GeoPractices Towards Sustainable Infrastructure, Volume 1

This book discusses the proceedings of the National Conference on GeoPractices for Sustainable Infrastructure (GeoPractices 2024), focusing on the sustainable aspects of geotechnical engineering practices, particularly in highway construction and related ground improvement techniques. It covers topics such as alternative and sustainable construction materials, processes, and design considerations for pavement construction and enhancing weak soils. The publication highlights advanced practices and developments, including the use of geosynthetics, bioremediation, and incorporating industrial byproducts to lower carbon footprint, preserve natural resources, and minimize waste generation. The book is intended to be a valuable resource for emerging researchers and industry professionals interested in advancing sustainable infrastructure.

Dr. Sireesh Saride is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Chairperson of the Greenko School of Sustainability at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad. His expertise and research interests include pavement geotechnics, geosynthetics, recycled materials, and ground improvement. He obtained his B.Tech (Civil Engineering) from the JNTU College of Engineering, Kakinada, and earned his integrated Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. Before joining IIT Hyderabad, he was a post-doctoral research fellow-cum lecturer at the University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Sireesh has published over 240 referred journals, conference articles, and technical reports. He is currently developing design guidelines for geosynthetic-reinforced flexible pavements and recycled materials. He has been awarded research proposals from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the National Technical Textiles Mission, Ministry of Textiles. He also leads a NHAI-funded Centre of Excellence on ‘Transportation Research and Innovation Hub (TRI-HUB) at IIT Hyderabad. He is a recipient of Australia Awards Fellowship 2023, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government, and a recipient of JICA Fellowship 2024 under FRIENDSHIP 2.0 for new partnership, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Japan, among others. He is an Associate Editor for several journals of repute. He is a member of ASCE, ICE, TRB, International Geosynthetics Society, a life member of IRC, and a fellow of the Indian Geotechnical Society.

Dr. Hari Prasad Chennarapu is Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at Mahindra University with expertise in geotechnical engineering. He obtained Ph.D. from IIT Hyderabad in the geotechnical engineering domain. He has been actively involved in the research areas of soil-reinforcement, quality control of pavement layers with NDT devices, stabilization methods, and pavement geotechnics. He has published 25 publications in reputed Journals and Conferences. He got a patent grant on “An Apparatus for Measuring Transverse Pullout Resistance of a Reinforcing Element and Method Thereof.” He has been awarded research proposals from the Ministry of Textiles, CDRI and Mahindra University. He is presently serving as the Hon’s secretary of IGS Hyderabad chapter. Also, a life member of the Indian Geotechnical Society.

Dr. Padmavathi V is Professor of Civil Engineering at JNTUH University College of Engineering, Science and Technology Hyderabad with expertise in Geotechnical Engineering. She began her Geotechnical Engineer journey with a PG in 1997, successfully navigated the academic realm, earning a Ph. D. in 2009 in the topic of laterally loaded piles while excelling as Assistant Professor. She has around 60 publications in reputed journals and conferences. She has been awarded a research grant from DST for 2022-2025. She got a patent as an inventor on “G Shear Box Test to Determine Shear Stress – Displacement and Strength of Coarse-Grained Soils at Low Normal Stresses.” Elected for Executive Committee member of Indian Geotechnical Society, New Delhi for 2011-12. She is also associated with the Hyderabad Waste Management project for suitability, quality control of liner systems, and slope stability of landfills. She was listed in the book of ‘Daughters of Indian Soil’ published in IGC-2023, as one of the top 75 ‘Influential Indian Women in Geotechnical Engineering’. She has also delivered expert lectures in Engineering Staff College of India and other engineering colleges in India, chaired sessions in several national and international conferences, and attended international conferences like SLOPE 2015, GEOMEAST 2018, and SEE 2019.