermal Transfer Value (OTTV) of
building envelopes.
Local Civil (and Structural)
engineers are similarly notorious
in not venturing beyond their
self-defined field, with many
not being aware of their role
in green building designs in the
fields of construction process,
material selection, innovation and
so forth.
Local Mechanical & Electrical
engineers are also not spared this
criticism with more than a handful
of them contented to merely churn
out basic fundamental designs and
not bothering to catch up with
technological advances.
It is Author’s fervent hope
that such a critical comment
will elicit reaction from the local
professional fraternity to practice
achieve beyond green buildings.
Green Building
Rating Tools
● Advent of Green Tools
In 1990, the Building Research
Establishment of UK came out
with the first Green Building
Rating Tool or Assessment Method
called BREEAM. This was quickly
followed by other countries,
and in the past year or so, this
awareness has finally come to
Malaysia’s shore. The following
table depicts a comparison of
selected established assessment
methods.
● Proposed Malaysia Green
Building Index
It is inevitable that some
passionate and concerned
individuals will eventually band
together to initiate our own
local Green Building Rating
tool. Hence, after a few years of
false starts, the Malaysian Green
Building Council will soon be up
and running and together with
a parallel group from PAM and
ACEM, the target of getting our
tool ready should hopefully be
of 2009.
As highlighted at the onset,
meeting the assessment criteria
for any green building rating tool
will involve all members of the
building team. For the Green
Building Index, the structural
engineer’s input likewise will
cover all the six criteria, but
probably with more emphasis on;
Sustainable Site & Management;
and Materials & Resources;
Role of Structural Engineers
in Building Green
This section is extracted/re-
produced from various website
articles by eminent green
professionals/organisations (See
Reference).
● Structural Engineering Best
‘Green’ Practice
Structural engineering ‘best
practices’ incorporates strategies
that embrace the tenets of
sustainable design. Sustainable
design is not a novelty; it is a
mainstream approach that reflects
good design.
The necessity and importance
of design integration, in general,

20 THE INGENIEUR
 cover feature

Comparison of Malaysia Green Building Index with other selected Tools

Name LEED GREEN STAR GREEN MARK GREEN BUILDING INDEX
Country USA Australia Singapore Malaysia
Year 1996 2003 2005 2008
1. Sustainable site 1. Management 1. Energy Efficiency 1. Energy Efficiency
2. Water Efficiency 2. Transport 2. Water Efficiency 2. Indoor Environmental
3. Energy & Atmosphere 3. Ecology 3. Environmental Protection Quality
Assessment Criteria

4. Materials & Resources 4. Emissions 4. Indoor Environmental 3. Sustainable Site &

5. Indoor Environmental 5. Water Quality Management
Quality 6. Energy 5. Other Green Features 4. Materials & Resources
6. Innovation & Design / 7. Materials 5. Water Efficiency
Construction Process 8. Indoor Environmental 6. Innovation
Quality
9. Innovation

LEED, Green Star, Green Mark, Green Building Index,

USA Australia Singapore Malaysia

is not a new idea. For decades,
structural engineers have seen
how close collaboration with other
project team members has led to
the creation of some very unique
buildings. Unfortunately, design
integration is often overlooked
when teams collaborate on more
t y p i c a l s t r u c t u r e s . S t r u c t u ra l
engineers have traditionally been
limited to providing input only
after the core building concepts
have been decided. However,
structural engineers should not
limit themselves to the perceived
boundaries of their expertise.
Sustainable design integration
is a call to action for structural
engineers to become more involved
with the early conceptualization of
a building project.
Structural engineers need to be
reminded of the significance of
sustainable design with increased
awa r e n e s s o f c o n s i d e r a t i o n s
associated with it. The following
issues are presented in cursory form
as is appropriate to generate interest:
materials, resource conservation in
design and construction, structural
systems and performance based
engineering, and collaboration
opportunities with other design
professions.
● Materials
Structural materials provide
t h e s t r u c t u ra l e n g i n e e r w i t h
real opportunities to contribute
t o a p r o j e c t ’s s u s t a i n a b i l i t y.
Th e s t r u c t u r a l e n g i n e e r, i n
u s i n g t h e t ra d i t i o n a l c r i t e r i a
for material selection such as
economy and appropriateness to
project structural requirements,
h a s a l r e a dy b e e n a n a c t iv e
participant in sustainable design.
Th e s t r u c t u r a l e n g i n e e r c a n
further contribute to the overall
sustainability of a project by
considering and exploiting the
efficiency, availability, recycled
content, reuse, and impact a
material has on the environment.
Consideration of benefits and
disadvantages of some of the
major building materials such
as concrete, masonry, steel, and
timber, are briefly outlined.
Concrete
Concrete consists primarily
of cement paste binder and
aggregate. While concrete is an
essential and structural material,
cement production contributes
approximately 1.5% of annual (US)
carbon dioxide emissions, and as
much as 7% of worldwide annual
emissions. Cement production
produces approximately one pound
of CO2 for each pound of cement.
Reducing the amount of cement
used in concrete will reduce
carbon dioxide emissions.

THE INGENIEUR 21
cover feature

The amount of cement in
concrete can be reduced by
substituting fly ash or ground
granulated blast furnace slag,
or slag for short, for cement.
Fly ash is a by-product of the
combustion of coal in electric
power generating plants, and slag
is made from iron blast-furnace
slag. Fly ash has less embodied
energy than Portland cement.
Typically, fly ash replaces cement
at 15% to 25% by weight, and slag
replaces cement at 15% to 40%
by weight, with little effect on
concrete mix design, placement,
curing, and finishing. However,
the following considerations are
applicable:
- Minimal cost impact
- Improved workability
- Less bleeding
- Improved finishability
- Improved pumpability
- No change in plastic
shrinkage
- No change in abrasion
resistance
indoor environmental quality by
eliminating plaster or paint if an
architectural finish is desired. The
use of masonry construction also
reduces the potential for mold
growth because masonry does
not provide a ready food source
for mould. Additional benefits are
gained by specifying lightweight
or aerated concrete masonry
units whenever feasible. These
units decrease resource depletion,
r e d u c e t ra n s p o r t a t i o n e n e r g y
impact, and increase concrete
unit masonry wall insulation
values.
Masonry construction also
has benefits of recycled content
including fly ash, slag cement,
s i l i c a f u m e a n d r e cy c l e d o r
Sound reflecting of the soffit
salvaged aggregates, for all the
same reasons cited for concrete
[www.greenbuilder.com].
In addition to traditional
concrete and clay masonry units,
there are many alternative forms
of masonry available today. Adobe
is an especially environment-
friendly masonry product, using
less than one-sixth the production
energy of concrete block.
Interlocking concrete masonry
units for landscape retaining
walls do not require mortar and
are easy to disassemble and
reuse or recycle. Use of salvaged
marble reduces demand on non-
renewable virgin resources. Other
salvaged materials such as brick
and stone are readily available.
Sound reflecting of the flat soffit

High Volume Fly Ash (HVFA)

concrete mixes replace cement
binder with fly ash at rates of
50% to 55% by weight. These Sound tansmiiting between
work-cells
m i x e s h av e b e e n d e v e l o p e d
in recent years and have the TRADITIONAL CEILING SOFFIT
advantage of reducing cement
requirements while producing
concrete with low permeability
and lower heat of hydration. Absorption control noise
levels within work-cell Coffers preventing shallow reflection
propagating over distance
Masonry
The use of concrete masonry
has many sustainable benefits
throughout the life of the structure.
It is often obtained from local
suppliers, and its thermal mass can
be used for night time heat purge.
Unlike light framed construction,
Acoustic screen making privacy
masonry remains cool long after between work-cells

the air-conditioning has shut

off, reducing cooling loads. THERMOCAST COFFERED SOFFIT
Masonry also offers improved

22 THE INGENIEUR

Steel structure
Steel
Steel is the most recycled
material used in modern building
construction. In 2005 alone,
almost 76 million tons of steel
were recycled which corresponds
to a recycling rate of 75.7%
[www.recycle-steel.org]. Steel
in all forms including cans,
automobile parts and structural
shapes is continually salvaged by
various mills throughout the globe
and can be made into new steel
products of any form through
one of two new technologies:
the electric arc furnace (EAF) and
the basic oxygen furnace (BOF).
The primary method used in the
production of structural shapes
and bars is the EAF which uses
95-100% [www.aisc.org] old steel
to make new. With this process,
producers of structural steel are
able to achieve up to 97.5%
recycled content for beams and
plates, 65% [www.recycle-steel.
org] for reinforcing bars and
66% [www.aiacolorado.org] for
steel deck. Total recycled content
varies from mill to mill. Steel for
products such as soup cans, pails,
drums and automotive fenders is
produced using the BOF process
which uses 25-35% [www.aisc.
org] old steel to make new.
In addition to the recyclability
and percent recycled content of
the materials used in building
construction, the deconstructability
of a building can be considered
when evaluating its sustainability.
For instance, using all-bolted
connections in the structural
framing system is one method for
facilitating ease of deconstruction.
As another example, the use of
butted steel deck under concrete
fill as opposed to lapped and
welded metal deck also aids in
deconstruction.
Wood
Of the many material choices
designers have at their disposal,
timber at first glance may appear
the least sustainable. Discussions
Wood roof trust
cover feature
of timber harvesting conjure
images of clear cutting and global
de-forestation. However, timber
holds the distinction of being the
only conventional building material
that is renewable. Additionally, it
is biodegradable, non-toxic, energy
efficient, recyclable, and reusable.
With more than one quarter of
the world’s consumption of wood
used in building products such
as lumber, plywood, veneer, and
particleboard, a shift in the way
structural engineers utilize timber
could have far reaching ecological
effects. The three primary areas the
structural engineer can promote
the sustainable use of wood
are: efficient framing, alternative
products, and sustainable material
suppliers. Conventional wood
f ra m i n g p ra c t i c e c a n b e r e -
examined so that it is more efficient
and less wasteful. Rethinking the
way we detail light framed wood
construction can significantly
reduce a project’s wood waste.
● Resource Conservation
Resource conservation can
be considered in all stages of
a project. These considerations
include, but are not limited to
material use, material source,
construction process, and the
end of a building’s useful life.
Material, design and construction
THE INGENIEUR 23
cover feature

decisions have an enormous In order to fully consider to be designed for durability in a

impact on the sustainability of sustainability in the building seismic environment or any other
buildings. The structural engineer design process, options other natural hazards to which it may
has the opportunity to weigh than demolition at the end of a be subjected.
these decisions with respect to building’s useful life should be The structural engineer’s choice
the beauty, efficiency, function, considered in design. Though an of structural systems during the
constructability and budget of a owner or architect would primarily design phase also affects how
building project. make this decision, the engineer a building can be adapted for
can facilitate this process by future use. Buildings often change
Design providing options for adaptability u s e ove r t h e i r l i f e t i m e , a n d
During the design phase of a of the structure for other uses therefore require reconfiguration
project, the structural engineer or reconstruction. The condition of partition walls, openings, etc.
can affect the sustainability of a of the structure is often not the For example, designing a building
project through determining factor when a building with exterior perimeter structure,
(i) the choice of locally available is no longer useful. Adapting such as a perimeter moment frame,
resources, a building for other uses will and interior partitions allows
(ii) t h e r e c y c l a b i l i t y a n d conserve resources associated with the building to easily change
reusability of materials and demolition and reconstruction and configuration. Deliberate placement
systems, also eliminate construction waste. of structure can integrate with the
(iii) the efficiency of structural Examples of adaptability include mechanical systems, openings for
systems, and the conversion of warehouses light and natural ventilation, all
(iv) i n f o r m e d ch o i c e s a b o u t to residential lofts and industrial which allow for an energy efficient
demolition and preservation. buildings to recreational facilities. building even with changes of
To ensure that a structure can last occupants and uses over time.
Resource location is a into future building uses, it must When adaptability is not an
determining factor in material
choice. Local resources minimize
the use of fossil fuels in truck
transportation and potentially
increase the efficiency of the
building process. The structural
engineer should be aware of
locally available materials, and
make effort to design using these
materials. These materials would
ideally be both harvested and
manufactured in the local area.
During construction, using local
materials can result in shorter lead
times, which can simplify logistics
and speed up the construction
process. Choices concerning
labour resources should be made
similarly, though in fact the
structural engineer often has little
influence in contractor selection.
For many of the same reasons as
with material selection, a project’s
overall sustainability will benefit
when contractors and labour pools
are in close proximity to the
project location. 3-D design

