Saturday, December 5, 2020

Critical Reflection

Module Learning

At the start of the course, I had difficulties penning down my thoughts as I find it hard to choose the right words that are suitable and grammatically correct. As a result, a specific goal of mine was to refine my communication and articulation skills. Albeit that there is room for improvement, I am proud to say that I managed to better these skills in a short period of time. An advice given by Professor Brad that stuck was to re-read the sentence multiple times and understand what exactly one is trying to convey. This way, the verb, noun, etc. becomes prominent and any mistakes will stand out and be easier to correct.  This is especially helpful when heavier content writing is required, and it gets tougher to spot mistakes.

Presentations were never a big issue for me, but that was because I could rely on the presentation slides. Many times, all I had to do was to read off the slides and call it a done deal. During the module, we were taught the importance of non-verbal communication. Some factors include body language, tone, gestures, eye-contact, and the use of visual aids. Truth to be told, all these were nothing new as they were emphasized since day one of polytechnic class. However, we were graded for the content more than the way we presented the majority of the time, which is why it was easy to neglect the proper use of non-verbal communication skills. In this Effective Communication class, however, both were equally important. As we had to pitch and try to sell our idea, proper body language, sufficient eye contact, and the tone used were just as valued as our content. I challenged myself to reduce the reliance on the presentation slides by removing words and replacing them with pictures instead. By doing so, I had to know my product inside out to be able to sound convincing and engage the audience.  I tend to be jittery during presentations, and I always thought that the audience could hear the shaking in my voice. Through the peer feedback, I realized that it is not as obvious as I thought it was, and most of the audiences were oblivious to it, which is a huge confidence booster. Keeping that in mind, I aim to perform better in future presentations.

Project Learning

I was thankful for the step-by-step guidance in each lesson, where we first researched potential ideas, to writing the technical report. The concepts were clearer, and I had a better understanding of where we were heading towards. The mini assignments also served their purpose when we had to post our writings and receive feedback from others. It is often easy to overlook your own mistakes which is why it is always good to have a fresh pair of eyes to look at it. I also appreciated the ever-changing group of people I had to work with on different in-class assignments, as I was then able to have a chance to interact with my classmates and understand their work ethics and accommodate accordingly.

I was fortunate to be grouped with people of good work ethics, where there were no major hiccups throughout the process of the project. The ideas came and clicked instantaneously, and we were quick to allocate the roles and responsibilities. Of course, there was some confusion in between, where we were unsure of certain things due to the lack of knowledge on the project.  However, we were quick to resolve the issues by actively communicating with one another. I realized that it is important to voice out any uncertainties or opinions before any concrete decisions are made to prevent potential problems from arising. One main challenge we faced was that our topic for Effective Communication could not be used for the other affiliated Measurements and Sensor Technology report writing and it was difficult for us to juggle with the tight schedules and to meet the submission deadlines. Nonetheless, I am glad that we managed to pull through and it was a fruitful experience all in all.

Saturday, November 14, 2020

Annotated Summary

 

Woodford, C. (2020). How do electrochromic windows work? Explain That Stuff. https://www.explainthatstuff.com/electrochromic-windows.html. 


In this article, Woodford (2020) illustrates what are electrochromic windows, which includes a comparison between the normal glass and electrochromic glass. The ordinary glass allows more heat to enter the building, which is why introducing the idea of smart windows may be appropriate. Electrochromism is a scientific concept in which materials change colour or switch from transparent to opaque when an electrical voltage is applied across. There are different types of electrochromic glass and each type is powered by different technology. Woodford focuses only on one type in detail, which is a technology based on the movement of lithium ions. Electrochromic windows have a huge environmental benefit. When in the darkened state, they reflect about 98% of the light falling on them which effectively reduces the need for air-conditioning. It is estimated that the use of electrochromic glass can cut peak energy use for cooling and lighting by around 20%. It can also save up to 8% of a building’s total energy consumption. Additional benefits include the privacy of the occupants in the building. However, glass printed with electrodes and metal coatings are bound to be many times more expensive than normal glass. Electrochromic glass may not be as durable as conventional glass. Furthermore, the time taken for electrochromic glass to darken is a factor of concern.


