Browsing by Author "Sreekeshava, K.S."

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Applications of civil engineering in disaster risk reduction
(CRC Press, 2024) Menon, N.V.C.; Kolathayar, S.; Sreekeshava, K.S.
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) observes that "disaster risk reduction (DRR) is aimed at preventing new and reducing existing disaster risk and managing residual risk, all of which contribute to strengthening resilience and therefore to the achievement of sustainable development". It further clarifies that "DRR is the policy objective of disaster risk management, and its goals and objectives are defined in disaster risk reduction strategies and plans". The compliance with multi-hazard resilient building codes, town planning bylaws, regulations against construction of buildings and structures in flood-prone areas and unstable slopes, etc. by practitioners of civil engineering, structural engineering and geo-technical engineering is essential for the structural integrity of the building stock to withstand disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, hurricanes, landslides, etc. The multi-hazard resilient construction of critical infrastructure such as dams, airports, flyovers, highways, power supply, water supply, telecommunications, etc. will strengthen the resilience of local communities which depend on uninterrupted service delivery of these facilities even when disasters strike neighbourhoods. Hospitals, schools, government offices, malls, etc. must function effectively to continue to deliver their services even during disasters without facing damage, destruction or collapse. The good practices of civil engineering as demonstrated by disaster-resilient structures in recent earthquakes must be studied to disseminate such lessons widely. Disaster risk reduction must also be introduced in the curriculum of institutions imparting education in civil engineering, structural engineering, geo-technical engineering, architecture, urban planning, etc. We need to ensure compliance with the National Building Code (NBC) and other codes for all new construction and critical infrastructure being built. We must also identify weak structures which are life threatening and carry out seismic strengthening and retrofitting to save lives in high-risk zones. The vulnerability of weak structures which collapse in earthquakes, landslides and cyclones make it necessary to undertake a structural safety audit of weak structures and socio-economic assessment as a follow-up to changes in a multi-hazard risk map. The implications need to be communicated to urban administrators rather than just mere incorporation into standard codes of practice. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Sreevalsa Kolathayar, N Vinod Chandra Menon and Sreekeshava K S. All rights reserved.
Best Practices in Geotechnical and Pavement Engineeringâ€”An Introduction
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2024) Kolathayar, S.; Vinod Chandra Menon, N.; Sreekeshava, K.S.; Shekhawat, P.; Bhargavi, C.
In the times of mounting infrastructure demands driven by rapid population growth, the pivotal role of geotechnical investigation in assessing the suitability of construction sites, especially on soft, compressible ground, cannot be overstated. However, the necessity to adhere to packed construction schedules has increased the prevailing trend of rapid construction, often accompanied by significant ground settlements and lateral deformations, which necessitate complex solutions for stability. To transform these challenges into a dependable foundation for construction, various ground improvement techniques, encompassing both mechanical and chemical stabilization methods, must be applied. Importantly, these techniques must align with principles of sustainability, acknowledging the current climate change scenario. Furthermore, the pursuit of sustainable pavement construction, which holds on to the utilization of locally available materials, resilient enough to withstand diverse weather conditions, has risen to prominence. The adoption of stabilized pavement materials, typically integrated into base and sub-base courses, not only ensures longevity but also serves as a much needed measure to conserve increasingly scarce aggregates. This chapter provides glimpse into a comprehensive book volume, delving into the best practices in geotechnical and pavement engineering, comprising five distinct thematic clusters including soilâ€“foundation interaction, sustainable ground improvement techniques, the dynamics of geosynthetics within soil, advanced geophysics, innovative rock mechanics practices, and recent breakthroughs in pavement construction. These insights collectively underscore the need for sustainable and resilient infrastructure development, serving as a promising guide for the future. Â© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd 2024.
