CHARACTER BUOYANCY

As a professional engineer I learnt Character Buoyancy through Concrete Buoyancy. While pouring concrete for an International airport taxiway bridge, the designer proposed "void formers" in the slab to cut down concrete weight. I was chief engineer abroad but was working as bridge inspector on this project being new entrant from another country. During my inspection I found "void formers" were not tied up to the bottom formwork against any displacement under wet concrete pressure. There was no mention of layer sequence of concrete pouring. I rushed to the project engineer and explained to him my worries regarding concrete buoyancy. He asked me What is that and where you learnt it. He threatened me he would throw me in concrete to test concrete buoyancy. Next day I was not on that project. While pouring concrete two days after the untied "void formers" started moving up and down resulting dislocation of post tensioned cables. The same project engineer was begging me to help him in its solution. I learnt the hard way the meaning of character buoyancy through concrete buoyancy. One must be conscious of internalizing values such as integrity, honesty, compassion, justice and tolerance to claim having stable character!

Buoyancy is defined as the tendency of a fluid to exert a supporting upward force on a body placed in fluid. There are several points worth consideration in it: volume and weight of void former, the shape of structure, water cement ratio, and the pouring height. In order to maintain stability in relations to adjoining elements (structural / non-structural components), we have to tie down void formers with force greater than the upward force.  According to one professor: A simple example of buoyancy can be seen when trying to push an empty water bottle downward in a sink full of water. When applying a downward force to the water bottle from your hand, the water bottle will stay suspended in place. But as soon as you remove your hand, the water bottle will float to the surface. The buoyant force on the object determines whether or not the object will sink or float.

Likewise our character is built on: physical character and spiritual character. Unless your spiritual character is heavier than your physical character, your behavior will be at the mercy of environments. Integrity is an index of our both physical and spiritual character. Its buoyancy is not acceptable under any given conditions. When things are easy, it is no great challenge to maintain good conduct and treat people in the best way possible; but in the face of hardship, fatigue, frustration, disappointment, anger, and an array of other emotions, the fortitude of one’s character is put to the test. The person who has firm character can withstand these tests, but the one who is only putting on a show will eventually be exposed for who he or she really is! Moral duty refers to acting toward what is good in universally admitted meanings, whereas character buoyancy refers to the emotional inclination to act on one’s desires! Be watchful towards six elements of character: courage, loyalty, diligence, modesty, honesty, and gratitude!!

The ecological systems theory holds that we encounter different environments throughout our lifespan that may influence our behavior in varying degrees. The Theory of Moral Development is a very interesting subject that stemmed from Jean Piaget’s theory of moral reasoning. Developed by psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, this theory made us understand that morality starts from the early childhood years and can be affected by several factors. Morality can be developed either negatively or positively, depending on how an individual accomplishes the tasks before him during each stage of moral development across his lifespan. Virtue ethics contend that balanced personality resulting from self-purification enables the person to motivate oneself to channel emotions in the service of a goal, delaying gratification, and stifling impulses. It includes achievement drive, initiative, commitment and perseverance (al-Shams 91; 9-10).

The integration of spiritual ethics and some aspects of modern Psychology which are in harmony with the worldview, ethical principles, ethical values and norms of Islam not only can be sources of action guides and but also serve as effective methods management of emotions that steer to self-development and interpersonal relationship skills in the scheme of personality or character building. Virtue ethics perceive human moral and ethical values that are universally accepted and those morals and values that have been initiated by Islam by harnessing them to service of right cause and higher purpose (Fatimah Abdullah – International Journal). Fowers book describes four types of character: the Continent Character, the Incontinent Character, the Vicious Character and the Virtuous Character. The habits built on honesty, trustworthiness, sympathetic and love sharing attitude help any individual to shine in any set up of environments. If your integrity is above any doubt in any given condition, you are a true professional!

The Prophet  said, “No deed that will be placed on the scale of deeds [on the Day of Judgement] will be heavier than good character. Indeed, a person with good character will attain the rank of those with a good record of voluntary fasts and prayers.” (Sunan At-Tirmidhee: 2003). The Prophet  said, “The dearest to me among you and the nearest to me on the Day of Judgement are those who have the best character.” (Sunan At-Tirmidhee: 2018). The Prophet  guarantees a house in the highest part of Paradise to those who have good character: “I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise for those who give up arguing, even if they are in the right; and I guarantee a house in the middle of Paradise for those who abandon lying even when joking; and I guarantee a house in the highest part of Paradise for those who have good character and manners.” (Sunan Abu Daawood: 4800). The self- transparency formatting is a power that comes from within your innocent soul. It is a peace and freedom of one’s self – the process that will build power of self-analysis and in return help to create positive living leading to happy society. Beware of temptations toward self-deception!!! Let us not hide our reactions behind our professional facade or veneer! Let us keep displaying our courage in recognizing and acknowledging our mistakes, errors or omissions! The Beloved Messenger of Allah  (may Allah exalt his mention), said: “The best amongst you are the best in character and manners.” (Al-Bukhari)