The article also provides useful information for our research project on increasing the cooling efficiency in office buildings through the improvement of windows. Electrochromic glass has proven to be a suitable substitution with its environmental benefits and relevance in our means to reduce energy usage in a building. The article has provided us with statistical evidence on how much energy can be saved, which is a specific focus for our research project. It has aided us with the understanding of a superior material that can be used instead.





Monday, October 19, 2020

Summary Reader Response Final Draft: Porous Asphalt Is King of the Road

In the article “Porous Asphalt Is King of the Road”, PaveGreen (n.d.) believes that porous asphalt is “road royalty” as it improves safety, reduces erosion, and mitigates water pollution, all while giving back to the earth. Porous asphalt roads prove to be a sustainable method in reducing pollution due to its natural filtration ability. One of the best applications is found in stormwater management. It can be used on superhighways where it enhances the safety of the road users, especially during winter climates. There is a reduction in the need for deicing and anti-icing practices that contain harmful agents that can be detrimental to the environment and quality of water. It is significantly more cost-effective and environmentally friendly as compared to its conventional counterpart. It is agreeable that porous asphalt is a premium material for surfaces as all the benefits mentioned are non-debatable. However, I disagree that porous asphalt is the best for roads as claimed. There are several factors that the article has failed to consider. 

In my opinion, porous asphalt’s forte in its application, which is natural filtration, may be the reason why it is not the best material for pavements. Prolonged exposure to water and debris suggests a need for higher maintenance. TrueGrid (2020) shares that it is ingenious with the use of porous asphalt to absorb water but in truth, “this porosity and ability to absorb water is very short-lived and super expensive”. Its permeable characteristic allows water to seep through small pores in the pavement. As a result, pollutants get trapped inside and clogging occurs. Porous asphalt becomes susceptible to the freeze and thaw cycles in cold climates, leading to failure. It is necessary for all pavements to undergo periodic maintenance, but permeable pavements require more frequent and routine upkeep. Furthermore, simple broom sweepers are not enough to maintain porous asphalt. Instead, vacuums with a blower system are recommended. For instances where the pavement becomes significantly clogged, a more intensive level of treatment is needed.  Pressure water cleaning is implemented. However, the pressure can neither be too low nor high, as “contaminants may be driven further into the porous surface” (SanDiegoCounty, n.d.).

Another pertinent point is the limit to the application of porous asphalt. Stiffler (2012) compares permeable pavements to “rice crispy roadways” and questions how can its “pervious nature take a pounding from countless cars, trucks, and buses and survive intact”. Its high porosity causes it to exhibit poor durability and strength, limiting its use in pavement applications. Stiffler (2012) also shares that this material is restricted for lower traffic areas, such as car-parks, and is not a good fit for commercial areas where there is heavy traffic. However, flooding occurs mostly in areas where there is dense traffic, and what is the good in porous asphalt’s permeability if it is of no use to such areas? Porous asphalt is also vulnerable to soil with high levels of sulfate in them as it causes degradation to its permeable surface. Installers must be extra cautious to ensure that this would not cause any issues in the future (TrueGridPaver, 2020).  

Finally, porous asphalt has a shorter lifespan. The average life cycle of porous asphalt is assumed to be 20 years, as compared to traditional pavements where it can last up to about 25 years. As observed by Chen, Wang, and Najm (2017), “if the lifespan of porous asphalt pavement is shorter than porous concrete pavement, the environmental benefits of using porous asphalt will be offset by the need for more frequent reconstruction activities.” This implies that the short lifespan causes frequent maintenance, which incurs high economical damage, as opposed to it being cost-effective as mentioned by PaveGreen.

All in all, PaveGreen did educate adequately on the positive aspects of this unconventional pavement but I feel that they should also cover the other side of the coin to provide a broader perspective regarding porous asphalt. 

