Technical Session on first day:

Sri DBN Rao delivered a technical talk on the various types of cement and concrete and the role of fly ash in production of durable concrete.

Dr Ranganatha R V of BMS College of Engineering, delivered a talk on the characterization of fly ash and the different types of concretes covering the high volume fly ash concrete and roller compacted concrete. He also covered the design of mix procedures using fly ash.

Sri Jagadeesh of TRFI Bangalore, talked on the self-compacting concrete.

Sri Ravi Gundu Rao discussed the utility of Lime along with flyash in achieving the durability and economy.

Sri Guruvittal of Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi delivered an interesting talk on the large scale utilization of fly ash in the construction of Roads and embankments.

Dr M Nagaraja of BVB College of Engineering & Technology Hubli discussed the basic construction of rigid and flexible pavements.

Sri N Sivasailam delivered a closing remarks..

Technical Tour on Second day:

A guided technical tour was arranged to Dandeli where the fly ash projects are being implemented. The delegates actually experienced the large-scale adoption of fly ash in the construction of the roads and embankments. It was also demonstrated the use of fly ash in the production of self-compacting concrete, and masonry mortar along with the fly based block making.

Outcomes of Workshop:

The various issues related to the fly ash were discussed elaborately with subject experts, academicians, field professionals and delegates. The major areas of beating menace of fly ash were identified as below:

1. Reasons for Low level of utilization of Fly ash:

The current low-level utilization of the fly ash is mainly due to

• A strong myth that fly ash is a inferior building material.
• Inadequate promotion of the technology.
• Lack of confidence in the fly ash based technologies.
• Lack of proper training and demonstration facilities.
• Higher cost of production of building material using fly ash.
• Non-availability of dry fly ash collection facilities at many stations.
• Easy availability of land with top soil at cheap rates for manufacturing conventional bricks.
• Lack of proper coordination between thermal plants and ash users.
• Inadequate government policies and codes.

 2. Acceptance of the Technology:

The workshop could enlighten the delegates and helped in the following ways:

• It is understood that, fly ash is NOT a waste, but a highly potential building material.

• It is learnt that the fly ash has a technical edge in enhancing the durability of concrete.

• It developed the confidence in the fly ash based technologies.

• It opened up the awareness about the new business opportunities in packing and transportation of fly ash like a cement industry.

• It was learnt that the use of fly ash is mandatory as per the government directives.

3. Recommendations of the workshop:

Following are the recommendations made to the government and other related agencies:

• Fly ash can be used on a large scale, in the construction of the roads and embankments. The Government. has also identified the need for the developments of infrastructure in the form of roads. Rural road programme being on the anvils, it is recommended to the Government to establish a' Rural Road Corporation' exclusively for the construction of the roads in the rural areas similar to the' Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Ltd.'for the proper implementation of the project.

• The current IS code provides the use of rich mortar ( CM I :6) in the masonry. But such a rich mortar is not essential in the brick masonry. Hence suitable modifications are to be made making a provision of use of 'masonry mortar' which is produced replacing cement by fly ash up to 30 %. This obliviously leads to the saving in the cost of the construction project.

• Government should identify / establish a 'Certification Agency' to routinely approve the fly ash based products to compete in the international markets

• Government should make efforts in promoting the fly ash based technologies in the construction by arranging suitable training programmes and incentive policies.

• It is recommended to strictly monitor & enforce the Government directives related to the use of fly ash in construction.

• The Bureau of Indian Standards should bring out more  explanatory hand books and codes in the application of fly ash in construction.
• Promotional incentives should be announced for the small scale entrepreneurs in the building industry involved in the production of pre fabricated and precast building elements.
• Necessary additions should be made to the Schedule of Rates to the products made using fly ash as a ingredient.

Coordinators of Workshop:

Prof Aravind Galagali, BVB College of Engineering & Technology, Hubli and Sri NS Mahadev Prasad of RGRHCL Bangalore, coordinated this regional workshop.  

Sponsorers of Workshop:

Grasim Industries (Cement Division) Bangalore sponsored the event.

Co-sponsorers:

The workshop was cosponsored by : West Coast Paper Mills, Dandeli Ninnithi Kendras of Dharwad, Koppal, Raichur and Gadag.