Tuesday 17 September 2013

IIIT Hyderabad launch a new program in civil engineering

About the Program:

IIIT Hyderabad introduces an innovative Building Science & Engineering (BSE) teaching and research programme. The programme aims at conducting research to build an environmentally sustainable habitat by integrating environment, materials, services, science and engineering while making use of latest technology in computer science and electronics.

Why BSE?

Though construction is a regulated industry, there is severe shortage of technical and trained manpower in all stages of design, construction, regulation, operation and monitoring. Buildings need to be understood as a holistic system and should not be addressed in the current fragmented approaches leading to conflicting sub-optimal outcomes.
It is very important to establish a state-of-the-art research facility where various building related sub-domains can be focused at and environmentally sustainable habitats can be built.
The program aims at educating engineers and conduct research to build an environmentally sustainable habitat by integrating environment, materials, services, science and engineering while making use of latest technology in computer science and electronics. Given the multi-disciplinary nature of the proposed program, the program will address two broad areas; R&D gaps and Knowledge gaps and would collaborate with other institutions to address the skill gaps.

The Knowledge gaps:

Includes understandings of the building lifecycle, lack of systems integration, emerging building materials, technological innovation in control and management of buildings and its services, which when addressed individually impedes optimal functional performance. Currently business-as-usual buildings are designed, built, and operated with piecemeal consideration of various building components and systems like structural systems, materials, HVAC, lighting, acoustics, plumbing, and renewable energy resources.

The Research gaps:

Over the last few decades many new materials and building technologies were introduced in urban areas and were carried to rural areas. While doing that adequate caution was not exercised. In many instances, advanced technologies thrust into different regions of the country without preparing the people on the consequences of poor implementation without engineering judgment. Though there have been some initiatives in India for the use of integrated technologies, however these efforts are still at nascent stage and scarcely understood. Adoption of these technologies, creation of appropriate standards and proper studies on its utility within the Indian context needs to be carried out to have optimal building design guidelines.

Action Plan:

IIIT-H proposes to establish a teaching and research agenda that aims to study and develop buildings that are suitable to the climatic, environmental and socio-cultural setting of our country. This integrated systems approach to buildings is unique, and is a culmination of the years of research undertaken in this area by its faculty and researchers. Hence, the funding is sought as part of this proposal to create and position a national research facility in the area of Building Science and Engineering. Through this grant, the established center will become a platform of choice in this evolving research area, network with national and international stakeholders, and become a valuable national resource center.

FAQs about BSE

Is Building Science part of Civil engineering?
Yes, You are right, Building Science is a subset of Civil Engineering. It is based primarily on Structural Engineering ( Civil Engineering has 5 Sub disciplines such as Structural Engineering, Geotechnical, Water Resources, Environment and Transportation).
Curriculum is designed by drawing inputs from basics, Building physics, building topology, building safety, building intelligence and building sustainability
How can we quench our thirst in experimenting the building designs, Infrastructures etc practically?
Your innovative, novel and explorative ideas can be practically experimented in various laboratories at EERC, IIIT-H.
  • Engineering Workshop
  • Construction Workshop
  • Strength of materials lab
  • Soil Mechanics Lab
  • Building Materials Lab

Why BSE is more focused on Natural materials for Constructios which is unique and interesting?
In early years hands on experienced people of certain topology, skills and know-how on traditional technologies of house construction with various locally available materials were easily available. These houses stood for decades which were eco friendly and conserved energy.
BSE is a unique programme in demand which trains people to use these natural resources and implement them real time which makes a remarkable approach in Building Structures , Monuments etc
What are the future prospects of BSE in the job market?
There is acute shortage of skilled engineers in building sector which is evergreen . Builders are keen in search of skilled and trained personnel in the niche area of BSE.
Hence, Highly talented professionals in this area are in high demand in placing them in top Building Industries.

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