Summary + Reader Response_Draft 3

 

In the article, “An Architect’s Guide to Building with Bamboo”, Vadot, (n.d) states that bamboo is a reliable and sustainable future construction material. The author finds that bamboo flourishes well across the world with little maintenance and grew more near equator. He adds that it is best to harvest the bamboo between four and six years so that it becomes construction-grade material, and often, referred to as the steel’s alternative. Bamboo is naturally protected against microorganisms from "cut close to its base" harvest method. The author asserts that an incredible lightweight material that can be used to accomplish stable, weight-bearing structures cannot be overlook in construction industry. Bamboo is lightweight, easy, and affordable to transport and low cost when bought near the plantation. Finally, Vadot highlights that bamboo is fragile and there is no standard design code for 1200 species of bamboo. While the author focused on advantages, he should also elaborate on disadvantages. In fact, he should explain the advantages and disadvantages systematically. 

First of all, the article does not clearly describe all the benefits of bamboo. The Author just briefly explains bamboo strength and construction use. I feel that Vadot’s article requires more description of bamboo’s strength with concrete evidence and how it is used in construction industry, rather than given few examples. There is no coherence in his explanation. In the article, “Environmental, social and economic sustainability of bamboo and bamboo-based construction materials in buildings” Kim, et al (2 May 2019), further explanations the features of bamboo, workability strength and its uses with examples and reference relevant articles to support his explanation. 

Secondly, Vadot mentions that it is hard to create standard code for 1200 species of bamboo. In the article, “Bamboo based biocomposites material, design and applications”, Suhaily et al. 2013 explains that there are 1575 different species of bamboo and ranging from woody to bamboo herd. Out of all these, only 20-38 species are suitable for construction material. I notice that there is contradicting information in both articles. I doubt Vadot’s credibility as he has not elaborated on the total number of bamboo species. Furthermore, I reckon that the article is lack of supporting information with verification that weigh down the article’s reputation.  

Furthermore, the author states that the bamboo is naturally protected against microorganisms. However, in the article “Studies on dimensional stability, thermal degradation, and termite resistant properties of bamboo (Bambusa tulda Roxb.) treated with thermosetting resins”, Deka M, et al, explains that bamboo must be treated to protect it from termites that was supported by their experiments. Once again, there is a conflicting information in both articles that overthrow the standing. 

Lastly, Vadot states that bamboo is fragile and there is no further explanation to it. At the same time, in the article “Disadvantage of Bamboo As A Construction Material” Jasondreamwork, (May 21 2016) describes that bamboo has short life span, it is prone to crush at weak joints, it has low structural efficiently and it shrinks. Bamboo has fair bit of disadvantages, which are ignored in Vadot’s article. In my opinion, Vadot fails to highlight both advantages and disadvantages equally that makes his article be one sided. From his article, I do not learn much about bamboo that make me harder to conclude or recommend to others who love to use bamboo for their home. 

In a nutshell, bamboo has its own good and bad. If  Vadot explains all the qualities and reinforce it with evidence, his article would be well grounded.  

References

Valot, C. (n.d). An Architect’s Guide to Building with Bambo. Architizer.   

    https://architizer.com/blog/practice/details/how-to-bamboo/  

Environmental, social and economic sustainability of bamboo and bamboo-based construction materials in buildings. Rashmi Manandhar, Jin-Hee Kim & Jun-Tae Kim, 02 May 2019.         
     https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13467581.2019.1595629

Bamboo based biocomposites material, design and applications. Suhaily et al. 2013.

https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?hl=en&publication_year=2013&pages=489-517&author=S.+S.+Suhaily&author=H.+P.+S.+A.+Khalil&author=W.+O.+W.+Nadirah&author=M.+Jawaidauthor=Y.+Mastai&title=Bamboo+Based+Biocomposites+Material%2C+Design+and+Applications

Studies on dimensional stability, thermal degradation and termite resistant properties of bamboo (Bambusa tulda Roxb.) treated with thermosetting resins. Deka M, Das P, Saikia C.N (January 2003).

