Category: News and Notifications

Department of Civil Engineering conducted Webinar on “Geotechnical Aspects for Design and Construction of Nuclear Facility” on Saturday, 30th May, 2020 at 11.30 a.m. Total 100 participants from Karnataka, Nagpur, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mumbai participated in this webinar. Faculty from several Engineering Institute, MTech and PhD students from attended the webinar.

Geotechnical engineering forms an important part in design and construction of buildings as to ensure safe and stable founding of the building, for distribution of loads without settlement or failure of founding strata. In case of nuclear power plant (NPP)/ nuclear facility (NF) the importance is well enhanced considering the degree of safety associated with it.

Outline of presentation

Geotechnical investigation (GI) of the site

Some participants of the webinar

The primary step is associated with geotechnical investigation (GI) of the site considered for NF. The purpose of GI lies in understanding more on site, get parameters for foundation analysis and design, subsurface characteristics, groundwater table and rock level and the strength associated with same. GI is carried out in three stages viz, preliminary investigation, detailed investigation & confirmatory investigation. The implication of these investigations and associated parameters are used in structural analysis and design of NF and soil structure interaction (SSI) analysis is followed for NF following the provisions of AERB-SG-CSE-2 & ASCE-4:98. Procedure followed for analysis of foundation with overview on SSI analysis to be discussed in the course of presentation. Most of NF/NPP are founded on rocky strata with particular weathering grade. To reach to founding strata for construction of footings, deep excavation is required, which also includes rock excavation. Further geotechnical engineering has and important role to play on the excavation and safe construction of these structures and continuous site evaluation.

Mr. Nitheesh Narayanan, was the speaker for the webinar who has joined as scientific officer C in Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam in 2014. Since joining, has been involved in analysis and design of various structures including structures important for nuclear safety and non- nuclear buildings. His area of work includes Development of constitutive model for concrete for implementation in finite element (FE) analysis, for performance based designs of safety related structures, Analysis and design of safety related structures with emphasis on seismic design event, Development of in-house coding for structural members design based on FE analysis data for defined load combinations following the provisions of AERB/SS/CSE-1, Seismic margin assessment of nuclear facility (NF), as part to study and confirm on the effectiveness of the structure for beyond design basis event, Geotechnical investigation and studies on foundation design parameters. Study on possibilities of founding nuclear facility of reduced hazard on engineered back fill. Involved with Deep excavation techniques associated with construction of NF, to required founding strata.

Department of Civil Engineering conducted a Webinar on “Conservation of Water by Intensive Afforestation and Rainwater Harvesting” on Monday, 25th May, 2020 at 4 p.m. Total 68 participants from Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Hyderabad, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Bengaluru, Belgam, Laxmeshwar (Karnataka), Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Akola, Wardha, Dhule, Beed, Aurangabad, Lucknow, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Amravati, Pune, Kolhapur, Nashik, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mumbai, participated in this webinar. Participants were from different sectors viz several faculties of various engineering colleges and other streams like MBA (NICMAR), Architecture, M.Tech. and Ph.D. students from all over India, government sectors (Irrigation Department, Kokan Bhavan), practising engineers and architects (Artefact Projects Private Limited), Contractors (Geocon International Private Limited Mumbai), Consultancies (Rectangle Civil Consultant, Nagpur) and Becquerel Industries Private Limited, Nagpur, TUV SUD South Asia, New Delhi, Zigma Global Environ Solutions Private Limited, Nagpur.

Every raindrop matters at this period of when large part of the world is staring at water scarcity. Hence the objective of this webinar is to share knowledge and discussing in multiple ways and by creating added awareness and understanding more widely about water conservation and its various techniques amongst students, faculty and engineers.

The theme was explained by Ms. Manisha Jamgade, webinar coordinator followed by review of webinar and introduction of our institute and its mission and vision by Mr. Raju Narwade, Head of Civil Engineering Department.

Mr. Pradeep N. V. (Senior Environmental Consultant & Managing Partner, Nisarga Consultants, Belagavi) is a Certified Engineer in Designing Decentralized Wastewater Treatments Units, Panellist in Prestigious UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Conclave and Founder and Managing Trustee of Dharani Foundation an NGO, was invited as a resource person. He is members many organizations, few are International Society of Environmental Informatics, Society for Sugar Research and Promotion and World Environmental Organization.

Mr. Pradeep N. V. explained how uncontrolled exploitation of water resources are responsible for water crisis in India as well as all over the world in spite of abundant rainfall. He also enlightened the rich traditional and advanced Afforestation techniques and Rain water harvesting practices existing, their applicability and suitability in various soil types as well. He explained how taking a holistic approach to water conservation is significant in conservation of water. The session was followed by question-answers where the speaker cleared the doubts of the participants. The webinar concluded with vote of thanks given by Mr. Karthik Nagarajan. The webinar was productive as the participants expanded new innovative ideas for the design and installation of rain water harvesting techniques.

Department of Civil Engineering conducted webinar on “Role of Supplementary Cementitious Materials on Concrete Durability” on 19th May, 2020 at 11.30 a.m. Total 100 participants from Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Amravati, Pune, Nashik, Akola, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mumbai have participated in this webinar. The participants from industries such as UltraTech Cement, Zigma Global Environ Solutions Private Limited, Avighnaa Contractors Private Limited have also participated in this webinar.

The expert, Mr. Sadanand Govilkar is working as a Managing Director at Avant-Tech Lab and Research Centre Private Limited, Turbhe, MIDC, Navi Mumbai. He is a life member of Institute of Concrete Technology, London, UK (MICT) and also Life member of Indian Concrete Institute (MICI).

Mr. Sadanand Govilkar delivering Lecture on “Role of Supplementary Cementitious Materials on Concrete Durability”

Participants of the webinar

Participants of the webinar

The objective of the webinar was to provide an in-depth knowledge on concrete durability and the role of supplementary cementitious materials. The speaker explained the properties of cement and how the different supplementary cementitious materials such fly ash and GGBS effects its properties. He also discussed about the different parameters and tests for concrete durability. The concept of sustainable concrete was also discussed. The webinar was highly informative for faculty, students and research Scholars The webinar was fruitful as the participants gained the knowledge about durability of concrete. All the participants were issued E-certificate.