24 THE INGENIEUR

Construction in progress
option, deconstruction is the next
best alternative to demolition.
The goals of deconstruction are
not only to design for ease of
disassembling the structure but
also for the members to be reused
in other structures. Generally, the
principles are similar to those for
constructability of a structure.
Design practices that lend
themselves to disassembly include
the use of bolted connections in
steel structures, pre-cast members
in concrete construction, and
prefabricated shear walls and metal
fasteners in wood construction.
Some of these principles may not
be appropriate in high seismic
areas, but may be appropriate to
implement in low to moderate
seismic environments.
Modifying and reusing
members consumes less energy
than recycling. Lastly, recycling
is still an option if the building
or member cannot be reused.
Recycled steel only consumes
one quarter the energy it takes
to produce virgin steel.
Construction
Decisions that the structural
engineer makes during the design
phase affect resource conservation
during the construction process
a n d t h e e n d o f a b u i l d i n g ’s
useful life. In order to be better
informed about the decisions
a f f e c t i n g s u s t a i n a b i l i t y, t h e
structural engineer and the
entire design team can benefit
from a contractor’s input and
owner involvement during the
design process. The contractor is
often more informed of material
availability and recyclability than
the rest of the design team. The
contractor can inform the design
team of typical dimensions and
size of materials that can affect
design decisions. This may add
an additional upfront cost, but
over the duration of the project
can provide a more streamlined
process and end result, and
therefore minimize cost. Another
factor that affects the construction
process is the use of prefabricated
elements, and the efficiency is
even greater if a single unit type
can be used repetitively in a
project. Because prefabrication is
typically done offsite in a shop
under controlled conditions, it
is easier to obtain more precise
elements and a therefore a more
efficient use of materials. Cost
and material efficiencies are often
found through mass production.
Also, by producing the elements
in a shop’s controlled atmosphere,
material waste can be better and
more easily controlled. Conditions
can be established to control
dust, noise and air pollution,
and therefore minimize it on the
construction site. These factors
likely decrease the overall cost
as well.
Structural Systems
The structural engineer has the
opportunity to evaluate structural
systems for their suitability for
cover feature
the present and future use of
a building. The engineer also
has the unique opportunity to
communicate the benefits of
performance-based engineering
in the selection of a structural
system and its impact to the life
cycle cost analysis of sustainable
design investment.
● Adaptability for Future Use
It is not uncommon for existing
buildings to be partly or completely
demolished before the lifetime of
the building is near its end. This
is mainly the solution owners seek
when their individual buildings
no longer serve as a desirable
space for occupancy, whether the
owner desires flexibility in the
tenant space, or the surrounding
neighborhood redevelops to cater
to a different set of customer
altogether. In order to make
t h e m o s t o f e n e r g y, l a b o u r,
and materials used during new
construction, it is beneficial to
consider possible changes in use
or occupancy that may occur
over the lifetime of the building.
Future possibilities for use should
be discussed, established and
accounted for in the initial layout
and design process.
To allow for changes in use,
consideration of floor vibrations can
be made to ensure serviceability
for a wider variety of future
uses. The design load for floor
systems can be increased from
the minimum code level, not
only to damp out vibrations, but
also to support potential increases
in load. For partial overhauls
of gravity or seismic systems, a
higher floor-to-floor height can
allow for either deeper beams or
a more open tenant space.
The structural system layout
can be designed to accommodate
unknown future tenant
THE INGENIEUR 25
cover feature
improvements that will almost
certainly occur during the life of
a building. Large open spans in
an initial structural layout allow
for more architectural options
within that layout. The potential
elimination of a column requires a
redundant system, and if designing
in steel, beams could be switched
out for stronger ones if the
connections are bolted.
● Performance-based
Engineering
Th e i nve s t m e n t o f d e s i g n
effort and thoughtfulness in the
implementation of sustainable
systems of a building deserves
a corresponding amount of
thoughtful design effort and
owner investment in the structural
system of the building. If the
conscientious intent of sustainable
design includes conserving
operating costs and resources
in the building, maintaining and
prolonging the useful life of the
building, then the design approach
should extend beyond the building
shell to the building contents as
well. The building and its contents
together comprise the sustainable
design system. The consequences
of the structural performance on
the building contents and systems
should be considered because the
building performance can protect
and prolong the benefits of the
sustainable systems and of the
other investments that the owner
has committed to.
● The Future
Structural engineering is an
integral part of sustainable design
on a number of fronts: judicious
and selective use of materials,
resourceful use and application
of structural systems, and
provisions for future adaptability
26 THE INGENIEUR
of the buildings that are designed
today. Material selection can be
optimized, recycled and reclaimed
or salvaged materials can be used.
The performance, reliability, and
reparability of structural elements
in the seismic force resisting
system contribute to sustainable
d e s i g n . Th e v i a b i l i t y o f t h e
structural system and building
shell to accommodate future
renovation becomes important.
Structural design that considers
the eventual deconstruction of a
building increases the likelihood
that the building components
can be reused in another form.
Collaboration with other design
professionals is critical to the
structural engineer’s successful
role in a project - understanding
lighting, stacking, thermal mass,
cooling and heat gain strategies
enables the structural engineer to
anticipate and respond to these
issues in the building structure.
S t r u c t u r a l e n g i n e e r s h av e
the opportunity to become an
i n s t r u m e n t o f ch a n g e i n t h e
industry. By encouraging the
responsible use of our natural
resources, and considering total
building performance over its
life cycle, we can proactively
collaborate and participate in
the ‘best practices’ of structural
engineering and sustainable
design.
Conclusion
As the world’s population
continues to grow and the need
increases for more food, comforts
and luxuries, we must learn to
do more with less energy and
materials.
We must begin developing
alternative and renewable energy
sources that will be available
when the known supplies of fossil
fuels are gone.
We must also learn to turn our
garbage into a resource. Today’s
designers have to develop a
‘cradle to grave’ attitude in their
designs. By thinking initially about
the full lifecycle of a product and
how it might ultimately be re-
used, designers and in particular,
engineers can make great strides
in helping to close the energy and
environmental cycles.
Closing the energy and
environment cycles is certainly
not an easy task. However, it is a
necessary commitment if the human
race wants to ensure our very own
sustainable existence. We simply
have no choice but to work towards
this goal of (at least) stretching our
resources. For the built environment,
the building industry which has
served mankind extremely well (in
terms of comfort convenience and
the like), now need to be at the
forefront of this effort since we will
not likely sacrifice all the comfort
and luxury that we have grown
accustomed to. BEM
REFERENCES
1. G. S. Kang and A. Kren,
Structural engineering strategies
towards sustainable design <
www.ruthchek.com>
2. D. Wood, The structural
engineer and sustainable design
<www.douglaswood.biz>
3. P.K. Mehta, Fly ash, silica
fume, slag & natural Pozzolans
in concrete
4. Portland Cement
Association, (PCA), Design and
Control of Concrete Mixtures,
2005. <http://www.cement.
org/concretethinking>
5. M. Pulaski, C. Hewitt, M.
Horman and B. Guy, Design for
deconstruction, <http://www.
recycle-steel.org>
 engineering & law

The JKR/PWD Forms (Rev. 2007):

An Overview (Part 2)
By Ir. Harbans Singh K.S.
P.E., C. Eng., Advocate and Solicitor (Non-Practicing)

This paper was presented on November 8, 2008 at a talk organised jointly by the Bar Council
Malaysia, The Society of Construction Law (KL & Selangor) and The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
(Malaysia Branch). The first part of the paper was published in the December 2008 - February 2009
issue of Ingenieur. The final part will appear in June - August 2009 issue of Ingenieur.

2.20 Completion of Works: Clause 39.0 (e) I t p r e s u m a b l y g i v e s e f f e c t t o t h e

The new clause is a welcome revamp of
the previous Clause 39; retaining the old sub-
clauses in essence but expanding upon these
in the form of 4 new sub-clauses.
Amongst the principal changes are:
(a) It obligates the Contractor to initiate the
practical completion process vide sub-clause
39.2; and
(b) S u b - c l a u s e 3 9 . 3 s t i p u l a t e s a d e f i n e d
procedure inclusive of definite time periods
for the S.O. to take the necessary actions
inclusive of reaching a considered decision
as to either issue or reject practical
completion;
(c) I t p r e s c r i b e s , p u r s u a n t t o s u b - c l a u s e
39.4, the follow-up procedures pursuant
t o t h e S . O.’s r e j e c t i o n o f t h e C o n t ra c t o r ’s
application;
(d) It stipulates vide sub-clause 39.5, the
criteria for establishing whether practical
completion had been achieved: and
judicial pronouncement in KC Chan Brothers
Development Sdn. Bhd. V Tan Kon Seng & Ors
[2001] 4 CLJ 659.
2.21 Damages for Non-Completion:
Clause 40.0
The new provision is a reformulation and
amplification of the previous Clause 40 bearing
the same labels.
It appears to incorporate the effect of Section
56(3) of the Contracts Act 1950 and a line of
legal authorities governing the procedural aspects
pertaining to the topic of LAD;
However, in the light of recent local legal
pronouncements, in particular of Selvakumar v
Thiagarajah, in its present form and content, the
new provision may be readily and most likely,
successfully challenged; and
Nevertheless, it spells out a clear and definite
procedure for the imposition and in the process
outlaws the current practice of deducting such
damages merely on a “provisional” basis pending
the final deduction.

