Source: ISSMGE Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 3
The 1st Indo-China Research Webinar Series 2020 in Civil, Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering was held from 8th to 19th May, 2020. This workshop was collaboratively organized by Dr. Ankit Garg, Associate Professor, Shantou University, China, Prof. (Dr.) Chandresh H. Solanki, Professor, SVNIT, Surat & Indian Geotechnical Society Surat Chapter, Gujarat, India Dr. Chandra Bogireddy, Assistant Professor, Vardhaman College of Engineering, Hyderabad, India and Dr. Junwei Liu, Vice Dean & Associate Professor, Qingdao University of Technology, China.
In the Indo-China research webinar around 16 technical sessions were held with 8 Speakers each from Uni-versities in China and India. The total of participants in all sessions combined were more than 5000, included participants from India, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Iraq and other countries. In total, 10 Special Guests were invited that graced the audience with their motivational words promoting such cooperation in future. Guests include Prof. G. L. Sivakumar Babu, President, Indian Geotechnical Society & Professor IISc Bangalore, Prof. S.R. Gandhi, Director, S.V. NIT Surat, India, Prof. Gautam Biswas, Former Director, IIT Guwahati, Fellow of ASME, Prof. Da Hsuan Feng, Fellow American Physical Society, USA, Chairman of Advisory Board, Hainan University, Former Vice President for Research, University of Texas, USA, Prof. S. K. Das, Director, IIT Ropar, Prof. D. N. Singh, Institute Chair Professor, IIT Bombay & Editor in Chief, Environmental Geotechnics, Prof. Chandan Ghosh, IIT Jammu, NIDM, Ministry of Home affairs, Prof. Askar Zhussupbekov, Past Vice- President of ISSMGE for Asia , Chair of TC 305 of ISSMGE, Director of the Geotechnical Institute of the Eurasian National University ( Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan), Prof. Neelamani, Senior Research Scientist, Kuwait Institute of Scien-tific Research, Dr. Jaykumar Shukla, Principal Engineer, Geo Dynamics, India and Mr. Subba Reddy Nelluru (UK). Also, supported by Dr. S. Sai Satyanarayana Reddy, Principal, VCE and Dr. K. Mallikharjuna Babu, Director and CEO, Vardhaman College of Engineering Hyderabad.
The opening day of 1st Indo-China Research Webinar Series was held on 8th May 2020 with a briefing from Prof. Chandresh H. Solanki, Dr Ankit Garg and Dr. Bogireddy. Dr. Ankit Garg presented an introduction to Shantou University and also related International programs including joint new full fledge campus (Guang-dong Technion Israel Institute of Technology, GTIIT, China) with Technion Israel Institute of Technology at Shantou. And also, Dr. Mallikarjuna Rao, Head of Civil Engineering Department, VCE briefed about institute and research collaboration possibilities. It was great to see more than 820 participants joining in first session Indo China Webinar Series 2020. Prof. Anasua Guharay from BITS Pilani, Hyderabad and Prof. Yeyuan Xiao from Shantou University, China delivered lectures on utilization of construction waste for backfill soils and waste-water bioremediation, respectively.
2nd Day (i.e., May 9th, 2020) was graced by presence of President of Indian Geotechnical Society, Prof. G. L. Sivakumar Babu, who delivered speech for exploring cooperation between India and China at various levels such as Scholars, Faculties, Industry and for Design Codes. He encouraged young participants to conduct more such sessions especially in these times to share knowledge, skills and build long term cooperation. This was followed by two research sessions, with one from Dr. Bogireddy Chandra from India and Dr. Wang Qinhua from Shantou University, China. Dr. Bogireddy presented an alternative approach to rapid assessment of compressibility behaviour of soils. Dr. Wang presented a real case study on “Linked high-rise buildings” using wind tunnel testing at Shantou University. He also showcased “Vertical forest” modelling in wind tunnel. Such vertical forests are high rise buildings with dense vegetation in balconies. They are a part of urban green infrastructure owing to its environmental and psychological benefits to society.
