A Very 'Civil' Engineer: IISc Professor Madhavi Latha Spent 17 Years Building Chenab Bridge
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Professor Latha's team adopted a 'design-as-you-go' philosophy, continuously adapting and innovating in real time
Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, the Chenab Bridge, a remarkable feat of Indian engineering, stands as the world's highest such arch bridge. While the project's success is attributable to many, a significant contribution to its structural integrity and stability is from Professor G Madhavi Latha from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Her expertise in rock engineering proved indispensable over 17 years of dedicated involvement.
Dr Madhavi Latha, a distinguished geotechnical and rock engineering specialist from IISc's civil engineering department, was specifically enlisted by Northern Railways and the project contractor, Afcons Infrastructure, to address the exceptionally challenging terrain. The bridge spans a deep gorge in the seismically active and geologically complex Himalayan region, where steep slopes, varied rock conditions, and high wind speeds presented formidable obstacles.
Dr Latha's primary role was to consult on slope stabilisation and bridge foundation design. Constructing the bridge's massive arch abutments and piers on the steep, often unstable, rock slopes posed immense challenges. During excavation, engineers frequently encountered unforeseen geological conditions, such as fractured rocks, hidden cavities, and varying rock properties, not apparent during initial surveys.
Professor Latha's team adopted a 'design-as-you-go" philosophy, continuously adapting and innovating in real time. This involved complex calculations and design modifications to accommodate the actual rock mass conditions encountered during excavation. Her contributions included advising on techniques like cement grouting (injecting cement into rock joints for reinforcement) and the precise design and placement of rock anchors to enhance stability.
These measures ensured the foundations could withstand extreme conditions, including high wind forces and seismic activity. The cumulative length of rock anchors used, tens of thousands of metres, testifies to the scale of the challenge.
Madhavi Latha's 17-year commitment, from the planning stages in 2005 through the completion of trials in 2022, was crucial in overcoming the unique geotechnical challenges posed by the project's location. Her work ensured that the Chenab Bridge is not only the world's highest but also robust enough to withstand the harsh Himalayan environment for an estimated 120 years.
(With agency inputs)
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