Talk on “The Role of Geomechanics in Addressing Geohazards Issues”

This talk was delivered by Professor A.P.S. Selvaduraj, who is a William Scott Professor and James McGill Professor attached to the Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. This talk was conducted on 30th August 2017 at the Department of Civil Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering, Kilinochchi premises, University of Jaffna. It was very interesting talk attended by number of Industry Engineers together with the academic staff and students of the Faculty.

Biography of the resource person:

Dr. A.P.S. Selvadurai is currently William Scott Professor and James McGill Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in Theoretical Mechanics from the University of Nottingham, under the tutelage of the eminent continuum mechanicist the late Professor A.J.M. Spencer FRS, for research in the area of “Non-linear Elasticity” and in 1986 the D.Sc. in Theoretical Mechanics for research into “Mathematical Modelling of Problems in Geomechanics and Elastomechanics”. He joined the Department of Civil Engineering at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada in 1975 as Assistant Professor, became Professor in 1981 and Head of the Department from 1982 to 1991. In 1993, he was invited by McGill University to become Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, a position he held till 1997. He has held Visiting Professorships at the The University of Nottingham – U.K, Universität Stuttgart, Germany, The Laboratoire 3S-R, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France; The Department of Civil Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand; The Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; The School of Civil Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, Departement de Genie Civil, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland, The Department of Civil Engineering and Geosciences of the Technical University Delft, The Netherlands and The Department of Civil Engineering, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In 1998, Dr. Selvadurai received the Humboldt Forschungspreis (Humboldt Foundation of Germany), given to internationally acclaimed scientists and engineers. In 2000, he became the first civil engineer to be awarded the Killam Research Fellowship Canada Council for the Arts, one of Canada’s most distinguished research awards. In 2001 he was awarded the Inaugural John Booker Medal International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics-IACMAG. In 2003 he received the prestigious Max Planck Forschungspreis in the Engineering Sciences. In 2007, he was awarded the Killam Prize in Engineering from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Gold Medal of the Canadian Congresses of Applied Mechanics. In 2008 he received the IACMAG Medal for Outstanding Accomplishments in Geomechanics. In 2010, he was awarded the ALERT Research Medal, by the Alliance of Laboratories in Europe for Research and Technology. In 2013, he was awarded the Eric Reissner Medal of the ICCES and the Maurice A. Biot Medal of the ASCE.

He has published over 255 research papers in archival journals devoted to applied mechanics, geomechanics and applied mathematics, transport in porous media and computational mechanics and more than 275 in refereed international and national conferences. He is the author or co-author of texts devoted to Elastic Analysis of Soil-Foundation Interaction (Elsevier, 1979), Elasticity and Geomechanics (with R.O. Davis) (Cambridge University Press, 1996), Partial Differential Equations in Mechanics, Vols. 1&2 (Springer-Verlag, 2000), Plasticity and Geomechanics (with R.O. Davis) (Cambridge University Press, 2002) and Transport in Porous Media. Aspects of Micro/Macro Behaviour (with Yasuaki Ichikawa) (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2012). He has also edited or co-edited 9 books and 7 Special Issues of International Journals with peer review, devoted to nuclear waste disposal, environmental geomechanics, mathematics and mechanics of granular media, theoretical solid mechanics and contact mechanics. He serves on the Editorial Boards of nine leading International Journals devoted to Geomechanics, Applied Mechanics, Computational Mechanics and Engineering Mathematics. Dr. Selvadurai is a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada, American Academy of Mechanics, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, The Institute for Mathematics and its Applications and the Canadian Academy of Engineering. In 2007 he was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

Three staff members attended International Symposium on Conservation and Management of Tropical Lakes

Dr. S. S. Sivakumar, Coordinator of WaterH project of UoJ and Mr. Saliya Sampath, Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering, UoJ and Dr. B. Ketheesan, Senior lecturer, Faculty of Engineering participated the 2nd International Symposium on Conservation and Management of Tropical Lakes, from 24th – 26th August 2017 at Siem Riep, Cambodia.

They had two main objectives on this visit. They all presented their research articles in the international conference. Also, they have supervised master students of Institute of Technology of Cambodia.

Published articles in the conference are shown below:

1. M. H. M. Hamseen, T. Sætersdal and Dr. S. S. Sivakumar, (2017), ‘Conflict Resolution in Multiple User Scenarios in Irrigation Scheme in North Central Sri Lanka’, The 2nd International Symposium on Conservation and Management of Tropical Lakes, Siem Riep, Cambodia, August 24th – 26th 2017, P. 193

2. B. Ketheesan, P. M. Thanh and D. C. Stuckey, (2017), ‘Submerged Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (SAMBR) for Wastewater Reuse: Use of PAC for Controlling SMPs’, The 2nd International Symposium on Conservation and Management of Tropical Lakes, Siem Riep, Cambodia, August 24th – 26th 2017, P. 184

3. Buddhimal M. D.T., Sampath D. S., Sivakumar S. S., Mikunthan T., Pirabhaharan M., (2017), ‘Precipitation data analysis – based on daily rainfall data at Magalla reservoir catchment at Nikaweratiya, Sri Lanka’, The 2nd International Symposium on Conservation and Management of Tropical Lakes, Siem Riep, Cambodia, August 24th – 26th 2017, P. 192

After conference, they attended Special Forum: Mainstreaming Promotion of Gender Balance for Science Technology in Asian Countries (WaSo Project) under WaSo project. There were 4 presentations from lady resource persons and we discussed about: Mainstreaming Promotion of Gender Balance for Science Technology in Asian Countries. 26th August, they attended Technical Tour to Core Management Center (Ministry of Environment), Floating Villages and Bamboo Island. It was really useful field visit and they have observed pollution of great Lake of the Cambodia. They met people live in the floating villages and observed their day today life and traditional events. Director of Core management center explained them about lake pollution and the things he was doing to save environment and especially natural rare birds in the lake.

