ENGINEERING GEOPHYSICS-MANPOWER

PROFILE

Dr. Jha obtained his Post-graduate (1987) and Doctorate degree (1992) in Applied Geophysics from Indian School of Mines (Now IIT), Dhanbad. He joined NIRM in April 1990. From 1990-96, he was working in the field of Mining-induced-seismicity (MIS) at the seismology division of this Institute. He was visiting faculty for PG courses in Geology of Bangalore University (KGF centre) for two years during 1992-93. He is credited with establishing the Engineering Geophysics Department at NIRM in 1996, first of its kind in India at that time. Since then, he is heading this division and steering its activities. He has authored over 60 papers, edited and published two conference proceedings (National & International) and completed over 120 research and industry sponsored projects as project leader and principal investigator, including S&T project of Ministry of Coal and International Institutional Collaboration Project with NGI, Norway. He has guided for five doctoral thesis work (Ph.D.s) from IITs, ISM, NIT and BHU. He brought Step Frequency variant of GPR to India in 1996, sole of its kind in the country till date. Since then he has established its commercial applications in many innovative ways both with acquisition and processing of GPR data including guided profiling from single borehole, Frequency Domain Attenuation Tomography (FDAT), 3D-tomography and tomography across non-parallel boreholes. His areas of specialisation include amongst others microseismic monitoring for dynamic stability evaluation, defect mapping and characterization, foundation evaluation for building and structures, stability analysis, subsidence studies, vibration data analysis for damage indices - both active and passive (fatigue) and forensic investigations for critical failures.

He is life member of several professional bodies and scientific societies in the field of Geophysics, Geology, Seismology, IT, NDT and Rock Mechanics. Earlier, he was a member of BIS committee on setting Indian Standards for Geophysical Investigations for river valley projects.

Prior to joining NIRM, he had worked as Administrative Officer in GIC for two years (1988-1990) and later he was heading the Administration & Establishment at NIRM for nine years (1999-2008) as additional assignment of Controller of Administration.

PROFILE

Dr. Sandeep Nelliat, a Geophysicist by education, completed his MSc(Tech) degree from Cochin University of Science & Technology, Kerala and obtained his doctorate from Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad. Dr. Sandeep joined the Engineering Geophysics Department of NIRM in the year 1999 and is presently placed as Scientist-III. In over 17 years of his allegiance to Near Surface Geophysics, he contributed to R&D by successfully completing more than 120 sponsored projects. His studies are mainly related to site characterization by rock mass classification, ground stability and structural integrity analysis, evaluation of rock mass (in-situ) for underground caverns, tunnels, mines, foundation of dams, metro rail and other rock engineering sites. He acquired expertise in geophysical tomography and high resolution surface & borehole investigations for complex geology and urban environment. He has authored over 30 research papers in journals and conferences and has delivered lectures to practicing engineers as part of manpower training programmes. He has visited Norway and Bhutan and has affiliation to several professional bodies like SEG, ISRM, ISEG, AEG, IGU, MGMI, ISRMTT etc.

PROFILE

Dr.ButchiBabu B. is a Geophysicist, completed his MSc (Tech.,) from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam in 2005. He joined as Scientist-I in 2010 and currently working as Scientist-II in Engineering Geophysics Department. Prior to joining, worked as CSIR-Senior Research Fellow at National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad and has experience in High resolution Aeromagnetic, Electromagnetic and Radiometric data Acquisition, Processing and Interpretation. At NIRM, He contributed to solve many engineering problems in civil, mining and hydroelectric projects by using surface and borehole geophysical techniques. He got experience in high resolution borehole tomography using seismic and GPR techniques. He is the key investigator for the industry sponsored and R&D projects and published more than 15 research papers in International/National journals and conferences. He has visited Belgium, Bhutan and has affiliation to several professional bodies like SEG, SPG, ISRM, ISEG, AEG, IGU, MGMI, ISRMTT etc.

PROFILE

After obtaining Post-Diploma (1990) from Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad Mr. Sivaram is associated with all the key activities of this group since 1998. From 1990-98, he was associated with Electronics Instrumentation department and involved in Design, Fabrication and Installation of Seismic/Micro-Seismic Networks. Got patent for Roof Stability Tester developed for Coal mines under S & T project GOI. Has been working for longer than 25 years in Shallow Geophysical investigations He is responsible for acquisition of seismic refraction/tomography (both P & S) survey, GPR profiling/reflection, Resistivity sounding and profiling data. Developed battery operated GPR for coal mines under Collaboration Project with NGI, Norway (INPIC). Also for upkeep and maintenance of all equipment of the EG dept. Completed over 120 research and industry sponsored projects as a co-investigator, including S&T project of Ministry of Coal and Mines and also contributed more than 30 technical papers as a Co-author

PROFILE

Dr. Goverdhan Kantepudi obtained his post-graduate degree in Geophysics also awarded doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) from Osmania University (OU), Hyderabad. He started up a scientific career at CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI), Hyderabad. Dr. Goverdhan Kantepudi has made unique and sustained research contributions towards seismotectonic studies along east coast of India from Kakinada to Howrah Geotransect. This study will help in understanding the soil behavior during earthquakes near the major lineament and it will be useful for establishing the power plants, dams, irrigation lines, nuclear power projects in the vicinity of the seismogenic lineaments/faults along the coastal parts. Besides well cited research papers in leading journals; he has participated more than twenty national and international conferences/seminars/workshops; he has contributed significantly to the important R&D projects for the ministry of S&T, ministry of mines and various sponsored projects. He has expertise in the field of geophysical data acquisition, processing and interpretation using various Geophysical techniques such as 2D High Resolution Seismic Survey (HRSS) for coal/lignite exploration, Gravity, Magnetic, Geophysical logging and shallow seismic studies (MASW and Refraction) for depth to bed rock investigations, mineral exploration, site characterization studies towards microzonation, shear zone identifications & engineering projects. Overall more than ten years experience in the near surface geophysics. He has selected in ONGC merit scholarship during post graduation period from 2004 to 2006. He is also several memberships in earth science & rock mechanics related organizations.