THE INGENIEUR 27
engineering & law
2.22 Delay and Extension of Time:
Clause 43.0
This clause is essentially similar to the previous
provision bearing the same number and label, except
for the following principal differences:
(a) Some of the previous events entitling the
Contractor for extension of time (EOT) e.g.:
(i) Sub-clause 43(d): Insurance contingencies,
etc.; and
(ii) Sub-clause 43(h): Strikes, riots, etc.
have been omitted;
(b) Two new delaying events have been included,
these being:
(i) Sub-clause 43.1(c): Suspension of Works
under Clause 50; and
(ii) Sub-clause 43.1(g): Work Progress being
adversely affected by delay in payment by the
Government.
(c) Three new provisos have been added to the
granting of EOT; these being:
(i) Delays not to be caused by Nominated Sub-
Contractors, Nominated Suppliers, etc.;
(ii) Contractor to mitigate the effect of the delay;
and
(iii) There is no default/breach of contract by the
Contractor.
Most of the changes are procedural in nature
and are meant to give effect to a number of
judicial decisions, in particular, the High Court’s
pronouncement in Gasing Height’s Sdn. Bhd. v
Pilecon Building Construction Sdn. Bhd. (2001) 1
MLJ 621.
The new clause is still deficient, in that:
(a) It places the onus on the Contractor to apply
for, and justify all applications for EOT, be these
caused by the Employer’s Acts of Prevention, or
Neutral Events;
28 THE INGENIEUR
(b) The prescribed EOT application procedure is
a single step or unitary one combining notification
with substantiation which is impractical and
difficult to implement in practice;
(c) It does not give any guidelines to the
Contractor and the S.O. for the EOT application
and assessment process;
(d) It does not stipulate adequately and with
clarity, the required contents of a typical EOT
application;
(e) It does not prescribe a definite period for
the S.O. to make its assessment and decision;
leaving it open-ended;
(f) It does not deal with issues such as
culpable delays, concurrent delays and delays
of a continuing nature; and
(g) I t d o e s n o t r e f l e c t c o n t e m p o r a r y
international practice as prescribed, for example,
in the SCL Delay and Disruption Protocol.
2.23 Claims for Loss and Expense:
Clause 44.0
In essence, this clause expands upon the
previous Clause 44.0: Loss and Expense Caused
by Delays, by spelling out in the new sub-
clauses 44.2 & 44.3 additional procedures
for the claim process and in the event of
defaults.
Despite these revisions, the said provision
is still deficient in the following principal
areas:
(a) Nowhere is the term “direct loss and/or
expense” defined and, neither are the claimable
heads of entitlements suitably identified;
(b) There are no express stipulations prescribed
for the keeping of contemporary records by
the Contractor; an item which is critical to
substantiation of such claims;

(c) It falls rather short of the corresponding
prescriptions contained in the SCL Delay and
Disruption Protocol; and
(d) Sub-clause 44.3 is vague in its effect as to
whether the Contractor’s common law rights are
extinguished, or otherwise.
2.24 Access For Works, etc.: Clause 46.0
This provision is a reformulation and expansion
of the previous Clause 23.0: Access for S.O. to
the Works, etc.
It obligates the Contractor vide sub-Clause
46.1(b) to step-down a similar provision in all
its sub-contracts. Sub-Clause 46.1(c) spells out
the procedure and consequences of the removal
and replacement of any person(s) under sub-clause
46.1(c) and (b) whereas sub-clause 46.2 covers
the situation vis-à-vis access for other Contractors
and Workmen.
2.25 Sub-Contract or Assignment: warranties/guarantees, etc.;
Clause 47.0
Clause 47.0 is a reformatting and revision of the
previous Clause 27.0: Sub-letting and Assignment.
The principal changes introduced are:
(a) The previous sub-clause 27(c): Employment of
Sub-Contractors from within the district where the
Works are situated has been deleted; and
(b) A new sub-clause 47.5 governing the Employer’s
rights/remedies in the event of the Contractor’s
breach in sub-contracting without the S.O.’s prior
written consent has been introduced. It is unclear
in its reading whether the said rights/remedies are
in addition to, or as an alternative to the Employer’s
rights under sub-clause 51.1.
2.26 Defects after Completion: Clause 48.0
Save for some cosmetic changes, the new Clause
48.0 is essentially similar to the previous Clause 4.05
bearing the same title.
engineering & law
Principal deficiencies are:
(a) Nowhere is the term “defect” defined;
(b) There is no express guidance on the amount
of time that should be prescribed by the S.O. in the
written instruction for the Contractor to undertake
the instructed rectification Works;
(c) The stipulated remedies for the Contractor’s
failure to rectify are not exhaustive e.g. can the
defects liability period be extended unilaterally by
the S.O.?, or can separate LAD be imposed on
failure to rectify?, etc.;
(d) There is no requirement for the Contractor to
investigate the cause(s) of any reported defect;
(e) Procedurally, the clause is inadequate in that
there is no mention of the keeping of records,
or maintaining a register of defects, signing-off
of records/register upon completion of defect
rectification, possible extension of equipment
(f) Procedures involved in the replacement of
defective parts, rebuilding of defective work, removal of
defective items for “off-site” rectification/replacement,
etc. have not been expressly spelt out; and
(g) Important post-defect rectification activities
e.g. retesting, readjustment, updating of O&M
manuals and ‘as-built’ drawings, etc. have not
been stipulated at all but left merely for, perhaps,
necessary implication.
2.27 Suspension and Resumption of Works:
Clause 50
This is a wholly new provision governing the
exercise by the S.O. of the power to suspend, either
part or the whole of the Works.
It prescribes the procedures and obligations of the
Contractor and some of the consequential redress
available to the Contractor should such suspension
be initiated not due any default/neglect of the
Contractor.
THE INGENIEUR 29
engineering & law
Apparent deficiencies/omissions of this clause
include, inter alia, the following:
(a) It is very wide in its ambit. No grounds are
prescribed and neither is the S.O. obliged to give
a reason/reasons for invoking the said suspension
clause;
(b) No time period(s) and/or manner of the
suspension is stipulated but is left solely to the
discretion of the S.O.; and
(c) It appears to be one-sided as it entitles only
the Employer to suspend and completely glosses
over/avoids practical situations where the Contractor
may be compelled to exercise a similar move.
Many reasons have been proferred for the inclusion
of this new clause, in particular, the Employer’s attempt
to comply with the ruling in Pernas Construction Sdn.
Bhd. v Syarikat Pasabina Sdn. Bhd. (2004) 2 CLJ
707 has been cited by the drafters.
2.28 Events and Consequences of Default
by the Contractor: Clause 51.0
This Clause appears to be the repackaging and
relabelling of sub-clauses 51(a), (b) and (c)(i) to (iv)
of the previous Clause 51.0 entitled “Determination
of the Contractor’s Employment”.
The principal differences noted are:
(a) The addition of two new performance defaults
i.e.
(i) Sub-clause 51.1(a)(i): failure to commence
Work at Site within 2 weeks of the date of site
possession; and
(ii) Sub-clause 51.1(a)(viii): failure to comply with
any terms and conditions of the contract
(b) The reformatting of the financial defaults in
sub-clause 51.1(a);
(c) Alteration of the mode of notification of the
default and termination;
30 THE INGENIEUR
(d) Replacement of the label “Determination of the
Contractor’s Employment” with “Termination of this
Contract”; and
(e) An expansion and amplification of the
consequences of the termination.
Although some of the revisions are positive and are
therefore most welcome, the new clause is however
“pock-marked” with a number of omissions/deficiencies
which include, the following major ones:
(a) The most commonly invoked performance default
i.e. “regularly and diligently” is still not defined;
(b) The inclusion of the new performance default
entitled “fails to comply with any terms and conditions
of this Contract” is, prima facie, very wide in its ambit
and can be subject to possible abuse;
(c) There is inconsistency in the terminology used
e.g. termination of this Contract, termination of this
Agreement, etc.; and
(d) It fails to address pertinent issues pertaining
to matters such as equipment warranties/ guarantees,
retention of title, liens, etc. of sub-contractors/
suppliers, etc. which frequently are contentious items
following the termination/determination.
2.29 Termination on National Interest:
Clause 52.0
A wholly new and very controversial provision
that will predictably generate much contention in the
foreseeable future.
It blankets the Employer with unilateral and
unfettered power to terminate any contract by following
a prescribed procedure on grounds such as “national
interest”, “national policy” and “national security”
though providing a compensation formula. The final
arbiter as to whether a matter claimed falls within
the purview of such a classification is the Employer
whose decision is to be “final and conclusive and shall
not be open to any challenge whatsoever” apparently
inclusive of any judicial review.

Reliance has been placed on decisions such as
PDC v Teoh Eng Huat & Ors (1992) 1 MLJ 749
and B.A. Rao & Ors v Sapuran Kaur & Anor (1978)
2 MLJ 148. Perhaps, instead of its current form,
the said clause should have been simply formulated
and labeled along the typical “Termination by
Convenience” or “Termination Without Default”
provisions found in other contemporary Forms of
Conditions of Contract used locally.
2.30 Termination on Corruption:
Clause 53.0
Another new provision which apparently has been
drafted pursuant to the recent policy of transparency
and accountability, or as a feeble attempt at good
governance.
It appears to be very wide and vague in its ambit;
the decision in Chow Chee Sun v PP (1975) 1 LNS
10 being cited as being part of its inspiration. How
it is to be translated into practice and implementation
is a moot point and left to be seen. Perhaps, it is
a mere “window dressing” or even a mechanism for
possible abuse or selective victimization depending
on the professionalism and/or political will of the
ultimate enforcers. But for the moment it is on paper
and will have to be given due effect to.
2.31 Effect of Force Majeure: Clause 57.0
A new provision, expanding upon and replacing the
previous Clause 52: Effect of War or Earthquake.
Comprising a total of seven sub-clauses, it defines
the term “Event of Force Majeure”, stipulates its
effect and consequences on the parties’ performance
of the Contract, etc. The inclusion of this new
clause is a positive development as it brings the
JKR Forms to be in tandem with other contemporary
Forms of Conditions of Contract both locally and
internationally.
2.32 Site Agent and Assistants: Clause 58.0
Clause 58 is the revision and relabelling of the
previous Clause 19.0: Foreman and Assistants.
The principal revisions include:
(a) The anachronistic term “Foreman” has been
replaced with the contemporary label “Site Agent”;
engineering & law
(b) The previous word “competent” has been
expanded to also include “…………. efficient,
suitably qualified, experienced and good character”;
and
(c) The responsibility for the default in providing
such personnel by the Contractor has been
shifted to the Contractor instead of the previous
alternative for the Government to provide a suitable
replacement.
Despite these seemingly cosmetic changes,
this very important clause is still deficient in the
following aspects:
(a) It is not in tandem with contemporary
practice which expressly, and in no uncertain terms,
proscribes the Contractor from either commencing
work, or proceeding with any work started should
there be no suitable Site Agent on Site;
(b) The usual remedy for the Contractor’s default
in providing a Site Agent full time on Site i.e. the
Employer’s right to order Suspension of Work at the
Contractor’s cost with a commensurate deduction
so long as the Site Agent is absent from Site, has
not been expressly prescribed; and
(c) The S.O. is nowhere given the express power
and authority, as is the contemporary practice
in other Forms, to decide on the suitability and
competency of the Site Agent for the purposes of
the Contract in question.
2.32 Arbitration: Clause 65.0
This Clause is a revision of the previous Clause
54 bearing the same label.
The principal changes include:
(a) An increase in the number of sub-clauses from
9 to 11;
(b) Redefinition of the term “dispute or difference”
in respect of the invocation of this Clause;
(c) The Employer can also now make a reference
to Arbitration;
(d) Parties are also expressly permitted to make
any counter-claims; and
THE INGENIEUR 31
engineering & law
(e) The previous Arbitration Act 1952 (Rev.
1972) has been replaced with the recently enacted
Arbitration Act 2005.
Despite the said revisions, the new provision is
still deficient, in that:
(a) It is very narrow in its ambit i.e. merely
involving arbitration. It should have been formulated
for a wider scope encompassing “Dispute Resolution”
and should have been labeled as such; and
(b) It does not include and reflect contemporary
(both local and international) dispute resolution
methods such as amicable settlement, mediation/
conciliation or adjudication, as a prelude or
precondition to eventual resorting to Arbitration.
2.33 Notice, etc.: Clause 66.0
A redrafting of the previous Clause 6 spanning
4 sub-clauses and covering all the important
facets of issues such as notices/communications
between the parties inclusive of the form, mode of
communication and the effects of such matters.
Interestingly and unfortunately it has side-stepped
such contemporary modes of communication such
as facsimile transmission, electronic mail, etc.;
which modes form the essential component of
prevailing practice in the industry.
2.34 Amendment: Clause 67.0
Another new provision encompassing the question
of, and effect of any modification, amendment or
waiver of any parts of the contract. It mandates
the necessity of mutual consent and formalisation
through a supplementary agreement of such matters.
2.35 Stamp Duty: Clause 68.0
This Clause is a reformulation and revision of
the previous Clause 55.0 bearing the same label.
The principal changes include:
(a) In addition to the Stamp Duty under the
Stamp Act 1949, other costs such as legal costs
and fees in the preparation and execution of
the contract and other incidental costs are now
included expressly;
32 THE INGENIEUR
(b) Instead of the Employer bearing the Stamp
Duty as was the case previously, the obligation is
now transferred to the Contractor; and
(c) It purportedly reflects the decision in the
case of Koperasi Setiaguna Kebangsaan Bhd. v
Pemungut Duti Setem, Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala
Lumpur (2003) 8 CLJ 223.
2.36 Severability: Clause 70.0
A new provision has been introduced as a
“saving provision” in the event of any clause/
clauses of the Contract been held to be illegal or
invalid.
2.37 Waiver: Clause 71.0
Another new inclusion governing the issue
of both express and, especially, implied waiver
consequent to the act or omission to act by either
party to the contract.
2.38 Laws Applicable: Clause 72.0
A new Clause reinforcing the previously implied
position on the application of Malaysian Laws and
resort to Malaysian Courts by the parties to the
Contract.
2.39 Successors Bound: Clause 73.0
Another new provision governing the liabilities
of the various parties, in particular, the successors-
in-title.
2.40 Epidemics and Medical Attendance:
Clause 74.0
A new clause dealing with important facets of
health and safety issues.
2.41 Technology Transfer: Clause 75.0
Another new inclusion applicable in situations
where foreign professionals (presumably also
specialist sub-contractors) are engaged for the
Works and the necessity for them to transfer the
particular expertise or technology within their remit
to the locals.
 engineering & law

