Faculty Publications
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Item Computer aided slope stability analysis(2006) Sastry, V.R.; Ram Chandar, K.; Santosh, M.Primary purpose of slope stability analysis in most of the engineering applications is to provide safe and economic design of slopes that prevent failure. The analysis technique chosen depends on both site conditions and potential mode of failure which depends upon the rock mass characteristics. Various slope stability analysis techniques include physical, numerical and analytical methods. Physical modeling is a time consuming process and a costly affair, while analytical method involves past experiences, it is site specific and depends upon various parameters which are difficult to quantify. Numerical analysis with sophisticated softwares provides an accurate solution within short duration. This paper presents an in-house developed software package called "V-slope" to analyze and interpret the slope with options for suggesting suitable safety measures based on the nature of slope. Slip circle and tension crack techniques were considered for analysis. The slope profile for different factor of safety (FOS) values will be displayed on the screen for easy understanding. In case the FOS is lower than the required, the V-slope gives suggestive measures. In case of temporary slopes the only way by which slope failure can be prevented is by decreasing the slope angle and in such cases the program gives additional volume of material to be excavated and the likely additional cost incurred for various slope angle options. For permanent slopes, option is provided for designing the soil nails, i.e. number of bolts required, length, diameter and spacing of the bolts etc. Finally the V-slope is compared with a comprehensive commercial software package Slide and the results were found very much satisfactory.Item Knowledge management influence on safety management practices evidence from construction industry(IGI Global cust@igi-global.com, 2019) Deepak, M.D.; Mahesh, G.; Medi, N.K.Many studies have been conducted in relation with knowledge management (KM), indicating the benefit associated with KM; among which safety management (SM) improvement is one of them. So, the aim of this article is to assess the influence of KM on SM practices in construction industry. In this regard, various factors that affect KM and SM are identified through literature review. Then, a questionnaire survey was facilitated to collect data based on the identified factors. These factors are ranked using a relative importance index (RII) to ascertain the level of importance among its group. Further, correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis are carried out to test and measure the strength of the relationship between KM and SM factors. Results indicate that there exists a definite and significant relationship between the factors of KM and SM in construction industry. Overall, the results obtained from the study will assist practitioners and professionals to develop and upgrade KM and SM practices in construction industry. © 2019, IGI Global.Item Developing a knowledge-based safety culture instrument for construction industry: Reliability and validity assessment in Indian context(Emerald Group Holdings Ltd., 2019) Deepak, M.D.; Mahesh, G.Purpose: Harnessing the power of knowledge management is important for minimizing accidents occurring at construction projects. Yet, knowledge management is a neglected dimension when developing safety culture in the construction industry. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop a knowledge-based safety culture questionnaire and examine its validity and reliability in the Indian context. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire survey was formulated after identifying 69 influencing factors from a thorough literature review. In total, 210 valid responses were obtained from key stakeholders operating in Indian construction industry. Reliability and validity of the measurement scale were examined by factor analysis and inter-item correlation test. Comparison of knowledge-based safety culture scores across several demographic profiles of the respondents was utilized for testing discriminant validity. Findings: Results suggest that the new instrument appears to be a reliable, valid and sensitive instrument that will contribute in examining the effect of key factors that influence the importance of the knowledge dimension toward developing safety culture in the construction industry. Originality/value: The measurement tool developed in this study focuses on considering the importance of knowledge management in enhancing safety culture of the construction industry. This instrument can be utilized to compare the level of safety culture among key stakeholders of construction projects. This paper can contribute to the promotion of safety theory in Indian construction industry and provide practical implications for construction enterprises when they engage in improving safety conditions in their organizations. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.Item Ergonomic Assessment of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Surface Mine Workers in India(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2021) Jeripotula, S.K.; Mangalpady, M.; Raj, G.R.Injuries due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are not uncommon in heavy industry like mining. Researchers acknowledged that occupational exposure to ergonomic risk factors is the chief causative factor in the development of WMSDs. The aim of this study was to perform an ergonomic assessment of musculoskeletal disorders among surface mine workers in India. Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to collect subjective response from 500 workers. A stratified random sampling method according to surface mining work activity type was used to obtain the sample. Data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire, and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze data using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. A response rate of 85% was obtained out of 500 targeted groups. The WMSDs prevalence for the 12-month period was estimated to be 44.23%. The mean and standard deviation of workers’ age were 41.31and 8.927, respectively. The study has shown that the operators of dumpers, dozers, and graders along with electricians were found to be the most susceptible to develop WMSD problems. Among the most affected body parts, back disorder reported the highest. Further, it was found that working with static posture over the longer duration has a significant association with the lower back disorder (with p = 0.020) and bouncing and jarring has also significantly associated with the lower back disorder (with p = 0.023). Similarly, a significant association was found between repetitive work and neck pain (with p = 0.016). The study depicted a significant association between ergonomic hazards and WMSDs, like working with prolonged static posture, bouncing and jarring, and repetitive work. © 2020, Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc.Item Development of a Novel Real-Time Environmental Parameters Monitoring System Based on the Internet of Things with LoRa Modules in Underground Mines(Springer, 2023) Kumar Reddy, S.K.; Naik, A.S.; Raj, M.G.The mining industry relies on extracting valuable minerals through underground mining. Many industries have implemented automation to enhance workplace safety, optimize operations, improve responses to events, and achieve cost-effectiveness. A real-time communication and monitoring system is indispensable in underground mines to prevent significant hazards and improve safety in underground mines. However, the environmental conditions of underground mines are affected by toxic, flammable, combustible gases and dust. The harmful gases are a significant concern as they can cause gas explosions. Internet of Things (IoT) enabled real-time communication system with Long Range (LoRa) transceiver module is designed and developed to measure the underground mine environmental parameters, temperature, and humidity. The LoRa-based proof of concept (POC) system is tested and evaluated at the surface level and in two underground mines. The LoRa module radio waves range test is carried out to measure the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value at the surface level. In addition, the developed system is tested and evaluated at different positions of underground mines to measure environmental parameters in straight and curved tunnels. The experimental results represent successful IoT with LoRa-based wireless communication between underground mine tunnels to the surface, wireless transmission of parameters at the straight tunnels, and curved tunnels of underground mines. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024.Item Development of a Reliable Wireless Communication System to Monitor Environmental Parameters from Various Positions of Underground Mines to the Surface using ZigBee Modules(Springer, 2024) Kumar Reddy, S.K.; Naik, A.S.; Raj, G.R.The mining industry is known for its valuable minerals, and the way to get minerals is by mining below the surface. Many industries benefitted by adopting automation which has improved workplace operational management, enhanced safety, real-time monitoring, and cost-effectiveness. On the basis of challenges in underground mines, a reliable wireless communication and monitoring system is required in underground mines to enhance safety and prevent major hazards. Underground mine environments are affected by various environmental parameters such as toxic gases, flammable and inflammable gases, and dust. The variation in the presence of harmful gases is a major issue that causes gas explosions and damages the mine infrastructure. Currently, most underground mines adopted conventional multi-gas detectors to monitor mine gases manually at regular intervals or once a day. In this paper, a real-time data communication system to monitor mining parameters based on wireless ZigBee modules is established and evaluated in two different underground mines in India. A wireless message communication establishment process between two ZigBee modules is described in detail, and an investigation of radio range tests by measuring received signal strength indication (RSSI) parameters is carried out in the first underground mine site at level 3 with consideration of 10-m intervals apart at each test for the straight tunnel case. In addition, wireless communication is established to monitor the environmental parameters of underground mine levels to the surface. Further, established wireless communication to monitor the environmental parameters of the straight and curved tunnels of a second underground mine. The experimental result represents successful wireless communication between ZigBee modules with a distance of 100 m to 120 m in straight tunnels and a reduction in signal strength and data packet loss in curved tunnels of underground mines. In addition, the results show that the developed ZigBee-based system is suitable for measuring environmental parameters in open surface and underground mines. © The Institution of Engineers (India) 2023.Item Fretting wear behavior on LPBF processed AlSi10Mg alloy for different heat treatment conditions(Elsevier Editora Ltda, 2024) Nanjundaiah, R.S.; Rao, S.S.; Praveenkumar, K.; Prabhu, T.R.; Shettigar, A.K.; Gowdru Chandrashekarappa, M.; Linul, E.To widen the industrial application of additively manufactured (AM) parts, the study of fretting wear behavior is essential, as it ensures the safety and reliability that drive innovation in design and materials. This study explores the fretting wear behavior of the as-built and heat-treated state of AlSi10Mg alloy fabricated, viz., laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Initially, the as-built and T5, T6, and stress-relieved (SR) heat-treated samples were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to gain insights into the microstructural changes. The as-built samples exhibited a higher hardness