Joining Central Water Engineering Services:
Joining the Central Water Engineering Services during the National Emergency, declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, marked the start of a journey brimming with enthusiasm and aspirations. At 23, I assumed the role of a Class I gazetted officer in the Central Water Commission, taking the oath of allegiance to the Constitution in the Under Secretary’s cramped office. My initial assignment placed me at a prestigious Soil and Materials research facility, a key component of the Central Water Commission during that era.
During this period, my passion for Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering flourished as I pursued a part-time master’s degree at the Regional Engineering College, Kurukshetra. Concurrently, I planned to further my education at IIT Delhi, leveraging credits earned during my two-year stint as a faculty member at Kurukshetra.
The Soil Testing Laboratory:
I reported to the Branch Officer of the research facility who occupied the most decorated room due to administrative authority. In that era of the Central Water Commission, the initiation and training of new recruits were deemed wasteful, contrasting with liberal time wastage in other areas. My Deputy Director greeted me with bureaucratic formality, perched on a bouncing steel frame chair, reminiscing the Sholay dialogue, “Hum Angrez ke Zamane ke Jailor hain” (I am a jailor from the British Era). He introduced me to a senior colleague and delegated the task of familiarizing me with the surroundings. Settling at my designated seat, strategically positioned around 300 feet from the Soil Testing Laboratory I was assigned to oversee, the first day passed without incident. However, on the following day, my boss sent me an extensive Project Report, accompanied by a note soliciting my comments on the adequacy of Geotechnical Investigations and Lab testing of Soil for its engineering properties in a major river valley project under construction.
I wondered how, with just one day of service, I could be deemed expert enough to comment on such a critical matter. Nevertheless, I embraced the challenge, drawing upon the theoretical knowledge gained during my part-time postgraduate studies in Soil and Foundation Engineering, which I had to interrupt to take up this position. I prepared a note containing my observations and sent it through an office boy to my boss, adhering to the conventional approach in Government Offices.
Within ten minutes, I received a call from my boss, his chair bouncing more vigorously and its amplitude indicating the height of his temper. I learned that I was expected to present the note myself to him. This was followed by a thorough review of my draft observations without a meticulous examination of the basic report without caring for the possibility of my overlooking some important technical aspect. I quickly grasped that, as a standard practice, the junior-most person was expected to handle the foundational thinking and writing, akin to the noting process in a bureaucratic government office.
The Kandla Port Adventure:
Months later, I was assigned to join a team for a crucial project at Kandla Port, spearheaded by our Director. The focus was on Marine Clays, renowned for their delicate structure. The mission primarily entailed in-situ testing using sophisticated Norwegian equipment and obtaining marine clay samples through seamless samplers using stationary piston tube sampling. These sample tubes were meticulously waxed on both sides to preserve moisture and the sample was retrieved by vertically cutting open the sampler to maintain its undisturbed status. In the subsequent triaxial strength testing the Norwegian Triaxial Testing equipment with a rotating bush was used to minimize errors caused by loading ram friction. Undoubtedly, the assignment demanded a high level of specialization.
Muscle Power of Fishermen:
Upon reaching the cyclone-battered Kandla Port, we settled in a modest quarter, quite different from the expected government guest house comfort. Despite the unconventional lodging, I adapted swiftly. However, ten days into the assignment, work at the site came to a halt due to a delayed winch required to transport an oversized auger filled with material for auguring. Frustrated by the delay, the authority’s representative ordered manual auguring using a pulley and hoist, relying on ten men to pull out the auger with the augured material. The operation hit a roadblock around 10 meters deep, challenging the combined efforts of ten men and our workforce.
As we contemplated the next steps, six fishermen, accustomed to the strength required in manoeuvring sails at sea, appeared. Enticed by a bet for a tea party, they swiftly extracted the auger. In gratitude, we hosted the promised tea party.
Having collected the necessary samples, securely waxed on both sides for moisture preservation, we returned to Delhi.
