The purpose of this Educational Tour was to create awareness amongst the students about road construction technique and irrigation system.

19th February, 2016 : Camp 1 (Ready Mix Plant & Hot Mix Plant at Barla, Muzaffarnagar)

On the 1st day students visited RMC & Hot Mix Plant in Barla, Muzaffarnagar, where they were welcomed by Mr. Jitendra Saini, Officer-Personnel & Administration and Mr. Ravi Shankar, Senior Manager Quality. Mr. Shankar explained about all constituents, their quantity and methodology adopted while designing a ready mix concrete. Students came to know about the actual working of RMC Plant at the site. Students were also informed about limitation of the Plant for higher strength concrete and silica flume mixing effect on workability.

After RMC plant visit, students visited Hot Mix Plant, where they were explained about the role of Bitumen Aggregate Mixing Plant in pavement construction of road. Various layers of payment, their bituminous and aggregate proportion were also explained. Marshall and Modified Marshall Method for mix design concept was explained in detail, which are known method of flexible pavement design. Bitumen mastic surface and their role to prevent skid at rotatory intersection were covered to explain its importance in the pavement.

19th February, 2016 : Camp 2 (Ganga Canal Bridge & Sonali Bridge, Roorkee)

After visiting Camp 1, students visited Ganga Canal Bridge & Sonali Bridge, where they were welcomed by Mr. Sandeep Sharma, Structural Engineer. He explained difference between bridges according to span and also difference between culvert and bridge. He also explained components of well foundation, bearing functioning, pier, pier cap and abutment. Detailed procedure of well foundation construction, sinking and tilting problem of well foundation were effectively illustrated by fully and under construction well foundation. He also accompanied the students to a steel girder bridge where they got some practical know - how of the bracing, gusset plate, weep hole and combined retaining and abutment use in the bridge.

19th February, 2016 : Camp 3 (ERA Infratech, Head Office, Haridwar)

After camp 2, students visited ERA Construction’s well managed Quality Lab at Hardiwar, where students were welcomed by Mr. Neelkant Sharma, V.P. and Mr. B.B. Singh, DGM. They guided the students to Quality Lab and explained them various tests related to road construction such as Los Abrasion Test, Impact Test, Mechanical Sieving, Bitumen Test Flow etc. He also performed CBR Stability Test in front of students in lab. There the students came to know working of Ductility Test of Bitumen.

20th February, 2016 : Camp 4 (Roorkee Irrigation Department-India’s 1st aqueduct over the Solani River, Roorkee)

On Day 2, students visited Irrigation Department and location of India’s first aqueduct, which is constructed over the Solani River near Roorkee. Mr. Inderjeet Singh Yadav, Quality Lab Operator welcomed students at site who explained the history, issues related to aqueduct, Canal Irrigation System, concepts, advantages and economics of lining of irrigation channel. Students were then introduced to counterfort retaining wall, toe wall and free opening allowed for Ram Ganga.

The tour was a unique experience as it offered the students a deeper insight into the rapidly developing survey and road construction techniques. Students also got the chance to know about the functioning of the canal and different irrigation and diversion techniques. It also facilitated the students to understand the problems associated with road construction i.e. local interference, location limitations and accessibility.