We Talk Structures

In this episode, Maithili Ghadge, podcast host, talks with Raghavendra. Raghavendra Vasudeva Upadhyaya (Rag) has completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Civil Engineering from Central Queensland University, Australia and demonstrated significant experience as a project facilitator in the highly complex private and public-sector environment. Over the years, Rag has worked in several leadership roles where he has honed his technical competencies in structural design and project management at the interface of advanced engineering. In this episode, Rag will be discussing an innovative and sustainable mineral-based composite bonder that can be used for FRP-concrete rehabilitation.

Raghavendra talks about the damage in concrete due to natural and human imposed conditions, reconstruction and rehabilitation, the current state of the art for concrete structures, and the FRP technique. He also shares some insights on his research about concrete damage. Tune in to learn more on this and other exciting topics!

Timestamps

[00:43] Damaging concrete structures due to natural and human imposed conditions

[02:50] Reconstruction and rehabilitation, which one is better for a structural life period?

[04:45] Current state of the art for concrete structures

[07:54] The FRP technique

[13:15] Raghavendra’s research on concrete damage

[16:59] Raghavendra’s conclusion

● Concrete has played a big role in the construction industry for more than 25 decades.

● Concrete is vulnerable and susceptible to damage. Its materials properties will be superior initially but deteriorate over time.

● As civil and structural engineers, we are responsible for thinking about innovative and sustainable strategies to develop and build concrete structures.

● Aramid fibres are used in the making of bulletproofs. It is a tough and strong fibre re-enforced fibres.

Environmental deterioration of concrete

Causes of concrete damage

In this episode, Maithili Ghadge, podcast host, talks with Aditya Narote, a post-graduate structural engineer and graduate civil engineer. He is an Offshore Structural Engineer at Cybermarine. As an Offshore structural engineer for over two years, Aditya is responsible for checking the structural integrity and performing finite element analysis of structures.

Aditya talks about offshore structures. He explains the different types of offshore structures, the rules for offshore structures designing, loads considered for analysis, and the different types of analysis in offshore structures. He also shares some insights on structures present on superstructures and how offshore structures are installed. Tune in to learn more on this and other exciting topics!

Timestamps

[00:41] The definition and different types of offshore structures

[05:24] Rules for offshore structures designing

[06:18] Loads considered for analysis and the different types of analysis in offshore structures

[13:34] Structures present on superstructures and how offshore structures are installed

[14:37] Aditya Narote’s conclusion

● The structures used for the exploration of oil and gas through drilling and mining are called offshore structures.

● Basically, the material used to construct offshore structures is steel due to its high yield, ease in fabrication, and versatile behaviour.

● In analysis, when the structure is installed, it undergoes different types of loading, to mention, environmental and vibration loading.

● Kinetic energy should be absorbed by the structures so that the stiffness of the structures is sufficient.

https://www.cybermarine.net/singapore/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/offshore-structure

In this episode, Maithili Ghadge, podcast host, talks with Sairam, a reputable and experienced detail-oriented structure engineer with expertise in analyzing survey reports, providing accurate site analysis, structural planning, blueprints, and drawings. He has led some of the best structural engineering companies among them is the PMI Engineers Group based in Sydney, Australia. The company is well known for its excellent architectural works both in the country and internationally. PMI Group has also specialized in mechanics and structural dynamics.

Sairam describes what a typical day of a site engineer looks like. He also highlights the necessary qualities that a fresher site engineer should have and insights into the major things that a site engineer should work on to perfect his/her profession. Saira also talks about the obstacles that a site engineer could encounter in the field and how to deal. Finally, he gives enlightenment on the significance of a site engineer in the construction field. Tune in to learn more about this and other exciting topics!

Timestamps

[00:48] How a typical day of a site engineer looks like

[03:13] Necessary qualities of a fresher site engineer

[07:28] Major things a site engineer should work on

[11:52] Obstacles that site engineers should deal with in the construction industry

[17:23] The significance of a site engineer in a construction site

● A site engineer should be courageous enough to face risks.

● Technical decision-making is essential in site engineering.

● Site engineering is the determinant factor of the cost of a construction project.

● Safety is paramount in site engineering.

● The focal point of a construction project is structural site engineering.

