SCHOOL OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

REPORT
ON
INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT
WITH

MEINHARDT SINGAPORE PTE LTD

PREPARED BY: PHAM VIET HOANG
U1220089A

Table of Contents
Abstract

Acknowledgement

1. Introduction 5
1.1.

Background of Industrial Attachment

1.2.

Objectives of Report 5

1.3.

Objectives of Author 5

1.4.

Job Scope

2. Overview of Company

2.1.

Background of Company

2.2.

Company Organization Chart

3. Watertown Punggol 8
3.1.

Project Background

3.2.

Key Design Ideas of Project 9

3.3.

Raft Modeling for Beam Design

10

3.4.

Safe Modeling for Slab Design

14

3.5.

Steel Structure Design

4. Construction Site Visits

5. Conclusion

21

6. References

22

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ABSTRACT

Industrial Attachment is a 20-week learning process which by exposing the students

in real life working environment as part of an academic curriculum helps the students
to develop and enhance academic, personal and professional competencies. Due to
the diversity of the training environments and backgrounds of organisation
supervisors, a significant part of the attachment programme is based on a selfdirected learning approach by the students. This report gives an overview on the
students experience at Meinhardt Singapore, and also the knowledge and lessons
learnt during his 20-week training with the company.
This report first starts with a brief introduction on the IA and the author, followed by
an overview about the organisation, to which the author was being attached. More
importantly, all the technical knowledge and experiences gained will also be
presented in this report.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The experience that the author gain during his time with Meinhardt Singapore was
valuable as he was given a chance to be involved in some projects his colleagues to
accomplish the project smoothly. He has also gained insights on the working life as a
civil and structural engineer.
Therefore, he would like to take this opportunity to thank the following personal in
teaching and guiding him during his 20-week industrial attachment.

Deputy Managing Director, Head of ST1 C&S Team, Mr Kam Mun Wai, for
providing the author a wonderful working environment with many challenges

yet a lot of opportunities.

Technical Director of ST1 C&S Team, Mr Tan Wai Hong, for his kindness in

supervising and directing the author to the right path with plenty of advices.
Technical director of ST1 C&S Team, Mr Jeffery Ng, for guiding and

conducting assessment for the author.

Senior Engineer of ST1 C&S Team, Mr Wong Tech Hong, for teaching and
guiding the author all the building structure technical knowledge. The author
also wants to thank him for giving the author a chance to take charge of
several works which enhance the author in many skills such as problem

solving skill, management skill

All the colleagues in Meinhardt, for their warm hospitality and

encouragement to the author all the time.

NTU Tutor, Prof Shuy Eng Ban, for helping the author whenever he faces
difficulties to make this IA a success.

1. INTRODUCTION
4

1.1.

Background of Industrial Attachment

Industrial attachment is part of the curriculum for NTU year 3 engineering students.
The 20 weeks of supervised practical training expose students to the real working
world and prepare them for the future employment in their chosen discipline.

1.2.

Objectives of report

The report aims to highlight the authors experiment as an undergraduate structural

engineer with Meinhardt (Singapore).
The objectives of this report are to:
Provide a background overview of the IA organisation
Describe all the assignments completed and knowledge attained by the
student
Highlight in detail 2 assignments undertaken- Beam Design and Slab Design
using SAFE and Raft
Review the insight and reflection based on the challenging work experiences
Draw a conclusion from this internship

1.3.

Objectives of author

The author aim to achieve the following learning objectives during his industrial
attachment:
To apply knowledge learnt in University to practical work environment
To acquire technical skills in using design and analysis software
To develop interpersonal skills and work with engineers in a team
To practice problem solving skills
To practice good time management skill so that assignment can be completed
duly and the student can embark on more new assignments

1.4.

Job Scope

The author was assigned to civil and structural team and his major work was on
Watertown Punggol project.
For the Watertown project, the author was involved in designing the beams and slab
for some residential buildings. He also designed a bus station with the help of
SAP2000 software as part of this assignment.

