NEWS

ROORKEE-Discussion with the Scientists at CBRI, Roorkee. Er. Rajeev, Er S.K.Singh, Er. Dave had discussions with Dr. Divekar, President, FS on 23 Nov 2011.

Roorkee- Dr. Divekar President, FS had a meeting with Dr. V.K.Gupta, IIT, Roorkee on 23 Nov 2011. Dr. Gupta donated some books to the library of FS.

One- Day Ferrocement Workshop at Amrutvahini College of Engineering, Sangamner(Coordinated by Prof. Sable) on 29 September 2011.

One day ferrocement Workshop organized by Architects and Engineer’s Association, Nashik.(Coordinated by Dr. Sunil Kute) on 30 September 2011

CHENNAI-The one day ferrocement Workshop was jointly organised on 22^nd July, 2011 by Ferrocement Society and the Civil Engineering Department of Jerusalem college of Engineering (JCE), CHENNAI.

Registration of the faculty members and the students started at 9 AM. Students of Jerusalem College of Engineering and other colleges viz., Pondicherry Engineering College, Bharath University, Dr. M.G.R. University, S.R.M. University, Panimalar Engineering College, Easwari Engineering College, Dr. M.G.R. Educational & Research Institute, Valliammai Engineering College, Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering. The entrance lobby was well decorated and everybody was welcomed with the traditional gandh, kumkum and flowers.

The inaugural function started by 10 am with traditional prayer in Tamil. Then welcome speech was given by Dr. P.B.Sakthivel, Professor of Civil Engineering, JCE, who coordinated this workshop on behalf of Ferrocement Society. Dr. S. Poornachandra, Principal, Jerusalem College of Engineering delivered the introductory speech.

The Chief Guest for the workshop was Dr. P.Paramasivam, Professorial Fellow, National University of Singapore. Among the dignitaries present were Dr. B.N.Divekar, President, Ferrocement Society, Mr. Pushyamitra Divekar, Mr. Prakash Nagnath, Dr. A. Jagannathan, Associate Professor, Pondicherry Engineering College, Dr. Neelamegam, Professor & Head, SRM Easwari Engineering College, Dr. Shoba Rajkumar, Associate Professor, Government College of Engineering, Bargur; and Dr. B.Vidivelli, Professor, Department of Civil & Structural Engineering, Annamalai University. Lightening of the lamp was done with hands of all the dignitaries on the dais.

In the 1^st session, Dr. P.Paramasivam's presentation was very informative. He impressed upon the application of Ferrocement which are normally used as secondary roofs in Singapore. There is a low cost housing concept for which Government of Singapore spent money. Use of ferrocement in precast sunscreens and other building components has proved cost-saving in buildings. Cellular concrete 50mm thick is now being replaced by ferrocement with 30 thick panels through interlocking system. Precast industry is making millions of dollars. While discussing case studies of ferrocement, Prof. Paramasivam mentioned that stainless steel water tanks on the buildings are now being replaced by ferrocement tanks in Singapore. Impact resistant doors are also tested for blasting effects. In tidal zone ferrocement vertical sea wall along the sea protects the bank. In Trivandrum, a floating restaurant with ferrocement is built. He also showed the photos of Yugoslavia terrestrial structures, Zoo entrance in Indonesia and low cost houses in Malaysia. He also brought out that only mosque built out of ferrocement survived in the tsunami in Indonesia.

Er. Pushyamitra Divekar, Ferrocement professional in Pune, discussed so many buildings which he has constructed using ferrocement technology during the last 10 years. He said ferrocement walls can save 40 to 60 percent cost against the traditional RCC walls. Right from bungalow entrance gate, swimming pools, pergolas, doors, walls, lintels, stairs, water tanks, and decorative elements can be constructed using ferrocement. He said ferrocement use has minimised construction time, use of timber and soil, making it a green material.

The demonstration of ferrocement technique was arranged at the central open space of the college building. The skeleton with weld mesh and chicken mesh layers tightened on it was explained to the participants by Dr. Divekar. He showed the mortar and the filling method of mortar while Dr. Neelamegam assisted him. Students also tried the filling process using cement mortar.

After the lunch Er. Chandramohan Hangekar, Hon. Secretary, Ferrocement Society explained the functioning of the Ferrocement Society.

