Institution of Engineers of Singapore
Civil & Structural Engineering
7 PDUs
Structural Division
Proudly presents a
SEMINAR ON
BUILDABLE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
OF TALL BUILDINGS
Date
:
Friday, 7 October 2005
Time
:
9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Venue
:
Novotel Clark Quay
Fees
:
IES/IStructE Members = $180
Non-members = $200/-
Abstract
To reduce the number of workers on site and to achieve better site productivity,
the industry has to adopt more labour efficient designs with the use of preassembled products to create a safe environment for all.
A key measure to
achieve this is the introduction of regulations under the Building Control Act,
which require building designs to have a minimum buildability score and joint
efforts are made by all players of the construction industry to manage the risks
involved in highrise construction.
The success of a project lies in its ability to engineer the development from its
earliest stage, and exploit its full potential to offer developers, architects,
engineers and contractors with innovative solutions. A buildable system simplifies
the construction sequence without compromising the structural integrity of the
building. With well-designed details and proper maintenance, the durability of
these buildings can be enhanced and through structural health monitoring, it can
produce significant savings over their life cycles.
This seminar presents the design and construction challenges, recent innovations
and discusses the buildability, prefabrication and safety issues related to highrise
construction.
Topics and CV of Speakers
 “Updates on Industry Achievement in Buildable Design”
by Ms Rose Nguan, Senior Development Officer, Building Control Authority
Introduction
Buildable design legislation started since 1st January 2001. The legislation of buildable design has
brought about some noticeable changes in the construction methods used over these few years.
The presentation aims to provide an update on the Buildable Design Legislation, the adoption of
buildable system, the extent of buildable system used and the different buildable solutions
available.
CV of Speaker
Ms Rose Nguan is a Senior Development Officer of the Technology Development Division in Building
and Construction Authority (BCA). She graduated from National University of Singapore with a
Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering and Master degree in Science (Civil Engineering). She is the
member of the PE board since 1998. She is involved in the development of the Code of Practice on
Buildable Design and conducting site checks for buildability compliance. In addition, she also
conducts workshops on Buildable Design Appraisal System at the Construction Industry Training
Institute.
 “Estate Renewal Scheme through the use of Prefabricated Highrise
Construction”
by Dr. Johnny Wong Liang Heng, Head Building Research Unit, Housing & Development
Board
Introduction
Innovation and challenge are the keywords used to describe the efforts made in the design and
construction of the Housing and Development Board’s (HDB’s) first prefabricated 40-storey tall
buildings at Toa Payoh RC30 and Queenstown RC40. These were HDB’s pioneer projects to
maximise land use through the development of super high-rise buildings to replace existing
low/medium-rise buildings.
HDB successfully capitalised on its vast experience in design, prefabrication and construction
technologies, to address the various engineering problems encountered in the design and
construction of these super high-rise buildings. The main challenge was to ensure an efficient, very
buildable and cost-effective structural system for the tall buildings’ resilience against lateral
effects due to strong winds and tremors and to exploit new technologies and engineering
innovations to achieve high quality and construction productivity for these buildings.
This presentation highlights HDB’s solution in the development of super high-rise residential
buildings to solve Singapore’s land scarce problem, incorporating full precast technology as an
efficient and cost effective solution for tall buildings construction.
CV of Speaker
Dr. Johnny Wong Liang Heng is currently heading the Building Research Unit 1 (BRU 1) of the
Building Technology Department (BTD), HDB. He graduated with a B.Eng (first class honours) (1995)
and a PhD (1997) in Civil and Structural Engineering from the University of Sheffield, UK. While he
was in the UK he was conferred several awards which included the Henry-Boot Award, LaverickWebster-Hewitt Award and the Institute of Civil Engineers' Award. Dr. Wong is currently involved in
several R&D studies relating to building works and information technology. He is also in-charge of
the R&D technology test laboratory at HDB's Prefabrication Technology Center.
 “Aesthetic Design through Prefabrication”
by Mr Khoo Peng Beng, Principal, ArcStudio Architecture and Urbanism
Introduction
Precast system infers a high degree of repetition. Peng Beng has demonstrated in the 50-storey
public housing project, Pinnacle@Duxton that a highly differentiated façade can be produced from a
repetitive process. He will explain the thought processes behind the façade design and the aesthetics
derived from the use of precast technology.
CV of Speaker
Mr Khoo Peng Beng graduated from the National University of Singapore with the Board of Architects
Award for Best Final Year Thesis in 1993. Peng Beng and Belinda, his wife, founded their
architectural practice ARC Studio six years ago. Their works are process driven and have earned a
reputation for being dynamic and innovative. They shot to fame two years ago when they won the
International Architectural Design Competition for the Duxton Plain Public Housing project. Their
young team beat over two hundred firms from all over the world to clinch the top prize with a scheme
that impressed the judges as it resolved the complex issues in a simple and elegant manner.
They are now one of the hottest young architects in Singapore and have design works all over the
region. From hotels in Malaysia to Resorts in Kerala and Bali and large scale housing and urban
renewal projects in China, ARC Studio’s works are rapidly expanding in scope and scale.
