The Operation Of The Smart System Construction Essay

The Operation Of The Smart System Construction Essay Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and becomes a well known international city with a large number of high rise buildings. Klang River overflowed its bank and flooded the city which between Tun Perak Bridge and Dang Wangi Bridge on 26 April 2001. Besides that, Kuala Lumpur has a very dense population and most of the residents are driving their own vehicle to works. This substantially brings a serious congestion especially during working hours. Government has decided to formulate the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) project to mitigate the floods and ease of traffic congestion which is carried out through a joint venture pact between MMC Corp Berhad and Gamuda Berhad with the Department of Irrigation And Drainage Malaysia and the Malaysian Highway Authority. Every mega projects in the world will undergo long process during the design phases in order to produce a best and unique product. SMART project also faced the same situation and it has its own uniqueness whereby it combines the wet and dry tunnel in a structural element. The SMART Project is an innovative solution that it serves a dual purpose of mitigates the floods and ease of traffic congestion at Kuala Lumpur. Generally, the SMART tunnel consist of a bypass tunnel constructed from underground from the upstream of Kang River towards Taman Desa which is about 9.7km in length. Besides that, there will be a holding basin in Kampung Berendam, a storage reservoir at Taman Desa, a twin box culvert structure and control gates structures. SMART tunnel is constructed by using the tunnel boring machine method. The tunnel is constructed into two decks motorway which is the upper deck and lower deck. Moreover, at the bottom of lower deck, there will be a place for the water to channel through the tunnel. The safety of the tunnel is consider as good because it is surrounded by close circuit television, 24 hours of patrol, equipped with the necessary firefighting equipment, first aid and emergency phone in the event of emergency happened. Other features of tunnel are good ventilation to maintain the air quality in the tunnel by using strong ventilators. This SMART tunnel wrote a new page of building technology in Malaysia by bring in a few tunneling technology such as tunnel boring machine. It definitely shown a new step took by the government in enhances the national transportation system and flood issue as well. 1.2 Problem Statement Kuala Lumpur is a nerve centre for Malaysia ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s economy and it is a capital of the Malaysia. Every year, there is an occurrence of heavy floods in this area and resulted in extensive damages. The city is also subject to traffic congestion due to the population increase in the city. In order to address the problem, government decides to build a Smart Tunnel to solve the both issue carried out through a joint venture pact between MMC Corp Berhad and Gamuda Berhad with the Department of Irrigation And Drainage Malaysia and the Malaysian Highway Authority as the executing government agencies. Smart Tunnel is serving a dual purpose which is ease of traffic congestion and mitigates the floods issue in Kuala Lumpur. However, Kuala Lumpur ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s SMART Tunnel is not looking so smart anymore as the there is occurrence of heavy flood at Jalan TunRazak and Kampung Baru (The Star Online, 2011).Besides that, the heavy traffic congestion in Kuala Lumpur still cannot be solve even the SMART tunnel has been constructed with its secondary function which is serve to ease the traffic problem. In order to understand better on how the SMART tunnel operates, maintain and the effectiveness of its function, it is necessary to carry out a research on how the water is diverts and how it ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s serve to ease the traffic at Kuala Lumpur. 1.3 Aim and Objectives Title A Study and Evaluation of SMART Projects in Malaysia Aim To establish the conceptual model of SMART projects in serving the dual purpose of flood mitigation and ease of road congestion. Objectives The objectives of the study are (i) To ascertain the operating system and maintenance system of SMART tunnel. (ii) To identify the effectiveness of the smart tunnel in mitigate flood and ease of traffic congestion. (iii) To study the benefits of SMART tunnel by comparing before and after the construction of SMART tunnel. 