Structural Research for River Valley Projects -Part r^*

River valley projects which are aimed at the conservation of water resources of the country are vital for agricultural development, increased food production and industrial expansion. These projects, hoviever, involve the design and construction of large number of expensive structures. An attempt has been made in this paper to emphasise the importance of structural research for the design of structures for river valley projects.

The paper is presented in two parts. Part I deals with the nature and importance of structural problems, the disasters associated with structural failures and necessity of studying new form to cater for difficult sites. The various tools of structural research such as analytical methods, computers, experimental methods, model engineering, measurements of structural behaviour in prototypes and studies of structural failures are described. The applications of these methods already made in a small nucleus at the Central Water and Power Research Station are then classified under two groups, viz., Storage Structures and Conveyance and Power House Structures. Part I deals with a discussion of the application to storage structures which include foundations, dams, sluiceways and spillway piers.

In Part II, the applications to tunnels, conduits, bridges, aqueducts, power house structures, space frame structures and tower are briefly described. An assessment of the likely volume of work in the field of structural research for river valley projects during the next plan period is then made. A brief discussion of the type of organisation and personnel required for this field of research is included.