Er. Prakash Nagnath, Pune base ferrocement techie explained the potential of ferrocement precast industry. He explained his experiences in pergolas and fins. He said any shape is possible with ferrocement. While explaining the architectural applications he said ferrocement as a medium for sculpture proves its versatility and the unlimited dimension to which it can be used.

Dr. B. Vidivelli explained various tests on ferrocement and the formulation of methodology for rehabilitation of the beams. Performance of the beams were evaluated by the factors f1(energy approach) and f2(deflection approach). Ferrocement laminates can increase the flexural strength of the beams by 21 to 26 percent.

Dr. M. Neelamegam, former Director-Scientist, SERC-CSIR, Chennai and currently the Professor & Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, Easwari Engineering College, Chennai explained polymer ferrocement composites where polymer forms one of the ingredients of the matrix. He said polymer ferrocement composites are very cost effective in applications requiring high degree of durability and chemical resistance and quick repairing works. Stainless steel and other steels can be replaced by this method in building industry. He expected the engineers to frog-leap in the beneficial use of polymer ferrocement composites.

Dr B. N. Divekar explained the all-in-one method for which he has got patents. He explained the advantages and construction details of the cavity wall, floor construction. He said there is huge potential for the precast industry for the fresh engineers after there graduation for becoming entrepreneurs instead of searching any employment.

There was a question and answer session in which lot of technical questions on ferrocement and its applications were asked by the student participants and all the questions were answered by Dr. Paramasivam and Dr. Divekar.

The workshop was fruitful as the students gained a new area where they have a chance for becoming an entrepreneur and starting a small business or taking-up contracts using the above ferrocement technology instead of a job.

Certificates were issued to all the participants after the workshop.

The workshop concluded with vote of thanks by Dr. Anne Ligoria, Professor & Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, Jerusalem College of Engineering. She thanked all the experts and participants who attended this workshop and made a grand success. Prof. Anne mentioned special thanks to Dr. P.B. Sakthivel, Convenor of the Workshop. She congratulated the arrangements made by Prof. N S Elangovan and Prof. S. Sellappa, faculty members and all the student volunteers of the Jerusalem College of Engineering, Chennai.

It finally ended with the national anthem.

Two day National Conference held at PUNE, INDIA

1) Dr. Anupama Kundoo 2) Audience 3) T.p.Singh with B.V.Bhedasgaonkar at Ramkrishna Math, Pune.

फेरोसिमेंट सोसायटीतर्फे जलसंपदा सचिव मुंढे यांचा सत्कार

पुणे दि. ८ जाने. २०११- अखिल भारतीय स्तरावरील फेरोसिमेंट सोसायटी या स्थापत्य तंत्रज्ञांच्या सोसायटी तर्फे जलसंपदा सचिव इंजी. एम. एस. मुंढे यांचा सेवानिवृत्तीनिमित्त सत्कार करण्यात आला. नाशिक येथे मेरी या संस्थेत ३ वर्षापूर्वी मुंढे यांनी या विषयाची २ दिवसीय परिषद भरवली होती. त्यानंतर भारतातील अनेक तंत्रज्ञ एकत्र येऊन या सोसायटीची स्थापना झाली व इंजी. मुंढे या सोसायटीचे पहिले अध्यक्ष होते.

(फोटो- डावीकडून- इंजी. रमेश कुलकर्णी, ए.जी. जोशी, इंजी. एम.एस.मुंढे)

फेरोसिमेंट सोसायटी चे उपाध्यक्ष इंजी. राजेंद्र पवार यांनी सोसायटीची वेगवान वाटचाल कशी सुरु आहे त्याचा आढावा सांगितला. येत्या मी महिन्यात राष्ट्रीय स्तरावरील परिषद पुण्यात आयोजित करण्यात आली आहे. इंजी. मुंढे यांचा परीचय करून देताना इंजी. चंद्रमोहन हंगेकर यांनी सांगितले की शासनाचे सचिव यासारख्या अत्यंत व्यस्त पदावर असताना सुद्धा इंजी. मुंढे ‘सी ++’ किंवा ‘आनंदी जीवनाचे रहस्य’, अशा प्रकारचे प्रशिक्षण वर्ग स्वतः घेत असत हि विशेष बाब आहे.

