Well, it can't be denied that this day is indeed one of the most remarkable. Firstly, we'd marked down a wonderful moment of history that being the first Civil Engineering students who won champion in competition after next, the Nehemiah.
Nehemiah Story
Since this my personal blog, I would write the truth =) Actually, I did not contribute much on ideas during the Nehemiah competition except for the sole video presentation, and gladly everything turned us the champion.
It couldn't be denied the fact that Dr Low and Dr Lee had helped us much. Plus, I heard Dr Lee was 24 hours occupied before and during this event.
Dr Low is great. It was his idea to think of using environment friendly concept to construct the whole wall retaining structure. In addition, he further emphasizes the importance of culvert for the structure. Under precise planning, he suggested to reuse old tyres as both the wall and deadman and the 3 layers of tyres staging tiers are his idea as well. He had even recommended interlocking bolts for wall tyres. By fact and truth, he deserves all credits and I believe we couldn't had done it without his determination and consideration =)
After winning the prizes, naturally people will think of who shall they be appreciated and truthfully I mark my appreciation here as the flow of this Nehemiah competition process goes like this.
In the beginning, KokSheng was inviting everyone to join this competition but somehow the result turned out not as it pleases. He also was asked to find the helpers by Dr Khoo. Without hesitation, I agreed to team up him to fight this fun despite that others were still worrying about the semester assignments and projects. Nevertheless, many had agreed to be the helpers. All in all, it was his approached that I joined this competition and so I thanked him. I can even recalled that we said it might come to worse that only two of us participating it but we were ready for it. He would do the model and I would do the multimedia and presentation =)
Later, the group expanded when YiZhong msn'ed me said that he wanted to participate as well, followed by the involvement of PeterSoo, RichardChai and WeiHao. The designing of poster for submission and getting DrLow idea into projectile were my task. In exchange, the rest of them get me a copy of water resource assignment. Undeniably, the drawing did consumed much of my time due to the mass loading but it was worthwhile for being qualified in the first stage. Then our group name is 'Top Consultant' although the name 'Gmac' was in the poster =P mis-communication I supposed. Haha... Printing the poster was another funny moment. First, it cost us bucks to print at pv3 and due to some mistake another printing at TBR yet again mistake occurred which I finally reprinted it for the last time in SB block == Anyway, it's worth.
Thus I recalled that, YiZhong began to plan on how to construct the model with KokSheng. KokSheng first idea was constructing another cross section for judges to inspect which I then suggested that we can make a cut within the model which we easily withdraw a portion in the model like a cake. YiZhong further recommended the material of transparent plate to withstand the trembling soil upon withdrawal of the cut 'cake'. Overall, I'm glad that my idea of 'cut cake' was practically adopted^^
Then, KokSheng began to construct the model on his own while I was doing my multimedia. I could say that I left the model construction wholly to others responsibility as I then have no further contact with opinion and idea. Well, except for the journey to collect the rubber. Hereby, we again thank KokSheng for his initiation to contact both DrLow and MrTan for the rubber obtained. Also the one who drive us there and anyone who helps to carry the heavy loads. In fact, I was initially there to tell where is the toll located but I'm a road 'cacat' and I just point them the toll location and got us wrong direction, Haha =P
The next thing I know, KokSheng was using clay to construct the model and Richard were strongly against him. Perhaps, I trusted KokSheng and to support his belief to the end. Frankly, I did not want to involve in model construction as planned in the beginning if possible. And they were accusing Dr Low for some reasons...
It was then a chaos like Peter said "conflict happened". The model was then material changed by RichardChai. Somehow, I thank RichardChai, PeterSoo, WeiHao, Pang and YiZhong for their labor efforts in construction. They had even considered on soil layers. I remember it took them days to get things done while some of us were doing the due to date structural design assignment. It was anyway YiZhong's idea to build a tunnel for animals crossing and DrLee often visit for advises during the construction. I even heard that they redo the soil refill for many times yet it was hardly noticeable by judges during inspection. What a waste.... All in all, they had certainly done a great job. Additional ideas were solar lighting and extension of highway came in later on as if they would help. Who's idea was that? I'm not sure =P But not to forget that the plantation for tyres cover was DrLow's idea =) Haha~
During that competition, it was my first time seeing the newly constructed model. All concepts were well adopted. What are our specialties against the others despite that many has been using tyres concept along with culvert? Perhaps the animal tunnel. Haha~ Hereby, We have to thank PeterSoo for his astonishing and clear presentation. All I can ever help was to summarize his speech and to relocate some missing concepts during the media presentation =D
Talking about efforts, I still think Stephen team somehow did the best.
As you see, their model is clean and well presentable. If the prizes were to be taking solely aesthetic value and hardwork. I would credit them the best and their presentation method was incomparable. I can notice that they had even considered the smallest object in their model building. Seriously, I would had made them a winner.
This is the 1st runner up. They were practically using the Nehemiah product and was well media presented. Since we are the winner, I presumed the main point of winning is all concept than appearance. I remember the marking system was based little on appearance but a lot in engineering knowledge and multi-media. Well, their multi-media does win them lot points =)
This is the 2nd runner up. The are the only group without media presentation. From this point, it can be further ensured that winning is about engineering knowledge. They have the same tyres, culvert, tiers, interlocking concept just that they were lacking of media presentation points. Therefore, using DrLow's sole tyres concept has already took us into top 3. Hence concepts and presentation greatly credited to DrLow.
Build and Break Story
Not long after Nehemiah competition, build and break competition took place. The participating group members were collected by YiZhong and again we won with our final product.
Upon waiting for load testing, we were so nervous to see some groups presented well. One of them had even used two buckets of loads before us. Anyway, entering the pre-qualifying round had already made us extremely joyful.
This is the product of our efforts won.
Finally, we have done our booking for flights and hotel. It is a 5days 6nights trip starting from 19May^^ Come to think about it, 5days at sole Phuket is quite... lengthy... However, this is our graduation trip that perhaps the final trip to share our time together. We should treasure togetherness.