It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East or West; but it is righteousness to believe in God, the Last Day, the Angels, and Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the freeing of captives; to be steadfast in prayers, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which you made; and to be firm and patient in pain and adversity and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-conscious. (2:177). The most honorable among you in the sight of God is the one who is most God-conscious. (49:13). Humility, modesty, control of passions and desires, truthfulness, integrity, patience, steadfastness, and fulfilling one's promises are moral values that are emphasized again and again in the Qur'an: And God loves those who are firm and steadfast. (3:146). 18:7 "Surely I have created all that is on earth as its ornaments that I may test which of them is best in conduct."

The Code of Ethics maintains that you must: place the integrity of the profession and the interests of clients above your own interests, act with integrity, competence, and respect, maintain and develop your professional competence. How can you develop and maintain your professional ethical approach above any doubts if your internal character is not built up on moral grounds. The main emphasis of human character lies in the obedience of his / her Creator (Almighty God) in its true perspectives. If you are not afraid that someone is watching you in your complete loneliness and that you will be accountable and liable of all your actions for their consequences in front of your creator after your death, you will stay deficient and hollow in your character build up!!

The fundamental principal in human character build up is to be mindful of his / her bad actions implications. Who knows better than Almighty God - This life is only a test. Day to day, we are confronted with tests that Allah is giving us to test our iman (belief).67:2 "(It is He) who crated death and life to test which of you is best in conduct; and He is the Mighty, the Forgiving."

According to ACI 350, the safety factor against flotation is usually computed as the total dead weight of the structure divided by the total hydrostatic uplift force. The FS should reflect the risk associated with hydrostatic loading conditions. In situations of flooding to the top of the structure and using dead-weight resistance only, a FS of 1.10 is commonly used. In flood zone areas, or where high groundwater conditions exist, a FS of 1.25 can be used. Where maximum groundwater or flood levels are not well defined or where soil friction is included in the flotation resistance, higher FS values should be considered.

–       According to all three religions (Prophet Moses, Jesus and Mohammad PBUH teachings) moral values play a very fundamental role in our social dealings. When a person is pushed against immoral actions, his / her character safety factor enlighten him the right path. Don’t harm fellow being becomes the demand of his / her character? Legal behavior is not necessarily ethical behavior but your Personal value will determine ethical behavior.

Referring to “PowerPoint Presentation to Accompany Chapter 3 of Management Canadian Edition, Published by: John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd” – one decision changes its value and perspective when it is judged by different class or group of people.

According to Mohammad (PBUH) moral values also determine someone faith. The Prophet was asked: "Which Muslim has the perfect faith?" He answered: "He who has the best moral character." (Tibrani). Abu Huraira has quoted the Prophet as saying: "A Momin's nobility is his religiousness, his tolerance is his intelligence, and his lineage is his goodness of character." (Hakim). Abu Zar has narrated: "Successful is the man who had purified his heart for faith, kept his heart on the right lines, his tongue was truthful, his self was content, and his nature was on the right path."(Ibn Haban).  A true believer who has perfect moral values will avoid ethical dilemmas including Discrimination in all types and forms, Sexual harassment in any social gathering, Conflicts of interest even though his own benefits at risk, earn fellow confidence being selfless and follow social laws though being unwatched.

Almighty God in His Holly Book says “We have appointed a law and a practice for every one of you. Had God willed, He would have made you a single community, but He wanted to test you regarding what has come to you. So compete with each other in doing “Good”! Every one of you will return to God and He will inform you regarding the things about which you differed.” (Surat al-Ma’ida, 48). Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, "I have been sent to complete the goodness of your character" – society building tool is our character!

In our social life we should be mindful of our actions and practices. You never know one day your old subordinate becomes your supervisor in near future. Treat and respect others as you want to be treated and respected! Human soul is our heavenly essence which commands our body parts to perform different modes of actions. It may have other names: spirit, intelligence, and heart etc. According to an author (Islamic occasions.com) - The most important faculties of the soul are: the power of intelligence – Angelic; the power of anger – Ferocious; the power of desire – Animalistic and the power of imagination - Demoniac. The function and value of every one of these powers or forces of the soul is commonly well understood. If you did not have the power of reason, it would have been impossible for you to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, true and false. The tool (used as reason) can build you up or destroy your integrity based on your intentions! Let us purify our intentions and reasons to reason the developments!