Posted: 11th December 2010 by in Project
I have just from the project in Sanur. I call this project “Florence Project” (referring to the name of the owner). This project is to refurbish building. The extraordinary aspect of this project is wood working. Truss timber with a very wide span.
Here the ability of the wooden structure nearly equal with the steel structure in terms of handling the long spans. When compared to concrete, concrete beam requires higher beam for wide span. While the wood does not require a deep beam, just like steel. Other advantages of timber structures is at once a part of the component architecture. In other words wooden structure becomes a part of the structure and architecture of a building.
Although the use of timber has been widely used, but until now very little literatures that discussed about wooden structure. For wooden structure calculation software, so far I also do not know.
In a project, usually wooden structure work is done by people who are already experienced.
In addition, Indonesia also has rules or regulation about wooden structure. Regulations which I mean it is the Indonesian Wood Construction Regulations 1961, NI-5 (PPKI-1961).
Yes, already 49 years ago, or nearly half a century !!!.
Hopefully in the future we have a more complete regulations and also support by software wich facilitate in planning (easier and better).
Sanur, 11 December, 2010
Posted: 6th December 2010 by in Civil Engineering
Currently I make some templates for building structures. Starting from a short span, to the extreme span. The purpose of this exercise is to know more about behavior of structures building.
For me this exercise is also very useful especially when designing structures with limited time. Sometimes the process of designing structure is given only 3 days!. It includes technical drawings. It is impossible to create a model structure. So usually what I do is directly create technical drawings.
When in college a few years ago, this task has duration one semester (6 months). But fortunately generally buildings in Bali island is not category high-rise buildings. As we know, the highest limit of buildings on Bali island is about 15 meters.
And here I show you the preview of my template. From the output of the program, we can see the use of thin columns should be avoided for more than two storey building. Marked with an “OS” or Over Stress.
Sometimes architects use thin columns in their designs. Here, the role of civil engineers to give input during the process of designing.
Denpasar, 6 December, 2010
Posted: 4th December 2010 by in Personal
Today is a holiday. After a shower and breakfast then I went to the national library. This library building is adjacent to my house.
After a bit bored with technical books, I go to children’s read room. I took a good book written by Syahbuddin Mangandaralam. The title of this book is “The Battle of Night”.
This story takes place when the Dutch colonial era. Many positive values that can be taken from this book. Like the heroism, the spirit to fight, spirit of sacrifice and others.
There are parts of the story that I liked, that is the chapter that tells of a Abdul Kadir, a young man who comes from Sumbawa. Abdul Kadir went to Java to study. It is also claimed his love story with a village girl. Which in the end the girl was married to someone else.
The author is also very good at telling stories natural beauty of the island of Sumbawa in his book. I had lived there for almost a year, so it reminded me a little to Sumbawa island. I highly recommend this book as well for you.
Denpasar, 4 December 2010
Posted: 2nd December 2010 by in Project
Today I got a job from the office to design a building project. Zayon Villa is the name of this project. My job here is to design the structure of this building. The building consists of 2 storeys, with additional buildings besides the main building and a swimming pool.
Actually this building is not too complex. There are only a few things that need to get more attention. Like a long span structure beam sitting on a thin column on the weak side. All components of this structure (column) sunk into the wall (minimalist design)
In the first stage, I made a rough layout first. By placing structural components such as columns and beams into the architectural design. All dimensions components of this structure is the initial assumption.
After the first stage completed and no problems with the design architect, next to the second stage. Analyzed using structural design software. The output of this software is cross-sectional dimensions are permitted and required extensive reinforcement. The next stage, is the coordination with the budget division. So that can be compromised between the output of the software with the available budget.
Last stages is to make technical drawings. And at this stage is the longest time. Probably it takes about 75% from of all time.
Denpasar, 2 December 2010
Posted: 23rd November 2010 by in Civil Engineering
Before I begin I turn on my mp3 player first. I listened to the Siti Nurhaliza’s song “When love calls”. I do not know why I really love with this song. And also another Malingsia Malaysia song. 
… Ok, back to the topic.
In my opinion structure design is a very long process. Many things must be considered. Not only thinking about the dimensions of structural components (columns, beams, plates) or the loading of structure (dead load, live load, wind load, earthquake) only. But also required good communication with the architect so get satisfactory results.
