Crane on Site

This is a bird eye view of a typical construction worksite.

Generally, for high rise building, a tower crane will be erected for hoisting purpose. The Hammer Head Crane (horizontal frame) will be erected when the worksite have ample turning radius.

This type of crane has a greater lifting capacity and probably lower rental. It is very commonly used in the construction site.

The alternative lifting mean is mobile crane, which normally use for short term lifting and limited height. This crane has advantages on its mobility and it can run on the public road. The rental cost is even cheaper.
The disadvantage is the limitation of height and lifting weight. There is time consuming to find a suitable parking ground for lifting and all outriggers are required to full extend prior to lifting operation. It also need to ensure the ground condition is sound and solid for the lifting operation.

This is a combination of the above crane where it can provide greater lifting capability and certain degree of mobility. This kind of crane is to provide a medium term usage around few months of work. The crane boom is longer than mobile crane which offer wider coverage for lifting work.

In short, the selection of crane for construction worksite is required to optimum the cost and usage of crane. It requires to plan in advance to understand the requirement of work activity prior to decide on the type of machinery.

Turnstile

This is TURNSTILE

This type is common use in a tight security passage way, such as custom.


This is a normal type of turnstile which commonly use at public area. It can be used to check the number of visitors, etc.


You use it daily on LRT / MRT entrance/exit point.

Water Tank

Construction Use Water Cube..

1m3 Cube Tank

Portable and easy to handle.

Sewer Manhole

This is Sewer Manhole. SEW is indicated at the top of the heavy duty cover. It is important for contractor to identify the nearest manhole before they start off with their site office construction.

The temporary sewer connection to existing sewer manhole is still a cheapest option as compare to holding tank which need to be discharged regularly.

Contract Term Definition

The definition of terms in contract document:-

Quote – the price offered by the contractor to do the work

Preliminaries – these are the costs for items required to carry out the contract other than the actual construction works eg. Travelling costs, the hire of scaffolding or other items of plant, office or other administrative costs

Provisional sums –an amount included in the contract sum/agreed quote for additional works that are not fully specified

Variations – these are the works that arise during construction which were not allowed for in the quote

PC Sum (Prime Cost Sum) – a sum of money allowed for an item or work or materials supplied by the client eg. Installation of a fire alarm system by a specialist already selected by the client, or the cost of a bathroom suite already purchased by the client

Retention – sum of money set aside by the client (you) from the contract sum until the works are completed to your satisfaction

(quoted from http://www.rics.org/Services/BCIS/pr_bcis_guide061006.html )

DIY - Home Curtain

Home Curtain..

You may not aware of curtain at your dwell. Because either your parent had fixed it or the premise comes with a ready curtains. Until one day, when you buy your own house. Then, you will realise that how important is DIY for your own curtain.

Every windows and doors need curtain to shade the sunlight. For instance, your sliding door at your balcony or garden need to have a sheet of curtain to provide privacy or form as a part of decoration to make alive of your house. Calling a contractor for fixing, it might be too fussy and troublesome to arrange appointment to meet up, quotation and blar blar blar...etc.

Of course, it is going to be very costly as well, just for a few small items to fix. At the end, DIY will be the best choice.

First of all, measure the dimension of your doors and window, then go and buy the ready set of DIY curtain.

All steps are printed on the working manual. Simply follow step by step and you will get the things fix.


Example, DIY for blinds. as simple as ABC.


Fixing the brackets. Mount it onto the wall by those simple basic tools that I have mentioned in my previous post. (http://sureboh.blogspot.com/2008/04/diy-basic-tool.html)


Screw it up on to the wall as shown in the picture.


In order to get the right alignment, pre-measure and get it right before screw it up onto the wall.


Eventually, install the curtain stick up with a ready curtain.

It's Done.. simple, right?

You can also install blind with the similar steps.

I love DIY

Dis-Integrity of Architect

Chinese Version
針對繪測師不誠實的問題，可以據情向繪測師公會投訴，該公會的地址與電話如下：
Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia4&6 Jalan Tangsi50480 Kuala Lumpur
電話：03-2693 4182


English Version
If found any dis-integrity of the Architect in his professional role, you can report the case to the following address,

Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia4&6 Jalan Tangsi50480 Kuala Lumpur
Telephone：03-2693 4182

Advance Car Park

Nowadays, land is getting more expensive. Solely building a car park can not afford to offset the development cost.

