FOUNDATIONS AND STRUCTURES

The Foundation and Structures Laboratory undertakes studies relating to soil and rock mechanics for foundation investigations, estimation of engineering properties of construction materials and stability and stress analysis of major structures.

• Geotechnical investigations for foundations and ground-structure interaction

• Evaluation of liquefaction potential of foundation strata and sea beds

• Slope stability analysis of embankments, mine slopes

• Evaluation of properties and assessment of suitability of geotextiles and geomembranes for application in hydraulic structures

• Field studies for measurement of deformability, shear strength parameters, permeability, bearing capacity and in-situ stress of rock mass

• Laboratory studies for estimation of physical and engineering properties of rock

• Analysis of dam instrumentation data

• Estimation of effects of vibrations on structures

• Model / prototype hydrostatic testing of penstock bifurcation, gates etc.

• Static and dynamic stress analyses of earthen and gravity dams by Finite Element Modelling

• In-situ measurement of stress, deformation, strain, pore-pressure for monitoring long-term structural performance

• Stress analysis of dams, tunnels etc. by experimental techniques such as photoelasticity and electrical resistance strain gauge

Concrete Technology

• Determination of strength, elastic, thermal and creep properties of mass and roller compacted concrete

• Suitability of epoxy compounds for rehabilitation of distressed hydraulic structures

• Laboratory studies for concrete and masonary materials

• Flat Jacks and Deformation Gauges

• Data Acquisition System and Strain Gauge Instrumentation

• Direct Shear Testing Machines, Dynamic Triaxial Soil Test Machine, UTMs

• Resonant Testing Equipment for soil/rock cores

• Standard Penetration Test Apparatus

• Adiabatic Calorimeter, Tensile Strain Capacity and Creep Test Setup

• Extensometers, Point Load Tester, Petrological Microscope

• Polariscope, Stress Freezing Ovens, Hiltsher’s Lateral Extensometer, Loading Frames

• Finite Element Software Packages

• Precision Workshop for fabrication of models

SOME MAJOR STUDIES

• Foundations : Idukki, Srisailam, Hidkal, Sardar Sarovar, Supa, Subansiri, Hirehalla, Rana Pratap Sagar, Dudhganga, Kadana, Tawa, Ghatghar, Bhakra, Upper Tunga

• Dams : Koyna, Amarja, Supa, Kodasalli, Ukai, Srisailam, Thokerwadi, Indira Sagar, Jhuj, Hirakud, Idukki, Nagarjunasagar, Warna, Ujjani, Kolkewadi, Ghatghar, Bhandardara

• Underground Structures : Sardar Sarovar, Bhira, Balimela, Beas-Sutlej, Koyna, Srisailam, Kalinadi, Dehar, Pench, Nagzari, Lower Periyar, Varahi

• Water Conductor Systems : Lower Periyar, Beas, Idukki, Kalinadi, Nagarjunasagar, Nathpa-Jhakri, Koyna, Ramganga, Upper Kolab, Mumbai Water Supply Tunnels, Sharavathy

• Penstocks : Idukki, Varahi, Kalinadi, Khopoli, Sharavathy, Loktak

• Atomic Power Projects : Rajasthan, Kaiga, Kakrapar, Kalpakkam, Tarapur, Kayamkulam, Kudankulam

• Others : Bandra-Worli Outfalls, Gannavaram Aqueduct, Hooghly Estuary, Breakwaters at Mangalore, Munambam and Kakinada, Kutchh Branch Canal, Kudremukh, Simhadri