Background

India is one of the most disaster prone countries of the world. It has faced some of the
worlds most severe floods, cyclones, fire accidents and earthquakes. Poor land use
planning and inconsistent emergency management systems lead to vulnerability to floods,
cyclones, earthquake and landslides.
India has a highly diversified range of natural features. Its unique geo-climatic conditions
make the country among the most vulnerable to natural disasters in the world. Disasters
occur with amazing frequency in India and while the society at large has adapted itself to
these regular occurrences, the economic and social costs continue to mount year after
year.
India lies in South Asia, surrounded on three sides by the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean,
and the Bay of Bengal. To the north there are the Himalayan mountain ranges. The
geographical area of India is 3.4 million square kilometers, and the coastline is 7,500
kilometers long.
Over 8% Indian area of 40 million hectares is prone to floods, and the average area
affected by floods annually is about 8 million hectares. Seventy five percent of the annual
rainfall is received during June to September monsoon making almost all the rivers carry
heavy discharge during this period. The flood hazard is compounded by the problems of
sediment deposition, drainage congestion and synchronization of river floods with sea
tides in the coastal plains.
Cyclones are other hazards in India that generally strike the East Coast. However, some
of the Arabian Sea Cyclones strike the West Coast of India, mainly the Gujarat and North
Maharashtra coast. Out of the storms that develop in the Bay of Bengal, more than half
approach or cross the east coast in October and November. Of the nearly 7,500 kilometers
long coastline, approximately 5,700 kilometers is prone to cyclones.
Many regions in India are highly vulnerable to natural and other disasters on account of
geological conditions. About 60% of the total area of the country is vulnerable to seismic
damage of buildings in varying degrees. The most vulnerable areas, according to the present seismic zone map of India, are located in the
Himalayan and sub-Himalayan regions. Kutch and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which are particularly earthquake hazard prone.
About the Conference
Disasters result in crippling economic losses and human tragedy, hampering development
wherever and whenever they occur. Due to recent rapid urbanization in developing
countries, many people reside in buildings and areas that are vulnerable to disasters.
Disasters that strike in developing countries can severely impair efforts to alleviate poverty.
In order to reduce the effects of disasters, and human losses in particular, proactive
disaster management should be adopted.
Many engineering challenges are involved
in meeting this need. In recent times, there
has been a paradigm shift and India is
becoming more proactive with emphasis
on disaster preparedness.
In order to enhance the capaci ty of
professionals to cope with engineering challenges in Disaster Management, the Department
of Civil Engineering is organizing International Conference on Engineering Challenges in
Disaster Management (ICPECDM 14). The main objective of this two day International
Conference is to share knowledge and experience from various parts of the world with
respect to the best practices and latest techniques in Engineering the before and after
effects of Disaster. This Conference provides a single platform for academicians,
researchers, professionals and policy makers to meet, discuss and share their experiences
under one roof about the Management of Disaster and thereby address the challenges posed today and tomorrow.
Conference Themes
Natural Disasters : Geological, Earth Quakes and Landslides. Floods, storm surge and Cyclones,Fire
Man made Disasters : Fire, Chemcial, Nuclear, Biological and terrorist actions
Preparedness for disaster. Reduction of risk of any disaster.
Disaster prevention and mitigation. Rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Assessment of the severity or magnitude of effects ofdisasters. Information management.
DisastersClimate change and Environmental Impact. Case studies.
Remote sensing and GIS technology. Innovative solutions.
Simulation models.
