SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,

UITM SHAH ALAM

ECM418: CIVIL ENGINEERING APPRECIATION AND INNOVATION

SEMESTER OCTOBER – FEBRUARY 2024

CDIO PROJECT GROUP ASSIGNMENT

THEME:
“SUSTAINABLE DAM REPAIR, REHABILITATION, AND MAINTENANCE:
FOCUSING TO IMPROVE MATERIAL AND TECHNOLOGY (MT)”

1.0 Introduction

This problem-based learning (PBL) project is designed to fulfil a continuous

assessment of a group assignment for the ECM418 course. It comprises 40% of the
overall marks to address the programme outcome on environmental and sustainability
issues (PO7). The project involves infrequently encountered problems related to
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) (see Appendix E) strategies concerning
Material and Technology (MT) innovation for dam repair and rehabilitation concept
chosen for the project to evaluate the sustainability and impact of professional
engineering work to solve complex problems (WP) in societal and environmental
contexts using a knowledge profile (WK7-comprehension of the role of engineering in
society and identified issues in engineering practice in the discipline: ethics and the
professional responsibility of an engineer to public safety; the impacts of engineering
activity: economic, social, cultural, environmental and sustainability). This assignment
should be carried out by a group of students (minimum five (5) students/group) where
the students are required to understand and apply the CDIO - Design Thinking (DT)
concept, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: CDIO-Design Thinking Concept (Details in Appendix D)

2.0 Course Outcomes (COs), Programme Outcomes (POs), Complex
Engineering Problems (WPs) and Knowledge Profiles (WKs)

This project addresses ONE (1) course outcome and ONE (1) programme outcome
to address complex engineering problems (WPs) and knowledge profiles (WKs) as
shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Course Outcomes (COs), Programme Outcomes (POs), Complex

Engineering Problems (WPs) and Knowledge Profiles (WKs)

Course Outcome:
Evaluate the sustainability and impact of professional engineering work in the solution
of complex engineering problems in societal and environmental contexts using the
CDIO approach, design thinking, and problem-solving methods, individually and in
team. (CO3)
Programme Outcome:
Environment and Sustainability - Understand and evaluate the sustainability and
impact of professional engineering work in the solution of complex engineering
problems in societal and environmental contexts (C5-C6) (WP1, WP3, WP4 & WK7)
Complex Engineering Problem
Knowledge Profiles
Attributes
WK3: Engineering Fundamental WP1: Depth of Knowledge
A systematic, theory-based formulation In-depth engineering knowledge at the level
of engineering fundamentals required of one or more of WK3, WK4, WK5, WK6 or
in the engineering discipline WK8 which allows a fundamental based, first
principles analytical approach.
WK4: Engineering Specialization
Related to environmental and water WP3: Depth of analysis
management No obvious solution and requires abstract
thinking, and originality in analysis to
WK7: Comprehension formulate suitable models
Comprehension of the role of
engineering in society and identified WP4: Familiarity of issues:
issues in engineering practice in the Infrequently encountered issues related to
discipline: ethics and the professional Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
responsibility of an engineer to public strategies concerning Material and
safety; the impacts of engineering Technology (MT) chosen for the project.
activity: economic, social, cultural,
environmental and sustainability

WK8: Research literature

Engagement with selected knowledge
in the research literature of the
discipline related to environmental and
sustainability and passive house
design concept and strategies

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3.0 Learning Outcomes (LOs)

At the end of this Problem-Based Learning (PBL), using CDIO-Design Thinking,

teamwork, lifelong learning and digital skills, the students should be able to achieve
the following learning outcomes (LO):

LO1: Identify and analyse a specific problem statement using current knowledge
(WP1_WK3 & WK4) related to the repairs, rehabilitation and maintenance of dams to
address unfamiliar issues (WP4) of sustainable practices concerning the Material and
Technology (MT) concept (Conceive & Define).
LO2: Conduct a literature review (WP1_WK8) to find and analyse (WP3) the impacts
of the chosen repairs, rehabilitation and maintenance of dams on the environmental
aspects (Conceive & Define).
LO3: Propose a minimum of FOUR (4) innovations of dam repairs, rehabilitation and
maintenance (WP3) and elaborate with justification on the chosen innovations to relate
with a minimum of FOUR (4) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) strategies
concerning Material and Technology (MT) chosen to the project to practice sustainable
development (Design & Ideate).
LO4: Conclude and comprehend (WK7) the role of engineers in society related to
ethics and professional responsibility (WK7) when implementing the proposed solution
(WP3) to solve the identified issues
LO5: Present the innovation of the prototypes (outcomes) of this assignment through
a video presentation. (Prototype & Testing)