2.42 General Duties and Performance section of the Contract Documents.
Standard: Clause 76.0
A wholly new provision, which perhaps is an
afterthought but should have been part and parcel
of Clause 10.0: Obligations of the Contractor.
Encompassing a total of three sub-clauses, this
clause mandates the Contractor to perform the
Works under the Contract competently along good
industry practice and with a primordial purpose of
safeguarding the Employer’s interest. Essentially, it is
a very nebulous and general provision whose actual
effectiveness is left to be seen in practice.
2.43 Restriction and Procedures on Contract
Use of Imported Materials and
Goods: Clause 77.0
Another new provision that was previously more
often than not, included in the “Preliminaries”
As aptly labeled,
it mandates the use of local goods/materials, the
exceptions to this requirement and the attendant
procedural requirement as to testing, approval, mode
of importation, etc.
2.44 Time: Clause 78.0
A new clause stipulating that time whenever
mentioned shall be of essence to the Agreement;
which clause whose usefulness is dubious and whose
legal ramifications is a moot point.
2.45 Appendix to the Conditions of
In line with the revision, reformulation and
redrafting of the previous Conditions of Contract,
the Appendix has been accordingly updated and
amended. BEM

Subscription Form
The Ingenieur is the official publication of the Board of Engineers Malaysia. The journal provides useful and quality
information on policy update, accreditation of local and foreign universities, training and courses, safety and health,
business opportunities and others within the engineering arena. It is published four (4) times a year. To subscribe,
please complete the following details:

BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASE

Name:
Address:

Postcode: Country:
Tel: Fax: E-mail:

Enclosed is a postal order/cheque No. Yes! I would like to subscribe The Ingenieur for:
payable to Lembaga Jurutera Malaysia. Please fax/mail this form to: 1 year of 4 issues RM30.00
2 year of 8 issues RM60.00
Lembaga Jurutera Malaysia,
3 year of 12 issues RM90.00
Tingkat 17, Ibu Pejabat JKR, Kompleks Kerja Raya Malaysia,
Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, 50580 Kuala Lumpur Others (Please specify)
Tel: 03-2698 0590 Fax: 03-2692 5017 (Please tick the appropriate circle)
feature

Incorporating Electro-Magnetic
Compatibility Design Into
Mission Critical Facilities
Case Example: Aljazeera English TV Studio & Broadcast Facility on
Level 60, Tower 2, Petronas Twin Towers, Malaysia

By Ir. Satha A. Maniam

The mission critical facilities of today, contain large

numbers of high speed computers and communication
equipment which place significant demands on
supporting infrastructure.

An engineering facet that is often overlooked is that

of Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC). With today’s
mission critical facilities, the incorporation of EMC
design is no longer a choice, rather, it’s a MUST.

EMC covers a broad spectrum of electrical engineering

and includes Electromagnetic Interference (EMI),
Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), Lightning & Surge
Protection, Grounding & Bonding, Power Quality (PQ),
and Electro-Static-Discharge (ESD).

This paper is intended to provide a broad outline of

some of these EMC considerations, and it discusses in
depth the issues related to ‘Electrical Ground Noise’
management and ‘Clean Earths’. ‘Clean Earths’ are
sometimes referred to as ‘technical earths’ or ‘system
earths’ or ‘functional earths’.

The paper will take an actual case example, that of

Aljazeera English, a TV Studio & Broadcast facility built
on Level 60 of Tower-2 of the Petronas Twin Towers
(PTT), where the EMC measures were incorporated
at the design stage. The term ‘equipment’ referred to
in this paper, applies to that of the TV Studio and
Broadcast equipment, and not that of the electrical
infrastructure.

34 THE INGENIEUR

E
lectro-Magnetic Compatibility
(EMC) is the ability of
an equipment or system
to function satisfactorily in its
e l e c t r o m a g n e t i c e nv i r o n m e n t
without introducing intolerable
electromagnetic disturbances to
anything in that environment.
A product and its associated
equipment often carry their
i n d iv i d u a l ‘ C E ’ m a r k . It is
essential that one realizes that
the ‘CE’ mark is a statement of
conformance by the manufacturer.
The ‘CE’ mark does not carry the
endorsement of any certifying
body or authority that it actually
is compliant. This mark is a self
declaration by the manufacturer,
where the manufacturer states
that it has been designed and
tested to meet the necessary EMC
requirements in terms of immunity
and emissions.
Besides the product, it is
essential that the system, and
the installation too be compliant
from an EMC stand-point. This
would, besides the specific ‘CE’
equipment themselves, include
the power supply distribution
system, the grounding systems, the
data and signal sub-systems, and
even the topology of the cabling.
Furthermore it is essential that
the complete facility or system be
electo-magnetic (EM) compliant
in respect of the expected EM
e n v i r o n m e n t i n wh i ch i t i s
installed. For eg., the isokeraunic
and corresponding lightning flash
density levels in Malaysia are
amongst the highest in the world,
and due consideration should
be given for this aspect of EM
Interference.
Equipment Ports
A device or equipment may
be affected by impinging EM
disturbances through one or more
‘entry’ paths called ports. These
are the AC Power Port, DC Power
Port, Control Port, Signal Port, Earth
Port, and the Enclosure Port.
EM Coupling Mechanisms
E M I n t e r f e r e n c e g e n e ra l l y
occurs through one or more
of the following mechanisms:
Conductive or Resistive coupling,
Inductive coupling (near effect),
Capacitive coupling (near effect),
and Electromagnetic or Radiated
coupling (far effect). The acronym
RICE sums it up nicely!
Typical Mission
Critical Facility
Quite often, an electrical designer’s
perspective for a mission critical
facility, would be in respect of
redundancy in power supply ie.
dual power intakes, dual standby
gen-sets, dual UPS; a well Graded
Protection System; ‘Star-Point
Grounding’; ‘Clean Earths’; ‘1 Ohm
Grounding’, etc.
Interestingly how does one
implement a ‘clean earth’ at Level
60 of the PTT?
Challenges Faced In
This Project
The two sources of electrical
power had to be brought in from
different floors, of which one
source comprised a cable run of
many floors.
A facility such as this, would
use a lot of single phase equipment,
resulting in the generation of
significant harmonics, including
triplen harmonics.
Triplen harmonics, a power
quality issue, can cause excessive
neutral current flow (up to 1.7
times that of the phase current),
which would in turn effect cable
voltage drops over the long run,
feature
along with the associated elevated
temperature.
As a consequence of the
i n c r e a s e d vo l t a g e d r o p , t h e
equipment would also experience
a higher common mode (Neutral-
Earth) voltage which could affect
the correct operation of the
equipment.
As the equipment
communications are based on a
mix of balanced and unbalanced
signalling, it was imperative that
resistive or conducted coupling,
and inductive and capacitive (near
field) coupling to the cables be
reduced, especially so in the case
of data or video feed cables using
unbalanced signalling.
Besides the harmonics generated
by the equipment, the dimmers
too (which were being used for
controlling the lights of studios),
were yet again, another source of
harmonics. Harmonics as we all
know can be a potential source
of EMI.
The next challenge was the
‘clean’ or functional grounding
system. A facility of this nature,
would have significant electrical
ground noise which could cause
further EMI to equipment.
Hence, when one looks at the
design, from an EMC perspective,
one can clearly see that there
other challenges that need to be
addressed. Some of the issues
which were implemented in this
project, are listed here.
‘Electrical Ground Noise’
There are many sources of
‘electrical ground noise’, eg:
currents shunted to ground through
the line-ground capacitances
present in power supply modules
and filters; currents shunted
t o g r o u n d t h r o u g h t h e s t ray
capacitances between the insulated
windings of a motor and the frame
THE INGENIEUR 35
feature

of the motor which is grounded;
currents shunted to ground through
stray capacitances between cables
and the ground itself.
The lower frequency spectrum
of noise ranges from that of the
power supply frequency of 50Hz,
up through the range of expected
harmonics. The higher frequency
noise is generally due to the
higher clocking and signaling
rates present in today’s electronic
equipment, especially the abrupt
change from one signal logic level
to the next.
All these ‘noise’ must eventually
return to the driving source of the
energy.
In the case of power related
‘electrical ground noise currents’,
or leakage currents, it must
return to the source, ie. the star
point of the upstream delta/wye
transformer. If this star point
were located some distance away,
these ‘noise’ currents would flow
‘all over’ the multitude of ground
paths via the network of grounding
conductors to return to the neutral
star point.
However, as the electrical
ground noise currents proceed
through these numerous paths,
they create potential differences
between the equipment at different
portions of the grounding network.
It is these resulting potential
differences that cause problems
for equipment, especially for those
that use low level common mode
signaling. Hence the concept of
‘no-ground-loops’!
suited for low frequency analogue
systems, and that too for small
facilities such as rooms.
With today’s facilities housing
large numbers of high speed
digital electronics, this concept
is not suitable. For one, there
is the issue of impedance of
the grounding conductors. Next
there is also the issue of parasitic
capacitance between cables and
the ground, and together with
the self-inductance of cables, can
result in resonance conditions.
It should also be noted that
implementing ‘ground-with-no-
loops’ is impractical in facilities
with a multitude of interconnected
equipment dispersed over a large
area.
Impedance Vs. Resistance
Resistance and impedance: the
former is independent of frequency,
and the latter is dependent on
frequency.
From a fault current carrying
viewpoint, and considering the
relatively low power frequency, the
typical ‘green’ electrical cables (ie.
the circuit protective conductors or
CPC) used are sufficient. Hence
we normally associate these cables
with resistance.
However when we look at
‘electrical noise’ management, the
impedance offered by these CPC,
especially at the higher frequencies,
is too high. Furthermore with just
one CPC, resonance conditions
may result in this grounding
conductor going into open circuit
– resulting in an open circuit for
the noise currents in that range of
frequencies.
This brings about the need for
functional conductors (in addition
to the green CPC). Normally these
are in the form of short flat straps
or copper tapes which offer lower
impedance. Quite often these
functional conductors are bonded
to mesh earth systems and the
Common Bonded Network (CBN)
offering a multitude of parallel
low impedance ground paths
(seemingly in direct contradiction