Civil Engineering for Multi-hazard Risk Reduction-An Introduction
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2024) Sreekeshava, K.S.; Kolathayar, S.; Vinod Chandra Menon, N.; Bhargavi.C
The modern built environment faces diverse hazards, emphasizing the need for engineering practices prioritizing safety and resilience. This exploration delves into key aspects of civil engineering: Accessibility and Convenience, Geotechnical Engineering, Risk Analysis and Structural Analysis. It aims to provide a foundational understanding of multidisciplinary approaches used to mitigate risks in civil engineering. In the realm of Accessibility and Convenience, research explores alternative construction materials such as bamboo and innovative concrete formulations. Studies investigate the use of metakaolin, ground granulated blast-furnace slag, alkali activated concrete and coconut coir fibres to enhance durability and sustainability. Polyethylene glycol and chemical admixtures like red mud and silica fume are also examined for their impact on concrete properties. Geotechnical Engineering focuses on subsurface characteristics crucial for safety assessments. Soft computing techniques, including Group Method of Data Handling and Random Forests Classifier, are applied for slope stability analysis. Digital Image Correlation is employed to study soil displacement, while artificial intelligence models predict residual strength post liquefaction. Risk Analysis and Approaches cover climate-smart agriculture, floodplain mapping, solid waste management, and disaster resilience. Machine learning aids in land use classification, flood forecasting, earthquake prediction and identifying risk factors in road construction. The study also evaluates safety distances around gas and oil pipelines. Structural Analysis involves transient and modal analysis of structures under various loads. Contributions include crack propagation studies using digital image segmentation and the application of deep convolutional neural networks for surface crack detection. Building surface crack detection, construction sequence analysis and seismic studies on different building types are explored for structural integrity. The overarching theme underscores the interdisciplinary nature of civil engineering in addressing contemporary challenges. These include climate change impacts, disaster resilience, sustainable materials, and advanced technologies like IoT and AI. As civil engineering plays a pivotal role in developing hazard-resilient structures, the presented research contributes to the evolving landscape of risk reduction and safety enhancement in the built environment. Â© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.
Civil engineering innovations for sustainable communities with net zero targets
(CRC Press, 2024) Kolathayar, S.; Menon, N.V.C.; Sreekeshava, K.S.
This volume on civil engineering innovations for sustainable communities with net zero targets aligns with the United Nations sustainable development goals in the context of civil engineering innovations. Major topics covered include hydrological alterations under climate change, smart water management, sustainable slope stability solutions, sustainable water management and climate-smart agriculture, conservation of wetlands, influence of phase change materials on thermal properties, building information modeling (BIM) for sustainable and affordable construction, and so forth. Features: â€¢ Combines concepts of civil engineering and sustainable development for future infrastructures â€¢ Includes hydrological alterations under climate change impacts â€¢ Covers prudent fiduciary discipline and effective cost management in the construction of buildings and critical infrastructure â€¢ Discusses BIM and cost-effective sustainable construction â€¢ Reviews hybrid artificial intelligence in civil infrastructure to attain SDGs #9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) and #11 (sustainable cities and communities) This book is aimed at graduate students and researchers in civil engineering, sustainable development, risk management, GIS, and water. Â© 2025 selection and editorial matter, Sreevalsa Kolathayar, N Vinod Chandra Menon and Sreekeshava K S. All rights reserved.
Environmental Engineering for Ecosystem Restorationâ€”An Introduction
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2024) Vinod Chandra Menon, N.; Kolathayar, S.; Sreekeshava, K.S.; Bhargavi, C.
