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Showing posts from September, 2018

Summary + Readers response to "4 Ways to Demolish a Building" by Juan Rodriguez Draft 3

In this article "4 Ways to Demolish a Building", Rodriguez (2018) discusses the four methods demolition experts use during demolition. The author begins with implosion, the detonation of explosives along the main structural components, causing the building to collapse onto itself. The second method is known as the high reach arm demolition, where a base machine attached with a demolition tool will tear down tall structures from the top down for a ground team that will clear the fallen debris. The author then moves on to its riskier counterpart, the wrecking ball method. Limited only by the surroundings and the size of the crane, a skilled crane operator can easily decimate the building either by striking a 13,500 pound wrecking ball repeatedly, producing dust, vibration and noise. The author then ends with selective demolition, where builders recycle materials for new buildings, reducing overall cost with its downside being higher labor demands and its incompatibility for l...

Summary of "4 Ways to Demolish a Building" by Juan Rodriguez Draft 2

In this article "4 Ways to Demolish a Building", Rodriguez (2018) discusses the four methods demolition experts use during demolition. The author begins with implosion, the detonation of explosives along the main structural components, causing the building to collapse onto itself. The second method is known as the high reach arm demolition, where a base machine attached with a demolition tool will tear down tall structures from the top down for a ground team that will clear the fallen debris. The author then moves on to its riskier counterpart, the wrecking ball method. Limited only by the surroundings and the size of the crane, a skilled crane operator can easily decimate the building either by striking a 13,500 pound wrecking ball repeatedly, producing dust, vibration and noise. The author then ends with selective demolition, where builders recycle materials for new buildings, reducing overall cost with its downside being higher labor demands and its incompatibility for l...

Summary of "4 Ways to Demolish a Building" by Juan Rodriguez Draft 1

In this article "4 Ways to Demolish a Building", Rodriguez (2018) discusses the four methods demolition experts use during demolition. The author begins with implosion, the detonation of explosives along the main structural components, causing the building to collapse onto itself. He then moves on to high reach arm demolition, where a base machine attached with a demolition tool will tear down tall structures from the top down for a ground team that will clear the fallen debris.The author then moves on to its risker counterpart, the wrecking ball method. Limited only by the surroundings and the size of the crane, a skilled crane operator can easily tear down the building either by striking the 13,500 pound wrecking ball repeatedly, producing dust, vibration and noise. The author then ends with selective demolition, where builders recycle materials for new buildings, reducing overall cost with its downside being higher labor demands and its unsuitability for light-framed build...

Reflection in real life

Video games were my obsession in my teenage years. Spending an unhealthy amount of hours cooped up in my room used to be the daily schedule. Every waking hour I had, I found myself wanting to only spend it on gaming and nothing more. Soon after, as the addiction grew stronger, my grades started to take a hit. Gaming started to take priority over everything, I would skip revision and even gatherings with friends just so I could get my fix. I wouldn’t say it was the immersiveness or the beautiful graphics that kept me reeled in, rather it was my level of competitiveness that constantly spurred me on. Being better at the game than my peers and wanting to achieve the highest level of play was my main motivation throughout those years. What I failed to notice was my lacking in other aspects of my life that truly mattered. It was during the preliminary exams prior to “O” levels that gave me my wake up call. The results I received was only short of a few grades to tie for the lowe...

Introductory post : Starting out

To: Brad Blackstone From: Nicholas Tan Date: 9 September 2018 Subject: Starting out Dear Professor Brad, Given this amazing opportunity to be part of your T6 class effective communication, I would love to finally take this opportunity to formally introduce myself. My name is Nicholas Tan and am currently pursuing a degree in sustainable infrastructure engineering (building services) programme offered by SIT. Prior to my journey thus far, I graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a degree in environmental and water technology. In my teenage years, what took my interest other than the usual sports and video games, were environmental issues and concerns the world was facing. It was during my course selection for my diploma that I decide to take a less generic route and to pursue studies in an environmental related field. During my course of study in my polytechnic, my interest was further nurtured by joining an environmental awareness club. A few notable events I too...