SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, March 28: A two-day national workshop on “Next-Gen Geotechnical Engineering for Railway and Mining Applications” commenced at IIT ISM Dhanbad.

Organized by the Department of Civil Engineering under the aegis of the Indian Geotechnical Society’s Dhanbad Chapter, the workshop is being conducted in collaboration with MIDAS Research and Development Centre India. Over 100 engineers, researchers, and students from across the country are participating in the event.
Inaugural Session Highlights
Ravi Kiran Anne, Director of MIDAS, served as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony. He underscored the evolving challenges in civil and geotechnical engineering and emphasized the importance of advanced simulation software, high-performance computing, and research-driven solutions.

Encouraging participants to challenge conventional methodologies, he stressed the value of curiosity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative problem-solving.

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Presiding over the function, Prof. Sagar Pal, Dean (R&D) at IIT ISM, highlighted the increasing research and development funding in the field.
Prof. Sarat Kumar Das, Dean (Faculty) and Chairman of the IGS Dhanbad Chapter, shared insights into the chapter’s history and its key activities.
Meanwhile, Prof. Srinivas Pasupuleti, Head of the Civil Engineering Department, provided an overview of academic programs and ongoing research projects within the department.
Workshop Objectives and Key Areas of Focus
Workshop Coordinator Prof. Sowmiya Chawla, who also serves as the Secretary of IGS Dhanbad Chapter, welcomed the participants. Co-coordinator Prof. Vishwas Nandkishor Khatri of the Civil Engineering Department delivered the vote of thanks.
The workshop aims to equip attendees with essential skills for modeling and analyzing critical geotechnical issues in railway and mining sectors.
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Key areas of focus include:
- Finite Element Method (FEM) modeling for complex geotechnical challenges.
- Impact analysis of cyclic and dynamic loading on railway embankments and infrastructure.
- Understanding groundwater influence on soil behavior through multi-phase seepage analysis.
- Evaluating slope stability and failure mechanisms in open-cast mines.
- Assessing mining-induced subsidence effects on surface infrastructure and slopes.
- Enhancing practical problem-solving skills through real-world geotechnical simulations using advanced numerical modeling techniques.
The workshop aims to provide participants with cutting-edge knowledge and hands-on experience in tackling modern geotechnical challenges in railway and mining applications.
