Expert: Dr. Madhav, Hyderabad
Prof. M.R.Madhav
Visiting Professor, IIT, Hyderabad
Professor Emeritus, J.N.T.U, Hyderabad
Resource Person, RGUKT
Advisor/Consultant to Strata Geosystems, KSK, Halcrow, Energy Infratech
Retired as Professor of Civil Engineering, IIT, Kanpur
When a structure does needs forensic Investigation? – (from common man's perspective)
When it exhibits symptoms such as cracks, patches of mortar falling, pealing of paint at several places, tilt & differential settlement, patches of moisture, etc.
How do you decide upon what kind of investigations a structure to be subjected to?
Depending on the nature of distress observed. If it is cracks in beams or columns, it is structural distress, if it is moist patches, it is water related, if it is cracks originating at corners of openings, it could be related to foundations or due to soil movement (e.g., expansive soil).
What are the 'symptoms of a Structure' under deterioration? And how do you assess its condition before going for forensic investigations?
Symptoms of deterioration can be assesses only by NDT (non-destructive testing variations of the properties measured, could be strength or stiffness. Deterioration is an aging process and not strictly a forensic investigation.
Name a few symptoms of a 'structure showing distress which cannot be ignored / which needs immediate attention?
Continuous increase either in the length or width of a crack, persistent leakage with increasing flow, etc.
Do you feel 'Regular Structural Health Check up would help in reducing the failure of structures? How?
Yes, but after few years of structural life. The deterioration often is very slow, the rate increasing possibly after twenty years of life.
Could you please explain how a common man differentiates it (as 'structural / non structural crack)?
Unfortunately a common man cannot distinguish between the two. While practically everyone in India thinks he is a Civil Engineer, few are rational to even consider engaging a qualified Civil Engineer to investigate unless the situation becomes critical.
What is the status of 'awareness of Forensic Investigation facility' in India?
Terribly poor. Culturally, we do not believe in preventive maintenance but more in fire-fighting after the event. Look at the number of vehicle breakdowns on our roads and highways.
What are the eligibility criteria of a Forensic Investigator / data analyzer / interpreter?
The one who can pose incisive questions. Probing is the first requisite for a Forensic Investigator. One who does not accept things as presented but attempts to look beyond the obvious. One who is inquisitive who may ask questions out of the realm of the ordinary.
Please cite an example of any one of your projects with regards to Forensic Engineering in detail.
Investigation to arrest the movement of a bridge abutment after 103 years of successful operation of the railway line. Following a proper geotechnical investigation, an artesian condition that developed lately was identified as the cause of the movement. The artesian condition was related to a new dam built 50 to 75 km upstream if the river/stream with the reservoir being filled up gradually following monsoon rains.