Soil mechanics vital to civil engineering: JNTUK Vice-Chancellor
Kakinada, Oct 1 (TNT): JNTUK Vice-Chancellor Prof. VSRK Prasad on Thursday emphasised the importance of soil mechanics in civil engineering, particularly in building construction and foundation design, stressing the need to assess the soil’s load-bearing capacity carefully before undertaking construction.
Addressing a one-day national seminar organised to mark the birth anniversary of Karl Terzaghi, widely known as the father of soil mechanics, Prof. Prasad recalled Terzaghi’s contributions and innovations in the field.
The seminar, titled OBSERVE, was organised jointly by the Department of Civil Engineering at University College of Engineering, the Indian Geotechnical Society (IGS), the Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India) and the Indian Concrete Institute’s Kakinada chapter. It was held at the Civil Engineering Department seminar hall.
The Vice-Chancellor said adequate precautions were essential while assessing the ground’s bearing capacity to ensure the safety and stability of building structures. He also assured the university’s support for technical programmes that would benefit engineers and students.
IGS Kakinada chapter chairman Prof. GVR Prasadaraju welcomed the guests, while Prof. Padmakumary outlined the activities undertaken by the Civil Engineering Department.
The invited speakers, including Hyderabad-based engineer Suryaprakash, retired IIT Madras professor Rajagopal, Dr. Badam Sundara Rao and engineer LS Subrahmanyam, were felicitated at the event.
JNTUK Rector Prof. P. Subbarao, in-charge Principal Prof. Srinivasulu, Prof. Deekshitulu, Prof. Muralikrishna and Udaya Bhaskar attended the seminar, along with students from Aditya, Pragati, KITS and Divili educational institutions.
TNT TMR