2. Overview of Company
2.1.

Background of Company

Meinhardt Group: is a multidisciplinary engineering consultancy that annually

works on projects worth an estimated US$15 billion. Ranked among the largest
independent engineering consulting firms globally by revenue. Meinhardt Group has
over 3,500 specialists working in some 42 offices across Australia, Asia, the Middle
East, North Africa and the United Kingdom.
Meinhardt Groups fully integrated and multidisciplinary platform consists of the
following consulting capabilities: Civil & Infrastructure, Structural Engineering,
MEP Engineering, Project Management, Planning & Urban Development, Water &
Environment, Faade Engineering, Specialist Lighting, Fire Performance
Engineering, Integrated Design Management, Mission Critical Facilities Design,
Environment Sustainable Designs.
Meinhardt (Singapore) Pte Ltd opened its office in 1973 and it is an integral part
of the Meinhardt Group. Led by some of the most experienced and innovative
engineers and professionals in the industry, it is now one of the leading international
consultancies in Singapore, with over 500 permanent staff. Recognised for its
innovative and highly buildable designs,
The following page defines the organizational structure of Meinhardt and broadly
outlines the interrelationship of the various functional groups associated with the
delivery of products and processes.

2.2.

Company organisation chart

Meinhardt (Singapore) provides a full spectrum of multi-disciplinary services

in the fields of civil and structural engineering, mechanical and electrical
engineering, project management, infrastructure planning and environmental
engineering.

Fig 1: Meinhardt Singapore Organisation Chart

3. Watertown Punggol
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3.1.

Project Background

Project: Proposed residential / commercial development comprising 11 residential

blocks of 11, 12, 13 & 14-storey with commercial development at B1, B2, B3, 1st &
2nd storey.

Fig 2: Watertown Punggol Key Design

Fig 3: Arial view of Watertown Project

Owner/Client: Emerald Star Pte Ltd. And FC Retail Trustee Pte Ltd
Design Architect: RSP Architects Planners & Engineers

Structural Engineer: Meinhardt (S) Pte Ltd

Main Contractor: Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co.,Ltd

3.2.

Key Design Ideas of Project

Fig 4: Watertown Residential Area

Fig 5: Watertown Public Area

Watertown Punggol is the first integrated waterfront lifestyle development in

Singapore. It is the first luxurious waterfront development that integrates seamlessly
residences, shopping mall and public transport network (Punggol MRT). Located by
the scenic Punggol Waterway, at the new Punggol Central, residents in Punggol can
gain easy access to a host of recreational activities. Waterway Point, which is the
retail component of the Watertown Punggol, will host popular shops, boutiques as
well as Singapores first basement 11-screen cinema.

3.3.

Raft Modelling for Beam Design

3.3.1. Structure analysis

For the first few weeks of the internship, the author was instructed to analyse the
framing of the 2nd and roof level for the Punggol Townsquare building. All the
analysis and the assignment must follow Singapore Standard CP65 code of practice
for structural use of concrete.
At first, the author learnt how to understand a structural drawing consisting beams,
columns, walls, staircases, ramps, voids... After that a check has to be carried out to
ensure that the structural drawing is consistent with the architectural drawing in term
of gird lines, beam and column locations finally all the load patterns are being
analysed and assigned to each individual structural elements (beams) by the method
of tributary areas.

Fig 6: Townsquare Structural Drawing

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Fig 7: Townsquare Architectural Drawing

3.3.2. Raft for beam design
In the project, RAPT was used for beam design. It is one of the most commonly used
software by engineers in the C&S department. The methodology of using RAPT is
described below:
1. Key in general information:
Information such as the concrete strength, thickness of concrete cover and design
code were specified. Self-weight of beam can be calculated by the software
automatically.
2. Input beam span and slab data:
The length of each beam span as well as the slab thickness and width were entered.
Span length was taken to be the distance between the centers of the supports
3. Input support conditions of beams.
There are three types of support conditions that can be assigned to the beam, Knifeedge, Column and Fixed. Knife edge is commonly chosen to idealise simply
supported beams

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4. Enter the beam dimensions.

