Vibration issues of floor areas in relation to human comfort perception in an open working space are very common. This paper discusses the results of a human comfort assessment before and after strengthening of a a post-tensioned reinforced concrete flooring structure. All floors experience structural vibration, which arises from various sources inside and outside of the building. This paper investigated the vibration issue of a problematic flooring slab area on Level 3 of a four storey building, which vibrations induced by people walking through the working station area. Two types of tests were conducted, namely a (1) shaker test and a (2) walking test. Accelerometers were attached to the floor according to the sensor points and recorded all acceleration responses on the floor system. The highly sensitive KS 48C accelerometer was used in this study. The accelerometers were placed at the same locations for both shaker and walking tests. The floor slab which was initially reported as problematic structure on Level 3 was found that its peak acceleration exceeded the recommended human comfort limitation. A passive vibration isolation technique was used in order to tackle the vibration issue. A laminated elastomeric bearing was chosen as one of the methods in passive vibration isolation. The natural frequency for both results before and after strengthening remained as low-frequency floor classes. However, peak acceleration excitation was reduced after the strengthening work was completed.

This longitudinal study investigates the attainment of two key Program Outcomes (POs), PO2 (Problem Analysis) and PO3 (Design/Development of Solutions) in a third-year undergraduate Reinforced Concrete Design course at a Malaysian public university. Data spanning five semesters, from 20214 to 20234, were collected and analysed using both direct assessment (exam and project scores) and indirect assessment (entry-exit surveys). The study aimed to identify trends, variations, and areas for improvement in the course's effectiveness in achieving its educational objectives. Direct assessment results revealed a fluctuating trend in PO2 attainment, with a significant decline in the most recent semester (20234). Conversely, PO3 attainment showed a generally positive trend, although with some fluctuations. The gap analysis of survey data indicated that most students perceived an improvement in their competencies upon completing the course, with a higher frequency of substantial gains in PO3 compared to PO2. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address the declining trend in PO2 attainment, potentially through revisiting instructional methods and providing additional support for problem-solving skills. The study also highlights the importance of continuous assessment and improvement in engineering education to ensure that graduates are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field of reinforced concrete design. The research contributes valuable insights to the ongoing conversation about enhancing the quality and effectiveness of engineering education in Malaysia.

In response to the increasing demand for high-resolution evaluation of deep foundations under extreme axial loading, this study presents an integrated application of bi-directional static load testing (BDSLT) and distributed fibre optic sensing (DFOS) on large-diameter hand-dug caissons. Although widely used in urban and access-constrained sites, caisson performance is often under-investigated due to the limitations of conventional load testing and point-based instrumentation. This study addresses this gap through full-scale testing of two caissons: one socketed into moderately weathered granite and the other terminating in residual soil, both constructed in Pahang, Malaysia, with diameters ranging from 2800 mm to 4000 mm. Each pile was instrumented with four DFOS cables for continuous axial strain profiling and tested up to 200% of the working load. The socketed pile mobilised peak shaft friction of 2586 kN/m², while the non-socketed caisson reached 516.8 kN/m². End-bearing remained linear, indicating that capacity was not fully mobilised. Settlements at peak load were 13.8 mm (socketed) and 25 mm (non-socketed), confirming the rock socket's role in enhancing foundation stiffness. DFOS enabled high-resolution detection of strain anomalies and load transfer patterns beyond the reach of discrete sensors. The results confirm the performance benefits of granite socketing and establish DFOS as a transformative tool for pile testing and deep foundation verification in complex geology.