Star Point Grounding

The concept of star point
Source: www.lifepr.de

grounding was introduced to avoid

the issues and problems caused by
common mode currents in ground
loops.
However it must be appreciated
that star point grounding is more TV studio

36 THE INGENIEUR
 Malaysia’s Authoritative Source
Of Engineering Matters
More than 10,000 copies of The Ingenieur are currently published and distributed to Professional Engineers, Graduate Engineers, Private
Sector, Government Departments, Universities, Private Colleges, Libraries and other organisations related to engineering.

Ad ver tis e m e n t R ate s

Full Colour Black &
Per Insertion Per Insertion
Back Cover RM3,500 White ROB Full Page RM1,100
Inside Back Cover RM2,500 ROB Half Page (vertical) RM750
Inside Front Cover RM2,800 ROB Half Page (horizontal) RM750
Facing Inside Front Cover RM2,700 ROB Quarter Page RM500
Centre Spread RM3,300
ROB Full Page RM2,000 Publication 16th March
ROB Half Page (vertical) RM1,100 Dates 16th June
ROB Half Page (horizontal) RM1,100 16th September
ROB Quarter Page RM750 16th December

Ad ver tise m e n t B o o ki n g (Tick the appropriate boxes)

Issue Full Colour Black & White
March 2009 Back Cover Full Page
June 2009 Inside Back Cover Half Page (vertical)
September 2009 Inside Front Cover Half Page (horizontal)
December 2009 Facing Inside Front Cover Quarter Page
March 2010 Centre Spread
June 2010 Full Page
September 2010 Half Page (vertical)
December 2010 Half Page (horizontal)
Quarter Page

Payment Terms & Conditions

Enclosed herewith our cheque no: _________________ for RM ________ Booking & Copy Deadline:
4 weeks before publication date
made payable to Lembaga Jurutera Malaysia. (Please include 50 cents
commission for outstation cheques) Advertisement size:
W: 210mm x H: 297mm (A4)
To invoice us. Payment will be made within 1 month from the date of
invoice. Bleed size:
Name of Organisation : ________________________________________ W: 216mm x H: 303mm
Contact Person : ________________________________________ Type area:
Designation : ________________________________________ W: 184.6mm x H: 271.6mm
Address : ________________________________________
: ________________________________________ Advertising Materials Requirements:
● High Resolution PDF files (300dpi)
Tel/Fax No : ________________________________________ with colour proof

Artwork Charges:
Signature : _______________________ ● Typesetting, artwork and pdf conversion or
any other requested assistance by advertisers
will be charged separately at trade rates.
Send/Mail/Fax this form to: Publication Department, Board of Engineers Malaysia, ● The positioning of the advertisements, unless
Tingkat 17, Ibu Pejabat JKR, Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, 50580 Kuala Lumpur specified will be at the discretion of BEM.
Tel: 03-2698 0590 Fax: 03-2692 5017 E-mail: bem1@streamyx.com ● Cancellation will not be entertained.
feature
to the long held concept of ‘no-
ground-loops’ !!!).
‘Clean Earth’
The term ‘clean earth’ needs to
be clarified.
For many, ‘clean earth’ is a
network of grounding conductors
different from that of the CPC,
normally in star point configuration,
and in some cases these grounding
conductors use external ground
rods that are not bonded into the
common earth network. Even if
they are bonded into the common
earth network, the long runs of the
earth cables (especially for those
with higher currents) behave like
antennae emitting radiated noise.
First and foremost, in most
situations, Common Earth Network
is the way to go.
Next, ‘clean earth’ is NOT a
separate magic earth.
A ‘clean earth’ is a network of
grounding conductors of sufficiently
low impedance such that even
with noise currents flowing within
the grounding conductors, the
equipment connected at different
portions of the grounding network
do not see any potential difference
between themselves. The grounding
network should also minimize the
risk of concentrated current flow
which might result in radiated
emissions from the grounding
conductors themselves.
Hence the direction, is towards
multi-point grounding, rather than
the star (single point) grounding.
Th e r e a r e d i f f e r e n t w ay s
of implementing a multi-point
grounded system, and one of the
more established ones is the Signal
Reference Grid.
Signal Reference Grids
Signal Reference Grids (SRG)
are a marvelous engineering
38 THE INGENIEUR
answer to the issues described
above.
SRGs offer very low impedance
(across a broad frequency spectrum)
and hence result in very low
potential difference.
SRGs offer a multitude of
alternate ground paths and hence
allow for good low impedance
connectivity even while one or
more paths may be facing open
circuit resonance conditions.
SRGs also keep the current
density very low resulting in
minimal radiated noise from the
grounding conductors.
SRGs can also serve as a
Parallel Earth Conductor (PEC) for
cables laid on it, reducing the
loop area of signal cables, and
reducing the transfer impedance
of cabling systems.
In short, SRGs are an excellent
solution for electrical noise
management and ‘clean earths’.
Does the SRG need an earth pit
to make it ‘clean’. The answer in
short, is ‘NO’.
Does the SRG need to be
bonded into building steel/earthing
system? It really depends on the
design purpose of the SRG. An
SRG can serve many functions.
As such, it is important that one
understands the design purpose of
the SRG, based upon which, the
‘earth-grounding’ schema for the
SRG could be defined.
Isolation Transformers
Isolation transformers are often
used to establish a separately
d e r ive d s o u rc e ( w i t h a n e w
neutral), for say, a computer room
of a facility.
The type of isolation transformer
selected is often governed by the
need for power quality. For eg.
K-rated delta/wye transformers are
used to handle harmonic currents
and trapping of triplen harmonics;
zig-zag configurations are used to
offer lower impedance to harmonic
currents.
An isolation transformer with
effective shielding between the
input and output windings also
offers reduction in the coupling of
common-mode transients between
the primary and secondary
windings.
Common-mode noise, ie.
Neutral-Earth voltage is an
important criteria for IT equipment.
Quite often the neutral of an
isolation transformer is ‘hauled’ all
the way back and bonded to the
main transformer neutral or to an
external pit in the ground. This
defeats the purpose of introducing
a separately derived source to
minimize Neutral-Earth voltage.
Furthermore it should also
be appreciated that the isolation
transformer serves as a ‘current
collector’ or ‘sweeper’ to ‘pick-up’
any electrical ground noise from
downstream equipment powered
by this isolation transformer. By
the noise returning directly to
this isolation transformer, we
minimize the impact of stray noise
currents (from these downstream
e q u i p m e n t ) t rave l l i n g i n t h e
grounding conductors of upstream
grounding systems.
For an isolation transformer to
be effective in both these respects,
ie. low common-mode voltage, and
to also localize the travel of ‘noise
currents’, it is essential that the
Neutral-Ground of the transformer
be grounded within the vicinity of
the computer room.
A Delta/Star isolation transformer
a l s o s e r ve s t o ‘ t ra p ’ t r i p l e n
harmonics generated by the loads
from propagating upstream of the
transformer.
An isolation transformer selected
properly, installed at the right
location, and connected correctly,
can result in improved power quality