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233580520_Studies_on_dimensional_stability_thermal_degradation_and_termite_resistant_properties_of_bamboo_Bambusa_tulda_Roxb_treated_with_thermosetting_resins

Disadvantage of Bamboo As A Construction Material. Jasondreamwork, May 21 2016.

https://jasondreamwork.wordpress.com/2016/05/21/disadvantage-of-bamboo/

 

Summary + Reader Response_Draft 2

 

In the article, “An Architect’s Guide to Building with Bamboo”, Vadot, (n.d) states that bamboo is a reliable and sustainable future construction material. The author also referenced permaculture expert Mr Alejandro Chellet, who emphasizes bamboo as a future innovation and its uses in his workshops across countries to bring awareness about bamboo structures. The author finds that bamboo flourishes well across the world with little maintenance and grew more near equator. He adds that it is best to harvest the bamboo between four and six years so that it becomes construction-grade material, and often, referred to as the steel’s alternative. Bamboo is naturally protected against microorganisms from "cut close to its base" harvest method. The author asserts that an incredibly lightweight material that can be used to accomplish stable, weight-bearing structures cannot be overlook in construction industry. Bamboo is lightweight, easy, and affordable to transport and low cost when bought near the plantation. At the same time, Vadot highlights that there is no standard design code for bamboo. While the author focused on advantages, he should elaborate the advantages of the bamboo in details and he should also highlight all the advantages and explains systematically.

First of all, the article is not very clearly describing about bamboo full benefits, he just briefly explains bamboo strength and construction use. I felt that Vadot’s article requires more description of bamboo’s strength with concrete evidence and how it is used in construction industry, rather than given few examples. There is no coherence in his explanation. In the article, “Environmental, social and economic sustainability of bamboo and bamboo-based construction materials in buildings” Rashmi, Kim and Kim (2 May 2019), has further given explanations the features of bamboo, its workability strength and its actual uses with examples  and other authors articles to support his explanation.

Secondly, Vadot has mentions that it is hard to create standard code for 1200 species of bamboo. In the article, “Bamboo based biocomposites material, design and applications”, Suhaily et al. 2013 explains that there are 1575 different species of bamboo and ranging from woody to bamboo herd. Out all these, only 20-38 species are suitable for construction material. I noticed that there is contradicting information in both articles. I doubt Vadot’s credibility as he has not elaborated on the total number of bamboo species. Furthermore, when he has least details about species rather, he just mentions in one line. I felt that he has not lack of supporting information with verification that weigh down the article’s reputation.  

Furthermore, Vadot has mentions that bamboo helps to reduce carbon. However, there is no further explanation to it and there is no clarity how bamboo helps environmentally. Bamboo benefits environmentally as it functions as a material that helps to control the soil erosion, use as a wastewater treatment, and absorb a huge amount of carbon dioxide. In the article “Environmental Impact of Guadua Bamboo” Schröder (2012) has further given explanations on the environment impact of bamboo by providing examples and statistics to support his explanation.

Lastly, the author has mentions that the bamboo is naturally protected against microorganisms. However, in the article “Studies on dimensional stability, thermal degradation and termite resistant properties of bamboo (Bambusa tulda Roxb.) treated with thermosetting resins”, Deka M, Das P and Saikia C.N, explains that bamboo has to be treated to protect it from termites that was supported by their experiments. Once again, there is a conflicting information in both articles that overthrow the standing.

 

In a nutshell, bamboo has huge benefits not just for construction and also to the environment. If Vadot explains all the qualities and reinforce with evidence, his article would be well grounded.  

References

Valot, C. (n.d). An Architect’s Guide to Building with Bambo. Architizer   

   https://architizer.com/blog/practice/details/how-to-bamboo/  

Environmental, social and economic sustainability of bamboo and bamboo-based construction materials in buildings. Rashmi Manandhar, Jin-Hee Kim & Jun-Tae Kim, 02 May 2019.     

    
     https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13467581.2019.1595629

Bamboo based biocomposites material, design and applications. Suhaily et al. 2013. 

https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?hl=en&publication_year=2013&pages=489-517&author=S.+S.+Suhaily&author=H.+P.+S.+A.+Khalil&author=W.+O.+W.+Nadirah&author=M.+Jawaidauthor=Y.+Mastai&title=Bamboo+Based+Biocomposites+Material%2C+Design+and+Applications

Environmental Impact of Guadua Bamboo. Stephane Schröder (2012).

https://www.guaduabamboo.com/blog/environmental-impact-of-guadua-bamboo?rq=Environmental%20Impact%20of%20Guadua%20Bamboo

Studies on dimensional stability, thermal degradation and termite resistant properties of bamboo (Bambusa tulda Roxb.) treated with thermosetting resins. Deka M, Das P, Saikia C.N (January 2003).

