International workshop on dam safety concludes at IIT Guwahati

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 1, 2024

The Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Guwahati in collaboration with Shijay Projects India Private Limited hosted an international workshop on dam safety 2024.

This significant event held at IIT Guwahati, focused on addressing critical issues and advancements in dam safety, bringing together renowned experts, academics, and industry leaders to share their insights and experiences.

The workshop on Dam Safety primarily focused on discussing and exploring advanced monitoring, retrofitting, and rehabilitation strategies to enhance the safety and longevity of existing dams.

While the workshop did not specifically address resolutions for the closure or continuation of dams, the discussions highlighted the importance of continuous monitoring and proactive maintenance to ensure the structural integrity and safety of these critical infrastructures.

The aim is to equip dam owners and stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions about the management and upkeep of dams, rather than making blanket decisions about their closure or continuation.

The introductory talk on the workshop featured prominent speakers such as Prof Subashisa Dutta, Prof SK Dwivedy and Prof Nisith R Mandal. These sessions set the tone for a comprehensive and informative event dedicated to enhancing dam safety protocols and technologies.

Participants were then enlightened by a series of expert talks. A presentation on dam safety legislation and its implications for dam owners was delivered by AB Pandya, secretary of ICID and former chairman of CWC. This discussion was pivotal in understanding the legislative landscape and its impact on dam safety management.

A key highlight of the workshop was the panel discussion on enhancing dam safety through advanced monitoring, retrofitting, and rehabilitation strategies was also held. Moderated by Prof Sajal K. Deb of IIT Guwahati and coordinated by Dr Monjusha Sarmah, the panel featured a series of presentations on critical topics. Prof Deb presented on the rehabilitation and retrofitting of concrete gravity dams, followed by Prof Anjan Dutta and Prof Arunasis Chakraborty, who discussed structural health monitoring. Prof K Darunkumar Singh provided insights into fracture mechanics and its application to dam safety, and Dr A Verma highlighted the use of digital twins for dam safety inspection and monitoring. These presentations underscored the importance of integrating cutting-edge technologies to enhance the safety and reliability of dam infrastructure.

In the afternoon session, the focus shifted to sponsor talks organized by Shijay Projects. Speakers covered a range of topics including feasibility studies to detect leakage paths in dams and irrigation tanks using conventional geophysical methods, the relevance of geophysical investigations in dam safety assessment and rehabilitation, and the integration of structural health monitoring for dam safety.

Dr Ram Raj Mathur, Dr Chevva Krishnaiah, Saif Mobin, and Swapnil Gaurav delivered these talks, emphasizing the critical role of geophysical and structural monitoring in maintaining dam safety and preventing potential failures. Their insights provided valuable knowledge on how modern technology can be employed to ensure the structural integrity of dams.

The day concluded with a sunset river cruise on the Brahmaputra. This provided attendees with a unique opportunity to relax and continue their discussions in an informal setting, fostering deeper connections and collaborative opportunities.