management, improved isolation
from upstream noise, reduced
neutral-earth or common mode
voltage/noise, reduced common-
mode transients, localization of
downstream electrical ‘ground
noise’, and removal of triplen
harmonic currents.
Isolation Transformers +
SRG + CBN
Isolation transformers are best
used with SRGs, where the Neutral-
Ground of the isolation transformer
is bonded to the SRG within the
vicinity of the computer room.
For safety (as in the case of
a fault within the transformer)
the Neutral-Ground of the
isolation transformer should also
be connected via a CPC to the
upstream Main-Earthing-Terminal,
or the building Common Bonded
Network (CBN).
Cable Layout Or Topology
Cable layout or topology is
another very important element
that is often overlooked.
To minimize the near and far
effects of electromagnetic coupling,
the phase, neutral and CPC should
be bundled together.
In the case of a single phase
s u p p l y t h i s w i l l i nvo l ve t h e
live, neutral, and CPC. In the
case of a three phase system, it
would include all the three phase
conductors, the neutral conductor
(if present), and the CPC.
To f u r t h e r r e d u c e t h e
susceptibility of cables to the EMI
as mentioned above, the cables
should be laid as close as possible
to the Parallel Earth Conductor
(PEC). The PEC will reduce the
transfer impedance of the cables,
as well as reduce the loop area
of cable systems. The PEC could
be implemented in the form of a
continuous cable tray grounded
at both ends, or in the case of a
SRG, the SRG itself.
The above applies to power
cables. In the case of signaling
cables, similar principles apply.
Segregation Of Classes
Of Cables
It is essential that the different
categories or classes of cables be
adequately segregated such that
they do not affect each other
unduly.
For eg. low level I/O cables
should never be mixed together
w i t h p ow e r c a b l e s . A n o t h e r
example is in the case of very
noisy cables such as those feeding
the power of Variable Frequency
Drives – these cables should be
kept well away from less ‘noisy’
cables.
In cases of cables with filters,
the unfiltered portion of the cable
a n d t h e d ow n s t r e a m f i l t e r e d
portion of the cable should not be
bundled together nor run adjacent
to each other.
Bonding
Bonds between painted or epoxy
surfaces should not be accepted.
It is essential that all bonds
and joints provide electrically
conductive low impedance paths
across the bond.
Quality Of Racks & Typical
Grounding Techniques
If you take a rack from the 70’s
or 80’s, you will observe the build
quality in respect of the intent of
grounding. Today’s equipment racks
fall far short in this respect.
It is essential that racks serve
as a PEC, and that there is proper
continuity between the elements
of a rack. The epoxy-based racks
feature
of today do not provide proper
leakage paths for the leakage
currents of equipment mounted
on the racks. Racks with metallic
conductive surfaces, such as
galvanized or chromed surfaces,
are more suited for this.
Bonding of equipment within
a rack by looping is a very
poor approach to grounding and
should be avoided. Ideally the
equipment should be bonded to
the rack by direct mating of the
metallic conductive surface of the
equipment against the metallic
conductive surface of the rack.
This constitutes a low impedance
bond.
Bonding of racks to racks (ie.
looping) before returning to the
main grounding point within the
room is another poor approach
which should never be used.
This causes potential differences
between interconnected equipment
on different racks of the same row,
as well as potential differences
between interconnected equipment
mounted on different rows.
Grounding Of Racks Via
The SRG
The CPC which are terminated
on rack equipment, should be
bonded to the rack as well. The
equipment should have good
electrically conductive bonding to
the rack in which it is mounted.
It is also essential that a low
impedance functional grounding
network be provided to bond the
racks to the separately derived
source. This purpose of the
functional grounding network is
to handle the ‘noise’ currents that
may not flow through the CPC (as
for example when the CPC offers
high impedance). This is best
done by implementing an SRG,
and bonding the rack to the SRG
through short wide flat bonding
THE INGENIEUR 39
 feature
Source: www3.ntu.edu.sg
Lightning surge protector
straps. It is recommended that at
least two such straps be used (of
different lengths) for each rack.
Cable Shielding
Shielding of cables is very
dependent on the quality of
the shield used, the manner of
termination (for eg. pig-tails is not
good), and the grounding of one
or both ends.
The choice of one or both
ends should be done carefully as
there is the risk of current flow
through shields if both ends are
grounded.
Ideally both ends should
be grounded at the respective
grounded enclosures for maximum
effectiveness, with the cable laid
on a grounded PEC along its
length.
In the case where an SRG
is implemented, the preferred
approach is laying the cable
on the SRG (SRG as PEC), and
bonding both ends of the cable
shield to the respective equipment,
which are in turn grounded to
the SRG. The SRG in this case
offers a multitude of very low
40 THE INGENIEUR
impedance paths to noise currents
which might otherwise flow on
the cable shield.
It should also be noted that
shielding of cables is harder to
achieve at low frequencies (as
compared to higher frequencies),
and the cheaper and more effective
alternative in this case is by
utilising spatial segregation.
Enclosure Shielding
This is used to protect an
equipment from the effects of
external EMI. Shielding works on
the principle of absorption and
reflection of energy. Enclosure
shields are normally used together
w i t h f i l t e r s a n d wav e g u i d e s
as cables enter and leave the
enclosure, as well as for ventilation
purposes.
Lightning & Surge Protection
This is another large facet
of engineering that needs to be
integrated into the overall design
of a facility.
This is a major element that
causes lots of problems in Malaysia
as we have very high lightning
activity. It can manifest itself in
terms of equipment mal-operation,
equipment failure, as well as
nuisance tripping.
The mitigation of this EMI is
yet again another element that
appears to be like a ‘Black Art’
when really it is not!
It must also be stressed that
the Common Earth Network should
include that of the lightning
protection system.
Power Quality
Poor quality too, is another
critical aspect of engineering,
which should be incorporated at
the design stage of mission critical
facilities.
Th i s w o u l d i n c l u d e t h e
topological approach to cabling;
segregation of feeders for sensitive
and heavy loads; choice/type/
location of isolation transformers;
effective use of the separately
derived source including that of the
UPS; utilization of Surge Protective
Devices to limit Switching Surges
and Transients; active and passive
filters to name a few.
Tripping Issues
Tripping normally occurs as
result of an actual fault condition,
or a voltage dip.
However, another problem that
tends to occur is the inadvertent
tripping of one or more protective
devices be it RCCBs, or ELRs, or
MCBs, or even cascading trips of
MCCBs.
These occur for a variety of
reasons: poor discrimination;
standing leakage currents;
cascading MCCB trips during an
earth-fault (with 3-pole MCCBs for
3-phase, and 1-pole MCBs for 1-
phase systems); tripping of MCCBs
with Neutral pole due to excessive

Source: www.made-in-china.com
Moulded case circuit breaker
harmonic neutral current; tripping
of multiple MCBs on recovery of
DB bus voltage on clearing of a
fault, etc.
A mission critical facility is
dependent on the continuous
availability of power, and because
of this, there is so much redundancy
built-into the system, to make it
extremely resilient.
Yet, simple and common issues
cause inadvertent tripping. Many
of these issues may be addressed
at the design stage.
The protection system employed
or implemented needs to be
immune to the common issues
that cause these unnecessary
trips.
Electro-Static Discharge
Electro-static Discharge (ESD)
is another element that ought to
be considered and implemented
at the design stage.
This will involve humidity
control, types of flooring especially
the conductivity of carpets and
tiles, grounding of raised floors,
and provision of grounding points
at equipment areas, amongst
others.
Incorporation Of EMC
Design
The implementation of EMC
does not just happen by chance.
It needs to be engineered into
place. Quite often it is not
implemented at all! The practices
of ‘yester-year’ are no longer
applicable for the demands of
today’s mission critical facilities.
There are numerous documented
cases of EMC related problems.
Unfortunately, the mitigation
measures are put into place only
after the facility is built and
problems are encountered. These
subsequent measures are often
limited in their effectiveness and
are often implemented at much
higher costs.
EMC design requirements
should be incorporated at the
design stage of a facility.
System Engineering &
Integration
All of the EMC concepts
mentioned earlier, need to be
system engineered and integrated
on a system-wide basis for all the
relevant elements of the facility.
This will not only include
the electrical sub-system, and
the facility ‘equipment’ (such
as TV Studio & Broadcast
equipment), but also the lightning
protection system, and the support
infrastructure such as the BMS, the
Security, Voice & Data, etc.
It is no longer a situation
of independent systems, but
rather inter-dependent systems,
feature
that must co-exist in harmony
in an increasingly challenging
electromagnetic environment!
Supervision Of Facility
During Construction
The proper implementation of
these requirements needs very
stringent and experienced levels
of supervision. It is essential that
the supervision be done by one
who is familiar with the subtle
nuances of EMC.
Post Construction
Change Control
Once a facility is built and
handed over, it undergoes changes
during its lifecycle. This may be
an interior design fit-out, or an
expansion. It is essential that a
facility built to these standards
implement strict change-control
measures to ensure that any future
changes do not compromise the
EMC integrity of the facility. BEM
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I wish to thank Mr Keith Pierce
of Aljazeera English, for his
kind permission to use their
facility at the Petronas Twin
Towers as a case study.
BIODATA
Satha A. Maniam, the Managing
Director of Acuity System Consultants
Sdn Bhd, has a B.Tech in Electrical Engg.
from IIT Madras, and an M.Sc. in Comp.
Sc. from UCL London.
He has provided these ser vices
for the following sectors: Aviation,
Building, Water, Electrical, Oil & Gas,
Rail, Telecommunications, Broadcast, and
Satellite Earth Stations.
He is contactable at: satha@acuity.
com.my
THE INGENIEUR 41
 feature

Riding The Economic Tsunami:

Investing In Local Workforce And
IBS Construction Technology
By Ir. Shahrul Nizar Shaari
Technology Director, Innovacia Sdn Bhd

T
he current global economic
tsunami that was started by
the subprime borrowers’
crisis in the United States has
finally hit our shores. According to
the Ministry of Human Resource1,
almost 18,000 factory workers
have been retrenched in the
period between October 2008-
February 2009. The latest figures
released by Bank Negara stated
that the economy grew 4.6%
in 2008 compared with 6.3%
in 2007 2 . The Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) growth in the Final
Quarter of 2008 registered 0.1%
growth compared with 4.7% in
Q3. The poor results were led
by the massive decline in the
manufacturing sector; especially
in the electronics sector as orders
from overseas were cancelled. The Construction workers
construction sector has always
provided ‘early warning signals’ on Are we ready enough country out of recession through
the economic state; and for Q4 to survive the economic its stimulus packages. At the time
of 2008, it registered a negative tsunami? this article was written, we were
growth of 1.6% (1.2% growth in all anticipating the announcement
Q3). It brings grave concern to H i s t o r i c a l l y, d u r i n g t h e of the second stimulus package or
industry players as the results were past downturns, the Malaysian mini-budget that was formulated
for 2008; right in the middle of the Government has always been to complement the earlier RM7
Ninth Malaysian Plan (9MP) 2006- successful to quickly bring the billion (US$ 1.93 billion) package;
2010. It was when the industry
was supposed to be at its peak; as 1 Penyata Rasmi Dewan Rakyat 2 Mac 2009, Parlimen Malaysia
most of the projects should have 2 Economic and Financial Developments in the Malaysian Economy in the Fourth Quarter of 2008,
been mid-way in implementation. BNM Press Statement, Bank Negara Malaysia, 27 February 2009

