Changing Technologies for Consulting Engineering
Knowledge is limitless and continues to evolve based on what you want to get out of it. Because of new advanced technology, digitalisation in the field of engineering has gained equal importance. Knowledge management (KM) has been implemented in many firms and associations to better understand the role of technology and maximise its value. KM is concerned with delivering or making available the appropriate knowledge to the appropriate people at the appropriate time.
The reasons KM has gained importance at the same time is to help people understand the know-how of new competencies and add value to the business by utilising the appropriate resources.
Consulting Engineers Association of India, is implementing the KM concept and ensuring that the right knowledge is delivered at the right time, whether it is connecting the producing, storing, managing, or assisting the IT group to meet their objectives.
CEAI aims to give you a quick overview about the key drivers of KM and how it is a vital aspect in the field of engineering.
- Value addition: KM is a tool that, when used properly, can add the most value to your business. One of the most important goals of knowledge management is to support the business through value engineering and innovation. Consulting engineering is a field in which they hire people, databases, time, hardware, and software that, if carefully developed, can bring about innovation and value-based work processes. This is now possible thanks to the use of KM. Thus, KM, when used correctly and at the right time, can produce innovation, value, and outcomes.
- Digitalisation: Today, the digital world has taken over every business, regardless of its nature. Adaptability and implementation of these ever-changing technologies is a continuous and critical process for businesses. The KM process can assist in dealing with these changes and keeping the business current by utilising new technology in the KM process itself.
- Evolution: When KM is linked with IT and the digital team, the goal is to keep the knowledge constantly updating and improving in order to align new technologies with the adaptability of the staff. The main goal here would be to keep the Electronic Document Management system constantly updated for reference of past projects for potential ones, as each completed project would add to new learnings, value points, innovations, and so on.
Now, let’s head over to an interesting study of modular bridges undertaken by Lt. General S Ravi Shankar, the former Director General Border Roads.
One of the most successful ideas in consulting engineering has been the introduction of Modular Steel Bridges. These types of bridges have not only proven to bring ease, quality, and speed in construction, but have also resulted in the restoration of the economic conditions of the affected areas due to transportation efficiency. Modular Steel Bridges, on the other hand, require extensive promotion and attention in India, particularly in border regions such as the North and Northeast.
For example, the traditional Sonprayag bridge washed away in 2013 due to catastrophic rainfall and floods, followed by another wave in 2015 that washed away its temporary replacement. Finally, in 2016, the ACROW bridge with a double lane and a loading capacity of 70 R was installed. According to various analyses, the ACROW bridge resulted in significant financial and economic returns to the state government of Uttarakhand. The one-of-a-kind bridge proved to be one of the most successful projects in the state, contributing significantly to the completion of the Kedarnath Yatra in 2016.
Lt. General S Ravi Shankar has thoroughly discussed the minutes of the ACROW bridge and how it was built in his study. The bridge’s design is straightforward. It is a through bridge with two trusses joined by Transoms that support the decking. To keep the decking light, it employs an Orthotropic Steel Deck (OSD), which is also used in the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, that also implemented Japanese technology. The deck can be finished with an epoxy finish with aggregate anti-skid or with a layer of 50-65 cm Bitumen Concrete (BC). The light decking makes a significant difference in the structure’s dead load.
The only stumbling block with modular bridges is the capital outlay. However, the authorities must consider its low maintenance cost and higher quality, which ensures flawless safety procedures. The consulting engineering industry recognises that, in the face of changing technologies, modular bridges are the way forward for a better and safer infrastructure future.
If you found this article useful, kindly head over to the official website of Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI) for more insightful content.