648 Words

Reference:

Chen X.D., Wang H., & Najm H. (2018). Environmental Assessment and Economic Analysis of Porous Pavement at Sidewalk. Lcasymposium. https://lcasymposium.ict.illinois.edu/files/2018/01/52_Porous-pavement-conference-paper-2017.1.27-submit.pdf

PaveGreen. (n.d.). Porous Asphalt Is King of the Road. Retrieved from http://www.pavegreen.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58:king-of-the-road&catid=35:porous-asphalt&Itemid=110

SanDiegoCounty. (n.d.). Porous Pavement Operation and Maintenance Protocol. Retrieved from https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/reusable_components/images/dgs/Documents/Grants_Prop40_AppendIII_.pdf

Stiffler, L. (2012). The Porous Road Less Traveled. Sightline Institute. Retrieved from https://www.sightline.org/2012/01/03/the-porous-road-less-traveled/

TrueGridPaver. (2020). Porous Asphalt and Concrete Pose Big Problems. Retrieved from https://www.truegridpaver.com/porous-asphalt-and-concrete/

Monday, October 12, 2020

Summary Reader Response Draft 2: Porous Asphalt Is King of the Road

 In the article “Porous Asphalt Is King of the Road”, PaveGreen (n.d.) believes that porous asphalt is “road royalty” as it improves safety, reduces erosion, and mitigates water pollution, all while giving back to the earth. Porous asphalt roads prove to be a sustainable method in reducing pollution due to its natural filtration ability. One of the best applications is found in stormwater management. It can be used on superhighways where it enhances the safety of the road users, especially during winter climates. There is a reduction in the need for deicing and anti-icing practices that contain harmful agents that can be detrimental to the environment and quality of water. It is significantly more cost-effective and environmentally friendly as compared to its conventional counterpart. It is agreeable that porous asphalt is a premium material for surfaces as all the benefits mentioned are non-debatable. However, there are several factors that the article has failed to consider. I disagree that porous asphalt is the best for roads as acclaimed.

In my opinion, porous asphalt’s forte in its application, which is natural filtration, may be the reason why it is not the best material for pavements. Prolong exposure to water and debris suggests a need for higher maintenance. TrueGrid (n.d.) shares that it is ingenious with the use of porous asphalt to absorb water but in truth, “this porosity and ability to absorb water is very short-lived and super expensive”. Its permeable characteristic allows water to seep through small pores in the pavement. As a result, pollutants get trapped inside and clogging occurs. Porous asphalt becomes susceptible to the freeze and thaw cycles in cold climates, leading to failure. It is necessary for all pavements to undergo periodic maintenance, but permeable pavements require more frequent and routine upkeep. Furthermore, simple broom sweepers are not enough to maintain porous asphalt. Instead, vacuums with a blower system are recommended. For instances where the pavement becomes significantly clogged, a more intensive level of treatment is needed.  Pressure water cleaning is implemented. However, the pressure can neither be too low nor high, as “contaminants may be driven further into the porous surface.” SanDiegoCounty (n.d.).

Another pertinent point is the limit to the application of porous asphalt. Stiffler (2012) compares permeable pavements to “rice crispy roadways” and questions how can its “pervious nature take a pounding from countless cars, trucks, and buses and survive intact”. Its high porosity causes it to exhibit poor durability and strength, limiting its use in pavement applications. Stiffler (2012) also shares that this material is restricted for lower traffic areas, such as car-parks, and is not a good fit for commercial areas where there is heavy traffic. However, flooding occurs mostly in areas where there is dense traffic, and what is the good in porous asphalt’s permeability if it is of no use to such areas? Porous asphalt is also vulnerable to soil with high levels of sulfate in them as it causes degradation to its permeable surface. Installers must be extra cautious to ensure that this would not cause any issues in the future (TrueGridPaver, n.d.).  

Finally, porous asphalt has a shorter lifespan. The average life cycle of porous asphalt is assumed to be 20 years, as compared to traditional pavements where it can last up to about 25 years. As observed by Chen, Wang, and Najm (2017), “if the lifespan of porous asphalt pavement is shorter than porous concrete pavement, the environmental benefits of using porous asphalt will be offset by the need for more frequent reconstruction activities.” This implies that the short lifespan causes frequent maintenance, which incurs high economical damage, as opposed to it being cost-effective as mentioned by PaveGreen.

All in all, PaveGreen did educate adequately on the positive aspects of this unconventional pavement but I feel that they should have reiterated on the other side of the coin to provide a broader perspective regarding porous asphalt. 

