BACKGROUND

The study of rock mechanics has assumed considerable importance because of its wide application in civil engineering, more predominantly in water resources and mining engineering. With the execution of multipurpose water resources projects located in complicated geological settings, the significance of rock mechanics in the design and construction was realised in late 1950s. Despite tremendous alround advancement in technology, a full understanding of natural forces and phenomena particularly in the construction of water resources projects, eludes the design engineer. Liberalisation of economy has facilitated planning and execution of many exciting and complicated projects. These projects require application of modern principles of rock mechanics, which warrants deliberations and collaboration to facilitate flow of appropriate technology to enable successful implementation of such projects under a time-bound programme in a cost-effective manner, conforming to environmental requirements.

Since its inception, the Indian National Group of ISRM established in 1991, has been involved in dissemination of information regarding rock mechanics, mining and tunnel engineering by organising symposia, seminars, workshops, and training courses, both at national as well as international level, in liaison with international organisations.

The international Socity for Rock Mechanics was founded in Salzburg in 1962 as a result of the enlargement of the “ Salzburger Kreis”, its foundation being mainly owed to Professor Muller who acted as President of the Society till September 1966.

The Socity is a non-profit organization supported by the fees of the members and grants that do not impair its free action.

The field of Rock Mechanics is taken to include all studies relative to the physical and mechanical behaviour of rocks and rock masses and the applications of this knowledge for the better understanding of geological processes in the fields of Engineering.

OBJECTIVES

to encourage collaboration and exchange of ideas and information between rock mechanics practitioners in the country
to encourage teaching, research and advancement of knowledge in the rock mechanics
to promote high standards of professional practice among rock engineers so that civil, mining and petroleum engineering works might be safer, more economic and less disruptive to the environment
to hold events periodically on rock mechanics and rock engineering themes of general interest to the majority of the membership
to cooperate with international bodies whose aims are complementary to those of the Committee
to encourage the preparation of internationally recognized nomenclature, codes of practice, standard tests and procedures
to encourage collaboration with and support of international programme in the field of Rock Mechanics including cooperation with other organizations in the activities of common interest
to act as a coordinating National Body of International Society of Rock Mechanics, comprising of members in the country concerned with Rock Mechanics

BENEFITS

The Committee of ISRM (India) provides information regarding latest developments in the subject to its members and all its members automatically enrolled as members of ISRM. The member gets the following benefits:

- the ISRM membership directory, published in 4 years, with full addresses, telephone, telefax and e-mail numbers of members
- ISRM News Journal from ISRM Secretariat published two times a year
- Committee of ISRM (India) News Letter published two times a year
- Literature/ information bulletions of seminar/ conferences pertaining to the subject being organized by different organizations in India / abroad

Can submit papers to International Seminar / Conferences being organized by International Society for Rock Mechanics through the National Committee

Can submit nomination for ROCHA MEDAL to ISRM Secretariat through Indian National Committee ( Rocha Medal is a bronze Medal and cash prize has been awarded annually since 1982 by the ISRM to recognize outstanding young researchers in the field of Rock Mechanics)
Discount rates in publications and registration fee etc.

Report On Workshop

Tunnelling in Himalayan Geology

6- 9 th June 2006, Katra, Jammu & Kashmir

In order to provide desired linkages to the remotely located areas and for exploitation of the hydro potential of the country, particularly in Himalayan ranges , extensive underground activities for road, railways and hydroelectric projects is being undertaken. Many such projects are under construction and many more are under consideration. Excavation for tunnels and caverns in Himalayan ranges , which are considered youngest mountain in the world require use of most complex mixture of excavation methodologies as type of the rock changes very frequently in short distances. Despite best efforts and use of latest technologies including Radar mapping, there is always slight uncertainty in pre-assessing the type of rock expected to be encountered. Thus, it becomes difficult to arrive at definite conclusion regarding adoption of the technologies/combination of technologies for excavation in Himalayan ranges. Thus it is being observed that at difficult sites, a combination of excavation methodologies is being used including conventional drilling, blasting, use of road headers and now concerned authorities have started thinking in terms of using TBMs too.

Engineers working for underground excavations in Himalayan ranges, therefore, need continuous interaction and information dissemination to up-date their knowledge covering all aspects of underground works they are developing . Interaction with fellow engineers involved in similar activities also is of great help to these field engineers. The “Workshop on Tunnelling in Himalayan Geology” is, therefore, organized by Central Board of Irrigation and Power in association with the “Committee of ISRM (India)” and “Adhering Committee of International Tunnelling Association (India)” ,to meet the objective.

More than 150 participants from all over India and abroad participated in the workshop His Excellency Lt. Gen. S.K. Sinha, PVSM, Governor of Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir was chief guest of function and he had inaugurated the workshop. Other dignitaries on the dias were Shri Jugal Kishore , Hon'ble Member of Legislative Assembly; Prof. N.K. Bansal, Vice Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University; Shri Vinod Kumar, Executive Director (Projects), Konkan Railway Corporation Limited, Shri G.N.Mathur, Secretary , CBIP and Shri V.K.Kanjlia, Director, Central Board of Irrigation & Power. Dr. Arun Kumar, CEO, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, also graced the occasion.