1.4 Scope of Study In this research proposal, three main aspects will be focused and carried out such as the operating and maintenance system of SMART Tunnel. This is mainly study on how the SMART tunnel reacts; operate when there is a heavy flood and how is the maintenance system of the SMART tunnel. Besides that, an analysis on the effectiveness of the SMART tunnel will be carried out. Benefits of the SMART tunnel will be study by comparing the before and after of the construction of SMART tunnel. On the other hand, the other three aspects that will not be focus throughout the research proposal will be the management system of the SMART tunnel, the comparison on the performance of the structure under seismic loading when there is an occurrence of earthquake and the construction method used in constructing SMART tunnel. 1.5 Research Methodology Methodology in a simplify term can be defined as a term whereby it enable the research ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s goal and objectives can be achieved effectively. So, it is important that a systematic methodology should carry out in order to collect all the necessary and important information to get a best result for the study. Generally, the methodology of this research proposal is as follows: First stage (Literature Review) In this stage, the study will begin with the formulation of research aim, objectives and problem statement. At this early stage, some of the secondary data will be use as reference such as articles, reference books and newspaper. Secondary data is used in this stage in order to understand the topic thoroughly thus formulates the aim, problem statement and objectives of the research proposal. Second stage (Interview/Questionnaire/Case Study) After the formulation of aim, objectives and problem statement, other necessary information will gather from primary data. The relevant information will be acquired through primary sources such as interview, questionnaire and case study. The relevant respondents that have knowledge towards the topic will be interview and questionnaire approach will also be conducted by distribute a number of questionnaires to the respondent to fill up. Third Stage After collecting all the relevant data, the data will be analyse by using a analysis method to analyse whether the objective of the research has meet. The effectiveness of the SMART tunnel in mitigates the floods and ease of traffic congestion will be analysed at this stage and another method of analysis will be done by comparing the benefits before and after the construction of SMART tunnel. Then, the result will be presented in the proposal itself. 1.6 Chapter Planned The research proposal mainly comprises of five chapters which as shown below: Chapter 1 Chapter 1 of the research proposal is just a brief on the research proposal. In this chapter, a brief introduction of SMART tunnel will be discussed. Then the aim, objectives, problem statement and scope of study will be formulated after read through the relevant information of SMART tunnel. Besides that, research methodology, the flow of chapter and planning of chapter will also be identified at this stage. At last, a work programme will be prepared by comparing the pre-planned work and actual work done throughout the research proposal. Chapter 2 The objectives that formulated in chapter 1 will be discussed more detail in this stage. In this chapter, the mode of operating and maintenance system of SMART tunnel will be study and discussed by referring to the books, journal and articles. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of the SMART tunnel in mitigates the flood and ease of traffic congestion will be elaborate thoroughly by referring to the articles. Then, the benefits of the SMART tunnel by comparing the before and after the construction of it will be identified and discussed at this stage. Chapter 3 This chapter is mainly focus on the methodology used in preparing the research proposal. Obviously, the methodology used which is primary data. Interview and questionnaire will be conducted by interview a person who had knowledge on the SMART tunnel such as Architect, Engineer and Quantity Surveying. Questionnaire will be distributed to the road users that uses SMART tunnel at least five times in a week. Chapter 4 After the collection of primary and secondary data, a detail analysis will be carried out by using the SPSS software to calculate the outcome. This will be applied to the questionnaire collected after filled up by the road users and the interview being conducted with the Architect, Quantity Surveyor or Engineers whereas the interview will be analyse by writing it into an essay form in research proposal. Chapter 5 Chapter 5 is the conclusion part prepared after the analysis of the data collected. A possible recommendation will also be produced in order to provide alternative solution to the statement as stated in Chapter 1. 