Peng Beng’s works have been exhibited in Kuala Lumpur, China and most recently in the exhibition
“20 under 45” curate by the URA. He is currently leading the curatorial committee of the Singapore
entry for the Sao Paulo Biennial of Architecture and Design.
 "The Challenge of Adopting Precast Solution for Tall and Slim Buildings"
by Er. Yeo Choon Chong, Director, Meinhardt (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Introduction
In today’s urban landscape of Singapore, the quest for taller and slimmer building seems to be the
trend for the new downtown and its immediate surroundings. The use of innovative precast
solutions has creatively addressed this issue. The use of precast concrete multi-storey framed
slender buildings has also achieved higher construction quality and rapid construction.
The challenges such as site constraints, planning and design considerations will be presented as
well as how these challenges were overcome through innovative and buildable design.
CV of Speaker
Er. Yeo Choon Chong is a Director with Meinhardt (Singapore) Pte Ltd, is responsible for overseeing
design/documentation and construction supervision of all major civil and structural engineering
projects undertaken by the company in Singapore and regionally.
He holds a MBA and a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering from University of Sheffield, UK. As a
registered Professional Engineer and Chartered Engineer (UK) with more than 17 years of
engineering experience, he has led the design and documentation of numerous tall and slim
buildings both in Singapore and regionally. These include projects such as No. 1 Moulmein Rise;
Newton.GEMS; Parkview Square; a 70-storey Gilarmi Project in Manila; Philippines. He is currently
responsible for Burj El Behar – a mixed development project in Tripoli – Libya. The Dubai Mall –
world’s largest shopping mall in Dubai and Capital Plaza in Abu Dhabi.
 “Structural Health Monitoring Using Fibre Optic Sensor and Optical Instrument”
by Dr Dennis Song, Managing Director, FOSTA Pte Ltd
Introduction
Buildings represent a huge investment in land scarce Singapore and sound design with proper
maintenance can produce significant savings over their life cycles. Structural Health Monitoring
(SHM) using advanced equipment enables us to obtain vital information on structural behaviours of
buildings during construction stage and over their entire lifespan. Fibre Optic Sensing (FOS) is one of
today’s fastest developing technologies for SHM and by combining with high-precision motorised
optical equipment; both structural loading and movement can be monitored efficiently.
CV of Speaker
Dr Dennis Song is the Managing Director of FOSTA Pte Ltd, a hi-tech structural monitoring and
strengthening company. He designs, fabricates, installs and operates FOS SHM systems in Singapore
and the region and is also involved in the redevelopment of the powerful cyclops and geoscope, a
system which is known worldwide as a reference tool and software in the field of structural
monitoring and instrumentation. Dr Song is a specialist who develops advanced glass and carbon
fibre composite materials and has 20 years of experience working in technology management and
providing engineering consultancy services for various industries.
Dr Song graduated from China in Engineering in 1984 and obtained his PhD from Imperial College,
UK in 1993, followed by MBA from NTU in 2002. He has more than 20 publications in journals and
conferences, and holds three patents in composite material, car park management and fibre optic
sensors. He is a UK registered engineer and member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers,
Institute of Materials (UK), Singapore Non-Destructive Testing Society and FRP Society.
 “Safety in Highrise Construction”
by Ms Sia Ai Ling, Senior Specialist, OSH Specialist Department, Ministry of Manpower
Introduction
Every year, more workers get killed from falling than from any other cause. Construction of highrise
buildings present the highest risk of falling from height. There are also other risks that cannot be taken
lightly, such as being struck by falling objects, risks associated with use of heavy plants and
machinery, and risks posed by mechanical and electrical installations.
In order to manage these risks, there must be a focused safety management system that is based on
identifying, assessing and controlling these risks. Failing to do so could result in loss of lives, limbs
and property and this will inadvertently affect the company financially. The management of safety
should therefore be a priority in the overall project management. This paper looks at the safety risks
related to highrise construction and how they should be managed.
CV of Speaker
Ms Sia Ai Ling is a Senior Specialist with the Occupational Safety and Health Division, Ministry of
Manpower. She graduated from the former Nanyang Technological Institute with a Degree in Civil
and Structural Engineering. She has been enforcing occupational safety and health laws, and had
investigated into numerous accidents including those that happened in the construction industry.
In her present capacity, she provides specialist support to a team of inspectors in areas concerning
construction safety. She regularly reviews legislation affecting safety and health in the construction
industry.
Registration Form
ONE DAY SEMINAR ON BUILDABLE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF TALL BUILDINGS
Please send/fax the completed form to :
Institution of Engineers, Singapore
70 Bukit Tinggi Road Singapore 289758
Tel : 64695000
Fax : 64671108
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Confirmation of events will be given 1 week prior to the commencement of the event. In the event that you
are not able to attend the event, please kindly inform us in writing at least three days before the
commencement date otherwise the full payment is still applicable even if you did not turn up for the
event. Replacement is allowed, however, when a member is replaced by a non-member, the participant
has to pay the difference in the fee. For further enquiries, please contact Jenny at Tel: 64695000, Fax:
64671108 or E-mail: jenny@iesnet.org.sg
The Institution reserves the right to make appropriate changes at its discretion although
every effort will be made to inform participants in time.