Day 3 (i.e., May 11th, 2020) was opened with a briefing from Special Guest, Prof. Honghu Zhu from Nanjing University, China. Prof. Zhu briefed about Nanjing University and development of Research institutes for monitoring of geotechnical infrastructures using Fiber Optic Sensing. This was followed by Mr. Suba Reddy Nelluru (Wasco Energy Group, UK and Indonesia), who delivered a message of motivation for young students about different directions for careers in an Industry. Prof. Chandresh H. Solanki from S.V NIT Surat, India delivered an overview of Indian Geotechnical Society Chapters and also presented a memorable glimpse of Indian Geotechnical Conference (IGC 2019), that was organized under the leadership of Prof. Chandresh H. Solanki & Er. Hiiesh H. Desai, Chairman, Indian Geotechnical Society, Surat Chapter in December 2019. Prof. Solanki then gave a detailed technical presentation on new approaches for quick estimation of foundation settlements in alluvial deposits. Dr. Feng Song from Fuzhou University presented an interesting study on development of analytical solutions for slope stability considering influence of vegetation. He also summarized research related to capillary barriers with and without vegetation at his laboratory.
Day 4 (i.e., May 12th, 2020) was a wonderful day that includes a very informative presentation on “Megacities and related infrastructure development in Kazakhstan” from our Special Guest, Prof. Askar Zhussupbekov, who is Past Vice-President of ISSMGE for Asia, Chair of TC305of ISSMGE, President of Kazakhstan Geotechnical Society & Director of the Geotechnical Institute of the Eurasian National University (Nur-Sultan, Ka-zakhstan). He emphasized on importance of proper site investigation in field for geotechnical infrastructure projects with introduction of activity of TC305 (ISSMGE) on Geotechnical infrastructures for megacities and new capitals. This was followed by webinar on “Shear strength properties of intact rock mass” by Dr. G.V. Ramana from National Institute of Technology, Warangal, India. He gave insights on use of statistical ap-proach for better interpretation of shear strength of rock mass. From China, Prof. Abraham Chiu (Shantou University) presented an insightful presentation on shear modulus of hydrate bearing carbonate silt-sand mixtures. The research is carried with a focus on exploring shale gas hydrate as a potential future energy source.
Day 5 (i.e., May 13th, 2020) involves presentations by two Guest Speakers, Dr. Brijesh Kumar Yadav from IIT Roorkee, India and Dr. Chao-sheng Tang from Nanjing University, China. Dr. Brijesh Kumar Yadav introduced Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, India followed by history of Department of Hydrology at IIT Roorkee, India. Department of Hydrology of IIT Roorkee, India was established under UNESCO. He then discussed about various engineered bioremediation techniques for treatment of polluted sites. His presentation was interesting as it was able to connect fundamental theory to Laboratory experiments to Field application. Prof. Askar Zhussupbekov and his students from Kazakhstan attended the session and asked interesting question about field application of bio-remediation technique in other countries. Prof. Chao-Sheng Tang from Nanjing University, China presented about macro to micro investigation of tensile strength and crack resistance of fiber reinforced soil. He also presented an in-house developed crack measurement software that is freely available for all students to use.
Day 6 (i.e., May 15th, 2020) was very special with two Honourable Guests, Prof. S.R Gandhi, Director of S.V.NIT Surat, India and Prof. Da Hsuan Feng (Fellow of American Physical Society, USA and Chairman of International Advisory Board, Hainan University, China). Prof S.R. Gandhi inaugurated the day by describing one of achievements in utilizing fly ash in geotechnical engineering. Prof. S.R Gandhi thanked and encouraged more such cooperation in future. Due to time difference between India and USA, Prof Da Hsuan Feng gave an audio recorded speech emphasizing Late Former Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru words (If India and China holds together, the future of Asia is assured), that were spoken to his Father Paul Feng in 1945. This was followed by two research webinars from Prof. Neelima Satyam from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore, India and Prof. Mu Qingyu from Xian Jiatong University, China. Prof. Neelima shared research on real time monitoring of landslide in Himalaya region while Prof. Mu shared research on frozen soil, that is also highly relevant to colder regions of both India and China. Prof. Askar Zhussupbekov asked wonderful question especially relating to depths of frozen soil. Another question on effects of impurity on frozen soil was also asked by Prof. Brijesh Yadav from IIT Roorkee. They also expressed pleasure to cooperate in future with Prof. Mu Qingyu.
