A daylong symposium on ‘Recent Trends in Civil Engineering’ by Department of Civil Engineering at Main Campus on 21st December, 2016, has created a synergy that has had most of its students putting best foot forward with some good presentations speak volumes about their in-depth understanding of the subject and smoldering passion that will help them to assimilate professional acumen. Click here to see the pictures.

At the outset, Institute of Technology’s Deputy Scientific Director, Mr Nigussie Bekele, stressing for sustainability of such endeavors, hopes such initiative to create competitive spirit among departments. Adding further, he said that qualified graduates will benefit nation and construction industry in particular.

The symposium was kicked off with department head, Mr Habtamu Melesse, terming it as the need of hour for the good of budding engineers and industry. Organized by a panel led by Assistant Professor, Mr Natchimuthu Subramani, it got students acquainted with recent trends and offered a platform to exchange research findings to come up with solution for problems and acquire communication skills.

In his anecdote-filled inspiring speech, Professor Dr R K Verma, exhorts civil engineers to be prepared and remodel themselves to negotiate through any unpredictable and inhospitable circumstances. He said civil engineers’ life is characterized by challenging situations, works and sites are often scattered and it will put great amount of stress on you unless you are ready to preempt the possible fallout.

Amid thundering applause, sharing some of the golden nuggets from his three-decade long work-and-teaching experience, Prof. R K Verma, said, ‘‘Acquired knowledge and experience will give you confidence to tide over unexpected challenges and action-in-time will come to your rescue, so always be ready for any eventuality and don’t shy away from difficult situations.’’

Later, during his presentation, Mr Muluken Negaw, on effects of corrosion of reinforcement bars in concrete, said that the causes and mechanisms of corrosion are the ingress of aggressive species, such as chlorides that break down the protective film on reinforcing bar and amount of those species necessary to do so. The former is largely controlled by concrete properties while latter is a function of type and condition of reinforcing bar.

He suggested two-fold approach i.e. use of high performance concrete to lower concrete’s permeability and reduce the rate of ingress of chlorides, thereby, increase the effectiveness of the physical barrier.

Yemisrach Leulseged on ready mix concrete said it’s qualitative and durable; it expedites construction, reduces cement consumption by 10 to 12% thus saves energy; it also mitigates environmental and sound pollutions. On other hand, it affects strength of cement and often causes placement problems etc.

Other 12 students shared presentations on repair of concrete structure, laboratory tests, form work, ground improvement techniques, quake-resistance buildings, reinforcement, pre-stressed concrete, raft pile foundation, attitude, etc.

The program was anchored by Civil Engineering Department students; department teachers, invited guests, students and others were in attendance.

 

(Corporate Communication Directorate)