SYNOPSIS

Ultra High Performance Concrete Technology: From Research to Practice
This lecture demonstrate the delivery of research into ultra-high performance concretes (UHPC) from the laboratory and into practice. In 2001 a research project was initiated at UNSW Australia on the behaviour of reactive powder concrete girders; where models have been further developed and enhanced to bring together a consistent approach for the analysis and design of structural members constructed of UHPC. Example on a newly constructed single span 100m span UHPC integral-deck precast segmental box Girder Bridge. To-date, this bridge is the world longest single span UHPC box girder bridge. Detail design calculation and construction method of this bridge will be presented. Besides that, comparative studies show that these structures provide for environmentally sustainable and economic alternatives to the use of conventional concrete or steel composite construction with respect to the reduction of CO2 emissions, embodied energy and global warming potential. The enhanced durability of UHPC also provides for significant improvements in design life, further supporting the concept of sustainable development.

Research and Development of Precast Concrete Products in Malaysia
Recent trends and introduction of several new precast concrete products in Malaysia for both infrastructure and building sectors for the past decades to alleviate the problems faced by the construction industry shall be introduced. The innovations described herein include large culverts and pipes, arches, noise barriers, retaining wall systems in the infrastructure sector. For the building sector, precast components and building systems were introduced. Brief outlines on the development of precast concrete industry, research and development trends and approaches, complete with product features and applications for the series of innovative products are discussed.

Quality Control of Precast Concrete Elements
Quality control of precast concrete elements at the manufacturing plant is relatively easy to manage despite requirement of highly stringent procedure to ensure consistency and reliability. Also, similar to normal cast in-situ concrete, strategic maintenance is essential for structures constructed with precast concrete elements to guarantee anticipated service lifespan. In relation to these, this lecture introduces a series of standard tests required for quality control of precast concrete during the manufacturing process, from physical property check of raw materials up to strength check of finished products. In addition, there will be introduction on some of the standard and advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) methods for diagnosis and defect assessment of under-service precast concrete structures that will facilitate appropriate maintenance.


SPEAKERS

Ir. Dr. Voo Yen Lei graduated with a PhD in Civil Engineering (Structural) from University of New South Wales (UNSW) Australia at the age of 26 is the founder of Dura Technology Sdn Bhd. Dura Technology Sdn. Bhd. specialised in the manufacturing of precast and customised concrete product made from Ultra High Strength Concrete or Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC). To-date, he is the director and CEO of this wholly Malaysian owned company. In addition to that, he also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Civil Engineering at the University Putra Malaysia (UPM), where he teaches advanced concrete technology to postgraduate students. He is also a two time national record holder from the Malaysia Book of Record and several recognized international excellence awards. His book titled “Reactive Powder Concrete; Analysis and Design of RPC Girders” was published in 2009.

Ir. Tan Geem Eng is currently the Technical Director of Rivo Precast Sdn Bhd founded in 2004.  He received his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from University of Malaya in 1987. He started his engineering career in contracting, research and consultancy services for the first few years before venturing into precast concrete industry in 1991. For the past twenty over years, he had been actively involved in design and product development works related to precast concrete practices. He spearheaded the research efforts primarily in civil infrastructure sector with conceptualization of new product idea, feasibility study, structural design, experiment, promotion and market development of new inventions. Some notable products introduced were precast Tripod and Counterfort Wall; Sheetpile and Soldierpile Wall; Closed Spandrel and Open Spandrel Arch bridge systems. He had obtained several patents and published technical papers on precast construction. He is a registered PE with BEM, member of IEM, IABSE and IASS.

Dr. Chai Hwa Kian is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. He obtained his PhD degree in Civil Engineering (Structural Engineering) from Osaka University, Japan and Master of Engineering Science (Concrete Materials) from University of Malaya. Prior to joining University of Malaya, Chai was a Research Engineer in Tobishima Corporation Research Institute of Technology, Chiba, Japan and Assistant Professor in Osaka University. His research interests include condition assessment, repair and strengthening of concrete structures.