The School of Infrastructure at IIT Bhubaneswar, in partnership with the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), successfully conducted a groundbreaking one-day International Workshop on Structural Instability Analysis of Thin-Walled Steel Structures Under Fire-Induced Thermo-Mechanical Loading on September 17, 2025. This prestigious event, supported by the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) under India’s Ministry of Education, focused specifically on fire safety in steel and composite structures.
Leading Experts Gather for Fire Safety Innovation
The workshop assembled distinguished fire safety experts, government officials, industry professionals, and students from across India and internationally. This collaborative platform facilitated crucial discussions on contemporary challenges and breakthrough advancements in fire-resistant structural design methodologies.
Dr. Kamal Lochan Mishra (IAS), Executive Director of OSDMA, served as the Chief Guest, delivering an inspiring address that highlighted the critical importance of integrating cutting-edge academic research with practical disaster management strategies. He emphasized how technical expertise directly contributes to enhanced community safety and disaster resilience across Odisha.
World Trade Center Expert Shares Critical Insights
Prof. Venkatesh Kodur, Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, USA, delivered the workshop’s keynote presentations. His unique perspective, drawn from his role as an expert investigator in the World Trade Center collapse analysis following the September 11 attacks, provided attendees with invaluable insights into structural stability behavior under extreme fire conditions.
Professor Kodur’s presentations covered advanced fire-resistant design methodologies, innovative composite construction techniques for enhanced fire resistance, and emerging trends in structural fire engineering. He also facilitated a comprehensive panel discussion exploring future research directions in fire safety engineering.
Distinguished Faculty Present Cutting-Edge Research
The workshop featured presentations from renowned academic experts specializing in fire safety engineering. Prof. Gaurav Srivastava from IIT Gandhinagar discussed innovative approaches to fire-resistant structural design, while Prof. M.Z. Naser from Clemson University, USA, presented groundbreaking research on machine learning applications in predicting structural fire response.
Dr. Anil Agarwal from IIT Hyderabad contributed valuable insights on designing robust composite connections specifically engineered for superior fire performance. These presentations collectively addressed critical gaps in current fire safety design practices.
Strong Industry and Government Participation
The event witnessed active participation from key stakeholders including OSDMA, Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO), Public Works Department (PWD) Odisha, RITES, and AIMIL Limited. This diverse representation ensured practical industry perspectives complemented academic research findings.
Faculty members, researchers, and students from both IIT Bhubaneswar and OUTR Bhubaneswar actively engaged in technical discussions, fostering knowledge exchange between academic institutions and industry practitioners.
Focus on Material Degradation and Design Guidelines
Workshop discussions concentrated on critical aspects of fire safety engineering, including material strength degradation under high-temperature conditions, structural stability challenges during fire events, and development of research-based design guidelines for improved fire resilience.
Participants explored innovative solutions for addressing thin-walled steel structure vulnerabilities, examining how fire-induced thermo-mechanical loading affects structural integrity and exploring preventive design strategies.
Advancing Fire Safety Engineering in India
The valedictory session recognized significant contributions from all participating experts and attendees, establishing this workshop as a milestone achievement in strengthening fire safety engineering capabilities and disaster preparedness frameworks across India.
This collaborative initiative between IIT Bhubaneswar and OSDMA represents a crucial step forward in developing comprehensive fire safety protocols for steel and composite structures, ultimately contributing to safer construction practices and enhanced public safety.
The workshop’s success demonstrates the importance of continuous academic-industry collaboration in addressing complex engineering challenges and advancing fire safety research methodologies for contemporary infrastructure development.
Future Initiatives and Long-term Impact
Building on the workshop’s outcomes, IIT Bhubaneswar and OSDMA plan to establish ongoing research partnerships focused on developing indigenous fire safety solutions tailored to Indian construction practices. The knowledge exchange initiated during this event will likely influence future building codes, safety regulations, and professional training programs across the region. This collaborative framework sets the stage for more comprehensive fire safety initiatives that could significantly impact infrastructure development and public safety standards in Odisha and beyond.
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