42 THE INGENIEUR

wh i ch wa s c o n s i d e r e d q u i t e
low compared to the packages
announced by other countries. As
highlighted in Table 1, the figures
for Malaysia are the lowest among
the four ASEAN countries quoted in
the comparison. Nonetheless, it is
expected that the second package
will be more comprehensive and
able to stimulate the Malaysian
economy and support its entire
population.
Table 1: Comparison of Stimulus
Packages (Total)3 (Before March
10, 2009)
Country Total (US$)
Malaysia* 1.93
Indonesia 6.15
Singapore 13.7
Thailand 3.28
India 4.0
China 586.0
Japan 51.0
USA 937.0
UK 29.0
Germany 103.0
* Before 2nd stimulus package
Issues on Workforce
Economic downturns generate
negative effects on the social well-
being of affected communities. The
risk for Malaysia is even higher due
to higher dependency on foreign
workforce. As at the Third Quarter
of 2008 4 , the total Malaysian
workforce is 11.1 million; out
of which 343,700 Malaysian are
without jobs, contributing to the
3.1% unemployment rate. While
the country is depending on 10.78
million Malaysian workers, there
are also a total of 2.06 million5
registered foreign workers in
the country. As such, the total
combined workforce in Malaysia
feature
stands at 12.84 million and 16% Table 2: Number of Legal Foreign
of the workers are foreigners. The Workers in Construction Industry
total figure is even more alarming (1999-2008)
should the number of foreign Year Foreign Workers (No.)
workers include the illegal ones.
1999 49,080
Using estimated figures of
600,000 Pekerja Asing Tanpa Izin 2000 68,226
(PATI) released by the Immigration 2001 63,342
Department, the foreign-to-local 2002 149,342
workers ratio stands at 1:4; leading
2003 252,516
to an astonishing figure of RM15.5
billion6 outflow of money through 2004 231,184
local banks. Imagine what would 2005 281,780
h a p p e n s h o u l d t h e M a l ay s i a 2006 267,809
economy plunge really deep
2007 293,509
into recession and jobs were cut
massively. What would happen to 2008 306,873
the millions of foreign workers?
Would they immediately leave the
country or decide to stay? Would almost all of the wet trades
they find a decent alternative are being executed by foreign
job? Issues affecting the local workers. Even more worrying
construction industry are even is the fact that more are being
worse as it has among the highest given larger responsibilities at
percentage of foreign workers. The sites by becoming site supervisors.
Malaysian construction has long The locals are generally working
been dependent on foreign labour. at the management level or as
In fact, as presented in Table workers for the dry trades such
2, the number of legal foreign as wiremen and crane operators.
workers increased from 49,080 Now where do the local workers
in 1999 to 306,873 in 2008 7 ; go? Did they opt for better
which was more than a six-fold workplace environment in other
increase. These figures are very industries? The author beg to differ
disappointing; considering that as currently we can see more and
343,700 Malaysians are without more businesses opting for foreign
jobs. workers - from the concierge
It is even more frustrating of established six-star shopping
should the figure of foreign arcades to waiters at Mamak
workers include those who are restaurants; and from attendants of
h e r e wo r k i n g w i t h o u t g o i n g public toilets in Pertama Complex
through the proper channels. to security guards attending to
It is an undisputed fact that million Ringgit worth of properties
in any construction worksite, in Mont Kiara.
3 J.S. Sidhu, Budgeting for Crisis, Starbizweek, The Star, 28 February 2009
4 Laporan Suku Tahunan Penyiasatan Tenaga Buruh Malaysia- Suku Tahun Ketiga 2008, Jabatan Perangkaan
Malaysia
5 Jumlah Pekerja Asing di Malaysia Mengikut Negara Asal, 1999-2008, Kementerian Dalam Negeri Malaysia
6 65,000 Pekerja Asing Dihantar Pulang, Berita Harian, 12 Januari 2009
7 Jumlah Pekerja Asing di Malaysia Mengikut Sektor, 1999-2008, Kementerian Dalam Negeri Malaysia
THE INGENIEUR 43
feature
IBS Masterpiece - the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
Go IBS. Go Local.
The issue is very serious as
we would be losing a generation
of local construction tradesmen.
The number of foreign workers
dwindled during the recession in
mid-1980s and end 1990s but
once the economy started to boom,
there was a manic rush to get
workers to complete construction
projects; many of the workforce
were obtained illegally. The new
group of workers, unfortunately
inexperienced and untrained, were
recruited to complete the projects.
Are we going to experience another
cycle here? Yes, without a doubt.
As a result, it would bring very
negative repercussion to Malaysia
economically and socially in the
long run.
Contractors need to spend more
time and money training their
workers; officially or in most cases,
by experience. Low productivity
and quality is still rampant in
the industry. Rectification works
delay handing over of projects;
and repair works during defect
liability period create disruption
to businesses and generate greater
problems for many parties. As
such, it is very difficult for the
Malaysian construction sector to be
globally competitive. What actually
encourages the high number of
foreign workers in the Malaysian
construction industry? Industry
44 THE INGENIEUR
stakeholders argue that the main
reasons include poor enforcement
by authorities, reluctance of locals
to work in difficult environments
and the relatively low salary that
the foreigners are willing to receive
compared to locals.
What can we, the engineers,
contribute in helping the nation
to reduce dependency on foreign
workers? Quite a lot. It is true that
we are not able to directly eliminate
the three main reasons stated
above. However, indirectly, we
can start by revisiting construction
technology that affects the way we
think, plan, design and construct.
The Malaysian construction sector
i s s t i l l c u r r e n t l y ve r y m u ch
reliant on conventional or in-situ
construction. Unfortunately, the
traditional methods use a lot of
manpower; thus leading us to
dependency on foreign manpower
and its negative consequences. As
such, the industry must change
by reducing wet trades in the
process. This can be achieved by a
construction method known as the
Industrialised Building System (IBS).
IBS is a construction technology
that involves manufacturing of
prefabricated components in a
controlled environment that are
8 Part of Second Stimulus Plan Will Focus on Construction, New Straits Times, 24 January 2009
9 IBS Centre, IBS Digest@MIIE’09, CIDB Malaysia, 2009
10 Abby Lu, To IBS…or not, New Straits Times, 13 February 2009
“theWhat can we,
engineers,
contribute in
helping the
nation to reduce
dependency on
foreign workers?
Quite a lot ”
later brought to construction sites
for assembly. According to CIDB
Malaysia, there are five main IBS
Groups identified as popularly
being used in Malaysia: precast
concrete, formwork, steel frames,
prefabricated timber frames and
blockwork systems8.
Better Quality &
Productivity with IBS
The co-ordinated initiative by
the Malaysian Government in
promoting IBS started six years
ago with the formulation of
IBS Roadmap 2003-2010. The
Government has pledged a total
of RM9.2 billion9 worth of projects
to be executed using IBS. It is
expected that IBS will again be
given priority in the new projects
that are to be announced in
the upcoming second stimulus
package. CIDB Malaysia has
also established a dedicated
reference centre for Government
agencies and industry players, the
IBS Centre, in Kuala Lumpur 10.
Subsidised IBS trainings are being
offered to professionals, contractors

“ Subsidised
IBS trainings are
being offered to
professionals,
contractors
and installers
(workers). Besides
that, tax and levy
incentives are
also being offered
to industry
players ” The IBS Centre, Kuala Lumpur
and installers (workers). Besides
that, tax and levy incentives are
also being offered to industry
players.
Wi t h I B S , w e t t ra d e s c a n
be greatly reduced, and with
requirement of less labour due
to the prefabricated components,
it also promotes better quality,
productivity and safety at
construction sites. It also reduces
the hidden costs associated with
the high number of manual labour
such as rectification, healthcare,
security and accommodation
costs. As construction processes
are being simplified through
IBS, it will reduce the 3-D
( D i r t y, D i f f i c u l t , D a n g e r o u s )
syndrome often associated with
t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n s e c t o r. Th e
structural building portions will
join M&E works as ‘dry trades’.
As a result, it will attract more
locals to join the construction
workforce.
Th e G o v e r n m e n t i s v e r y
committed in eliminating the 3-D
syndrome that has been plaguing
the construction sector.
As experienced by Dubai’s
Dynamic Tower construction team,
using IBS instead of conventional
method, reduced the number of
workers to only 30%. In order to
highlight the potential savings, let
us assume that a local IBS skill
worker demands RM120 per day
and a foreign worker gets RM40
per day. With 30 local workers,
the cost per day is only RM3,600
while the cost of constructing an
in-situ structure with 100 foreign
workers sums up to RM4,000 per
day. This is not even counting the
hidden costs mentioned earlier.
While one may argue that the
cost of IBS components is higher
than conventional items, the total
construction costs will always be
lower by using IBS. This is proven
by successful implementation
of development projects by big
names such as SP Setia, PJD
and MTD-ACPI using their own
IBS systems. The total costs can
feature
be lowered further by having
the components produced in a
controlled environment at sites
instead of factories. Site-casting
of precast concrete components
using steel, aluminium and
f i b r e g l a s s m o u l d s p r ov i d e a
cheaper alternative by reducing
transportation costs.
Conclusion
In essence, IBS is the key
in simplifying construction and
attracting more locals to join
the construction workforce. As a
result, it provides more jobs to
Malaysians; instead of relying on
foreign workers. Economically,
billions of Ringgit can be kept
locally for domestic consumption.
Socially, with improved standard
and sustainable quality of life, the
positive effects are priceless.
We are ‘Nation Builders’. Do
your part - Choose IBS and invest
in local workforce for sustainable
national development. BEM
THE INGENIEUR 45
 feature

Utilisation Of Rice Husk Waste

And Its Ash (Part 1)
By M. Rozainee, S. P. Ngo, A. Johari, A. A. Salema and, K. G. Tan
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Engineering & Natural Resources Engineering,
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Rice husk is available abundantly in Malaysia in the form of waste from rice milling industries,
with an annual generation rate of approximately 0.5 million tonnes. The current disposal
methods of field dumping and open burning are not environment-friendly as these practices
create serious environmental pollution and health problems. Rice husk has high calorific value
(at 13–16 MJ/kg), which upon thermal degradation, releases a substantial amount of heat
that is economically-viable when recovered. The recovered heat could be used for drying of
paddy or to increase steam for electricity generation. It was estimated that the potential energy
generation from rice husk is 263 GWh per annum in 2000. In addition, thermal treatment of
rice husk also produces materials with commercial value in the form of siliceous rice husk
ash (RHA) and activated carbon (AC). Depending on the type of thermal treatment applied,
activated carbon could be generated in quantities ranging from 3–40 wt% in RHA. This paper
presents research work that was undertaken in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to recover
energy from rice husk and utilisation of its ash. The work involved controlled burning of rice
husk in a fluidised bed to produce amorphous RHA which contains highly reactive silica and
production of sodium silicate using RHA as raw material. Furthermore, the capability of RHA
as an adsorbent and the effect of caustic digestion to produce sodium silicate on adsorption
capacity of RHA were also conducted. Part 2 of this article will appear in the June - August
2009 issue of Ingenieur.

T
he annual paddy output in
Malaysia in 2004 was 2.27
million tonnes (Department
of Statistics Malaysia) and since
rice husk accounted for 22% of
this value, the amount of rice husk
generated was approximately 0.5
million tonnes per annum. Rice
husk is considered a form of
waste from rice milling processes
and are often left to rot slowly
in the field or burnt in the open.
These practices clearly pose
serious environmental problems
as the slow-rotting process
generates methane (a greenhouse
gas which contributes to global
warming) while open burning
generates various pollutants
(smoke, dust, acid gases and
volatile organic compounds)
that can have adverse impact
on human health. Hence, the
utilisation of rice husk and its
ash is important to eliminate the
aforementioned problems.
In this paper, the potential uses
of rice husk and the available
technologies for such purposes are
presented. In addition, research
work that have been conducted
in UTM such as production of
amorphous RHA through controlled
burning of rice husk in fluidised
bed, production of sodium silicate
using RHA as a raw material and
investigation on the capability
of RHA as an adsorbent are
also presented. Also included is