level (135 HV) primarily due to the presence of very fine microstructure of the α-Al cellular matrix with embedded Si. The α-Al cellular structure dissolved with various heat treatments, and Si particles coarsened. The hardness decreased to 85, 79, and 67 HV for the T5, T6, and SR conditions, respectively. Subsequently, fretting tests were conducted on the samples, applying various normal loads of 10, 50, and 100 N. Further, the samples were characterized by the coefficient of friction (COF), worn surface morphology, and wear volume loss. The investigation showed that the as-built material showed less wear volume loss under all loading conditions than the heat-treated conditions. Furthermore, the T5 heat treated sample had a lower wear volume when compared to the T6 and SR heat-treated samples. The heat-treated sample exhibits compressive stress, whereas the LPBF processed, the as-built sample shows tensile stress. © 2024 The AuthorsItem High-Q Plasmonic Resonator for Volatile Organic Compound Detection(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2025) Mehta, S.; Shivaputra, S.; Ramesh, S.; Mandi, M.V.; Singh, M.A hybrid plasmonic waveguide (HPWG)-based resonator designs are studied for on-chip detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The HPWG, which combines dielectric and metallic layers, significantly enhances the confinement of electromagnetic field, leading to increased interaction between the guided light and the surrounding analytes. The system achieves high spectral sensitivity and narrow linewidth by integrating multiple microring resonators in a cascaded configuration. This is critical for distinguishing small changes in the refractive index (RI) associated with different VOCs. Finite element method (FEM) simulations demonstrate the superior sensing performance of a proposed device, showing a spectral sensitivity of 469.5 nm/RIU and a quality factor (QF) of 518.75. The compact design and high sensitivity make this sensor an excellent candidate for on-chip VOC monitoring in industrial safety, as well as portable breath sensors to detect VOC biomarkers for early disease diagnosis. © IEEE. 1973-2012 IEEE.Item 3D Finite Element Analysis of Anti-slide Pile Performance for Slope Stabilization(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2025) Jose, D.; Kolathayar, S.; Nayak, S.The stability of the slope plays a significant role in the formation and development of landslides. Among numerous slope stabilizing techniques, the reinforcement using anti-slide piles is an efficacious method for mitigating slope failures. These piles are usually installed in a row with uniform spacing, which will anchor the unstable zone to the deeper stable strata, thus maintaining the stability of the slope. In this study numerical analysis of the pile reinforced was carried out using the finite element software PLAXIS 3D to appraise the performance of anti-slide piles for controlling landslides. The variation of the factor of safety with the pile position, pile spacing, pile length, and shape of the pile was identified based on the safety analysis using the strength reduction method. The anti-slide pile effectively stabilized the slope and enhanced the safety factor by 1.4 times. The fixity of the pile head influences the performance of anti-slide piles, and fixed-head piles excels than free-head piles. The optimum position for placing the pile was observed as the middle of the slope for fixed head piles and near the toe of the slope for free head piles. The optimum spacing between the piles is recommended to be five times the diameter of the pile. A critical pile length of 0.8 times the height of the slope is suggested for attaining the maximum factor of safety and effective anchoring, and square-shaped piles are recommended. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.Item Human-in-the-Loop Data Analytics for Classifying Fatal Mining Accident Causes Using Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning Techniques(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2025) Sharma, A.; Kumar, A.; Vardhan, H.; Mangalpady, A.; Mandal, B.B.; Senapati, A.; Akhil, A.; Saini, S.Mining remains one of the most hazardous industries globally, marked by frequent fatalities resulting from complex operational risks. While accident investigation reports hold valuable insights for improving safety practices, the manual coding of fatality narratives remains labor-intensive, inconsistent, and impractical for large datasets. Although natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) techniques have gained traction for automating the analysis of safety narratives in other high-risk industries, their application to mining accident data, particularly within the Indian context, remains limited. Addressing this gap, the present study proposes a ML framework for the semi-automated classification of fatal accident causes from unstructured text narratives reported by the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) between 2016 and 2022. A total of 401 fatal accident descriptions were pre-processed and vectorized using Bag-of-Words, TF-IDF, and Word2Vec techniques, followed by model evaluation across multiple algorithms. A semi-automated classification scheme was developed to balance efficiency with expert oversight, where high-confidence predictions were assigned automatically and uncertain cases were flagged for manual review. Logistic regression combined with TF-IDF unigram features achieved the highest performance, with an F1 score of 0.78 and an accuracy of 0.81. Overall, the developed framework successfully auto-coded 68.75% of cases with 94% accuracy, 0.93 recall, and 0.91 precision. Word cloud visualizations were also employed to capture dominant words associated with different cause categories. The proposed framework offers a practical and operationally feasible solution for assigning fatality causes in the mining sector, contributing to active safety management, surveillance, and policy formulation. © Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc. 2025.