4.0 Problem Statement

BERNAMA: Eight large dams have been found to have suffered damage which would
incur a cost of about RM136 million for repairs and maintenance, the government said
today. The damage was discovered by a flying squad on dam safety, which carried
out inspections from 2021 to 2022. There was high sediment formation in the
reservoirs, damage to instruments and water control equipment, seepage, damage to
the integrity of concrete structures, soil erosion and signs of collapse. The Ministry of
Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change said the damage could pose a
threat to residents and property in the event of failure. The eight dams are the Muda
and Ahning dams in Kedah, the Jor and Mahang dams in Perak, the Sultan Abu Bakar
dam in Pahang, the Babagon dam in Sabah, the Bakun dam in Sarawak and Kenyir
dam in Terengganu. The ministry said the flying squad would inspect other dams,
especially those more than 50 years old. The flying squad consists of experts from
various technical departments such as the public works department, the drainage and
irrigation department, Tenaga Nasional, the Muda agricultural development authority,
the National Water Research Institute and the Department of Minerals and
Geoscience as well as private parties.

Scenario:

Your company has won a new tender for repairs, rehabilitation and maintenance of
dams in the northern region. As a team, you have been tasked with creating a list of
indicators to measure your company's commitment towards sustainable initiatives for
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this project. The list should be concise and include all vital information necessary for
the success of the project.

5.0 Tasks to be carried out

There are TWO (2) parts of the task to be carried out by the students as shown in
Table 2.
Table 2: Task to be carried out by the students

PART CDIO- TASKS

DT
Task 1 (LO1): Students need (conceive/empathy) to
identify and analyse a specific problem statement using
current knowledge (WP1_WK3-WK4) related to the
repairs, rehabilitation and maintenance of dams to address
unfamiliar issues (WP4) of sustainable practices
concerning the Material and Technology (MT) innovation
(EMPATHY, DEFINE, IDEATE, PROTOTYPE & TESTING)

for dam repair and rehabilitation concept. (WP1, WK3-

WK4).
CONCEIVE-DESIGN-IMPLEMENT-OPERATE

Task 2 (LO2): Students need to conduct a literature review

Part A:
(WP1_WK8) to find and analyse (WP3) the impacts of the
Report
chosen repairs, rehabilitation and maintenance of dams on
25%
the environmental aspects. (WK7).
(CO3 –
Task 3 (LO3): Propose (design/ideate) a minimum of
PO7)
FOUR (4) innovations of dam repairs, rehabilitation and
(Complex
maintenance (WP3) and elaborate with justification on the
Problems,
chosen innovations to relate with a minimum of FOUR (4)
WPs)
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) strategies
concerning Material and Technology (MT) innovation for
dam repair and rehabilitation concept chosen to the project
to practice sustainable development.
Task 4 (LO4): Students need to conclude and
comprehend (WK7) the role of engineers in society related
to ethics and professional responsibility (WK7) when
implementing the proposed solution (WP3) to solve the
identified issues (WP4).
Part B: Task 5 (LO5): The students need to present
Video (prototype/testing) the innovation of the prototype or the
15% outcomes of this assignment through a video presentation
(CO3 – of not more than 10 minutes.
PO7)
(C5-C6)

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6.0 REPORT FORMAT

The following are specific report formats as follows:

No Description
1. Front Page – Title of Assignment, Group Number, Student Names, and
UiTM Student ID Number
2. Table of Contents
3. List of Tables and Figures
The content of the Report shall follow the given tasks: (Please refer to the
rubrics)
4. Introduction 1
5. Dam Repairing and Rehabilitation Innovations to
relate with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 1-2
strategies
6. Sub-Criteria of Material and Technology (MT)
according to MyDAMS guidelines.

i. Investigation and Design

1 page per 1
ii. Construction and Commissioning
sub-criteria of
iii. Dam and Reservoir Operation And Maintenance
Project Indicators
iv. Surveillance And Safety Review

Note: Please provide sketches or drawings or

examples to show each sub-criteria chosen
7. Conclusion 1
8. References (APA style) 1
9. Maximum pages including references 10 pages
10. Others
• Font Type Arial
• Font Size: 12
• Line spacing: Single
• Cover Page: As provided (Appendix 1)

7.0 Assessment and Submission

This assignment will be assessed through the following tools and weightage
distribution as follows:

A. Report (25%)
B. Video Presentation (15%)

Note: The students should carry out both assessments according to the performance
criteria matrix in Appendix A and B.

