FERROCEMENT FOR WOMEN – New drive by SNDT Women’s University

Ferrocement technology is a new area which is poised to revolutionize the time and method of construction of structures. This is currently greatly used especially for water. This conference addresses various areas amongst engineering professionals. Ferrocement is a composite material. Some potential ground breaking problem solving areas include, its ability to take on much higher strengths at higher temperature and ability to integrate with IOT applications.  Another potential area is that the built structure of Ferrocement can provide better mobile range for working inside as opposed to conventional RCC structures. The seventh National convention Ferrocement 2023 is organized from November 24 to 26 at COEP to expose Professional Engineers, Architects and Academicians to all the above areas.

Whilst speaking on this occasion, Prof. Ujwala Chakradeo, Vice chancellor, SNDT Women’s University Mumbai, who was the Chief guest announced today that SNDT Women’s University is ready to sign an MOU with Ferrocement society of India about starting a course on ferrocement training to women, in Pune campus. Apart from cooking skills, beauty services women must be engaged in the construction sector. She emphasized that “Women empowered with ferrocement construction” will be a great asset to the industrial needs of India. MKVDC Executive Director, Atul Kapole was also present, who announced that government engineers will get trained for the utilisation of Ferrocement construction potential.

The First 2 days consist of presentation of national and international level papers and on the third day the delegates will visit the actual ferrocement construction sites near Pune and Satara. About 100 delegates from USA, Bangladesh, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kerala have reached to exchange their experiences in the construction of  ferrocement.

Mr Rajendra Pawar and Mr Avinash Surve, former Secretary to water resources department were also present. The convention is organised by the Ferrocement Society of India with the active participation of Dr Kalyana Sundaram, Emeritus Professor, COEP, Prof. Vaishnavi Dabir, Prof. Mugdha Kshirsagar, Prof. Rushikesh Kulkarni and the staff of Symbiosis College of Engineering.  Ferrocement Technology can also be used to construct earthquake resistant buildings, organic shaped structures as well as infrastructure projects like Road panels, precast housing, Road architecture etc. Marathi book “Ferrocement- Tantra aani mantra” was also unveiled today. The book is written by the Pune based expert Dr. Balkrishna Divekar. Stalwarts such as Owen Waldschlagel (USA), Md Abu Sadeque (Bangla Desh), P. C. Sharma(Ghaziabad), Er. Ulhas Paranjpe (Mumbai) also shared their experiences. Irrigation canal ferrocement lining and Canal Culvert strengthening reviews were also presented in the convention.

Prototype of Mount Kailash is being built with ferrocement at MAPRO Campus of Wai, near Mahabaleshwar. The work is being done by Padmanabh Lele in the Snow world project of MAPRO. Indian Ferrocement Society has been promoting this technology since 2008 amongst the Engineering and Architecture students, construction companies etc. The society has published construction manuals, design books and convention proceedings. Maharashtra Government has published a WRD Manual on ferrocement applications for public sector engineers. Savitribai Phule Pune University and Symbiosis International University have already introduced ferrocement as a full subject in the engineering curriculum. Ferrocement cannot compete with Reinforced Cement Concrete but its use is growing in the construction fields. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) have also taken a note of this and a draft code is prepared for Ferrocement construction and designs. The convention ended with the knowledge gaining technical tour to MAPRO Wai and other ferrocement works.