Workshop on BIS Code of Practice on Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Structures

 Workshop on BIS code IS 18591-2024
Code of Practice 

on Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Structures

Two-day Workshop on BIS code IS 18591-2024: Code of Practice on Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Structures, organized as part of Centenary Celebrations of Andhra University by Department of Civil Engineering, Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam  in association with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), iGrip, IITGandhinagar, and Indian Geotechnical Society Visakhapatnam Chapter, commenced today. The event is inaugurated by Prof. M. Shashi, Principal, Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam. During the inaugural address, Prof. Shashi highlighted the role of Bureau of Indian Standards in formulation of useful standards coupling the theoretical concepts with real time field experiences involving the stake holders for quality, reliable and safe codes of practice for sustainable constructions. She stressed the need for consideration of soil - structure interaction in designs of infrastructure projects using geosynthetics.  

Prof. C.N.V. Satyanarayana Reddy, Head of Civil Engineering Department and Chairman, Indian Geotechnical Society Visakhapatnam Chapter and Prof. K. Rajagopal, Adjunct Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, AUCE coordinated the workshop. Prof. C.N.V. Satyanarayana Reddy explained that geosynthetic reinforced soil structures are the only means of construction in weak subsoil conditions. He emphasized the significant contribution of Geosynthetic sectional Committee, TXD 30 of BIS in formulation of IS 18591-2024 code of practice on Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Structures covering the design, construction and maintenance aspects. He quoted that the members involved in formulation of the new code are delivering the lectures during the workshop. 

Prof. K. Rajagopal, adjunct professor, AUCE and member of TXD 30 (Geosynthetic Sectional committee) of BIS highlighted the rigorous process involved in formulation of the much needed IS code for design of Geosynthetic reinforced soil structures and the initiatives taken by BIS for dissemination of information from new code to the stake holders. 

Prof. G.V. Rao, former Professor & Head, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Delhi and visiting Professor, IIT Gandhinagar was the Chief guest of the inaugural function. He explained the speciality of IS 18591 -2024 codes being it covers all the aspects required for design of reinforced soil structures such as Material and Reinforcement specification, seismic loads and required ground improvement in weak subgrades. He appreciated BIS efforts in coordinating Academic experts, Practising Engineers, Design consultants and  Geosynthetic engineering firms for formulation of the new code IS 18591. 

During technical session 1, Mr. D. Vivek Vardhan Reddy, Scientist –C and Deputy director, BIS, Vijayawada Branch made a presentation on history of BIS and its activities related to standardization, conformity assessment and quality testing laboratories.  Mr. Himanshu Shukla, Scientist –C (Textiles) and Deputy director, BIS, New Delhi  delivered a lecture on tests for characterization of Geosynthetics and relevant codes.

Mr. Suraj Ved Pathak, General Manger- Technical Mangement, Strata Geosystems (India) Pvt. Ltd., and Prof. Amit Prashant, IIT Gandhinagar highlighted the need for thorough and reliable soil investigation for safe and reliable design of Reinforced Soil structures. They have quoted the cases of failure of Reinforced earth walls and reinforced embankments constructed on ground without proper site investigations. 

Dr. Kolli Mohan Krishna, M/s Geosynapse  and Mr. Saurab Vyas, Techfab India deliberated on philosophy and Design of Reinforced soil walls based on potential failure mechanisms. Dr Anil Dikshit, Managing Director, Landmark Material Testing and Research Laboratories pvt Ltd., Jaipur delivered a lecture on Geosynthetic material Testing and Specifications specific Reinforced soil retaining walls and stressed the need for robust and reliable testing as the material quality affects stability of the constructed structure. 

About 150 delegates comprising of Engineers from state and central government departments, Visakhapatnam port authority, MES, DGNP, CPWD, GVMC, VMRDA, HPCL, Faculty members from engineering colleges, research scholars and Post graduate students attended the first day of the workshop.