Ghostly Festival

Ghostly Festival

This incident happened to a friend about 10 years ago. She was unmarried then and she was living at her mother’s place in a terrace house. The back of the terrace houses are separated by a very narrow lane. That night she was at the back of the house at the kitchen cleaning and drying the dishes. The back door of the kitchen leading to the back of the house was left open but the latch to the garden was closed. The alley way between the houses was very dark as it is badly lit and it was a moonless night.

It was also the Hungry Ghost month in August where believers offer food, drinks and paper money for lost souls and the departed during the whole month. Some people believe that those have died are allowed to come back from hell for one month to eat and drink.

As it was a very hot night, she decided to walk from the kitchen to the latch (only about 1.5m) away. There was a Buddhist or Taoist small praying shrine in between the alley way and there was a loud munching sound like someone is eating near the shrine. She could barely make out through the darkness but it looks as if some was crouching beside the shrine.

Her mother was wondering why her daughter was taking such a long time and switch on the back light on. With the back light on the alley way it was partly lighted up.

In the meantime, she was beside the latch looking down, when the back light was turned on, and could see a person squatting beside the small shrine. Suddenly the other person who was busy eating furiously turned and faced the lights …..it was her neighbor who passed away a few weeks ago!

She fainted and was out with a high fever for almost a week.

Scary Retreat To Fraser's Hill

Scary Retreat To Fraser’s Hill

This incident was told by my friend, Siva, while we were eating dinner at a coffee shop. We were talking about strange and weird stuff we have encountered.

It seems, that about two years ago, Siva and his wife decided on a vacation for a few days at Fraser Hill. Fraser Hill is resort that most to get away from the heat driving and is located about 2 hours from KL.

Map of Fraser’s Hill from Kuala Lumpur

After dinner, Siva and his wife decided to go back to their rented apartment for the night. While he turn on the television, his wife opted for a bath. Knowing she will take at least an hour, he settle out a drink (or more than a drink) and the television.

Suddenly his wife burst into the room, infuriated and repeatedly demanded why Siva did not help her in the bathroom. She claim that was stuck for 30 minutes when she was locked out in the bath and could not get out. Confused and exasperated he told her that he was drinking and was watching the television on. He insisted that he did not hear her shouting and screaming. While the couple was busy debating, suddenly there was a loud clink, the unlock bathroom was abruptly shut. Not only that, from the bathroom, there was the sound of running water!!!

Needless to say the couple could not take off any faster.

Ghost Sighting in Singaore

Personal Ghost Sighting at Bukit Rimau Natural Reserve  in Singapore

This story happened during my College days when I visited my friend Ah Kong in his house in Singapore. After several days, his girlfriend Rita and her sister Sue, suggested that we spend some time at the reservoir at Bukit Timah Reserve. As we didn’t have any plans, we readily agreed, besides I was hoping to spend time with Sue.

We left very early the next day by bus and we plan to spend the time until evening. We spend our time jumping off cliffs and swimming in the quarry. We were just swimming and not worried about sharp objects like sharp wooden sharps or rusty nails, guess we are just too busy to show off our ‘prowess’ to the girls.

We dried off and we proceeded with lunch, which consisted of bread with sardines and tomatoes prepared earlier by Kong’s mother. Our drinks were provided also provided by Kong’s mother. At first, we were busy joking and laughing, when Rita got upset with Ah Kong and she was adamant about going home. Unable to convince her otherwise, we reluctantly decide to pack up and leave.

As we were leaving about late evening time, we suddenly heard a pack of dogs barking and howling continuously. The evening was lifeless there were no sounds from crickets and no sound of birds. Suddenly I notice a smell, a sweet and flora aroma or around of us. Confused we walk straight towards the gathering where we saw the packs of the howling dogs. Something was not right and we told the girls to walk on, after all we can use our sticks on the dogs. When we got to the gathering, we notice the dogs were not barking at us but at something behind us. I notice Ah Kong turned to look back from where we came but he quickly turned around and rapidly charged after us. Slowly, the sweet odour disappeared after we left the place.

We finally manage to get a bus but hardly spoke among ourselves. Since Ah Kong is a Chinese, we had to get our feet washed and walked three times around the house before heading indoors (an old Chinese ritual, I think).  We did not talk about the incident and I left shortly after that to go back to my place in Malaysia.

Months later we were back in Malaysia when I asked Ah Kong about the incident in the reservoir in Bukit Timah. He was reluctant to talk about the event but finally relented. It seems that he saw a Pontianak (a female vampire) up in the tree that night!

Syatilla Melvin, up & coming actress and model Syatilla Melvin, who is fondly as Tilla, was a former finalist Junior Goddess (a local reality local TV) Name : Siti Nur Syatilla Bt Amirol Melvin Date of Birth : 08 Februari 1991 Age : 20 tahun Race : Eurasian Religion : Islam Height : 171 cm Weight : 49 kg Various wild accusations were thrown at the 21 year old performer, Tilla, when a video titled 'Syatilla Melvin Section In Lingerie Ad' first spread on the social pages. "I am not upset, but rather disappointed over the negative comments from people who have watched the clip," she said. At the same time, the star of TV3 drama BFF, also expressed regret on the video. Friends BFF drama starring Sari Yanti, Munif Jesus, Irfan Roslan and Syatilla Melvin in TV3 series. From left: Irfan Roslan,Sari Yanti,Muniff Isa and Syatilla Melvin in the TV drama series "I'm definitely not linking La Senza, with the lingerie with the video casting. Actually, the video was not made for La Senza.” “I'm sorry that there are those who are hurt when they watched the video. I will make sure these events do not occur again in the future.” added Tilla drama that also stars TV3 titled BFF. (Note : there are a lot of blogs who did not approve of the ‘hot dress’ worn by Tilla) In the video, Syatilla dances provocatively to Doris Day's 1960s hit “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps”. (Really a great song) http://www.lepak.tv/watch/34c5c2b5f473abe64b60/Syatilla-Melvin-Seksi-Dalam-Iklan-Pakaian-Dalam-La-Senza-Lah-

