Structural engineers fostering culture of research and innovation
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Prof. Sudhir Misra
The Annual Sessions 2016 which was the platform created by the Society of Structural Engineers Sri Lanka (SSE-SL) for the local structural engineering fraternity to showcase their ingenuity and share ground breaking ideas, saw its successful culmination at the Cinnamon Grand recently.
The event had over 200 delegates representing the construction community comprising engineers, consultants, construction professionals and developers as well as students and undergraduates from all the leading universities in the country attending the full day conference, according to a SSE-SL media release.
The main objective of the annual sessions was to foster a culture of scientific research and innovation among this grouping, by creating a platform to share knowledge and experience on various construction related topics among peers and experts in Sri Lanka and around the world.
Renowned Structural Engineer Dr. Takanori Kawamoto of Ube Industries Ltd, Japan was a keynote speaker at the event, speaking on the importance of “Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of RC Buildings in Japan”. In addition, Prof. Sudhir Misra of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur delivered the second keynote on ‘Durability based on design of concrete structures: A challenge for all of us’.
These two presentations shed light on the most recent developments in structural engineering practice in two countries of the world that are considered trailblazers in the construction industry.
The conference set the stage for nine breakthrough papers presented by leading professionals of the Sri Lankan structural engineering fraternity.
These concept papers, evaluated by an eminent panel of industry specialists and academia, presented answers to some of the critical issues tackled in the field while others presented pioneering ideas that will take the structural engineering practice to the next level.
The morning session was moderated by Prof. W. P. S. Dias, Senior Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Moratuwa, and the afternoon session was chaired by Dr. N. Somaratne, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Peradeniya.
SSE-SL is the foremost industry body dedicated to enhancing the knowledge of structural engineers and other professionals connected to the construction industry on new concepts and innovations and new technology used in the planning and designing of contemporary construction projects.