Report and Video Presentation Submission Date: Week 11, 22nd December 2023,
before or at 5.00 PM, via U-Future.
8.0 Appendices

Appendix A: Performance Criteria Matrix for Group Assignment - Report

Appendix B: Performance Criteria Matrix for Group Assignment - Video Presentation
Appendix C: Sample Report Front Page
Appendix D: CDIO-Design Thinking Concept
Appendix E: 17 Sustainable Development Goals
Appendix F: Malaysia Dam Safety Management Guidelines (MyDAMS)

PREPARED BY: REVIEWED BY:

Dr. Raden Maizatul Aimi Mohd Azam Dr. Nurul Noraziemah Mohd Pauzi
Course Coordinator ECM418 Resource Person ECM418
School of Civil Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, College of
College of Engineering, UiTM Shah Alam Engineering, UiTM Shah Alam
Date: 09 October 2023 Date:
VETTED BY

Name:
Complex Engineering Committee,
School of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, UiTM Shah Alam
Date:

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 APPENDIX A: PERFORMANCE CRITERIA MATRIX FOR GROUP ASSIGNMENT REPORT (PART A) (25%) CO3-PO7
Performance Complex Engineering Problem E D C B A Total
Criteria Characteristics/ Taxonomy Marks
Very Poor (1) Poor (2) Satisfactory (3) Good (4) Very Good (5)
Level 40%
CONCEIVE (IDENTIFY THE NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES & DEFINE FUNCTION, CONCEPT) & DESIGN (FORMULATE THE DESIGN & PLAN THE DESIGN PROCESS
AND APPROACHES)
C3-C4 (Application & Analysis) Ability to identify and define the problem by thinking through the key facts about the issues (energy
WP1: Depth of Knowledge efficiencies) using the relevant knowledge profiles 5
Required = in-depth engineering 1 2 3 4 5
Task 1: knowledge at the level of one or
Problem Able to define the Able to define the Able to define Able to define the Able to define
more of WK3, WK4, WK5, WK6, problem vaguely to problem broadly to moderately the problem precisely the
Identification or WK8 (WK’s) fundamental, first be solved with be solved with problem to be substantially to be problem to be
principles analytical approach invalid facts and general facts and solved with solved by thinking solved by thinking
WP3 – Depth analysis required: irrelevant information acceptable facts through few through validated
No obvious solution and requires information. and relevant validated facts and facts and relevant
abstract thinking, originality in information relevant information
information
analysis to formulate suitable
Evaluate the problems under various circumstances towards providing an effective solution (i.e 4
technologies SDGs) by conducting a literature review to find and analyse the impacts of the chosen innovations of
Task 2: dam repairs, rehabilitation and maintenance on the environmental aspects 5
Problem C5-C6 (Synthesis & Evaluation)
1 2 3 4 5
Evaluation WP4: Familiarity of issues:
Infrequently encountered issues Evaluate 3 Evaluate more than
Evaluate 2 Evaluate 2 Evaluate 3
Required WKs are: circumstances with 3 circumstances
circumstances only circumstances with circumstances with
acceptable with excellent
WK3_A systematic, theory-based without justification some justification good justification
justification justification
formulation of engineering
Task 3: Differentiate and select methods/approach to resolve infrequently encountered challenges/issues
fundamentals required in the when choosing innovations of dam repairs, rehabilitation and maintenance project criteria to resolve
Development
engineering discipline. the problems with justification 5
of Solutions
WK4_Engineering specialist
Selection of 1 2 3 4 5
knowledge that provides
sustainable Compare and
theoretical frameworks and bodies
innovations of Compare and Compare and differentiate more
of knowledge for the accepted Only one (1) Compare and
dam repairs, differentiate 3 differentiate 4 than 4
practice areas in the engineering challenge/issue is differentiate 2
rehabilitation challenges/issues challenges/ issues challenges/issues
discipline: much is at the forefront discussed and one challenges/issues
and select at least 2 and select 3 and select more
and (1) and select 2
of the discipline. methods/approache methods/approach than 3
maintenance method/approach to methods/approach
s to resolve and es to resolve and methods/approache
project criteria resolve es to resolve
justify justify s to resolve and
(C5-C6) justify
 IMPLEMENTATION & OPERATION STAGE (PROTOTYPE & TESTING): TO DEVELOP A PROTOTYPE TO REFLECT THE IDEAS (DRAWINGS, MODEL, PROCESS,
SYSTEMS, SKETCH, STORYBOARD ETC.) IN ORDER TO GET FEEDBACKS FROM END USERS/STAKEHOLDERS
Task 4: C5-C6 (Synthesis & Evaluation) Propose sustainable innovations of dam repairs, rehabilitation and maintenance project criteria that
Propose involve high-level problems broken down into smaller components or sub-components through
5
Solutions with WK7_Comprehension of the role detailed sketches, drawings, etc.
Justification of engineering in society and 1 2 3 4 5
identified issues in engineering
Utilising
innovations in practice in the discipline: ethics Propose three (3) Propose four (4) Propose more than
dam repairs, and the professional Propose only one Propose two (2) criteria with criteria with four (4) criteria with
rehabilitation responsibility of an engineer to (1) criteria criteria only acceptable acceptable acceptable
and public safety; the impacts of justification justification justification
maintenance engineering activity: economic,
project criteria
social,
References Ability to give a list of relevant and validated references were referred to complete this task
cultural, environmental, and 5
1 2 3 4 5
Utilize and sustainability
Supported by more
analyse relevant Supported by 3
Supported by 2 Supported by 2 than 5 journals and
and validated C3-C4 (Application & Analysis) sources of
sources literature sources of literature more than 3 other
references that Lack of supporting literature search
WK8_Engagement with selected search but not search and sources sources of literature
were referred to knowledge in the research sources. and each source is
relevant and are relevant and search and each
complete this literature of the discipline. relevant and
validated validated. source is relevant
task. validated.
and validated.
OVERALL MARKS /25