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233580520_Studies_on_dimensional_stability_thermal_degradation_and_termite_resistant_properties_of_bamboo_Bambusa_tulda_Roxb_treated_with_thermosetting_resins

Reader Response : Daft 1

 

In the article, “An Architect’s Guide to Building with Bamboo”, Chlo Vadot states the advantages of bamboo and its uses in construction field. He has also included the bamboo growth and where it grows the most. In addition, the author has mentioned the bamboo’s characteristics and how it is harvested. Vadot has sited an expert who also emphasises bamboo usages. The author has mentioned the total number of  bamboo species.

First of all, the article is not very clearly about bamboo full benefits, he just briefly explains bamboo strength and construction use. In the article, “Environmental, social and economic sustainability of bamboo and bamboo-based construction materials in buildings” Rashmi, Kim and Kim (2 May 2019), has further given explanations the features of bamboo, its workability strength and its actual uses with examples  and other authors articles to support his explanation.

Secondly, Vadot has mentioned that bamboo that bamboo can be used in ceilings, there is no further details about bamboo ceiling designs. In the article, “Environmental, social and economic sustainability of bamboo and bamboo-based construction materials in buildings” Rashmi, Kim and Kim (2 May 2019), has listed many architects with names who uses bamboos intensively in their designs.

Furthermore, Vadot has mentions that it is hard to create standard code for 1200 species of bamboo. In the article, “Bamboo based biocomposites material, design and applications”, Suhaily et al. 2013 explains that there are 1575 different species of bamboo and ranging from woody to bamboo herd. Out all these, only 20-38 species are suitable for construction material.

Vadot has mentions that bamboo helps to reduce carbon. However, there is no further explanation to it and there is no clarity how bamboo helps environmentally. Bamboo benefits environmentally as it functions as a material that helps to control the soil erosion, use as a wastewater treatment, and absorb a huge amount of carbon dioxide. In the article “Environmental Impact of Guadua Bamboo” Schröder (2012) has further given explanations on the environment impact of bamboo by providing examples and statistics to support his explanation.

Lastly, the author has mentions the bamboo is naturally protected against microorganisms. However, in the article “Studies on dimensional stability, thermal degradation and termite resistant properties of bamboo (Bambusa tulda Roxb.) treated with thermosetting resins”, Deka M, Das P and Saikia C.N, explains that bamboo has to be treated to protect it from termites that was supported by their experiments.

 

References

Environmental, social and economic sustainability of bamboo and bamboo-based construction materials in buildings. Rashmi Manandhar, Jin-Hee Kim & Jun-Tae Kim, 02 May 2019.         
     https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13467581.2019.1595629

Bamboo based biocomposites material, design and applications. Suhaily et al. 2013.

https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?hl=en&publication_year=2013&pages=489-517&author=S.+S.+Suhaily&author=H.+P.+S.+A.+Khalil&author=W.+O.+W.+Nadirah&author=M.+Jawaidauthor=Y.+Mastai&title=Bamboo+Based+Biocomposites+Material%2C+Design+and+Applications

Environmental Impact of Guadua Bamboo. Stephane Schröder (2012).

https://www.guaduabamboo.com/blog/environmental-impact-of-guadua-bamboo?rq=Environmental%20Impact%20of%20Guadua%20Bamboo

Studies on dimensional stability, thermal degradation and termite resistant properties of bamboo (Bambusa tulda Roxb.) treated with thermosetting resins. Deka M, Das P, Saikia C.N (January 2003).

