Tales

Talking About Life’s Engineering Saga (TALES)’ is a segment that exclusively focuses on the top Structural Consultants across the globe sharing their engineering journey in their own words. We have – Soham Dey – sharing his deep knowledge with us…

An engineer with eleven years of experience who believes that experience makes you better is here to share his interesting journey with us…

Soham Dey, Engineering Manager, L&T Construction

INSPIRATION…

Beyond the intricate technical theories and mathematical formulas, I feel Civil Engineering is a much broader phenomenon. Perhaps it is the only field that provides one not only to serve one’s nation from the perspective of modernization and progress but also to lead humanity to enjoy greater civic amenities and comforts of life. Now, after Eleven years’ association with this branch of engineering, I realize persuading a career chosen field is the best option; not only to quench my technical passion but also to upgrade myself as a technically sound and comprehensive professional.

LEARNING CURVE FROM STUDENT TO PRO…

As far as my professional career is concerned, my journey began as a graduate engineer trainee in India’s leading Construction Company, Larsen & Toubro Limited. My Eleven years’ association with the farm of high repute has been quite enriching. My job mainly revolves around designing structures for Blast Furnace & other facilities.

My life at Larsen & Turbo has been full of challenges. Multitasking, working in a deadline-intensive environment, achieving the fixed target, and interacting with the client have metamorphosed me from an engineer to a professional. I still remember my first day at the office when my superior gave me a mechanical layout of the Conveyor gallery and asked me to design & release the General arrangement drawing in two weeks. I did not have much idea about that structure, but my team member helped me and guided me with the job. With their help and my technical knowledge, I completed my job within the stipulated time and managed to fulfil my superior’s expectations. This experience made me feel welcomed into the team. During these Eleven years of my work, I was involved in the Design of Steel Buildings, and RCC buildings for different projects supervised the documentation as per ISO guidelines & maintained documents for ready reference. Design of connection & checking detailed engineering drawings & reports, the Bar Bending Schedule, and estimating the number of materials & resources for the forecasting & procurement process had become a part of my daily job.

After proving myself as a design engineer I have been promoted to the rank of Senior Design Engineer & then Assistant Engineering Manager. Now my job revolves around taking a lead role

in designing & planning, here my primary responsibility is to assist my immediate superior to make reports and make informed decisions.

CHALLENGES…

“Bhilai Water System”, Phase II – Design & analysis of Filter Press Building

This is a Conjugate (Steel & Concrete) building Consisting of G+4 Floor & this is in the Seismic Zone 3 . Cable Cellar Floor, Panel Floor, Control floor, Equipment Floor & Conveyor Floor having different Floor Load. During Seismic analysis, it has taken more time for Torsional irregularities.

“Hindustan Zinc Ltd, Sindesar Khurd Mines (Sk Mine), Udaipur” Phase -III – Design & Analysis of Crusher House Shed & Electrical Building. Shed Portion One side full steel Structure & Other Portion Supported from Electrical building. Due to conjugation in nature, it has taken more time to determine the actual behavior of the structure in Seismic analysis.

USAGE OF PARALLEL FLANGE BEAMS…

JSPL has pioneered the production of medium and heavy hot rolled parallel flange beams and column sections in India. These sections are cost-effective through savings in steel consumption and provide ultimate design flexibility to the structural designers.

The industrial market in India is demanding as well as complex. The requirement of steel structures having larger spans along with heavy loads is gaining priority, to which the physical properties of Indian rolled steel sections are becoming deficient in terms of stiffness. It is observed that UC and UB sections are superior to Indian sections along with the reduction in section weight by nearly 10 percent.

CHANGE TO WITNESS…

I am always thinking about how to design for deconstruction or reuse (e.g. using bolted steel connections rather than welded) to encourage zero waste when the building reaches the end of its life. So, I want to more focus on the Exact design.

Zero Carbon Energy/Zero Waste: Use local materials on site, particularly reclaimed or recycled materials- For this, I want to improve the Supply Chain management so that we can give a better environment to the next generation.

AFFAIR WITH STEEL…

As a Structural engineer, without steel, we cannot think about the structure. Steel as a construction material is used all over the world.

BEST STEEL WORK…

NMDC SLURRY PIPELINE- 139 KM Long Slurry Pipeline – CHHATTISGARH. In this project, I have done the Agitator & Distribution box Supporting structure. In this Structure, all the Three Galleries are 35m Long & Centre Distribution box is there. Due to rotating equipment in the 20m Height with Low-frequency equipment, we have Provided a Proper Girder System, Plan Bracing & Control the frequency.

INTERNATIONAL PROJECT THAT STRIKES A CHORD…

“LSAW-Longitudinally Submerged Arc Welded Steel Pipes Mill Project, Abu-Dhabi” – Design of Main Process Building. This is a Shed building 300 m Long,56 m in Width & 20m in height. We have made it a Pre-engineered Building to reduce the Overall Steel Quantity of the building.

UPGRADING WITH CHANGING TIMES…

A structural engineer must have an analytical and mathematical mind, as well as expert problem-solving skills. Experience in leadership, management, and strong interpersonal communication is also essential. In this Changing time, I will be well informed about the latest research/trends & industry requirements, reading self-help books will help me to refresh my technical knowledge. I will attend different training programs, Seminars & Conferences so that I can interact with different experts & share my knowledge.

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