But this kind of car park system is a new possibility. It can be built in underground system.

May be the above car park is too complicated and sophisticated to be adopted in developing country. Perhaps a simplified car park as below can help.

When can this system being wide use in the country is greatly depend on the cost of the mechanical car park system. Personally I think it is feasible.

Sheet Piling Alignment Setting Out

As promised, gradually I will reveal more information regarding to the silient piler - Operation of Sheet Pile Installation.

This is the Silient piler machine. The weight is about 9 ton. It is self standing with its powerful hydraulic grip. Today, here, I wanted to share about the accurate sheet piling operation.

How to ensure the alignment of sheet piles is in line with the setting out that you wanted?

This is the sheet piler..


What the hell is it?.... funny stuff...!!

See carefully.. It is a laser pointer.. The surveyor peg the point right on the pipe. (blue dot in a circle). With its flexible grip, it can be securely mounted on the pipe.

Can you see.. the laser is shooting to the sheet piling machine..

It can be installed in multiple angle.


The red laser pointer is generated with its self rechargeable batery which can last for long hours. It is a weather resistance type of laser pointer.

With this assistance it can improve the accuracy of the sheet piling alignment.

The laser pointer can be easily installed by simple frame work planted on ground.

Can you see the small little red spot ..?

Can you see the red spot?.. still cannot?!

If you can see the red spot, you can understand the entire operation of sheet piling work...

This is a situation when the sheet pile is out of alignment. .. the sheet pile is misaligned and twisted.

Adjust it can back to its correct path..!! You see the red spot.. the whole installation process, the red spot shall pointed at the front line of the sheet piles.

Of course, you still need somebody who is responsible to check on the position of red spot. otherwise, the sophisticated laser pointer wil becomes wasted..

DIY Basic Tool

Basic tools for DIY - Do it Yourself.

Don't be stingy to "invest" a tiny bucks on your home tools. This basic tools are going to be your greatest home assistance. Practice DIY can eliminate the hassle to look for help either from friends, contractor or others. You are no longer need to stay at home to scratch your head and wait a decades long for the helper to reach.

I would say the greatest return is never ever be money or dollar and cent, but a SELF SATISFACTION.. Regardless how neat your workmanship, it is still your home made element. It can be gradually improve once your desire of being perfect is prevailing the hard and sweaty work.

A simple electrical drill, it can be get from hardware store or hypermarkets. Multi brands are open for selection.. of course I am not going to be a promoter to tell you which one is best..

A drill bit can not be forgotten as well. Let's offer a tips, the standard drill bit must be able to fix on your drill. Drill bit has various sizes and types. It must be clearly understand what kind of substance are you going to drill, such as brick wall, concrete wall, timber or even tiles. (It is a tactic to drill a hole on tile, tell you later in next posting)


Of course, some of the plug point may not be right at your drill spot. so extension cable is required. but not too long or too short. be optimal for home use will be around 6-7m should be enough. (may vary from one and others)


For accuracy of position, a measuring tape is needed as well. Get a good quality tape can be more durable and not those "disposable" type. one time gone..


Some people may not familiar with this "red chilis" - wall plug. It has different sizes. The tip here is it must to be matched with the drill bit size. The length of wall plug is standard with 2 inches long. It can be cut slightly short it required. It is made by plastic.


A simple tools - screw driver. Tip: Get a longer screw driver will be more easy to screw and the handle must be soft type for esay handling.


The screw must be match with the above item as well. The size of screw and its length must be match with wall plug.

You can see that all things are interrelated. Anyhow all are a standard size. Get a set or spare some in your tools box. I gonna tell you how to DIY on next posting.

Column Finishes

Column Dressing...
It is decorated with colourful light.

The surface is wrapping with timber and mosaic.
The joint of mosaic and timber is neatly joint up.

Some of the column in big mall is with tinted glass finish to make it more elegant.
The circular glass is mounted on column with special stub.
The column finishing can be pure painting or it can always be dressed up nicely either with homogenous tile or special features.

How the joint of a square tile at the right angle?
Zoom closer to have a look..
Ooh.. its edge is being cut off or grind off in 45 degree. then it is butting joint.. just nice..
If we carefully check out,
This is one of the example for poor workmanship...anyhow, it is not a big defect, but in aesthetic wise, its score is bringing down.