46 THE INGENIEUR

the effect of caustic digestion
to produce sodium silicate on
adsorption capacity of RHA.
Potential Use Of Rice Husk
Rice husk is a good source
of renewable energy due to its
relatively high calorific value.
Upon thermal treatment, its ash
contains amorphous silica in
excess of 95 wt%. Due to the high
content of amorphous silica, RHA
can be utilised to produce sodium
silicate. Alternatively, the rice husk
could be converted into carbon,
which is also a good source of raw
material for powdered activated
carbon.
● Heat and Electricity
Generation
Rice husk has an average lower
heating value (LHV) of 13–16
MJ/kg, which in comparison is
about one-third that of furnace oil,
one-half of good quality coal and
comparable with sawdust, lignite
and peat. According the National
Energy Balance Malaysia Report
(2000) published by the Ministry
of Energy, Telecommunications and
Multimedia, Malaysia, the potential
energy generation from rice husk
is 263 GWh per annum. This
translates into a potential capacity
of 30MW. Power generation from
renewable energy sources has been
included in the Eighth Malaysia
Plan (2001 – 2005) through the
Five-Fuel Diversification Policy.
Th e r e n e wa b l e e n e r g y f o c u s
is on biomass and the target
contribution towards the total
electricity generation mix is 5%
by 2005 and 10% by 2010.
Due to its relatively high
calorific value, the combustion
of rice husk is autogenous (self-
sustaining) and this minimises
the requirements for auxiliary
fuel. Apart from offering the
benefits of energy recovery, the
combustion of rice husk in thermal
treatment units will also solve its
disposal problem. It is also more
environmental-friendly as the
combustion process reduces the
greenhouse effect by converting
emissions that would have been
methane due to its slow-rotting
into the less potent greenhouse
gas carbon dioxide.
● Amorphous silica
Rice husk contains silica in
the range of 20%–25%, which
upon thermal degradation, results
in ash that contains more than
95 wt% of silica (Kaupp, 1984;
Kapur, 1985; James and Rao,
1986). Thus, the ash content of
approximately 15%–20% in rice
husk makes silica recovery from
it very economically-attractive.
When rice husk is burnt under
controlled conditions, the resulting
ash is easily the cheapest bulk
source of highly reactive silica in
comparison with silica produced
from conventional methods.
Amorphous silica in rice
husk ash (RHA) has commercial
applications in cement and
chemical industries. In the cement
industry, it has been widely
researched as mineral cement
replacement material (MCRM).
It has the potential to replace
silica fume in the production of
high quality concrete. The current
price of silica fume is reported to
be US$1,200 per tonne in India.
Various studies have proved that
RHA is more superior to silica
fume in terms of increasing the
compressive strength of concrete,
r e d u c i n g t h e ra p i d ch l o r i d e
penetrability, resisting surface
scaling due to deicing salts and
improving resistance to acid attack.
The market for RHA in the cement
feature
industry is not as well-developed
compared to the steel industry, but
there is a great potential due to
the pozzolanic properties of RHA
that are comparable to cement.
In the US, RHA has already been
used commercially by Pittsburg
Mineral & Environmental Tech. Inc.
(PMET), which is part of Alchemix
Corporation in Arizona, as a
substitute for silica fume in the
production of specialist concrete.
• Sodium Silicate Production
I n t h e ch e m i c a l i n d u s t r y,
amorphous RHA has been
used widely due to its silica
quality comparatively with other
expensive sources of silica. The
silica obtained from RHA is a
good material for synthesis of
fine chemicals (i.e. highly pure
silicon useful for manufacturing
solar cells for photovoltaic power
generation and semiconductors,
silicon nitride, silicon carbide,
magnesium silicide and sodium
silicate for manufacturing aerogel).
The amorphous nature of silica
makes it viable for extraction
using sodium hydroxide to produce
sodium silicate, which can replace
the conventional process that is
high energy-intensive. The current
market price for sodium silicate or
water glass is lucrative, retailing
at approximately US$550-780 per
tonne. Sodium silicate has diverse
application in the industry due
to its varying silicon dioxide to
sodium oxide (SiO2: Na2O) ratio.
Upon losing small amount of water,
sodium silicate becomes tacky and
can be used as a strong adhesive
for fibre box and in making various
paints and coatings. In addition,
it is also used in making different
kinds of cement including for
acid-proof construction, refractory
uses and binding thermal insulating
material.
THE INGENIEUR 47
feature
● Carbon Source
Rice husk is also a good
source of carbon, containing
approximately 10 wt% of fixed
carbon (char). Depending on the
type of thermal treatment applied,
activated carbon (AC) could be
generated in quantities ranging
from 3–40 wt% in RHA, with
conventional combustion process
being able to produce 3–13 wt%
of activated carbon. Activated
carbon is an adsorbent derived
from carbonaceous raw materials
that is widely used in industries
for separation, purification and
recovery processes due to their
highly porous texture and large
adsorbent capacity. It is also used
as catalyst support, chromatography
columns and electrode materials
for batteries and capacitors. Its
major application is for absorbing
impurities in wastewater or waste
gas streams, whereby it could be
regenerated by heating and used
repeatedly. To date, the most widely-
used materials in the commercial
manufacture of activated carbon
include wood, coconut shells, peat,
lignite/bituminous/anthracite coals,
petroleum cokes and synthetic
polymers.
Available Technology For
Recovery Of Energy And
Silica From Rice Husk
Rice husk has high calorific
value, thus energy in the form of
heat can be recovered during its
combustion. The recovered heat
can be used for drying of paddy
or to raise steam for electricity.
Apart from energy recovery, the
resulting ash from combustion
of rice husk contains valuable
amorphous silica. The quality of
the produced amorphous silica
depends on the technique of
rice husk combustion. Existing
48 THE INGENIEUR
technologies for the preparation of
amorphous silica with low carbon
content include alkaline extraction
and thermal treatment of rice
husk in various types of furnaces
( i n c l i n e d s t e p - g ra t e f u r n a c e ,
cyclonic furnace, muffle furnace,
fixed bed furnace, fluidised bed,
rotary kiln, tubular reactor etc.).
The alkaline extraction method is
capable of producing high purity
silica but involves a significant
amount of time (one to two days)
and many steps with the use of
various types of chemicals, thus
resulting in an extremely expensive
p r o d u c t i o n c o s t . M e a n wh i l e ,
various drawbacks are associated
with the preparation of silica via
thermal treatment of rice husk
in existing thermal treatment
technologies. This includes the
occasional crystallisation of the
ash due to lack of mixing and
hot-spots formation, lack of free-
flowing air for complete oxidation
of carbon and long reaction time.
The residual carbon in the RHA
from thermal treatment of rice husk
from various thermal treatment
technologies are significant and
can be as high as 30 wt%.
The fluidised bed technology,
on the other hand, is capable
of producing amorphous RHA
with very low carbon content
(consistently less than 2 wt %) at
a very rapid reaction time (less
than two minutes). Further, it
offers continuous combustion of
rice husk with good temperature
control, has a very high throughput
rate due to its rapid reaction
time, high combustion efficiency,
is self-sustaining (thus reducing
the cost of auxiliary fuel) and the
ash could be easily collected via
entrainment by the fluidising air
into a cyclone. It also offers the
flexibility of producing ash with
higher carbon content, as and
when desired, by manipulating the
amount of fluidising air and rice
husk feed. Thus, the same fluidised
bed system used for producing
low carbon content, amorphous
RHA could be used for producing
char meant for preparation of
activated carbon through a simple
change in the operating conditions,
thereby resulting in lower capital
investment.
Research Works In Universiti
Teknologi Malaysia
● Production of amorphous rice
husk ash
Amorphous RHA can be
produced through controlled
burning of rice husk at temperatures
below the crystallisation point of
silica in the ash (i.e. below 700oC)
in combustors such as the fluidised
bed combustor. Such research has
been carried out successfully in
UTM (High Temperature Processing
Research Laboratory), whereby
100% amorphous RHA with low
residual carbon content (less than
2wt %) could be produced from
the combustion of rice husk in
fluidised bed combustors (Figure
1). The research group has been
involved in research related to the
production of energy and silica
from rice husk since 1999. The
amorphous nature of the produced
RHA was proven by the x-ray
diffraction (XRD) analysis, which
showed a background hump at
20 degree of 22o and absence of
any crystal peaks in the resulting
diffractogram (Figure 2).
Through careful manipulation of
the ratio of air and rice husk feed
in the fluidised bed combustor,
different grades of RHA with
different levels of carbon contents
could be produced (Figure 3),
ranging from black chars suitable
for the manufacture of activated
carbon to essentially carbon-

Figure 1: The pilot-scale fluidised bed system developed by Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia to produce energy and valuable materials (amorphous silica and
carbon) from rice husk
free white ash. This is one of
the main advantages of fluidised
bed, which consequently leads
to the enhanced flexibility of the
system to produce different grades
feature
commercial utilisation. In addition,
work has been done to develop
optimum design of fluidised bed
combustors by taking advantage of
the highly reliable computational
fluid dynamics (CFD) programme
code of FLUENT (Figure 4). The
application of CFD to combustor
design is widespread in all the
new research and development
techniques in combustion
technology. Additionally, studies
were also carried out to optimise
the design of fluidised bed (i.e,
distributor plate, freeboard) as
well as to study the combustion
characteristics of rice husk in
fluidised bed.
● Production of sodium silicate
from RHA
The combustion of rice husk
in fluidised bed also produced
amorphous RHA of varying colours
- black, grey and white. The
residual carbon content varies
according to the colour with
black RHA containing the highest
amount of carbon at 24%, followed
by grey RHA, 3% and white RHA
with the least carbon content of
0.2%. These amorphous RHA were
of RHA depending on market used to produce sodium silicate
demand. Research was conducted and the quality of the product
to develop and operate the fluidised was compared to the commercial
bed combustor for combustion of grade.
rice husk to produce RHA for Silica in RHA was dissolved
using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in
an autoclave. The process is known
as caustic digestion. It was found
Figure 2: X-Ray that grey RHA produced clear
Diffraction (XRD) and colourless sodium silicate
diagram showing the solution (Figure 5). It is believed
amorphous structure that during the digestion process
of the rice husk ash carbon residue in grey RHA helped
produced by the
to clean impurities in the solution.
High Temperature
Processing Research On the other hand, white RHA
Laboratory in produced amber solution, while
Universiti Teknologi black RHA produced dark brown
Malaysia solution which was undesirable
in the sodium silicate industry.
THE INGENIEUR 49
feature

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Figure 3: (a) Black chars suitable for the manufacture of activated carbon obtained from the combustion of rice husk
in fluidised bed combustor, (b) Amorphous rice husk ash with 6 wt % residual carbon suitable for the manufacture of
sodium silicate (water glass), (c) Amorphous rice husk with 2.0 wt % residual carbon content, (d) The final siliceous rice
husk ash product (pure, amorphous and residual carbon content of 0.2 wt %) suitable for the synthesis of aerogel

Note: (i) & (ii) single-stage standard cyclone

Figure 4: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling of the freeboard design of the fluidised bed combustor to
increase residence time of gas by overcoming the buoyancy effect due to difference in temperatures

The results showed that certain
amount of carbon was beneficial
to produce clear and colourless
sodium silicate solution. It was
found that sodium silicate could
be produced at temperatures as
low as 115°C and concentration
of 15% w/w (15 gram RHA in 100
ml NaOH solution). The silicon
dioxide to sodium oxide (SiO 2:
Na 2 O) ratio of sodium silicate
obtained was 2.48 whereby the
optimum ratio in industry is
3.22.
A study was also carried out to
produce sodium silicate using RHA
obtained from rice mills (Table 1).
Figure 5: Effects of carbon content
in RHA to the quality of sodium
silicate solution. From left: Sodium
silicate solution of white, grey and
black RHA
Out of the four samples tested
under similar conditions, only
sample RHA 3 could be digested
with NaOH to produce sodium
silicate with SiO 2:Na 2O ratio of
3.00 at temperature of 120°C and
concentration of 15% w/w. the
solution was clear and colourless.
It was found that not all RHA
could produce sodium silicate
because the ability to turn RHA
into sodium silicate was largely
depended on the properties of ash.
Crystallisation of ash was another
factor that hindered the formation
of sodium silicate due to low
activity and solubility. BEM

50 THE INGENIEUR
 lighter moments

By Lim Teck Guan

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9
R1 6 1 8 R1 6 9 5 1 2 8 3 4 7
R2 3 7 8 R2 1 4 3 6 7 9 8 5 2
R3 9 6 R3 2 8 7 5 4 3 9 1 6
R4 9 1 R4 9 6 4 3 8 7 5 2 1
R5 3 2 4 1 5 6 8 R5 3 7 2 4 1 5 6 9 8
R6 5 3 R6 5 1 8 2 9 6 4 7 3
R7 7 6 R7 7 2 6 8 5 4 1 3 9
R8 9 6 2 R8 4 3 9 7 6 1 2 8 5
R9 9 2 4 R9 8 5 1 9 3 2 7 6 4

Fig 1 An Ultimate Puzzle Fig 2 The Solution

THE INGENIEUR 51
lighter moments
m
Source: www.flickr.co

Playing Sudoku
Source: www.rutledgecapital.com

Playing Golf

52 THE INGENIEUR
lighter moments

THE INGENIEUR 53
 engineering nostalgia

Bertam Valley New Village,

During Emergency

Now

1951

1951

54 THE INGENIEUR
Cameron Highlands Contributed by
Old photos: Wong Fook Chai
Present photos: Ng Kong Leong

During Emergency

Now

1953

1951

THE INGENIEUR 55
View publication stats