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 APPENDIX B: PERFORMANCE CRITERIA MATRIX FOR GROUP ASSIGNMENT VIA VIDEO PRESENTATION
(IMPLEMENTATION & OPERATION STAGE – PROTOTYPE & TESTING) (PART B) (15%) CO3-PO7
Performance Complex Engineering Problem E D C B A Total
Criteria Characteristics/ Taxonomy Marks
Very Poor (1) Poor (2) Satisfactory (3) Good (4) Very Good (5)
Level 15%
Ability to deliver ideas to solve the identified problems based on the technology application
5
C3-C4 1 2 3 4 5
(Application & Analysis) Deliver ideas Able to deliver Able to deliver Able to deliver Able to deliver
clearly and with ideas but lack in ideas fairly, ideas clearly ideas with great
no confidence confidence thus clearly, and and confidently clarity and with
CO3-PO7
which requires requires further confidently great
Affective Domain major improvements which requires confidence
C3 (Application) improvements. minor
A5 (Organization) improvements
Delivery of Ability to deliver the idea regarding the role of engineers in society related to ethics and
ideas CO3: Apply the practices of professional responsibility when implementing the proposed solution to solve the identified
5
engineering using CDIO concept, issues
1 2 3 4 5
design thinking and problem-
Clearly and with Able to deliver Able to deliver Able to deliver Able to deliver
solving methods, individually and in
no confidence ideas but lack in ideas fairly, ideas clearly ideas with great
team with respect to environmental which requires confidence thus clearly, and and confidently clarity and with
and sustainability considerations major requires further confidently great
improvements. improvements which requires confidence
(C5-C6) minor
Synthesis and Evaluation improvements
PO7: Understand and evaluate the Ability of all group members to show active roles during the presentation
5
Participation 1 2 3 4 5
sustainability and impact of
of group Focus of the Not all group Partial of the All group All group
members professional engineering work in presentation is members have group members members have members have
during the the solution of complex on one group an active role in have an active a relatively an active role in
video engineering problems in societal member only the presentation role in the active role in the the presentation
presentation and environmental contexts presentation presentation
OVERALL MARKS /15

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APPENDIX C: SAMPLE REPORT FRONT PAGE

SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, UiTM SHAH

ALAM

CDIO GROUP PROJECT

ECM418
CIVIL ENGINEERING APPRECIATION AND INNOVATION (ARIAL, 24)