Word Count: 648

Reference:

1. Chen X.D., Wang H., & Najm H. (2018). Environmental Assessment and Economic Analysis of Porous Pavement at Sidewalk. Lcasymposium. https://lcasymposium.ict.illinois.edu/files/2018/01/52_Porous-pavement-conference-paper-2017.1.27-submit.pdf

2. PaveGreen. (n.d.). Porous Asphalt Is King of the Road. Retrieved from http://www.pavegreen.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58:king-of-the-road&catid=35:porous-asphalt&Itemid=110

3. SanDiegoCounty. (n.d.). Porous Pavement Operation and Maintenance Protocol. Retrieved from https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/reusable_components/images/dgs/Documents/Grants_Prop40_AppendIII_.pdf

4. Stiffler, L. (2012). The Porous Road Less Traveled. Sightline Institute. Retrieved from https://www.sightline.org/2012/01/03/the-porous-road-less-traveled/

5. TrueGridPaver. (2020). Porous Asphalt and Concrete Pose Big Problems. Retrieved from https://www.truegridpaver.com/porous-asphalt-and-concrete/

Thursday, October 8, 2020

Summary Reader Response Draft 1: Porous Asphalt Is King of the Road

In the article “Porous Asphalt Is King of the Road”, PaveGreen (n.d.) believes that porous asphalt is “road royalty” as it improves safety, reduces erosion, and mitigates water pollution, all while giving back to the earth. Porous asphalt roads prove to be a sustainable method in reducing pollution due to its natural filtration ability. One of the best applications is found in stormwater management. It can be used on superhighways where it enhances the safety of the road users, especially during winter climates. There is a reduction in the need for deicing and anti-icing practices that contain harmful agents that can be detrimental to the environment and quality of water. It is significantly more cost-effective and environmentally friendly as compared to its conventional counterpart. It is agreeable that porous asphalt is a premium material for surfaces as all the benefits mentioned are non-debatable. However, there are several factors that the article has failed to consider. Porous asphalt's high porosity requires high maintenance. It also has a limit to its application, as well as a short lifespan.

In my opinion, porous asphalt’s forte in its application, which is natural filtration, may be the reason why it is not the best material for pavements. Prolong exposure to water and debris suggests a need for higher maintenance. TrueGrid (n.d.) shares that it is ingenious with the use of porous asphalt to absorb water but in truth, “this porosity and ability to absorb water is very short-lived and super expensive”. Its permeable characteristic allows water to seep through small pores in the pavement. As a result, pollutants get trapped inside and clogging occurs. Porous asphalt becomes susceptible to the freeze and thaw cycles in cold climates, leading to failure. It is necessary for all pavements to undergo periodic maintenance, but permeable pavements require more frequent and routine upkeep. Furthermore, simple broom sweepers are not enough to maintain porous asphalt. Instead, vacuums with a blower system are recommended. For instances where the pavement becomes significantly clogged, a more intensive level of treatment is needed.  Pressure water cleaning is implemented. However, the pressure can neither be too low nor high, as “contaminants may be driven further into the porous surface.” SanDiegoCounty (n.d.).

Another pertinent point is the limit to the application of porous asphalt. Stiffler (2012) compares permeable pavements to “rice crispy roadways” and questions how can its “pervious nature take a pounding from countless cars, trucks, and buses and survive intact”. Its high porosity causes it to exhibit poor durability and strength, limiting its use in pavement applications. Stiffler also shares that this material is restricted for lower traffic areas, such as car-parks, and is not a good fit for commercial areas where there is heavy traffic. However, flooding occurs mostly in areas where there is dense traffic, and what is the good in porous asphalt’s permeability if it is of no use to such areas? Porous asphalt is also vulnerable to soil with high levels of sulfate in them as it causes degradation to its permeable surface. Installers must be extra cautious to ensure that this would not cause any issues in the future (TrueGridPaver, n.d.).  

Finally, porous asphalt has a shorter lifespan. The average life cycle of porous asphalt is assumed to be 20 years, as compared to traditional pavements where it can last up to about 25 years. As observed by Chen, Wang, and Najm (2017), “if the lifespan of porous asphalt pavement is shorter than porous concrete pavement, the environmental benefits of using porous asphalt will be offset by the need for more frequent reconstruction activities.” This implies that the short lifespan causes frequent maintenance, which incurs high economical damage, as opposed to it being cost-effective as mentioned by PaveGreen.