1.7 Summary of the Proposal Flow Chart 1: Summary of the proposal Source: Wong Yee Vern 2.1 Introduction In the year of 2001, Government has sort out a solution that would allow a severe flood to enter into the city without flooding or cause damage to the city centre. An idea was proposed by the Government to implement a project named SMART Project by constructing a tunnel which serve a dual purpose in mitigates the flood issue and ease of traffic congestion. The procurement method of this project is design and build contract and is carry out by a joint venture between Malaysian Mining Corporation and Gamuda Sdn Bhd. Meanwhile, the concessionaire of the project is Syarikat Mengurus Air Banjir Terowong Sdn Bnd and undergoes a concession period of 40 years. The construction method of SMART tunnel is using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) method and it cost around RM 1.9 billion to construct. Design of the tunnel is consider as unique as it is divided into 2 decks and the length of the tunnel is about 9.7 km with an outer diameter of 13.2m. The construction of SMART Tunnel began on 25 November 2003 and officially operates on 14 May 2007. 2.2 Physical Components of Stormwater System The SMART system is a sequence of storage, attenuation and regulated flow. The system diverts flood discharges from the city centre and subsequently releases them downstream while ensuring the flood problem is not transferred elsewhere (Ir. Ng Koh Hing, Ir. David N. Welch Subathra Devi Ramachandram, 2008). No overflow shall occur by ensuring the system optimizes the storage, attenuation and regulation within and adjacent to the system. Generally the bypass system consists of intake and outlet system. Besides that, the intake and outlet system consist of a debris removal system complete with floating booms, trash rack and a debris removal and disposal unit. A river flow diversion system complete with a 4-bay diversion weir structure and an 8-bay offtake structure shall also be part of the intake and outlet system. Then a set of twin box culverts which gated at both end conveys the discharge from storage reservoir to Kerayong. Moreover, a holding pond will be situated at the upstream of the tunnel with a storage capacity of 600,000 cubic metres and a storage cum attenuation pond with a storage capacity of 1,400,000 cubic metres located at the downstream end of the tunnel. 2.3 Operation of the SMART System When there is an event of downpour of rain, the data collected will be analysed to predict the operation mode of SMART Tunnel. For instance, when mode II is predicted by the analysis of data collected then action will be taken accordingly. Initially, this means that the defined operating rules will be operated and the sequence of operation will be displayed for monitoring and supervision purpose in Stormwater Control Centre (SCC) which involved the operation of various gates. The mode of operation of SMART tunnel will be subdivided into 4 modes. 2.3.1 Operation Rules of SMART Tunnel Before 2.3.2 Modes of Operation The operation of SMART tunnel and motorway is depend on the flood condition at the upstream of Klang River or Ampang River and works on four principle mode. The principle mode of operation system of SMART tunnel can be referred to figure 1.2. Mode I This is the mode when the raining water is very little and traffic is allowed in the tunnel thus no diversion of water into the tunnel is required. Mode II This mode is activated when the flow rate is between 70-150m3/s which means that when the flow rate of the rainwater recorded at the upstream is between these rate, Mode II will be automatically activated. The road tunnel traffic will remain opened to the road users but the excess flood water will be diverted to the holding pond and the lower deck of the tunnel will channel the flood flow to the attenuation pond with a flow rate of 50m3/s. Mode III When there is a heavy rain fall, this mode will be activated and the flow rate is 150m3/s or more. However, the traffic is motorway is required to be close down in order to allow the water channel through the both tunnel. Under such circumstances, the tunnel will be close up to 8 hours after the rain stops to do some maintenance work. Mode IV After the 2 hours of declaration of Mode III, this mode will be activated if the rain water storm prolong and the road tunnel will be re-opened to the traffic only within 4 days of closure. Moreover, the tunnel will be used for channel the floods after the completion of evacuation of traffic. Figure 1.2 Operation Mode of SMART tunnel

Addiction and Al-anon Meeting Essay

Just like the AA meeting, I felt very uncomfortable with attending an Al-Anon meeting. I have been fortunate enough where no one close to me has ever been addicted to alcohol. I wasn’t sure how well I would be able to relate to the members of this meeting. I was very nervous walking in the meeting and I felt out of place. One thing that brought me relief was the smiling faces and happy conversation I encountered as I entered the room. These people looked like they were trying to make the best out of the situation that their loved ones put them in. There was a lot of chatter in the room. People were talking about their past week and common ground between each other. The atmosphere of the room wasn’t as gloomy as when I attended the AA meeting. The people who were chatting the most looked