Principal Advisory Committee
CHIEF PATRON
Dr. M.V.V.S. Murthi, President, GITAM
PATRONS
Prof. K. Rama Krishna Rao, Chancellor, GU Prof. G. Subrahmanyam, Vice- Chancellor, GU
Prof. D. Harinarayana, Pro Vice- Chancellor, GU Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. R. Siva Kumar, Pro Vice-Chancellor (R&D), GU
International Advisory Committee and Keynote Speakers
Prof. Venkatesh Kodur, Michigan State University Dr. Indubhushan Patnaikuni, RMIT University , Australia
Prof. Yong Chen, Hainan University, China Dr. Anand J Puppala, A&M University, Arlington, USA
Prof. Mark Hastak, Purdue University, USA Prof. Yew Chaye Loo, Griffith University, Australia
Prof. Robert Oates, Australia Prof. Katta Venkataramana, Visiting Prof., Kumamoto University, Japan
Dr. S Subba Rao, Surveyor General of India Dr. Bolisetty Tirupathi, University of Windsor, Canada
Prof. D.V. Reddy, NIT, Surathkal Sri A. Saibaba, IRSE, Chief Engineer, Indian Rlys.
National Advisory Committee
Prof. M.R.Madhav, Visiting Prof. IIT Hyderabad Dr Bhoop Singh, Head NRDMS, DST GOI
Dr. K.J. Ramesh, Scientists G,MOES GOI Sri M. Raju, DDG, CHQ, GSI, Kolkata
Prof. Chandan Ghosh, NIDM, New Delhi Prof. S.K. Barai, IIT Kharagpur
Prof. GL Sivakumar Babu, IISc, Bengaluru Prof. K. Ganesh Babu, IIT Madras
Prof. Manu Santhanam, IIT Madras Prof. KS Rao, IIT Delhi
Prof. P. Rajendra Prasad, A.C.G.Chair, AU Prof. R. Pradeep Kumar, IIIT Hyderabad
Sri V. B. Gadgil, CMD, L&T Metro Rail, Hyd Sri Murari Ratnam, Director, CSMRS
Prof. Ch.Manohar, Dept. of Civil Engg., IISc, Bengaluru Sri M.T. Krishna Babu, IAS, Chairman, VPT
Prof. Ch. Ramakrishna, Director, UGC A & R A, GU Prof. P. Nag, Vice Chancellor, MGKV, Varanasi
Maj. Gen. P.K .Vachher, ADG Military Survey Dr.P. Pandurunga Rao, E-in-CE, PH&ME Dept. Govt. of A.P.
Dr. Y.V.N. Krishna Murthi, Director, IIRS, Dehradun Dr VK Dadhwal, Director NRSC
Sri J. A. Nagabhushana Rao, DDG, GSI,VSP Dr Ashwaghosh Ganju, Director SASE, DRDO
Organising Committee
Chairman Co-Chairman
Prof. K. Lakshmi Prasad, Principal, GIT Prof. M. Ramesh, Head, Dept. of Civil Engg.
Convener Co- Convener
Prof. K.V.G.D. Balaji Prof. K.V. Ramesh
Treasurer Organizing Secretary
Prof. M. Potharaju, Registrar, GU Dr. Chandan Kumar Patnaikuni
Coordinator, TEQIP
Prof. M.R.S. Satyanarayana
Member s
Prof. S. Ramakrishna Rao Prof. K. Veera Bhadram Prof. Y.S. Prabhakar Prof. T. Seshadri Sekhar
Prof. K. Narendra Sri B. Sudhakara Rao Dr. Dangeti Mukund
Important Deadlines
Submission of full text : 15 Nov. 2014 Intimation of acceptance of papers : 25 Nov. 2014
Registration Fee
Indian delegates including authors of papers : `. 4,000/-
Indian Student Delegates : `. 2,000/-
Overseas Delegates : US $ 250/-
Overseas Student Delegate : US $ 100/-
Accompanying Spouse : 50% of the Delegate fee
Sponsorships & Exhibition Fee:
The names of the sponsors will be displayed at the venue and included in the brochure & souvenir. The logos of the sponsors will be
posted on the website of the conference www.icpecdm.gitam.edu.
Platinum (8 delegates free) : `. 5 Lakhs
Gold (5 delegates free) : `. 3 Lakhs
Silver (2 delegates free) : `. 2 Lakhs
To promote industry - research academic interaction, a technical exhibition focusing the theme Professional engineers: Challenges in
disaster management is planned at the conference venue. For exhibition, the organizing committee will provide stalls of size 8
I
x 8
I
with
necessary facilities for display of the commercial products/services. Exhibition fee for overseas organization is USD 500 and for Indian
organization is INR 25,000/- per stall.