At the outset, Shri G.N.Mathur, Secretary, Central Board of Irrigation and Power (CBIP) welcomed His Excellency Lt. Gen. S.K. Sinha, PVSM, Governor of J& K , other dignitaries on the dias, invities and the delegates. Shri G.N.Mathur, Secretary, CBIP, gave the brief background that Modern tunnel construction in India has its origin mainly in the Nineteenth century when a number of railway tunnels were constructed for extension of rail network in various parts of India for crossing of hill ranges - in Western Ghats, Vindhayas and in the foothills of Himalayas for connecting few hill resorts like Simla, Quetta and Darjeeling. There were few instances of tunnels being constructed for roads and other purposes. Early last century, a major tunnel was built in Shiwalik ranges for construction of first major hydro power project in Punjab - the Shanan Hydroelectric Project. Barring few tunnels in the soft rock formations of Himalayan Foothills in the North, most of the tunnels were bored in hard rock strata in Peninsular India. Generally the dimensions of the tunnels constructed that time were limited to requirement of accommodating single broad gauge railway track.

Construction of tunnels received a big boost after Independence when large programs for exploitation of water resources were taken up which involved construction of tunnels for water conveyance and housing hydropower generating units. In the last four decades large numbers of tunnels have been constructed in connection with multipurpose and hydroelectric projects in the Himalayan region.

Secretary, CBIP during his speech also mentioned that CBIP is happy to have in our midst the representatives of the Co-organisers, Co-sponsors and supporters of the workshop, namely, Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd., IRCON International Ltd.; Patel Engg. Limited, Jaiprakash Associates Ltd.; Hindustan Construction Company Ltd.; Atlas Copco Construction and Mining Sales ; Herrenknecht; Degussa Construction Chemicals (India) Pvt.Ltd. and CBIP is thankful for their financial support to this workshop.

His Excellency Lt. Gen. S.K. Sinha, PVSM, Governor of Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir, in his address stated the need for tunnels in the state of Jammu & Kashmir for its real development .

During the two and half days deliberations of the workshop, besides the Plenary Session there were 8 technical sessions where 20 experts made the technical presentations on the different aspects of planning, design and construction of tunnels and underground works in Himalayas. The discussions concluded with the due importance to the components like geology; engineering, construction methodology and management for timely completion of the project. Need was also felt that there is a shortage of the qualified engineers as well as foemen and technicians at present. Thus, Human Resource Management should be given due care before initiation of any infrastructure project. The following issues emerged during the deliberations in the various technical sessions of the workshop:

1. With the growing need, to accelerate the development of infrastructure for water resources; hydropower development, rail network, road projects, construction of large number of tunnels in practically every type of strata is necessity of the time. Thus, adoption of faster & cost-effective techniques for tunnel driving under complex geological environment in Himalayan ranges is requirement of the day.

2. Inadequate investigations in Himalayan region having complex geological strata at detailed project report preparation stage are a matter of concern and should be addressed adequately to decide use of technology and equipment for tunneling in Indian context.

3. As more and longer tunnels are needed, use of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) is advocated for accelerating the construction of tunnels and underground works, in Himalayas based upon the experiences of Parbati Hydroelectric project. Proper planning and selection of TBM is must for timely execution and completion to save time and cost over runs of the project. One should be very careful while arriving at a decision whether we should use TBM or NATM method for tunneling.

4. Expert supervision and timely arrangement of material at the project site is the most important. The contract document shall have a clause for risk sharing between Owner and contractor mutually. Abnormally high cutter cost, hold ups in poor geology cost shall be offset by sharing mutually.

5. For special chemical and grouting materials, provision should be made in the contract document at the time of tendering so as to avoid contractual complications later on.

6. To overcome the various geological surprises in Himalayas, there should be proper geological investigation to be carried-out before initiation of the construction of the project.

7. Shotcrete with wire mesh, placing ribs rock bolting etc. various stablising methods of tunnel face like forepoling should be mentioned in detail. Greater utilization of available equipment and products should be made to improve shotcrete quality and jobsite environmental conditions.

8. Detailed hydro-geological survey is to be done to identify the source recharging the sub surface flow through the saturated shear zone and the anticipated discharge which will help in proper design of drainage/diversion of the flow through the saturated shear zone and in the use of effective and economical grouting method to achieve faster and steady progress of tunneling.

9. Support of authorities is must for execution of infrastructure project.

10. The workshop was successfully organized with the active cooperation from Konkan Railway Corporation Limited, NHPC, and other private agencies involved with the tunnel construction activity in the region.

In 2 nd half of 8 th June the participants visited Tunnel No.1& Tunnel No.2 of Katra-Laole Section of Udhampur – Srinagar- Baramulla Rail Link Project and on 9 th Tunnel No.5 and 3 / Portal P-I & II at Reasi of Katra – Laole Section of Udhampur – Srinagar- Baramulla Rail Link Project was visited.

11 th Congress of the International Society for Rock Mechanics

Workshop1 - Underground Works Under Special Conditions

Workshop2 - Volcanic Rocks

Workshop3 - Preservation of Natural Stone and Rock Weathering

MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY

Individual/ individual life membership is open to any person engaged in or interested in rock mechanics and who is a graduate in engineering or science or with equivalent qualifications

Institutional membership is open to laboratories or other organizations carrying out or co-ordinating research in rock mechanics;

Organisations and Institutions who executive and supervise engineering works and or deal with or manufacture rock mechanics equipment.

MEMBERSHIP FEE

Individual Member , Annual Membership : Rs. 600/-
Institutional Member, Annual Membership : Rs.5000/-
Individual Life Member , Membership : Rs.6000/-

Membership Form