like they might attend the Al-anon meetings regularly. The room I walked in looked like a lunch room with chairs and tables set up. The meeting started with a Serenity Prayer, which was similar to how my AA meeting started. Once again, like my AA meeting, it was explained to everyone that this was an Open meeting and no one was required to talk. The story that stood out the most to me was the story that came from the man in the blue jacket. This man looked to be about 26 years old. He told the story about how his father is an alcoholic and how he has been spending extra time with him during his free time to try and keep his father’s mind off of alcohol. He said he would do anything to help his father beat this addiction. I can relate to this story because I to have a family member who’s addiction consume her life. Just like the man in the blue jacket, I to would do anything to help my family member beat this addiction. No one really reacted to his story accept for the leader of the meeting. The leader said some words to the man. There was another member of the group who began talking about her struggles in relation to the man in the blue jacket’s story. All of the people attending this meeting are there because someone they love needs help fighting an addiction. From the stories I heard, these addictions are affecting everyone’s daily life, not just the person addicted. From my own personal experience with addiction, I am always worried about my family member. My family member has a gambling addiction, so she must never be able to have cash. This is a daily struggle for me because I take care of all her finances, so she does not have any temptation. The people in this meeting were trying to help their loved ones in the same way, by trying to limit the temptation of drinking alcohol or doing drugs. I think the biggest difference with the Al-anon meeting versus the AA meeting is that the people attending the Al-anon meeting were all there voluntarily. When I attended the AA meeting you could definitely tell that there was some court ordered participants. Everyone at the Al-anon meeting was more than willing to share their struggles and triumphs with everyone in the room, where as in the AA meeting only one or two people shared their stories. Overall, It think these meetings are a great source for people dealing with addiction, for everyone needs to be able to share their experiences to be able to lift them off their shoulders.

Paul’s Teachings and His Impact on Christianity

It is a widely accepted notion that Paul of Tarsus, a Christian teacher living from AD 4- 67, ultimately and significantly impacted Christianity's expression. Through his writings and beliefs, Paul has changed the spiritual dimension of Christianity in its entirety. Paul, originally a persecutor of Christians for the Roman Empire, received his conversion on the Road to Damascus. It is this that prompted his change of heart, and for his incessant preaching of the gospel.Perhaps driven by his former life, Paul preached the notion of love to all. â€Å"If I have no love, I am like a clanging gong,† he wrote in one of his epistles. In Galatians, Paul notes the importance of love as one of the ‘Fruits of the Spirit'. This devotion to loving one another impacted Christianity as previously, this idea had not been taught so prominently (except, obviously, by Christ). Paul taught that Christians were to, as Jesus taught and demonstrated by His death on the cross, love through all circumstances, as love â€Å"never fails†.This idea has led to the teaching, in many churches now, of adherents ‘becoming love', or becoming one with the qualities Paul so admired in the Saviour he worshipped. Secondly, Paul's preaching of salvation through faith, and, more importantly, through God's grace, led to the amazing expansion of Christianity through the salvation of new believers. In this way, Paul made Christianity accessible to all, no matter whether they were â€Å"Jew or Gentile, male or female, freed or slave†.This revolutionised religious expression as anyone knew it, as previously, salvation was earned through works (for example, sacrifices and commandments). Paul, once again building on Jesus' teachings, taught that obeying commandments was not the way to earn salvation, but was a way to show love for Jesus. While this idea was predominately lost until Martin Luther's reformation, Christianity was transformed by this and expanded significantly as a result. Paul also reiterated the importance of relying on Jesus, which is expressed in his letter to the Colossian church.Their reliance on the self was causing nothing but trouble for their spiritual lives, and Paul was quick to point this uot. Rather than testing human capabilities, Paul promoted the idea of keeping faith in the works of God, through constant prayer and reading of God's word. This, he said, would lead to a spiritually stronger church. This idea transformed the way Christian churches react in the