This extensive volume addresses a range of environmental challenges and explores sustainable solutions across various domains. The research encompasses studies on paper consumption trends, thermal energy storage systems in green buildings, health risks associated with long-term noise exposure in urban areas, and passive design principles for buildings in cold and arid climates. The volume also delves into GIS-based assessments for ecosystem restoration, including groundwater quality in a smart city and spatiotemporal variability of short-term meteorological drought in semi-arid regions. Natural risk and vulnerability studies cover topics such as landslide vulnerability and the impact of changing climate on rainfall. Land use and land cover maps are analyzed for spatio-temporal changes using remote sensing and GIS tools. In the realm of industrial assessment, the volume addresses the treatment of dye-based effluents from various industries, focusing on electrochemical systems and adsorption analysis. Soft computing and numerical methods are applied to assess saltwater intrusion in inland aquaculture areas and predict ammonia levels in aquaculture. The volume also explores hydraulic structures' role in flood mitigation, with a focus on energy dissipation using a rigid stepped spillway. Groundwater suitability for irrigation is evaluated using electrical resistivity techniques. Solid waste management and green materials are extensively discussed, covering life cycle assessment in the silk textile industry, carbon footprint assessment of green concrete liners, and the effects of fly ash on concrete properties. Water quality assessment studies include analyses of borewell water for drinking purposes, groundwater quality modeling using artificial neural networks, and the application of phytoremediation for sullage treatment. The volume concludes with discussions on solid waste management in rural areas, with a focus on adaptation strategies, and quantification of water efficiencies in residential buildings. The study contributes to understanding environmental challenges and provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners. Key themes include sustainable practices, environmental impact assessment, and the development of innovative technologies for waste treatment. Â© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.
Experimental Studies to Evaluate Performance of Coconut Shell Mat as Cellular Confinement in Sandy Soils
(Springer, 2025) Gadekari, R.S.; Kolathayar, S.; Sreekeshava, K.S.
This study investigates the use of coconut shells as a sustainable reinforcement material to enhance the bearing capacity of sandy soil. Laboratory model tests were conducted to assess the performance of coconut shell-reinforced sand as a foundation medium. Different shell arrangement patterns were analyzed and compared with the performance of HDPE geocells. The results indicate that coconut shell reinforcement substantially increases soil bearing capacity, from 218 kPa in unreinforced sand beds to 414.5 kPa with coconut shell mat reinforcement. Coconut shell mats present a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to commercial geocells. However, their limited durability in untreated form confines their application to short-term uses, emphasizing the necessity for proper treatment to support long-term applications. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Indian Geotechnical Society 2025.
Recent Advances in Building Materials and Technologiesâ€“An Introduction
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2024) Kolathayar, S.; Sreekeshava, K.S.; Vinod Chandra Menon, N.; Shekhawat, P.; Bhargavi, C.
This volume underscores the critical influence of building materials on construction projects, emphasizing their role in progress, quality, and operational durability. The construction industry's explosive growth, aligning with economic development, is noted as a positive force for industrialization and modernization. Amidst climate change considerations, the imperative for sustainable and resilient building materials is highlighted. Alternative materials, whether fully or partially replacing aggregates or cement, emerge as vital for sustainable and resilient construction. These include diverse industrial wastes (e.g., plastics, construction by-products) and fibers/ashes (e.g., jute, steel, sugarcane bagasse). A notable innovation is the geopolymer, an alkali-activated binder offering superior durability and mechanical strength with lower energy consumption and CO2 emissions than traditional cement. In waste material utilization, studies explore plastic, waste tea, scrap ceramic tiles, and construction waste in concrete, addressing both sustainable waste management and high-performance structures. Ash applications consider wood ash, palm oil fuel ash, and agricultural waste ashes as sustainable alternatives to traditional cement. Geopolymer advancements encompass mechanical behavior, heat conditions, and novel applications like using iron ore tailings. Durability assessment explores nanotechnology to enhance concrete properties and reduce energy consumption. Fiber-reinforced materials and compressed stabilized earth blocks reinforced with coconut fiber aim for enhanced mechanical properties and reduced carbon emissions. The volume also touches on construction project investigations, addressing safety, progress tracking, and construction delay analysis techniques. In essence, this synthesis offers a panoramic view of recent advances in building materials and technologies, contributing to a holistic understanding of sustainable and resilient construction practices. Â© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.