This was funded by WaSo project of University of Jaffna.

Training workshop for Technical Officers and Laboratory Attendants – conducted by the Techno Solutions

The Techno Solutions conducted a workshop on Test and Measuring Instruments from the Tektronix and Keithley brands. This included the knowledge and skill transfers on few instruments especially on how to effectively use with all available facilities for the capturing the best information through measurement. This technical educational session was held at the Faculty of Engineering in Ariviyal Nagar, Killinochchi on 22nd August 2017.

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TRANSPORT & TRAFFIC SURVEYS FOR JAFFNA INTEGRATED MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORT STUDY

The Faculty of Engineering is extending its services to prepare the Integrated Multi-Model Transport Study to the Jaffna City Development plan. This project is healed by Dr. Anburuvel, Department of Civil Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering and collaboration with MR. Raveenthiran from Planning Department of the Faculty of Arts. This study was carried out from 22nd August 2017 and will be continuing for couple of months.

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Initiation of Research on “Acoustic Resonance Measurements of Hindu Temples”

Principal Investigator:
Dr. Ravi Wijesiriwardana – Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Jaffna.

Multidisciplinary Team Members:

  • Mr. M. Vignarajah – Department of Civil Engineering, University of Jaffna.

  • Dr. P. Kathirgamanathan – Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Jaffna.

  • Prof. K.S. Walgama – Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Peradenya.


Dates:

Project started in Jan/2017 and currently in August 2017 it is on going.

We have launched a preliminary field research to understand the acoustic resonance of Hindu temples. We have measured the resonance in some selected Hindu temples in Sri Lanka. Two types of acoustic resonance chambers can be found in Hind Temples in Sri Lanka. The first one is the “Moolastana” chamber and the other is the inner core (path). First part of the work is focused on measuring the acoustic resonance of Hindu Temple`s geometrical cavities. Sound impulse methods and the reverberation methods are used to measure the acoustic resonance modes. Sound frequencies from 20Hz to 20kHz is scanned to identify the resonance modes. The second part of the project is focused on measuring the 4 dimensional sound fields of acoustic instruments used in Hindu temples. Drums, gongs, bells, flutes and other instruments sound fields are recorded and 3D maps of the pressure and displacements fields are been developed. The open air measurements are done with microphones placed in 3 dimensional space. The measurements were taken at selected ancient Hindu Temples in Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka and numerical simulations (FEM) are been carried out to understand the resonance of Hindu Temples and ritual acoustic instruments.

The project is endorsed by Dean of Faculty of Engineering Prof. A. Athputharah and the Director General of Archeology, Sri Lanka Prof. P.B. Mandawala.

Publications:
[1] R. Wijesirwardana, M.Vignarajah, K.S. Walgama and P. Kathiragamanathan “Structural Acoustic Coupling Resonance of Hindu Temples” ICCAE IASTM May 2017 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

Obituary Notice: Retired Professor V Navaratnarajah (Ph.D., F.I.C.E., C.Eng., M.I.E.(SL) Former Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Jaffna.

With sadness, we share the news of the demise of Dr. V. Navaratnarajah, former Professor of Civil Engineering. Prof V. Navaratnarajah served as an academic staff with the University of Malaya for many years at several capacities including Dean of the Faculty Engineering. Later he served as staff of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Jaffna from September 1990. He has served in making the pre arrangements for the establishment of the Faculty of Engineering. Professor Navaratnarajah was also one of the founder members of the Jaffna Science Association. He served as the President of JSA (1995 – 1997) during the most difficult time in the history of JSA as well as in the lives of residents of the Jaffna Peninsula due to the undesirable conditions prevailed in the region. He passed away on 19th August 2017 in Singapore. He is leaving behind his beloved wife, a son and a daughter. May his soul rest in peace. The community of the University of Jaffna will remember him always.

Mr. D.S. Sampath attended to the workshop on Geostatistical Analyst Extension of ArcGIS software

Mr. D.S. Sampath attended workshop on Geostatistical Analyst Extension of ArcGIS software on 14th & 15th August 2017 at GIS solutions Pvt Ltd, 370, Galle Road, Colombo 3. This workshop was organized by GIS solutions (Pvt) Ltd. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Jaffna purchased 31 licenses of ArcGIS software from GIS solutions (Pvt) Ltd. This was funded by WaSo project of University of Jaffna, This training program also included in the same package. This workshop targeted to cover geostatistical analysis using ArcGIS software.

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Dr. Nadarajah Manivannan from Brunel University London visited to the Faculty

Dr. Nadarajah Manivannan visit to the Faculty of Engineering on 11th August for a discussion on possible collaboration. Dr. Manivannan is from the Brunel University London and few possible postgraduate education were discussed. He visited to the laboratories to see the facilities. In the discussion the Faculties of Engineering, Technology staff members were participated.

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Discussion with World University Services Canada and National Construction Association of Sri Lanka Northern Branch for possible collaborations

The faculty leaderships had few discussions with World University Services Canada (WUSC) and National Construction Association of Sri Lanka Northern Branch (NCASL/N) for possible collaborations to empower the youths in this region. These discussions were carried out in few events organized by the WUSC and NCASL/N. The discussions resulted to have an official discussions at the Faculty of Engineering University of Jaffna on 11th August 2017.

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