Research Projects

Infrastructure development is crucial for a country's growth, with the demand for infrastructure increasing due to population and industrialization. Geology plays a significant role in infrastructure growth, with highways, railways, and airports growing faster in plane areas than hilly ones. Recent advancements in rock mechanics and tunnel engineering have significantly increased infrastructure growth in hilly areas. The Himalayan region, which shares borders with Pakistan and China, has complex geology and low temperatures, making it more complex for military purposes. The stability of slopes and tunnels is essential for transportation and storage of weapons and artilleries during emergencies, while bunkers near the border provide shelter for soldiers in both summer and extreme winters. Understanding the geology and climate of the Himalayan region is essential for infrastructure development, as it is strategically important for national security. Support systems for slopes and underground structures require engineering properties of intact rock, rock mass, shotcrete, and steel. However, most research has focused on loading rate or freeze-thaw cycle, neglecting the coupled effect of freeze-thaw and dynamic loading. The proposed work aims to evaluate the performance of tunnel and slope support systems against the coupled effect of freeze-thaw cycle and dynamic loading. This will help design support systems that are insufficient for cold regions and ensure the safety and security of the region.