Recent Advances in Civil Engineering for Sustainable Communities: An Introduction
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2024) Vinod Chandra Menon, N.; Kolathayar, S.; Rodrigues, H.; Sreekeshava, K.S.; Bhargavi, C.
In the pursuit of creating resilient and sustainable communities, the field of civil engineering has witnessed remarkable strides driven by innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. Â© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.
Recent Advances in Structural Engineeringâ€”An Introduction
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2024) Sreekeshava, K.S.; Kolathayar, S.; Vinod Chandra Menon, N.; Bhargavi, C.
This comprehensive overview explores recent advances in structural engineering with a focus on sustainability, resilience and performance evaluation of structural members. In the contemporary construction landscape, where environmental concerns and resource limitations significantly influence design practices, the integration of sustainability principles into structural engineering has become imperative. The introductory section emphasizes the multifaceted nature of structural engineering, highlighting the critical elements contributing to sustainable and resilient designs. The analysis of design aspects is crucial, considering strength criteria, energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and minimal environmental impact. Modern structural engineers employ a diverse range of tools and techniques to create environmentally responsible designs, addressing challenges posed by evolving expectations and resource constraints. The strength criteria of structural members, such as ultimate capacity, energy absorption, axial stiffness and durability, are explored through experimental investigations on innovative materials. Studies include the combined use of metakaolin and ground granulated blast-furnace slag in concrete for marine environments, the comparison of alkali-activated concrete with conventional mortar against sulfuric acid attack and the utilization of coconut coir fibre in limestone calcined clay cement concrete. Advancements in reinforcing techniques, including glass fibre-reinforced polymers, carbon fibres and bamboo as alternative construction materials, contribute to the pursuit of sustainable building practices. The exploration extends to seismic performance, wind load analysis and the use of base isolation systems to enhance the resilience of structures. Performance evaluation of structural members encompasses diverse studies, including the behaviour of cold-formed steel tubular columns, stainless steel-reinforced concrete and the seismic response of buildings in different terrain categories. The impact of external factors such as wind, fire and temperature on structural elements is also discussed. Analysis and design aspects cover a range of topics, from the use of finite element modelling to evaluate the behaviour of hybrid composite laminates to the seismic analysis of reinforced concrete frames. The volume emphasizes the importance of progressive collapse analysis, base isolation systems and the evaluation of masonry wall safety. Â© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.
Sustainable communities with net zero targets: An introduction
(CRC Press, 2024) Kolathayar, S.; Menon, N.V.C.; Sreekeshava, K.S.
In the contemporary world, the resilience building of communities to make them sustainable necessarily can be ensured only through development pathways which conserves, preserves and regenerates scarce resources. The four global frameworks promoted by the United Nations agencies and being operationalised during the period 2015 to 2030 - the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the New Urban Agenda - are all targeted at strengthening the resilience of communities by reducing their risk, vulnerability and exposure to shocks, disasters, extreme events, conflicts and climate change. There has been a growing realisation in recent years that sustainable and resilient communities must necessarily reduce their consumption of fossil fuels and strive for energy transition by promoting new and renewable sources of energy. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, sea level rise and melting of glaciers is necessary to reduce the economic damages caused by the increasing frequency of heatwaves and climate change-induced hydro-meteorological disasters. Innovative disaster risk financing instruments must be designed and promoted to ensure multi-hazard resilience and disaster risk reduction in fragile ecosystems prone to disasters, extreme events and climate change. Ecosystem restoration by nature-based solutions must be promoted by centre staging communities and other stakeholder groups in fragile ecosystems. Risk governance must be prioritised in development planning to ensure sustainable development without loss of lives and disruption of livelihoods. Critical infrastructure protection must be ensured so that critical infrastructure service delivery is not disrupted due to disasters, extreme events and climate change. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Sreevalsa Kolathayar, N Vinod Chandra Menon and Sreekeshava K S. All rights reserved.