For example, Usually an architect only think about the beauty of the building. So building components such as columns are the components that are considered annoying existence. But for the structure designers, the column is building components that have a very important function.
Another thing that also needs to be considered is the available budget. In rich countries like Dubai, the budget may not be a major problem. But if budget is limited. So engineers must to think harder. So he can get safe and cheap design.
When I heard the words safe and cheap, I remember joking from Surabaya.About pedicab driver and the passengers. When passengers protested why the Pedicab run too fast. Then he said “Murah kok njaluk slamet”
Denpasar, 23 November 2010
Posted: 21st November 2010 by in Project
In the past when I started into the world of construction projects, I began to learn and explore the life of the project. My first impression of the construction project is a very very hard life.
Sometimes I see project leader to manage labor always speaks coarse language with loud voice. Harsh words like “dog, bastard, and asshole” are words that usually are pronounced in the project and I also began to learn how to pronounce it. Hehe
One by one my project passed. I began to realize that the leader does not always have to say harsh words with loud voice to the workers. The workers are our success partner.
I once met a very good leader in his leadership. An engineer who was very young from a Japanese company. He is very good at leading a big project, with thousands of workers.
To lead a large project, he just relies on his ability in an oration at the morning briefing. Every morning the workers are given instructions and encouraging their motivation. So in the end, the project was very successful. Completed on time, quality controled and profits in accordance with the plan.
Recently I received news that he was in Dubai. You know that Dubai is a developed country with skyscraper buildings that adorn the city. Hopefully I can follow in the footsteps of his success. Amiin ..
Denpasar, 21 November 2010
Posted: 20th November 2010 by in Personal
In this competitive age sometimes requires us to do a lot of work in the same time. So multi-tasking and multi skill seems to be a common thing.
In my opinion, multi-tasking does not always equal with productivity. Similar to a computer that is given multiple commands to perform heavy jobs at a time, then the computer would be an error.
Similar to the human condition. I think the best way is to give the job to someone according to their capacities. And these parameters would I do if one day will establish a company.
Perhaps the best prototype for this kind or ideal company is Google Inc. You will know how Google Inc treat their employees, so they are able to produce products that are truly extraordinary. Hope can be a muse for all of us …
Denpasar, 20 November 2010
Posted: 17th November 2010 by in Civil Engineering
Spreadsheet programs like Excel (product from Microsoft) or freeware program like OOcalc from Open Office has been widely used for various purposes.
In the world of construction, almost every company using it. Almost all engineers can use this program, as a standard program. Because of expertise engineers use this program I call them as Excell engineer .
For the purposes of project management, spreadsheet programs are actually able to do. But when compared to programs that specialize to project management, spreadsheet program are far behind.
In the past when I worked at a good contractor, I use prolog manager from Meridian System (of course licensed or pay). But for medium-scale projects I like Access. Especially for queries and forms facilities. Actually there are many other programs that can be used. Each person has different options. Agree?
Denpasar, 17th November 2010
Posted: 16th November 2010 by in Personal
Today most Muslims in Indonesia celebrate the feast of Eid al-Adha. I’m celebrating tomorrow with most of the other Muslim. I’m in the project now, while listening Opick’s song. “Bila Waktu Telah Berakhir” or “When the Time Has Ended” by Opick. There is a feast of Idul adha atmosphere in the project . Okay, Happy Eid al-Adha to all my brothers. Forgive all my fault if any. May Allah always bless our lives. Amiin…
Canggu, 16th November 2010
Posted: 1st November 2010 by in Civil Engineering
Tonight I opened my old books. This book contains a magic formula that I often use to make my”something” become strong and durable. This formula not only popular in Indonesia, but also almost all over the world. But do not misunderstanding, “something” that I mean here is “concrete”. Yes, when we make concrete also requires the right formula. A few days ago, I was discussing how to make concrete formula with software, and now I refer to Indonesia’s national standard (SNI). As we all know, Indonesia’s national Standard (SNI) often use quality concrete with a unit kg/cm2 with notations (K). Like K-225, K-250, K-300 and others. For further detail, please click here.
Note : Sorry, the picture above (illustration) has no correlations with this topic .
