CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC), celebrated its 58^th Foundation Day with great enthusiasm, on 10 June 2023 at the CSIR Campus, Chennai. The function was presided over by Dr. N. Anandavalli, Director, CSIR-SERC and Coordinating Director, CMC. Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, was the chief guest of the function. Prof. Nagesh R Iyer, Dean & Visiting Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad and Former Director, CSIR-SERC and Dr. N. Gopalakrishnan, Former Director, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, were the guests of honour.

Dr. Anandavalli, extended a warm welcome to the chief guest and guests of honour and congratulated all the staff members on the occasion of 58^th foundation day of CSIR-SERC. In her welcome address, she said that civil engineering is a way of life and structural engineering applies scientific knowledge to improve infrastructure. She highlighted in brief about the genesis of CSIR-SERC and its noteworthy contributions since its genesis in 1965 in the areas of civil engineering, infrastructure development, aerospace, and strategic sectors. She also mentioned about the on-going projects of the centre, technologies-in-pipeline, CSIR-SERC’s research contributions through codal provisions, and capacity development initiatives. She said that the centre has provided solutions for numerous challenging engineering problems. She also mentioned in brief on the one week one lab campaign of CSIR-SERC between 5-9 June 2023, wherein various programmes were organized including society connect, stakeholder connect, student connect, future entrepreneurs connect and public connect. A short video on the activities of one week one lab campaign by CSIR-SERC was also played before the audience.

Dr. H. Bhajantri Bharatkumar, Chief Scientist and Advisor (M), CSIR-SERC, introduced the chief guest to the audience. The chief guest of the function, Prof. Kamakoti delivered the CSIR-SERC foundation day special address on ‘Some advances in structural engineering’. In his address, he spoke on the old paradigms vis-à-vis trends and growing demands in the construction industry; digital technologies that have direct relevance in aspects of structural engineering; building information modelling digital twins and big data; ANN in building performance simulation; IOT and machine learning in energy management; cyber-physical systems + BIM = construction 4.0; forensic engineering; other trends in structural engineering such as resilient infrastructure, green and sustainable buildings, alternative materials for construction, structural health monitoring, etc.

Dr. G.S. Palani Chief Scientist, CSIR-SERC, introduced the guests of honour to the audience. Prof. Nagesh Iyer, delivered the Prof. G.S. Ramaswamy Birth Centenary Lecture. In his lecture, he remembered Prof. GS Ramaswamy as a legend and a visionary leader with great foresightedness and said that because of his sole effort CSIR-SERC was established as a national laboratory of CSIR in 1965. He also pointed out that it was because of Prof. Ramaswamy’s firm belief in inter-disciplinary research that CSIR Madras Complex came into being which currently comprises the regional units of five CSIR labs. He remembered the glorious contributions of Prof. Ramaswamy to the structural engineering field and said that the remarkable achievements CSIR-SERC made over the years is because of his visionary leadership. Prof. Iyer also spoke on various unique structures in the CSIR Campus, Chennai such as prestressed concrete hyperboloidal shell roof, mushroom shaped water tank, catenary sheel roof structures, first fly ash building in the country, etc and pointed out the pivotal role played by CSIR-SERC in getting fly ash into codal provisions. He called upon the scientists of CSIR-SERC and the structural engineering community to remember Prof. Ramaswamy’s legacy, to rededicate themselves and to renew their commitment to uphold the vision of Prof. Ramaswamy.

Dr. Gopalakrishnan delivered the Prof. G.S. Ramaswamy Memorial Lecture on his Journey as Scientist in CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CSIR-CBRI), Roorkee. In his lecture, he remembered Prof. Ramaswamy as a great guru who shaped up the thinking of many structural engineers. He spoke in brief on the civil and infrastructural engineering themes of CSIR; contributions of CSIR-CBRI in the reconstruction of disaster resilient schools and hospitals in Nepal; CSIR-CBRI’s work towards makeshift hospitals for COVID 19 pandemic; CSIR-CBRI’s work on geotechnical investigation, structural analysis and design of Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya; rural housing under PMAY-G; fire design & contribution to BIS; tunnel engineering and underground space; net positive energy buildings; zero carbon buildings and various projects undertaken by CSIR-CBRI.

 

Dr. Palani proposed vote of thanks.

 

 

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