FDP “Recent Advances in Forensic Analysis in Civil Engineering (RAFACE)”Inaugurated at KIIT School of Civil Engineering

School of Civil Engineering, KIIT-DU under the aegis of AICTE training and learning (ATAL) Academy, inaugurated a five-day Faculty Development Program (FDP) on “Recent Advances in Forensic Analysis in Civil Engineering (RAFACE)” on 27^th September 2021. The program will continue from 27^th September to 1^st October 2021. The forensic Analysis is an emerging discipline with a focus on understanding what went wrong, what could have happened and how failures can be prevented using engineering analysis principles in the case of collapses of bridges, buildings, dams, slope stability, foundations, pavements and allied fields. In the analysis, steps involved are collection of data and their characterization, formulation of the hypothesis of failure, understanding of failure mechanisms, back analysis, consideration of testing and measurements in formulation of statements, reliability analysis and its liability.

Inaugurating the FDP, Prof. Prithvi Singh Kandhal, Associate Director Emeritus, National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) based at Auburn University, Alabama, USA discussed the importance of the topic in accordance with the current and future research and practices. He hailed KIIT-DU and KIIT School of Civil Engineering for organizing the FDP on such a worthy topic. NCAT is the largest asphalt (bitumen) road technology center in the world. Prof. Kandhal has published over 120 technical papers and co-authored the first ever textbook on asphalt road technology, which is used by more than 25 universities in the U.S.

Prof. Hrushikesh Mohanty, Vice Chancellor, KIIT-DU deliberated on the importance of research on specific sustainable and society benefitting areas which is the future. The branches of engineering are no more isolated and it is the time for amalgamated research which shall produce better results, he stressed. Prof. J. R. Mohanty, Registrar congratulated the School for getting selected and conducting this FDP. Prof. Sanjib Moulick, Dean, School of Civil Engineering expressed his gratitude to ATAL Academy and KIIT-DU for all the support.

A short video showcasing the achievements and humanitarian efforts of KIIT and KISS over the years was also screened at the inaugural session. Prof. Madhu Lisha Pattanaik, Coordinator of the FDP also spoke on the occasion. The vote of thanks was proposed by Prof. Sananda Sarkar, Assistant Professor, SCE. A total of 200 participants were registered for this program from 22 different states and 140 different institutions across the country.