इंजी. मुंढे हे स्वामी विवेकानंद यांच्या विचारांचे गाढे अभ्यासक आहेत. अनेक धर्मांच्या ग्रंथांचा अभ्यास ते सातत्याने करत असतात. इंजी. मुंढे यांनी आपल्या भाषणात आदिवासी शाळांमध्ये शैक्षणिक मदत करण्याची तसेच स्वामीजींच्या विचारांवर व्याख्याने देण्याची आपली इच्छा असल्याचे सांगितले. फेरोसिमेंट सोसायटी च्या ३ वर्षातील प्रगती बाबत त्यांनी समाधान व्यक्त केले. फेरोसिमेंट चा वापर शासनाच्या विविध बांधकाम खात्यांनी जरूर करावा यासाठी जरूर ते मार्गदर्शन करण्याची त्यांनी तयारी दाखवली. कार्यक्रमास फेरोसिमेंट सोसायटी चे उपाध्यक्ष प्रा. ए. जी. जोशी, फेरोसिमेंट सोसायटीचे सचिव रमेश कुलकर्णी तसेच इंजी. पुरी, इंजी. राजपूत, इंजी. रवी रानडे, इंजी. वांकर व अनेक मान्यवर उपस्थित होते.

SEA, PUNE organised the 2 day workshop at PUNE

October 04, 2009 was day -one; around 945 pm the delegates, Ferro Soc members and S EA officers/engineers initiated the welcome function.

Mr Aravind Ranade, founder of Sahyadri Engineering Academy, Pune – a senior structural engineer of Pune, in his speech declared that the Workshop is inaugurated. He extended best wishes to the Ferrocement Society . Mr. Ranade Sir further desired that Ferrocement Society and Sahyadri Engineering Academy, Pune be working together for more such events to come. Mr. Aravind Ranade also released the souvenir by cutting the ribbon of the book package.

Mr. Ravi Ranade briefed about the number of activities of S E A, Pune. Dr B N Divekar ,President spoke about the Ferrocement Society Pune. President Dr Divekar also informed about the scope and support to the workshop. Prof A.G. Joshi- the convenor of the workshop briefed about the time table of the two days.

IN THE AFTERNOON

In the afternoon of Oct 04, 2009, there was demonstration and hands- on- practice of making a ferrocement member. The laboratory of S E A Pune is well equipped for all tests and making of concrete. Using the welding apparatus of and with the help of technicians of Dr Divekar and also 4 trainee diploma engineers, the demo was arranged. The garden –plant-in a row -box was to be made .The delegates could witness and understand the importance of keeping tight/taut the chicken mesh, the wire mesh. The skeletal steel was placed ; the supports were welded. Wire-mesh was placed and tied . Chicken mesh in three layers was clad on it and ,tightly held and welded. After this an used/old newspaper was laid down on floor; cement mortar was made with minimum water and its base- layer of less than ½” was spread on paper sheet. The cage or skeleton was placed on it . The expert workers of Dr B.N. Divekar Consultant and construction group did that toweling and placing cement mortar on both faces of the cage rectangular piece. Placing mortar on both sides needs some skill.

Delegates participated in the tying up the chicken mesh and pressing the cement mortar –applying from both faces or from one face of the surface.

OLD NEWS

January 2007- Maharashtra Engineering Training Academy working at MERI – Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute, Nashik, India held a ‘Workshop on Theory and Applications of Ferrocrete’ on January 19 and 20 at MERI Nashik, India. About 110 delegates attended it mostly engineers from Water Resources Department and PWD of state of Maharashtra. There were private participants [of Hindustan Construction Company] and students from Architectural Colleges. Full CD of the proceedings and photos is available to the members on request.

29^th January 2008

The society has got the registration.

Ahmednagar (Maharashtra)14^th April 2008

A one day workshop was conducted by Institution of Engineers(India). Ahmednagar local center and Ferrocement Society, Pune. 70 participants could interact on ferrocement technology. Dr. B N Divekar, Dr N R Patwardhan, B V Bhedasgaonkar, A G Joshi were the main speakers in the workshop. Demonstration was shown by G P Dhotre (ferrocement professional at Ahmednagar) Er M S Mundhe, DG , MERI, Nashik and President of FS, inaugurated the workshop

PUNE: Er. Vishnupant Joshi visited FS Office.