Responsibilities of a site engineer

https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/role/site-engineer

In this episode, Maithili Ghadge, podcast host, talks with Sameer Ramgoolam, the Director of SMARTBuild Engineering PTY LTD, an engineering management consultancy providing project management and engineering design services to major construction projects of all sizes. SMARTBuild specializes in the provision of high-level strategic and technical advice, as well as energy and design management support, with a focus on early engagement, effective communication, and risk identification and mitigation. Sameer, who is a native of South Africa, completed his undergraduate studies in his homeland before furthering his studies in Australia, where he earned his Master's Degree in Engineering from the Swinburne University of Technology.

Sameer shares some insights on digital engineering and how it can be used in the field of building and construction. He explains how digital engineering benefits engineers and how they can adopt the approach. Sameer also discusses the contributions that he has made to advance the digital engineering approach and gives an in-depth of how modern technology has enhanced digital engineering. Tune in to learn more about this and other exciting topics!

Timestamps

[01:49] The definition of digital engineering

[05:20] How digital engineering can be used in the field of building and construction

[08:45] How digital engineering benefits construction engineers

[10:57] What it takes to adopt the approach of digital engineering

[14:04] Sameer’s contribution to the advancement of digital engineering

[18:50] Role of modern technology in advancing digital engineering

[19:42] Sameer’s advice to students and young engineers

● Digital engineering is the foundation of the economic development of the real estate industry.

● Cloud computing and blockchain technology are the main propellers of digital engineering.

● Programming is the backbone of digital engineering.

● Digital engineering integrates information technology (IT), operational technology (OT), and third-platform technologies in the enterprise context.

● Digital engineering is a must-have tool for designing, building, and integrating the incredibly complex products that drive our economy today.

https://www.greatsampleresume.com/job-responsibilities/graphic-web-design/digital-engineer

https://www.raconteur.net/technology/digital-engineering-what-is-it-and-why-you-need-to-know-about-it/

In this episode, Maithili Ghadge, podcast host talks with Animesh. Animesh completed a Bachelor of Engineering from the Institute of Engineering and Technology DAVV, Indore. He is interested in designing large structural systems with modern-day software like MATLAB and E-tabs.

Animesh talks about the science of structures and why it is worth learning, mechanic software engineering and the road map for structural analysis, different types of structural elements and their functions, pre-stressing and why it is used extensively nowadays and, the modern structural analysis tools. Tune in to learn more about the science of structures and why it is important in solving real-life problems.

Timestamps

[00:56] Science of structures and why it is worth learning

[03:23] Mechanic software engineering and the road map for structural analysis

[06:25] Different types of structural elements and their functions

[09:41] Pre-stressing and why it is used extensively nowadays

[13:44] The modern structural analysis tools

[18:18] Animesh’s conclusion

● Understanding scientific principle allows us to design any structure.

● When we understand the science of a structure, we can solve any structure in a short period of time.

● Different structural elements combine to form a structural system in which force is transformed from top to bottom.

● Pre-stressed concrete can have a longer life and support a high load.

The science of structures and materials

In this episode, Maithili Ghadge, podcast host, talks with Kaustubh Vaidya. Kaustubh has a master’s degree from the University of Australia’s global. He has a passion for growing as a structural engineer and constantly thriving to be the best version of himself. He worked as a Senior Engineer at Larsen and Toubro.

Kaustubh talks about his thesis on the strength appraisal of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete, artificial sand and its benefit, the role played by polypropylene fiber and, the effect of high temperature on concrete. Tune in to learn more about the benefits of polypropylene fiber and artificial sand on concrete.

Timestamps

[00:48] Kaustubh’s thesis on strength appraisal of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete

[02:46] Artificial sand and its benefits

[05:13] The role played by polypropylene fibers

[07:49] How the polypropylene fiber influence the behaviour of concrete

[09:17] The effect of high temperatures on concrete

[12:05] Kaustubh’s conclusion

● One of the major benefits of concrete is its performance in fire.

● Artificial sand is readily available throughout the year at a very low cost. It is also environmentally friendly.

● Polypropylene fiber improves the thermal behaviour of concrete.

● The optimum replacement of natural sand is 50%.

Resource links

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509521000644