The Ego Clash and Compromises:
Upon my return, my boss embarked on a brief foreign assignment to Burma to collect samples of peaty clay deposits in the foundation blocks of a dam under construction. A dispute arose upon his return, pitting the institution’s Director against him on whether to prioritize testing the marine clay samples or the peaty clay deposits from the Burma project.
In my observation, there was no need for conflict, as simultaneous testing was feasible. The peat deposits required direct shear testing, focusing on minimum strength along laminations, while the marine clay demanded triaxial load testing using Norwegian equipment. However, the disagreement seemed more rooted in ego, and I opted not to get caught between two conflicting forces.
Ultimately, the peaty deposits were tested first, followed by the marine clays, albeit not without compromising the in-situ conditions.
March Budget Surrender Syndrome:
March Budget Surrender Syndrome The surrender of unutilized funds by March 31st posed a significant challenge for the lab. To avoid scrutiny, suppliers often delivered equipment just before the deadline, expecting the usual ritualistic approval. However, I approached the situation differently.
About a week before March 31st, I received about 100 seamless undisturbed piston tube sampling tubes from a supplier favoured by the Director. To check outer diameter, I asked the research station’s workshop to create a ring with an internal diameter precisely fitting the tube and for internal diameter, I used the piston to check the seamless functionality of the sampling tube. Around 80 samplers failed the test and were sent back to the supplier for rectification. But another challenge was coming.
Two days before the deadline, I arrived at the office to discover a flurry of activity in my lab. Three sets of new Triaxial Soil testing equipment had arrived, and I was tasked with inspecting and submitting a report within a day to process payment before the March 31 deadline. A standard pressure gauge to check the calibration of the pneumatic pressure gauges was not available. I devised a solution. Connecting the three pressure gauges in series, I found, contrary to expectations, that the later gauges displayed higher pressure without any external influence. This discovery prompted a note explicitly stating that additional equipment was welcome, but not ‘junk’.
My boss endorsed these observations, and they reached the Director, who called me in and asked, “What have you written, son?” With audacity, I replied, “Sir, I apologize for stating the truth bluntly, but I wish to maintain it on file.” The subsequent events remain unknown to me, but the equipment did not return to my lab.
Trusses with Welded Steel segments:
One day, my boss tasked me with examining the suitability of a steel truss for plate load testing, a request unusual for our division. Intrigued, I received the specifications and learned that the truss from the supplier didn’t match the designated design. Now I was told to assess whether the truss, constructed with different channel sections, was equivalent or superior to the specified one.
Before diving into the intricate task of redesigning the steel truss, I deemed it wise to investigate the possibility of it being a rejected piece. Upon closer inspection, the workmanship of welded joints appeared excellent. However, my curiosity led me to scrutinize each member individually. To my surprise, I discovered that some members of the truss were crafted by joining pieces of the channel with the same section, skillfully welded by an expert. I marked these sections separately and promptly called my boss and showed him. I couldn’t help but feel grateful to the Almighty for uncovering this anomaly.
Our Director Sir
During a gathering of young officers, the Director of the Research Facility attempted to captivate us with his knowledge and dedication to the profession. As he delved into technical details, the atmosphere grew somewhat monotonous. Sensing the need for a change, he decided to share a personal anecdote. He began, “Back when I was in the US, and at Harvard no less, my professor selected me to assist in a consultancy project for a steel bridge experiencing excessive vibrations. Now, do any of you comprehend how complex this problem is? Can anyone suggest an approach to solving it?”
Without hesitation, I responded, “Sir, I believe the solution lies in increasing the weight of the bridge.” The Director, taken aback, inquired about my reasoning. I explained that the heightened vibrations could stem from resonance with the natural frequency of the structure, induced by vehicle movements. Given that reducing the bridge’s weight might pose structural risks, the only viable option was to increase its weight. The Director, somewhat surprised, promptly concluded the meeting.
Conclusion
In reflection, my early career of two years as a geotechnical engineer has been an adventurous journey, brimming with challenges and a valuable learning experience. I changed my specialization to Hydrology and Water Resources but learnt indelible lessons of life in the material testing facility.
Inspire Positivity 