A three day International Conference on Innovative and Smart Structural Systems for Sustainable Habitat (INSHAB 2008) was conducted at Coimbatore Institute of Technology from January 3^rd to 5^th 2008. The agenda of this conference was to bring to fore the new technologies prevailing in the construction industry and also to give more information regarding smart materials and smart structural systems keeping in mind the environment and to minimize the damages to structures due to natural hazards.

The Conference was inaugurated by Dr. Arisi Swamidas, Prof. of Civil Engineering, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada. The Presidential address was given by Dr. S. R. K. Prasad, Director, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore. Dr. R. Prabhakar, Principal, CIT, Coimbatore welcomed the gathering. The Prof. E. Ramasamy, Administrative Officer, CIT and Dr. A. R. Santhakumar Prof. IIT, Madras. Overview of the Conference was addressed by    Dr. K. Subramanian, Head Department of Civil Engineering. Many eminent professors and researchers from all corners of the globe were invited to present their research and views on the current developments related to smart structural systems.

There were many keynote addresses presented on the various topics that are relevant currently. There were 13 keynote addresses delivered  by eminent personalities like Dr.Indhubhushan Patnaikuni, RMIT, Australia, Dr.Arisi Swamidas, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, Dr. A. R. Santhakumar, IITM, Chennai, Dr. G. Ramasamy IIT Roorkee, Roorkee, Dr.Shen-en Chen, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, Dr. N. Ganesan, HOD, NIT,Calicut, S.Parivallal, SERC, Chennai . Er. Daniel from M/S Hansen gave a keynote lecture regarding the missing link in the Indian Construction industry i.e. skilled labour.

 A panel discussion on the theme, “Future Trends Scenario in Structural Engineering”, chaired by                       Dr. S. R. K. Prasad, Director, CIT, Coimbatore with Dr. R. Prabhakar as Co-chairman was conducted on the first day. Various topics like Space Energy Harvesting, Ocean Structures, Space structure and Light weight materials were discussed.

In the three day Conference, 64 technical papers from various themes were presented.  Experimental Studies on EFPI Fiber Optic Sensors under Cyclic Loading, Technologies for Affordable Housing in India: An International Perspective, Behavior of GFRP Retrofitted Masonry Assemblages under Axial Compression, Shear and Flexure, Peak and Mean Wind Approach –A Case Study of Silos are to name a  few.

 There was a display by Mr .Robert Oates from Australia regarding Sustainable Housing. It is made entirely of cardboard panels. There are only 2 types of cardboard panels and a room size of around 10m²  can be built using the panels.

The Conference was organized by the Department of Civil Engineering Coimbatore Institute of Technlogy with      Dr. E. B. Perumal Pillai as the Organising Secretary.

 The Valedictory function was graced by Dr.Indhubhushan Patnaikuni from RMIT, Australia.  

 Concluding remarks on the Conference was given by Dr.E.B.Perumal Pillai, Organizing Secretary. The Presidential address was given Dr.R.Prabhakar, Principal, CIT, Coimbatore. The function was addressed by the Guest of Honour Prof.E.Ramasamy, Administrative Officer.  Professor M.Dhanabalakrishnan proposed vote of thanks. 

 1.      Contents of  the Conference 

v     Smart Materials

v     Smart Structures

v     Passive Architecture

v     Philosophical issues

v     Interaction with users

v     Application to Disasters

v     Application to lifeline structures for operation

v     Strategic applications

v     Earthquake Resistant Structural Systems

v     Wind Resistant Systems

v     Performance Based Design

v     Reliability of Structural Systems

v     Infrastructure – Analysis and Design

v     Fast Track Construction

v     Use of Nano Materials

v     Architecture of Steel Construction

v     Modern Trends in Concrete and Pre-stressed Concrete Structures

 2.       Details of  the speakers

v     Dr. Indhubhushan Patnaikuni, RMIT, Australia.

v     Dr. Arisi Swamidas, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada.

v     Dr. A.R.Santhakumar,IITM,Chennai.

v     Dr. G. Ramasamy IIT Roorkee,Roorkee.

v     Dr. Shen-en Chen, University of North Carolina, Charlotte.

v     Dr. N. Ganesan, HOD,NIT, Calicut.

v     S. Parivallal, SERC, Chennai.

v     Mr. Robet Oates, Australia.

v     Er. Daniel,Belgium. 

They addressed 13^th Keynotes on various topics

 3.        What they discussed about?

    The various topics discussed were  Sustainable Housing, Role of Structural engineer in promoting Steel architecture in 21^st century, Utilization of waste for Sustainable Development, Structural Health Monitoring of a Pre-stressed Concrete Bridge using Smart Sensing Technologies, Structural Damage Detection of Civil Engineering Infra Structures, Steel Fiber Reinforced High Performance Concrete on Innovative Cementitious Composite, Sustainability via. Smart Structure, Novel Sensing Techniques for Infra structure Health Assessment  and Philosophical issues And User Interaction of Sustainable development.

 4.        How many Delegates from which  all areas of interest attended it?

153 Delegates  attended, and  presented papers on Smart Materials, Smart Structures,Passive Architecture, Philosophical issues, Interaction with users, Application to Disasters. 

 5.        On Smart and Innovation Structural System what was talked about.?

     In the conventional method of design of structures, additional materials are used in the form of bracings, shear    walls .Larger beams and columns are used  to carry the forces due to extreme events such as large Earthquakes or major typhoons’ New paradigm for design of bridge and building structures, adaptive are smart structures where sensors installed on the structure sense the condition of environment and actuators installed in various locations apply appropriate forces, compute in real time, internally to compensate the forces of the nature. Such a smart structure would be substantially lighter than the corresponding conventional structure. The studies on structural integrity are a critical process in ensuring safe operation of the structures.  Damage detection in structures is necessary and is realizable through smart structures.

From Left : 1. Dr. K. Subramanian, HOD, Civil Department, CIT, 2. Dr. S. R. K. Prasad, Director, CIT, 3. Dr. Arisi Swamidas, Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, 4. Dr. R. Prabhakar, Principal, CIT,

5. Prof. E. amasamy, Administrative Officer, CIT, 6. Dr. E. B. Perumal PIllai, Organizing Secretary, INSHAB 2008.

Lighting of Kuthuvilakku by Dr.Arisi Swamidas

Release of Souvenir

Release of CD

KEYNOTE SPEECHES

     Dr. A.R.Santhakumar, IIT Madras                                     Dr.Shen-en Chen, USA

               Dr.Arisi Swamidas, Canada                  Dr.Indhubhushan Patnaikuni, Australia

                   Er.Daniel, Belgium                                 Dr.G.Ramasamy, IIT Roorkee

PANEL DISCUSSION

 VALEDICTORY FUNCTION

                                                                               Dr. Indhubhushan Patnaikuni, RMIT, Australia