Pre-Engineered Frames

It is still very quiet in the construction sector. With the 15 cent decrease per liter in petrol price, I was hoping it will generate some activity. Unfortunately, I really cannot see any difference yet. Maybe its just too soon. Unfortunately, not everybody has the luxury of time, waiting for the economy to improve, as there are bills to be paid and mouths to feed. In the meantime, all we can do is wait, hope and pray…..(can also grumble and moan. Ha ha)

Heard people complaining that the prices of goods have not come down in tandem with the decrease in petrol prices. Hope the Government realize that its easy for prices to go up and so difficult to come down. In the future, I hope the next time we can elect leaders who well-versed in the workings of an economy. For example, I personally think, the former Prime Minister handled the economy very well.

My bank, just called to remind me of my monthly payment. My loan payment is due on the 15th every month, today is the 4th and they have already called me twice this month.! I sure wish they could be as efficient in their other activities. Like lending money to people who are in need instead of driving them to Ah Longs.

MY PRESENT JOBS

The only project I got lat week was an existing building, that the owners was thinking of adding another layer of roof on top of the existing layer. The reasons being, the present roof has rusted or something like that. The roof is supported by pre-engineered frames. Attached is a cross-section of the frame. Note: Pre-engineered frames are made up of tapered I-beams which supposedly tapers according to the magnitude of the Bending Moment at that particular section.

My task was to ascertain whether the present frames was strong enough to cater for the additional loads. As nobody has a copy of the old drawings and calculations, I had to re-analyzed the structure based on actual measurement of the existing steel frame etc.

I checked the frame at various locations (as the frame is tapered), had to work out the section properties at these locations. Then check biaxial bending at these points. To cut a long story short, the frame seems adequate.

Then I check the two interior columns (see above sketch) which were made up of UC254x254x 73kg/m. Note: the height/length of the column is 13.09m. The slenderness ratio in the y axis works out to be 202.98! The maximum allowed per the code is 180. Theoretically, the 2 interior columns failed.

I also checked the various connection joints, that too failed!

My client when informed of this ask “How come the structure is still standing?”

More on this in next entry. Do not want to bore people to much at one go.
Bye & happy engineering!

Steel Engineering - Deflection

Happy Belated Merdeka Day to all fellow Malaysians. This year’s celebration seems subdued and low-keyed compared to previous years. Considering the soaring prices of goods and rocketing inflation nowadays, this is to be expected. I hardly saw any cars decorated with mini flags this year and hardly any shops flying the National flag. Well all these “belt tightening” to cope with high price of goods and services can sure put a damper on everybody’s mood.

It was actually a double whammy for me this year. First, the escalating expenses together with the slowdown in business, and secondly, the news that a leader of the ruling party, allegedly labeling the Chinese as immigrants or squatters. Its a bit depressing, having been born here, grew up here, lived and worked here, and suddenly labeled a “squatter”.

Actually there is a third whammy. All I got from this year Budget is an increase in price of cigarettes, my one bad habit (although my wife will disagree that I have only 1 bad habit – ha! ha!)

Somebody once said, “Its easy to be A Malay hero, or a Chinese hero, or an Indian hero, but its difficult to be a Malaysian hero”. I guess its safe to conclude that Datuk Ahmad does not aspire to be a Malaysian hero.

The most disappointing aspect about the whole episode, is the Prime Minister’s response, which is akin to “Aiyo! Never mind-lah. I am sure he doesn’t mean it”. Wow, that’s that even close to a light slap on the wrist.

Some politicians are still playing the racial card, but despite their best (or worst) efforts, the people in Malaysia as a whole are still living and working in harmony. United we must be, to face the challenges and competition from other countries.

MY PRESENT JOBS

Attached with today’s blog, is a photo of a job in Nilai, which was completed recently. Note that when designing cantilever trusses, do remember to check for deflection and make sure the design meets the requirements as specified in the British code are complied with.

Below is an extract from BS5950 : Part 1 : 1985 on the deflections criteria there must be met. Note, imposed or service loads are just another word for Live Load. Live load is generally equals to 0.25 kN/m² for buildings in this country. (per Uniform Building Code, Laws of Malaysia).

BS 5950 : Part 1 : 1985

Structural use of steelwork in building

2.5.1 Deflection

The deflection under serviceability loads of a building or part should not impair the strength or efficiency of the structure or its components or cause damage to the finishings.

When checking for deflections the most adverse realistic combination and arrangement of serviceability loads should be assumed, and the structure maybe assumed to be elastic.

Table 5. Deflection limits other than for pitched roof portal frames.

(a) Deflection of beams due to unfactored imposed load.

Cantilevers	Length/180
Beam carrying plaster or other brittle finish	Span/360
All other beams	Span/200
Purlins and sheeting rails	See 4.12.2

(b) Horizontal deflection of columns in single-storey buildings

Tops of columns in single-storey buildings	Height/300
In each storey of a building with more than one storey	Height of storey under consideration/300

(c) Crane gantry girders

Vertical deflection due to static wheel loads	Span/600
Horizontal deflection (calculated on the top flange properties alone) due to crane surge	Span/500

NOTE 1. On low-pitched and flat roofs the possibility of ponding needs consideration.

NOTE 2. For limiting deflection in runway beams refer to BS 2853.