Silence Piler

Silence Pile........

The following is a Silence Piler. Its weight is about 10 tons. It used it self weight and grip and release method to insert the sheet pile.

The advantage is the quiet operation of installation and extraction of sheet pile. The noise of operation can tremendously reduce compare to the normal sheet piling rigger. Coming soon, I will illustrate more on the operation of this jumpo machine.

Selection of Crane

Selection of crane must be studied in conjunction with the following factors

Capacity of Crane - The weight of the material will determine what kind of crane to be selected. Of course, it must plus a certain degree of safety factor.

Height - to what height that the material need to be lifted. Of course the hoisting sling may be included as well.

Working radius - The farther, the lighter the hoisting capacity. so it must be ensure the boom length is as short as possible which can offer higher hoisting capacity. This must always study together with the Weight of material.

Site condition, ground stability - Terrain must be flat for a safe working ground. Sometimes, steel plate shall be laid underneath to ensure load is spread out evenly. Special care must be taken if the crane is working under a sandy ground, when there is a raining day that might wash away sand below.


Rental, Money - cannot be ignored that money rental is a crucial as well in selection as a higher capacity will need higher pay. Then come to Mobile crane or Crawler Crane. All these are required to make a comparison. Sometimes, Mobilisation cost and demobilisation cost must be put in the costing as well.

Long term usage - Daily rental or monthly rental will also affect the rental. Proper planning can help to justify this and give a better rate if the duration can be known.


Over time charge - some of the overtime charge is skyhight. It must be control and monitor carefully. Only important operation will do OT, otherwise, it is always advise not to do night lifting work.

Other points like Site constraints - Height Limitation, Space availability, accessibility.

In nutshell, you must see the whole picture before choose a crane.

Strategy of Successful Tender

When come to the stage that call for tender interview, this is the utmost important occassion to clinch the project. This is a final round of competition amongst few of the finalists. Other than those common points like, company profile, job folio, financial balance sheet, technical knowledges , capacity of company, etc, are to be compare, you must have a set of strategy to tackle the interviewer to buy your idea.

First step in the begin of interview, you must able to identify your "friend" amongst (maybe) a group of interviewer. "Who is your Friend?", this is very subjective and solely rely on how the first impression of those individuals give you. Or it can be justified through the way they talked or questioned.

After the meeting, you shall collect more information about your "friend". Understand his/her charateristic will give you a better hand to handle him. Then, move on to be his/her friend, it is either invite a dinner and clearly spell out your intention is to be made Friend only. Sometimes, invitation must be rejected or he may decline by give thousand of excuses. This is a key point that you must try on of multiple methods, either begging or etc.. to make him be your friend is a must before move on to next step.

When he agree and accept your invitation, that means you are at a very high chances to obtain some information regarding to the tender or your competitor. Therefore, you shall immediately show your intention of willingness to revise the price or rate accordingly, provided you are so desperate for the job.

Other option, it is to know who is the shortlisted tenderer and follow up to negotiate with them and convince them to withdraw from the price war instead of slashing of the profit margin. No doubt, plenty of homework needs to be done prior to this stage. The basic is to make a comparison of price to market. Understand your strength and weakness in pricing.

Cannot deny that you may still fail the mission at the end of this tender, but keep a good relationship to all and develop your networking through this point. Well present yourself with a highly interpersonal skills to impress them and advertise your company at the same time.

Always make people buy your idea and make him feel comfortable to choose you and stress more on your strength. In all occasions, you must know who is the final decision maker and impress this KEY person rather than wasting unneccessary time on wrong target.

At last but not least, always be well prepared to enhance personal strength and understand your strength and weakness to strike at the right time, then the success will not be far from you.

WaterFront ? Water Feature !

Walking down to street, i found this interesting water feature right in front of a restaurant.

Water flow is so nature. First glance on this feature, it gives me a very comfortable feeling. You can sense the water flow like in a stream of the deep in jungle.

Few big stones are placing randomly at the pool. The base is cover with a small river stone and the colour reflect the nature scene of a stream.

Incoming water is flowing in below the small stone, it look like a small foundation.


Perimeter of the pool is surrounding with a gap to allow overflow water to discharge without shed to the floor. A net is installed to filter small tiny stone from choking the pipe.


A nature sense of decoration depend on how good you bring the nature scene insert in a modern building. i wish to have one too..