Publications
Details of Projects/theses
Ph.D. : "Investigations on the behaviour of geocell supported earth embankments"
Abstract : The advantages of placing a layer of geocells at the base of the embankment constructed over very soft clay are studied through laboratory model tests and finite element studies. Laboratory load tests were conducted on models of embankments constructed over very soft clay foundation with and without geocell layer at the base. Geocell layer was manufactured from planar geogrids. Uniform surcharge pressure was applied on the crest of the embankment and the deformations of the embankment and strains in the walls of geocell layer were monitored continuously till the failure was reached. The influence of tensile strength of geogrid, dimensions of geocell layer, pattern of formation of geocells, type of fill material inside the geocells on the performance of these embankments was studied. Triaxial compression tests were carried out on sand reinforced with single and multiple geocells made of different types of geosynthetics to verify the theoretical approach of calculating the apparent cohesive strength imparted to soil due to geocell confinement. Using this approach, cohesive strength of geocell layer was determined for all the model tests. Soil to geocell interface friction characteristics were determined from large scale direct shear tests. A composite model was developed for the geocell reinforced soil, based on the triaxial compression tests. The validity of this model for geocell supported embankments was verified by performing plane strain finite element analysis of experimental configurations of geocell supported embankments. The suitability of this model for full-sized embankments was verified by back-predicting the data for a field case of geocell supported embankment. Parametric finite element analysis of geocell supported embankments was carried out using a Finite Element program incorporating composite model.
M.Tech : "Study of soil and industrial waste water interaction"
Abstract : The effect of various pollutants present in industrial effluents on the shear strength and consolidation properties of soils in the vicinity of the respective industries were studied. Three industries, namely, a synchromes industry, an organics industry and a tannery were identified and samples of the effluents from these industries were collected. Also undisturbed soil samples were collected from polluted and unpolluted areas of these industries. Index and engineering properties of the polluted and unpolluted samples and chemical properties of the effluents were determined through laboratory tests. The effect of various pollutants present in the effluents on the properties of soils were qualitatively determined and compared. Polluted soil samples were cleaned out of pollutants using solvent flushing technique and by adding predetermined quantities of effluents to these cleaned soils, it was proved that though the level of pollutants in the effluents are meeting the standards given by the pollution control board, they have undesirable effects on the properties of the soils.
Design Project : "Design and comparison of various artificial consolidation techniques for an existing clay stratum"
B.Tech. : "Comparison of various foundation techniques for a multi-storied office complex resting on granular soils"