BPM115 Feasibility Study for a Cross-Country Bridge with Sustainable Materials, TMA 02, Singapore

Question 1

Assignment Title: Feasibility Study for a Cross-Country Bridge with Sustainable Materials

Scenario:

You are the technical manager in charge of a feasibility study for a proposed new cross-country bridge which will span a marine strait and potentially exposed to severe environmental conditions. The overall development will include checkpoint facilities in both countries. The preliminary design of the foundation and piers will use structural concrete, and the owner is open to incorporating sustainable materials into the project.

You are required to justify your proposals with references from technical papers, journal articles, and reference books.

(a) Based on your understanding, define the term “sustainable construction materials”. List and elaborate TWO (2) examples of such materials that could be utilized for constructing a cross-country bridge.
(10 marks)

(b) Explain the characteristics required for concrete to perform effectively in a harsh marine environment especially when it is used for the construction of foundation and piers. Additionally, discuss how can such characteristics be achieved?
(10 marks)

(c) Steel is commonly utilized in bridge construction as trusses, girders, and cables. Suggest measures to mitigate corrosion and protect the steel structure in a harsh marine environment.
(10 marks)

(d) Illustrate the life cycle of an asset using a diagram. Explain the important considerations in a quality management system (QMS) that are ensure good quality reinforced concrete is used in construction.
(15 marks)

(e) Besides the consideration of severe environmental conditions of the site, it has been proposed to replace cement used in reinforced concrete with a low carbon footprint material to promote sustainability. The current proposal is to replace cement with Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS). Identify and explain the advantages of using GGBFS and indicate how it enhances concrete performance.
(15 marks)

(f) The client is acceptable with the proposal and would like to find out if there are other alternative replacements which would have similar or better benefits. Identify and explain TWO (2) other sustainable alternative and indicate the advantages and/or disadvantages of using it other than GGBFS.
(20 marks)

(g) Demonstrate your understanding of construction materials and propose other sustainable construction materials for the checkpoint facilities and explaining their specific applications.
(10 marks)

Report Presentation (10 marks)

(a) Cover page & Content page (2 marks)
(b) Graphic & Illustration (appropriate usage, titles, sources) (2 marks)
(c) Organisation (sub-headings, font size, spacing, paragraphing, page number etc)
(2 marks)
(d) Good grammar usage, spelling and sentence structure (2 marks)
(e) Good Referencing (in-text citation and list of references) (2 marks)