Advertisements (A4 210mmx297 mm):
Front inside Colour: Rs. 35,000/- Full page Colour: `. 20,000/-
Back inside Colour: Rs. 25,000/- Half Page Colour: `. 15,000/-
Back Title Colour: Rs. 50,000/-
Address for Correspondence: The Convener, ICPECDM14, Dept. of Civil Engineering, GIT, GU,
Phone No: +91-9848132963, 9885196088 Email: convenericpecdm@gitam.edu
About GITAM University
Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, Known as GITAM
University, established u/s 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, is one of India's
leading Universities having 34 years of track record in teaching and
research of global standards. The University is located in three
picturesque campuses at Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad and
Bengaluru. With a multi disciplinary approach, the University offers
118 Programs at UG, PG and Doctoral levels in Technology,
Science, Pharmacy, Management, International Business,
Architecture and Law.
Over the last 34 years of its existence, GITAM has become one of the most sought-after centres of higher
education in the country. It has steadily evolved into a world class university recognized for the experiential
learning it offers, the competent and compassionate faculty, the stellar research laboratories, academic vibrancy
and cosmopolitan culture. Recognizing the holistic education the University is imparting, the Ministry of Human
Resource Development, Govt. of India ranked GITAM as A category University among the universities of its
kind. The university is accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with A
Grade. The University Grants Commission granted 12 B status to the University which helped to strengthen the
research activities in the departments. The institute of Technology, GITAM University was selected under the
World Bank Assisted Technical Education Quality Improvement Program of India (TEQIP-II).
About Department of Civil Engineering
Founded in 1980, the department of Civil Engineering, houses state of the art laboratories and is a home for
students and scholars. Over the past 34 years, with the active participation of dedicated and committed faculty,
the department produced some of the stalwarts in the field and emerged as one of the most reputed civil
engineering departments in the country.
The programmes offer include one undergraduate, one professionally oriented masters degree in Structural
Engineering and Natural Disaster Management and more research oriented doctoral degrees. Department
faculty have been working in the thrust areas of research which include Concrete Exposed to Elevated
Temperatures, Health monitoring of Structures, Bulk utilization of FlyAsh in Roads & Embankments and
Dam-Breach Flood Routing through River System. During the past three years, faculty in Civil Engineering
Department at GITAM University undertook many funded research projects from Ministry of Human Resource
Development, Department of Science and Technology & University Grants Commission. The faculty have published
more than 58 papers in various reputed national and international journals and 45 papers in various seminars /
conferences in the last year. The Department has six laboratories, all of which have been substantially refurbished
within past few years. These compliment the supercomputing facility provided by the university and provide a
very supportive environment for research and study. In the past 5 years, the department offered more than 100
consultancy projects for various agencies which include state, central and local governmental agencies.
About Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam (Vizag) is one of the fastest growing cities of Asia, located on the east coast of India and
flanked by long golden beaches of Bay of Bengal. The city has been a potential educational, industrial,
commercial, tourist and cultural center. It is the head quarters of nations Eastern Naval Command. Major
public and private industries like Steel Plant, BHPV, Hindustan Zinc Limited, HPCL etc., are located. Indira
Gandhi Zoological Park, Kailasagiri hills, R.K. Beach, Rushikonda Beach, Yerada Beach, Red hills and Bhimili
beach in and around the city are the places of tourist attraction. The famous historical temple of Sri Varaha
Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is located on the hills of Simhachalam. Araku Valley and nearby Borra Caves are
attractions for unmolested flora, waterfalls, gardens, plantation and tribal culture. Visakhapatnam, the city of
destiny is well connected by air, rail and road to all major cities of India.
Organized by
Department of Civil Engineering
GITAM Institute of Technology
GITAM University, Visakhapatnam 530 045, India
website: www. gitam.edu