face of crisis – whether to stand on their own ideas (â€Å"lean not on your own understanding,† as the Old Testament says) or to â€Å"Trust in the Lord your God† – with many following Paul's example and receiving through prayer.Paul promoted the idea of individual spiritual growth, as proclaimed in his epistles. He compares newcomers to the faith as spiritual babies, but he advises through learning about the Gospel that any believer can g row (â€Å"for we are all one with Christ†). This transformed Christianity as the believer is able t now feel a closer spiritual connection to God – Paul promotes heavenly rewards, but also new spiritual gifts through growth that God lovingly gives. Paul, while teaching that spiritual growth may accompany struggles and sin, also advise d the adherent to â€Å"flee† from sin.In his epistle to the Galatians, Paul refers to the old self – anger, gluttony, jealousy and hatred – as how believers should not act, then describes the Fruit of the Spirit: â€Å"Love, gentleness, meekness, self-control, kindness, joy and peace† as how believers should live. Paul gave examples of the adherent's ideal life, which had a transforming effect on Christianity not because of its content, but because Paul admitted sin was inevitable. Paul accommodated the nature of all individuals but urged the believer to use self-control, to â€Å"make his body a slave† and to try and resist temptation.Paul's words, undeniably, had a profound effect on Christian spirituality and understanding, as well as teaching. Through Paul's teachings of equality and love, his teachings of Jesus' love and God's grace through salvation, Paul revolutionised Christianity for the better and could always use Jesus' preaching’s to support these (a necessity for the faith). Paul himself did not profess to be perfect – â€Å"my body does things I don't want to do† – but spoke always of Jesus' love and forgiveness for all, showing

Amina, African Warrior Queen of Zazzau

Known for:  warrior queen, extending the territory of her people.  While stories about her could be legends, scholars believe she was an actual person who ruled in what is now the Zaria province of Nigeria. Dates: about 1533 - about 1600Occupation: Queen of ZazzauAlso Known as: Amina Zazzau, princess of ZazzauReligion: Muslim Sources of the History of Amina Oral tradition includes many stories about Amina of Zazzau, but scholars generally accept that the stories are based on a real person who ruled Zazzau, a Hausa city-state which is now Zaria province in Nigeria. The dates of Aminas life and rule are in dispute among scholars.  Some place her in the 15th century and some in the 16th.  Her story does not appear in writing until Muhammed Bello wrote of her accomplishments in the  Ifaq al-Maysur  which dates to 1836. The Kano Chronicle, a history written in the 19th century from earlier sources, mentions her as well, putting her rule in the 1400s. She is not mentioned in the list of rulers written from oral history in the 19th century and published in the early 20th, though the ruler Bakwa Turunka  appears there, Aminas mother. The name Amina means truthful or honest. Background, Family Grandfather: probably ruler of ZazzauMother: Bakwa of Turunka, ruling queen of ZazzauBrother: Karama (ruled as king, 1566-1576)Sister: Zariya, for whom the city of Zaria may be namedAmina refused to marry and had no children About Amina, Queen of Zazzau Aminas mother, Bakwa of Turunka, was the founding  ruler of Zazzauas a kingdom, one of many Hausa city-kingdoms involved in trade.  The collapse of the Songhai empire left a gap in power that these city-states filled. Amina, born in the city of Zazzau, was trained in skills of government and military warfare and fought in battles with her brother, Karama. In 1566, when Bakwa died, Aminas younger brother Karama became king. In 1576 when Karama died, Amina, now about 43, became Queen of Zazzau. She used her military prowess to expand the territory of Zazzau to the mouth of the Niger in the south and including Kano and Katsina in the north. These military conquests led to great wealth, both because they opened more trading routes and because conquered territories had to pay tribute. She is credited with building walls around her camps during her military ventures, and with building a wall around the city of Zaria.  Mud walls around cities became known as Aminas walls. Amina is also credited with initiating the cultivation of kola nuts in the area she ruled. While she never married -- perhaps imitating Queen Elizabeth I of England -- and had no children, legends tell of her taking, after a battle, a man from among the enemy, and spending the night with him, then killing him in the morning so he could tell no stories. Amina ruled for 34 years before her death. According to the legend, she was killed in a military campaign near Bida, Nigeria. In Lagos State, at the National Arts Theatre, there is a statue of Amina.  Many schools are named for her.