PREPARED BY:

GROUP 1:
SITI (STUDENT ID :)
AHMAD (STUDENT ID :)

SEMESTER OCTOBER - FEBRUARY 2023 (ARIAL, 18)

LECTURER: Ts. FATIN NAJWA BINTI MOHD NUSA

SUBMISSION DATE: *Please refer to the latest update

PRESENTATION DATE: *Please refer to the latest update

APPENDIX D: CDIO – DESIGN THINKING PROCESS

Design thinking is needed to produce engineers who have the knowledge and
experience specifically needed to prepare the graduates to build a unique array of
personal, inter-personal and system – building experiences. The overall DT process
is shown in Figure 1

Figure 1 shows the Design Thinking process flow. It emphasises “deep user
understanding” through detailed survey/ observation of users and subsequent analysis
of the data collected.

Figure A1: Design Thinking Process (Hasso-Plattner Institute of Design, University

of Stanford)
A systematic DT process are as follows:

Stage 1: Empathy
Students must find out the key problems of the situation given through an empathy
study. Students need to observe what people/community do and how they interact
with their environment that contributes to the problem. Besides that, students need to
do as much as possible the observations in relevant contexts, engage, watch, and
listen from many sources such as media, YouTube, interviews, books, research
papers and other relevant and validated sources.

Stage 2: Define
The students need to define the purpose of the project or assignment, and the
challenge they are taking on, based on what they have learned from the previous step
(empathy study). After becoming an instant expert on the subject and gaining
invaluable empathy, this stage is about making sense of the widespread information
that has been gathered. The goal of the “define” mode is to create a meaningful and
actionable problem statement. This should be a guiding statement that focuses on
insights and needs of a specific problem. This stage is critical to the design process
because it is based on their new understanding of the problem.
Stage 3: Ideate
At this stage, the students concentrate on idea generation. They will come out with
many suggestions to solve the problems through many brainstorming sessions and
propose possible solutions that may help to solve the user’s problem. Concept
sketches can be drawn to capture the ideas. Particularly early in a design project,
ideation is about pushing for the widest possible range of ideas from which they can
select, not simply finding a single best solution. The determination of the best solution
will be discovered later, through user testing and feedback (prototype stage).

Stage 4: Prototype
To avoid losing all the innovation potential, students need to bring multiple ideas
forward into prototyping, thus maintaining their innovation potential. At this stage, all
the possible solutions are presented for comments from the facilitator, group members
and community. Then, the feedback obtained is used to refine the proposed solution.
For instance, if (during ideation) the team discovers that they do not have enough
understanding of the user requirements to propose a good solution, they may have to
repeat the “Empathy” studies.

Stage 5: Test
The test is used as an opportunity to understand the problem. The purposes of
conducting the test are:

• To refine prototypes and solutions.

• Testing informs the next iterations of prototypes. Sometimes this means going
back to the drawing board.
• To learn more about your user.
• Testing is another opportunity to build empathy through observation and
engagement – it often yields unexpected insights.
• To refine your Point of View (POV).
• Sometimes testing reveals that not only did you not get the solution right, but
also that you failed to frame the problem correctly.

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 Appendix E: UN Sustainable Development Goals (17 SDG’s)

According to the recent GAPC2021 IEA paper, engineering is an activity that is

essential to meeting the needs of people, economic development, and the provision
of services to society. Thus, this ISP requires these final-year students to be involved
purposeful application of mathematical and natural sciences and a body of engineering
knowledge, technology and techniques. These young engineers-to-be shall seek to
produce innovative solutions of which the effects are predicted to the greatest degree
possible, in often uncertain contexts. While bringing benefits, these engineering
activities will have potential adverse consequences. Therefore, these community
activities must be carried out responsibly and ethically, use available resources
efficiently, be economic, safeguard health and safety, be environmentally sound and
sustainable and generally manage risks throughout the entire lifecycle of a system.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals present targets for 2030 (see
Figure A2)

Figure A2: Adopted from: UN Sustainable Development Goals (17 SDGs)

Therefore, for this PBL project, it is encouraged that these engineers-to-be to

contribute making progress towards these goals by applying the SDG initiatives.
APPENDIX F: Malaysia Dam Safety Management Guidelines (MyDAMS)
https://www.water.gov.my/jps/resources/PDF/MyDAMS_2017_(Free_Copy).pdf

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