On Day 7 (i.e. May 18th, 2020), we had two Special Guests, Dr. Jaykumar Shukla, Principal Engineer, Geo Dynamics, India and Prof. S. Neelamani, Senior Research Scientist, Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research and two Speakers for technical sessions, Prof. Sreedeep S. (IIT Guwahati, India) and Prof. Honghu Zhu (Nan-jing University, China). Prof. S.R Gandhi (Honourable Director of S.V NIT) graced the event with his presence. Dr. Jaykumar Shukla shared efforts made under Indian Geotechnical Society (IGS) to connect Industry and Academy for enhancing industry-based research in various academic institutions. This was followed by webinar session from Prof. Sreedeep S., who introduced new biopolymer for enhancing soil water retention curve and also raised questions in the end in how to explore such biopolymers in agriculture. Prof. Honghu Zhu from Nanjing University, China introduced development of fiber optic monitoring system for evaluating stability of geotechnical infrastructure. The utilization of “Raman Scattering” Honourable Nobel Prize Winner Sir C.V. Raman in fiber optic technology introduced by Prof. Honghu Zhu was highly mesmerizing. Prof. S. Neelamani concluded the day with an emphasis on importance of Marine engineering and also what type of research problems can be taken up by young research scholars in future. He also introduced new innovations in Marine structures that has been patented.
Final day (19th May, 2020) of Indo-China Research Webinar Series was graced by several Eminent Special Guests including Prof. Gautam Biswas (Former Director of IIT Guwahati and Fellow of the ASME), Prof. S.K Das (Director, IIT Ropar), Prof. D. N. Singh (Institute Chair Professor, IIT Bombay & Editor in Chief of Environmental Geotechnics, ICE, UK) and Prof. Chandan Ghosh (IIT Jammu and also, National Institute of Disaster Management under Ministry of Home Affairs, India). Prof. Gautam Biswas has highlighted the great scientific contributions from Indian Science and in particular from Japan, China and India. Contributions from Honorable Novel Prize Winner, Dr. C. V. Raman to Prof. S. N. Bose and Prof. J. C. Bose were highlighted. Prof. Gautam Biswas Sir has expressed high optimism and instilled motivation among young participants with many re-visiting memory of great contribution from Asia. His lecture that went for 50 minutes was appreciated by many researchers from different disciplines. Prof. Sarit Kumar Das, Director IIT Ropar attended the lecture and shared a message of motivation to utilize such times in organizing Joint series for knowledge sharing and building cooperation among countries. Prof. Chandan Ghosh thanked organizers for the webinar series in tough times and also encouraged to do more in building international cooperation among young participants from both countries. This was followed by two technical sessions with each from India Dr. Vinod Kumar, (Madanapalle Institute of technology and Sciences, India) and from China Dr. Haihong Song, Shantou University. Dr. Vinod shared research on use of light weight deflectometer for quality control evaluation of unbound layers while Dr. Haihong Song shared research on utilizing biochar for wastewater treatment. She also showcase real time monitoring system that has been deployed for river cleaning around Shantou region of China. The system has been jointly developed with a faculty from Guangdong Technion Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT, China).
Prof. D. N. Singh from IIT Bombay reviewed Webinar Series and appreciated emerging/cutting edge topics related to fiber-optic sensing, frozen soil characteristics, Hydrate gas and bio-geotechnology that were covered in this series. He encouraged researchers to conduct more in-depth research in such areas. He specifically encouraged researchers to think how to model a vegetated soil from soil mechanics point of view. Finally, Indo-China webinar series vote of thanks given by the organizers.
Glimpse of the Indo-China Research Webinar photos are as follows:
