Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Engineering and love II

Writing a lab report regarding a particular topic can be brainwashing at times. To derive some excitement out of the boredom of writing german reports, i let my mind wander a little and.... below r the results of doing so...

I rmb the last time connecting love and Stress-Strain Graph together. Well, today's topic is a little different. It's about "Knicken" or "Snap" in english. When we let an object whereby its length is a lot larger than its width and height( a stick or a rod) experience a Push-Force, there is a high possibility that it would snap before reaching its maximum tensile strength. The pics below illustrates the "snapping" process of an iron rod under a force. The rod will bend suddenly towards its sides.




Such a phenomenon is something that engineers would like to avoid, especially in buildings and structures. So, as future engineers, we had to do some research on this phenomenon, to check out what factors influence snapping.

Well, factors like length of rod, surface area of the rod and the type of material strongly influences the occurence of snapping. The longer rod suffers snapping a lot faster than a shorter rod. An aluminium rod with a less Young Modulus than a steel rod snaps earlier. Diff surface areas, be it square, ring, triangle or circle have diff snapping force (Force which makes the rod snaps).

In our daily lives, there are many factors which can cause a relationship to come to an end, and in this case, an abrupt end, since snapping comes w/out warning. Does a strong relationship "snaps" easily? of cos not. Sadly, many relationships are like the aluminium rod, weaker than the steel rod. When trouble comes (Force applied), it just snaps. To achieve the toughness of a steel, one must go through many trials together. A steel has to go go through many heating processes before it can achieve its optimal condition. As a couple, do not run away when a problem arises. Face it, together, hand in hand!



Try and guess which type of surface area of the rod snaps the earliest... The circle or the ring profile? both have the same outer diameter...



The answer is: Ring-profile. The calculation is very complicated. But it is proven experimentally. In chinese, the rod with a full circle profile is called 实心 while the ring will be called 空心. 空心 means empty heart if we address each word individually. Well, if someone doesn't give his/her heart in a relationship, results means === SNAP!! We often come across phrases like "this love is a one-way-traffic". Meaning one party likes the other but not vice-versa. Love cannot be forced upon. If we cant sense anymore "heart" in this so called relationship, i guess it shud b time dat we take a serious look into matters. Do not wait until it snaps. Cos if it does snaps, it hurts!

Like the field of engineering, love relationships can be confusing and hard to explain. Ppl wan to become engineers so that they can build and create things, while earning lotsa money at the same time, but then they are afraid of long study years and unlimited projects and assignments. Ppl also want to love and being loved, to start a romantic relatonship whereby everything is sweet and wonderful but at the same time they are scared of being hurt. Haiz... this world has never ending problems...

But, there's always Someone to turn to. =)

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Snapshots of Esslingen

Hmmm.. i guess i have to update my blog a bit after a whole week of occupying myself with Lab test, reports etc. I was on my way to Stuttgart 4 a bowling session with my members from my care group/ bible study group. Felt bored during the journey so took out my cam to snap some pics of the town im currently in: Esslingen

Esslingen is one of those town which were lucky to escape air bombings during WW2, unlike Heilbronn. So many buildings here still has that "old" style. Typical old european style houses. The river Neckar flows through this town as well. Together with the hills filled with grape plantation for wine production, Esslingen can be a very beautiful place for sight-seeing. But hey, dats stg attractive 4 the older generations n those who appreciates arts a lot. 4 someone like me, i'd rather exchange those sceneries for Starbucks, a shopping centre or maybe McD. =)

Alright, Lange Rede kurze Sinn. Long talk brings less meaning. Below are some shots from my town, my 2nd home.

Railway station:





See the hills behind? dat's where grapes are grown 4 wine production.


Bahnhof means train station. =)



It's autumn now. Leaves are getting yellow and are starting to fall.


Bus stop. Buses here r super punctual.


Rmb that i said i went 4 bowling while taking those pics? hmm.. guess wat, despite being a lousy bowler, i manage to score 113 pts, higher than all the germans! muahaha!
Malaysia Boleh! =)

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Volksfest part 2

Went to Volksfest again yday with my german frens this time. Well, they certainly did show me how crazy germans can be.




My coursemates. Together we r triple D's! Daniel, David and David!



One of the beer tents here at the Fest.

Ever wonder how much beer do the germans consume during such an occasion? Well, see below:


This is a beer coupon which entitle the user to get a mug of beer (1 Mass Bier). One mug cost abt 8 euros after adding tips(RM 40). Oh btw, students can get 2 mugs of beer 4 the price of one.


This is the mug. 1 LITRE!! Btw, most germans will tend to drink more than 2 mugs.



While drinking, they will dance and sing along with the live band. They even have their own version of "Yamseng"!



Such a celebration is also a good time to make new frens, no matter u r a german or not. Above is the pic of ppl whom i got to know there. Too bad the gal is his gf. :b



Wan2 have a ride on this thing la!! It's the largest mobile ferris wheel in the world! Too bad no one wants to pei me... sobs...

Friday, October 3, 2008

Volksfest a.k.a Oktoberfest (not in Munich but Stuttgart!)

The Oktoberfest is one of the most popular event that takes place every year. Ppl usually relate it to Munich, one of the largest city in Germany. Well, it's not wrong. However, Stuttgart has its own version of Oktoberfest as well. Similar to the Oktoberfest in Munich, Stuttgart provides a great variety of food, entertainment and of course, beer 4 everyone to enjoy. Basically, it's like a fun-fair. There are many rides for ppl of all ages. From harmless horse rides for kids to crazy Sky-Screamer for those adventure-seekers. Then there are stalls selling food and drinks like beer, hot-dogs(some up to a metre long!)and snacks. It's all about eat, drink and play, till u drop (or throw up)! =)



This is only a part of the fun-fair. There were MANY types of rides, some are even scary enough to make one wet their pants. Can fight with Spore Escape theme park.



BEER. Without it, there won't be any Oktoberfest. Crowds can be seen lining up just to get into one of the beer-drinking tents. Inside this building are ppl drinking non stop, partying and dancing all day and night with live bands.



Germans love sweet stuff. So all these lovely and so-nice-until-dun-feel-like-eating-them candies r being sold at most stalls here.



Including all these cute chocolate mice. Will u bear to eat them? >.<