The depth and width of the beam were specified. RAPT would then display the cross
section of the beam based on the dimensions entered. Simple rectangular cross
section as well as other complicated sections such as T-section and L-section can be
created.
5. Input the load cases and combinations
Different load cases include dead loads and live loads were selected. Under each load
case, the loads calculated based on beam load taking were entered. The loads could
be input as line loads, area loads and point loads. The default load combination is 1.4
Superimposed dead loads + 1.4 Self-weight + 1.6Live Load.
6. Run the analysis.
RAPT is able to generate the short term and long term deflection, shear, moment
diagrams. In addition, the main reinforcement, shear reinforcement and stirrups
required would be generated under the Output tab.

Fig 8: Key in general information

Fig 9: Input beam span and slab data

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Fig 10: Support types

Fig 11: Beam dimensions

Fig 12: Input load cases

Fig 13: Deflection result

Fig 14: Shear force and moment diagram

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Fig 15: Detail reinforcement

3.4.

SAFE Modelling for Slab Design

SAFE 2014 is a software which helps C&S Engineers in determining the behaviour
of floor slabs under load actions. It is a very helpful yet easy to use software, all the
steps are listed below:
1. Specify the design code, dimension unit to be used.
2. Define material properties
Concrete strength, reinforcing bar ultimate and yield strength are being defined under
this step.
3. Define structure element properties
Structure element such as beam, column sizes, slab and wall thickness have to be key
in.
4. Draw gird lines and your model in
Base on the drawing, you can follow and input in the grid lines for your slab and
from it build in your model
5. Assign loads
6. Run analysis
SAFE can give results on deflection, shear and moment stresses in the slab, column
reaction, beam forces. It also suggests the slab reinforcement pattern and beam rebar.

The author has used SAFE to design slab reinforcement for Residential block 61, 63,
65 and 73 roof level. There were a few things to pay attention to, they are:

There exists some planter areas which should be analysed separately from
floor slab
Punching shear in slab must also be considered over the stump area.
The slab should be modelled in so that the structural mesh as consistent as
possible
To simplify the design detail, a base layer reinforcement is applied
throughout and additional reinforcement provide accordingly.
Design strip is deployed to give a more detail on stresses in slab.
To check for serviceability limit state, another model with slightly different
point restraints, slab shrinkage, creep, and support restraint will be used.

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Fig 16: Slab model with design strip

Fig 17: 3D view of slab with supporting wall

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Fig 18: Slab deformation under ultimate load case (mm)

Fig 19: Additional slab reinforcement suggestion for T13-200 base layer

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3.5.

Steel structure design

The author had an opportunity to practice on steel structures through a bus stop
designing assignment. Identifying all the load combination especially wind load is
one of the most difficult task for this design. A steel framing was first being worked
out base on some previous designs using rectangular hollow sections with the size
varies from 40x80x5 to 65x100x7 for beams and column fixed at 80x160x8. For
most of the bus stops, bending moment must be assessed carefully because this is one
of the critical factor causing the whole structure to topple over. Following the BS
code, all the load pattern can be calculated directly except for the wind load, in order
to work it out, the author had to study the structure requirements from LTA and the
wind behaviour across the site.
A section check was then carried out after all the load case has been applied. A good
design means all the sections can work under the ultimate load case, all the
connection are able to transfer the load without any issues and the design is optimal
in term of the cost and constructability. There are several constraints regarding this
bus stop such as the foundation footing have to be hacked into the existing drainage
box, to reduce the settlement bakau piles are being used.

Fig 20: SAP 2000 model for bus stop

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4. Construction site visits

The author had chance to attend 3 site visits. The site visits coupled with design
work in the office would certainly broaden the authors knowledge on civil
engineering. This would enable him to better relate the design work in office to the
actual construction process.
1. Piling stage at OCBC data center
The main purpose of the site meeting was to discuss on some structural issues and to
observe the process of making piles together with pile working load test of the
project.
The author came to see the construction site with cranes, trucks, excavator and a lot
of steel cage. At the site, the procedure of casting concrete and placing rebar under
BCA standards were highly followed. Each batch of concrete being made must arrive
at the site within 90 minutes and concrete samples from each truck were prepared for
the strength test later on.
The foundation of this project is decided to be bored piles 600mm in diameter and
typical length is 15m with T20 reinforcing bars. To make a bore pile, a hole is first
created by digging machine followed by placing rebar cage (lapping length with the
column above need to be considered) and finally casting concrete in.