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233580520_Studies_on_dimensional_stability_thermal_degradation_and_termite_resistant_properties_of_bamboo_Bambusa_tulda_Roxb_treated_with_thermosetting_resins

 

Summary : Building With Bamboo_ Draft 2

 

In the article, “An Architect’s Guide to Building with Bamboo”, Vadot, (n.d) states that bamboo is a reliable and sustainable future construction material. The author also referenced permaculture expert Mr Alejandro Chellet, who emphasizes bamboo as a future innovation and its uses in his workshops across countries to bring awareness about bamboo structures. The author finds that bamboo flourishes well across the world with little maintenance and grew more near equator. He adds that it is best to harvest the bamboo between four and six years so that it becomes construction-grade material, and often, referred to as the steel’s alternative. Bamboo is naturally protected against microorganisms from "cut close to its base" harvest method. The author asserts that an incredibly lightweight material that can be used to accomplish stable, weight-bearing structures cannot be overlook in construction industry. Bamboo is lightweight, easy, and affordable to transport and low cost when bought near the plantation. At the same time, Vadot highlights that there is no standard design code for bamboo. While the author focused only on advantages, he should highlight the disadvantages of the bamboo and he should also explain the possibility of establishing the bamboo design code.

Reference 

Valot, C. (n.d). An Architect’s Guide to Building with Bambo. Architizer

          https://architizer.com/blog/practice/details/how-to-bamboo/ 

Summary : Building With Bamboo_Draft 1

 

In the article, “An Architect’s Guide to Building with Bamboo”, Chlo (n.d) states that bamboo is a good viable and sustainable future construction material. The author had also referenced permaculture expert Mr Alejandro Chellet, who held many workshops across countries to bring awareness about bamboo structures and emphasized its usage.

The author finds that bamboo flourishes well across the world with little maintenance and more near the equator and he added that bamboo that harvested between four and six years after the first few shoots, becomes construction-grade material and often, known as the steel’s alternative. Bamboo requires less maintenance as it is naturally protected against microorganisms from harvesting close to the base method.

The author asserts that bamboo parts are diversely used in the construction industry such as scaffolding and self-weight structures as it is lightweight, easy, and affordable to transport and low cost when bought near the plantation. At the same time, author highlights that there is no standard design code for bamboo, and it is fragile too.  

Self-introduction letter

 

Subject: Self-introduction letter

Dear Professor Brad,

I, Yousof Saira Banu, would like to explain to you about my educational background and my interest for civil engineering. For your convenience, you can address as Saira. Currently, I am in Year 1 civil engineering. I graduated from Singapore Polytechnic with the Diploma in Civil Engineering. In poly, I took additional module, Bahasa Malayu, to upgrade myself. As my 1st year results in poly were exceeding, I was offered a research and development module by Singapore Polytechnics, which taught me to inovate products and launch it in the market. Upon completion of the diploma, I had started my career in LTA. 

In my work, I was expected to have wide range of engineering (civil, mechanical, and electrical) knowledge as I was managing few MRT projects such as DTL2, Tuas West Extension, CCL6, TEL and RTS Link that connects Singapore and Malaysia. In addition, I had to interact with a lot of people from various ministries, agencies, departments, and consultants to design, gazette, build and deliver the project in time. To achieve that successfully, I would required to have  good communication skill.

There were many times, I was required to check for details in the drawings and explain design intend to higher managements. As it was too technical, I had to spend additional time to understand the context before I explain it. If only I had completed digree in civil engineering, I could have reduced the time to required to understand the design intended. Therefore, I was encouraged and movitated to enrol for this course.  

I am an extrovert, so I am always comfortable conversing with strangers. This helped me to mingle and interact with my colleagues easily that somehow expended my network. My wider network allowed me to accomplish a work quickly. However, communicating with higher management and ministries, I tend to be very cautious over my word’s usage. At times, I felt that I was short for words despite my wide range of vocabulary.

My goals in this module are to be even bolder in conveying details to the point and being creative in communication to sustain the attention.   

Regards,

Saira

Group 6

Importance Of Communication Skills For Engineers

 

Strong communication skills in engineering have become imperative as the engineering industry continues to evolve. A report compiled by Marc J Riemer, who worked for UNESCO’s International Centre for Engineering Education as an assistant editor for their publications, was named ‘Communication Skills for the 21st Century Engineer‘. He writes:

“There is ample evidence that graduate engineers lack the required standard of communication skills, particularly when compared to the needs of the industry internationally. Communication skills are a regular feature of an engineer’s job in industry; some graduates employed in industry have identified that education in communication skills needs to be improved, given the demands encountered in industry”

         My Opinion: 

Engineers communication should be effective, engaging and connected. At the same time, Engineers should enhance their caliber and updated at all time about their relevent industry activities to make thier communication exciting and knowelagable.