All in all, PaveGreen did educate adequately on the positive aspects of this unconventional pavement but should have reiterated on the other side of the coin to provide a broader perspective regarding porous asphalt. 

Word Count: 644

Reference:

1. PaveGreen. (n.d.). Porous Asphalt Is King of the Road. Retrieved 29 September 2020. From http://www.pavegreen.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58:king-of-the-road&catid=35:porous-asphalt&Itemid=110

2. (2020). Porous Asphalt and Concrete Pose Big Problems. TrueGridPaver. Retrieved 6 October 2020, from https://www.truegridpaver.com/porous-asphalt-and-concrete/

3. (n.d.). Porous Pavement Operation and Maintenance Protocol. SanDiegoCounty. Retrieved 9 October 2020, from https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/reusable_components/images/dgs/Documents/Grants_Prop40_AppendIII_.pdf

4. Stiffler, L. (2012). The Porous Road Less Traveled. Sightline Institute. Retrieved 9 October 2020, from https://www.sightline.org/2012/01/03/the-porous-road-less-traveled/

5. Chen X.D., Wang H., Najm H. (2018). Environmental Assessment and Economic Analysis of Porous Pavement at Sidewalk. Lcasymposium. Retrieved 9 October 2020, from https://lcasymposium.ict.illinois.edu/files/2018/01/52_Porous-pavement-conference-paper-2017.1.27-submit.pdf



Monday, September 28, 2020

Article summary: Porous Asphalt Is King of the Road

 In the article “Porous Asphalt is King of the Road”, Pave Green (n.d.) believes that porous asphalt is “King of the Road”, as it improves safety, reduces erosion, and mitigates water pollution while giving back to the earth making it “road royalty”. Porous asphalt roads prove to be a sustainable method in reducing pollution due to its natural filtration ability. One of the best applications is found in stormwater management. It can be used on superhighways where it enhances the safety of the road users, especially during winter climates. There is a reduction in the need for deicing and anti-icing practices that contain harmful agents that can be detrimental to the environment and quality of water. It is significantly more cost-effective and environmentally friendly as compared to its conventional counterpart.

PaveGreen. (n.d.) Porous Asphalt Is King of the Road. Retrieved 29 September 2020. From http://www.pavegreen.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58:king-of-the-road&catid=35:porous-asphalt&Itemid=110

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Assignment 1: Formal Letter

Subject: Self-introduction email

Dear Professor Blackstone,

My name is Valencia Tan and I am currently a year 1 student studying sustainable infrastructure engineering (SIE) in the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). Unlike the majority of my schoolmates, I do not have an engineering background. Instead, I was learning about hotel and leisure facilities management in Singapore Polytechnic in the early stages of my tertiary education.

Many asked what made me pursue a different course in life, which is a question I frequently ask myself too.  I believe that interest sparked during the last semester of the polytechnic, where I had to take a module about building services. It made me understood how facilities management played a key role in fuelling a user’s experience and it is not only about the frontline services.

My daily life is heavily influenced by the arts as I enjoy painting in my free time as well as a little bit of photography—nothing too serious, just a snap here and there. Photography played a part in my decision to further develop a deeper understanding of building infrastructures as well. I am unknowingly drawn to taking pictures of buildings and infrastructures rather than portraits, as seen from most of the photos that make up my album.

One of my greatest strengths is that I am adaptive in my style of communication. I can read the settings well and change accordingly. This means that I participate and listen attentively when needed. For example, I actively participate in group discussions and class activities. One weakness is that I am not able to articulate my thoughts as well as how I want it to be.  I often find it difficult to replace my thoughts with the right words and convey it through speaking or writing, which is what I would like to improve on under your guidance. Another goal is to not lose touch with my language and creative skills as there will be lesser leisure time when school starts to pick up its pace.

I am sure that I would enjoy the rest of the module just as how I am enjoying myself so far. I am looking forward to learning more from you too!

Warmest regards,

Tan Jing Wen Valencia

Revised: 30 October 2020

Critical Reflection

Module Learning At the start of the course, I had difficulties penning down my thoughts as I find it hard to choose the right words that a...