Fig 21: Piling work

Fig 21: Pile load test

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2. Construction of superstructure at Watertown

This site meeting was mainly on solving problems arising due to the contractors
mistakes. During the construction of the 6th floor, a part of the slab concrete overflew
to other part of the building which is a down hang beam waiting to be casted other
time. Contractor wants to have advice on whether that overflow concrete can be kept
because once the concrete is being casted it requires a lot of effort and manpower to
hacked it off. As the one in charge of Watertown project, after some calculation and
consideration, Mr Wai Hong consulted the contractor to hack a small part of the
hardened concrete which does not contribute to the overall strength and stability of
the beam. He also warned the contractor not to make same mistake in future. This
site visit was very interesting, the construction site is amazingly huge and crowded
together with a lot of noises. It may looks ugly at first but will soon become one of
the most modern civil complex in Singapore. The author felt happy to be part of the
team which directly creates home for people.

Fig 22: Slab and Beam reinforcing

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3. Excavation and reinforcing ground work at Marcpherson

This site visit was one of the most exciting visit that the author ever had. One day
before the visit, a briefing was conducted to give an overview about the geotechnical
part of the project. The project consists of three buildings with three basements each
being constructed at the location where soft marine clay presents.
To construct the foundation of the project, a peanut shape diaphragm wall was being
designed. The depth of this diaphragm wall is ranging from 15 to 24m below ground
level depend on the soil condition and is about 600 to 800 mm thick. In addition to
the diaphragm wall there are 3 big RC struts reinforcing the wall against the soil
pressure from outside and they will be eventually demolished after the cast of the
basement slab. At the site the author observed how difficult it is when dealing with
poor soil, all the marine clay must be removed to ensure the stability and rigidity of
the foundation. A lot of technical information were being introduced to the visitors
and the author got further knowledge about what he has learnt in school come into
practice. The role of geotechnical engineers in the civil engineering industry being
revealed.

Fig 23: Dealing with marine clay

Fig 24: D-wall and RC struts

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5. Conclusion
The author has gained substantial priceless knowledge and skills from the 20 weeks
industrial attachment with Meinhardt. Those experiences and technical skills are
definitely helpful when entering the civil engineering industry not only just as a
consultant but many more. The author believed that he has worked hard, performed
well with all the tasks that have been given, He hopes that he has made all his
colleagues satisfied especially those he worked with.
Being attached with the civil and structural engineering department where solves
most of the critical tasks for the buildings or structures, together with all the
knowledge from NTU, the author developed himself to adapt with the changes that
everyone on earth would have step out of the comfort zone and make values for the
society. He realised what he learnt in school can be applied to solve real life
problems in a very simple way all he needs to do is just think out of the box and
grow maturely.
Besides the advantages, there are several difficulties that the author has to confront
during the attachment. To be familiar with the works given, the author spent quite
amount of time studying technical terms which are not introduced before.
Understanding the structure in a very different way as it is supposed to be could lead
to a very severe consequences or may be a disaster. The author used to have a very
hard time thinking about the mistakes that he could possible make which may cost
people lives. This problem was solved since he realised how important the people
working with him are, we must collaborate well with each other in order to achieve
our goals. A successful team has powerful teamwork.
In summary, the internship with Meinhardt Singapore was a fruitful and memorable
learning experience for the author, as it has equipped him with all the necessary skills
which better prepare him when he enters the actual working environment. The
objectives of the industrial attachment have been met, the student this would like to
sincerely thank Nanyang Technological University and Meinhardt for providing
attachment opportunity and also all the people that have helped him along the way.

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6. References
Singapore Productivity and Standards Board (1999). CP65-Part 1:1999, Structural use of
Concrete.
Singapore Productivity and Standards Board (1999). CP65-Part 2:1999, Structural use of
Concrete (Special circumstances)
British Standard Institute (2002). BS 8110-Part 1: 1985, Structural use of Concrete.
Clifford, L. F., Peter. T. (1972).
W.H. Mosley, J.H. Bungey, R. Hulse (2005). Reinforced Concrete Design Fifth Edition,
Palgrave.
Professor Fan Sau Cheong (2014). CV 3011 Reinforced Concrete Design Notes
Professor Chiew Sing Ping (2013). CV3012 Steel Design Notes

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