Department of Civil Engineering

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Author: search.filters.author.Mittal, Ravi KantHas files: No

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    Floating solar photovoltaic (FSPV) installations at varying heights: evaporation reduction estimation for major dams of the tropical region of Uttar Pradesh, India
    (IOP, 2025) Singh, Ajit Pratap; Jha, Shibani Khanra; Mittal, Ravi Kant
    Any tropical region is well known for its high levels of sunshine and is suitable for PV installations with the associated disadvantage of high evaporation rates. FSPV is an alternate approach for solar PV installations in such regions to harness maximum solar energy with the additional advantage of reducing evaporation from water bodies. The study on estimating the reduction in evaporation due to FSPV installations and associated panel height above the water surface is limited. This study aims to quantify the reduction in evaporation resulting from the deployment of floating solar photovoltaic (FSPV) systems above water surfaces. It also determines the panel height above water bodies to maximize evaporation reduction. These findings are then extended to evaluate the impact of FSPV installations on reducing evaporation over the major dams in the tropical region of Uttar Pradesh, India. The experimental results highlighted that the maximum evaporation reduction occurred from the water surface covered with a panel at a height of 300 mm above the water with an evaporation reduction of 23.44 %. The extrapolation of the study for 28 major dams of Uttar Pradesh, reveals an annual water saving of 92.56 million cubic meters (MCM) with FSPV coverage of 25%. Based on estimations, a 1 MWp FSPV installation considerable amount of water annually can fetch water for 67 individuals in a tropical region, assuming 100 lpcd. These research outcomes would provide valuable insights into FSPV technology and its potential to mitigate water evaporation, with implications for regional and national water and energy resource management policies.
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    Economical design of rectangular footing subjected to uplift due to biaxial moments
    (Springer, 2025-03) Mittal, Ravi Kant; Jha, Shibani Khanra
    The superstructural load of the building is transferred to the ground through footing. The Footings are typically subjected to axial loads and biaxial moments. When moments are large it is uneconomical to design footings for full contact area of footing. Therefore, various codes permit uplifting of foundations. Solutions of footings subjected to biaxial moments during uplift are complex and time-consuming. Also, several algorithms are needed to achieve the desired results. This paper proposes a simplified solution to optimize footings under uplift subjected to biaxial moments. The footing with biaxial moments is categorised into different zones based on the location of neutral axis and position of eccentricity of the load. The approach described in this study utilizes the functions of the Excel solver while adding the necessary constraints to determine the minimal size of the rectangular footing. Further, the maximum pressures for different zones were estimated, and optimisation was carried out with the appropriate constraints for each zone separately. The values obtained by this approach were compared with those in the literature, and percentage decrease in the footing area was observed from 1.1 to 15.7%.
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    Influence of Grade of Concrete and Lining Thickness on Blast Response of Tunnels
    (Springer, 2024-05) Mittal, Ravi Kant
    This study investigates the dynamic response of RC lined rectangular tunnel in soil subjected to internal blast load. For this purpose, a three-dimensional non-linear finite element model comprising of tunnel lining, reinforcement, and soil is analyzed in Abaqus/Explicit. The behaviors of soil, concrete, and steel are simulated using Drucker-Prager plasticity, concrete damaged plasticity, and Johnson–Cook (J-C) plasticity models, respectively. The effect of various grades of concrete (C30, C40, and C50) and lining thickness (300 mm, 400 mm, and 500 mm) on the dynamic response of the tunnel structure and the surrounding soil is investigated. It is observed from the results that deformations of tunnel lining increase with a decrease in the grade of concrete and decrease with an increase in lining thickness. The results suggest it is advantageous to increase the thickness of the liner for a certain grade of concrete, rather than increasing the grade of concrete for the same liner thickness for better blast response. The vulnerability of the tunnel liner is high at the roof-sidewall junction suggesting the need for better reinforcement detailing.
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    Experimental Studies and Analysis for Performance Assessment of Floating Solar Photovoltaic Systems
    (IOP, 2024) Mittal, Ravi Kant; Jha, Shibani Khanra; Singh, Ajit Pratap; Soni, Manoj Kumar
    The Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) systems are expected to perform relatively at a higher efficiency level as compared to ground mounted PV systems. The major factor affecting the operating efficiency of a solar panel is the operating temperature of the PV panel which is relatively lower as compared to ground mounted PV system. To accomplish this, an experiment setup of FSPV system has been developed which consists of solar panels operating at different heights above water surface. The findings indicate that FSPV modules can reduce the module temperature by up to 4°C – 7°C. The performance of FSPV has been analysed under diurnal conditions. The performance has been assessed in terms of power output by utilising module parameters. The results highlight the power output from solar panel under varying heights help to optimize the operating heights of the solar panels over the water bodies to achieve maximum power output. Therefore, it is also advised for FSPV to raise the PV modules to their optimal height. The FSPV systems at 500 mm height provided 1.8-3.78% higher power output than ground mounted PV systems, maximum of all the panels above water.
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    Predictive Modeling of Solar PV Panel Operating Temperature over Water Bodies: Comparative Performance Analysis with Ground-Mounted Installations
    (MDPI, 2024-05) Jha, Shibani Khanra; Mittal, Ravi Kant; Singh, Ajit Pratap; Soni, Manoj Kumar
    Solar panel efficiency is significantly influenced by its operating temperature. Recent advancements in emerging renewable energy alternatives have enabled photovoltaic (PV) module installation over water bodies, leveraging their increased efficiency and associated benefits. This paper examines the operational performance of solar panels placed over water bodies, comparing them to ground-mounted solar PV installations. Regression models for panel temperature are developed based on experimental setups at BITS Pilani, India. Developed regression models, including linear, quadratic, and exponential, are utilized to predict the operating temperature of solar PV installations above water bodies. These models incorporated parameters such as ambient temperature, solar insolation, wind velocity, water temperature, and humidity. Among these, the one-degree regression models with three parameters outperformed the models with four or five parameters with a prediction error of 5.5 °C. Notably, the study found that the annual energy output estimates from the best model had an error margin of less than 0.2% compared to recorded data. Research indicates that solar PV panels over water bodies produce approximately 2.59% more annual energy output than ground-mounted systems. The newly developed regression models provide a predictive tool for estimating the operating temperature of solar PV installations above water bodies, using only three meteorological parameters: ambient temperature, solar insolation, and wind velocity, for accurate temperature prediction.
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    A Brief Review of Structural Aspects of IS 16700:2017
    (Springer, 2020) Muthukumar, G .; Mittal, Ravi Kant
    Rapidly increasing urbanisation and subsequently ascending shortage of land in the urban areas has pushed the design engineers to switch to the utilisation of the vertical spaces in the form of high-rise buildings and reduce the horizontally vast design popular in the previous era. However, this step not only enhances the criticality of the design processes but also increases our dependency on design codes. Talking specifically about India, the dependency of Indian design community was majorly on international codes due to the non-availability of a design code for tall buildings. It also gave rise to a wide gap in the design community about different provisions. However, recently Bureau of Indian Standards has launched First Tall Building Code of India, IS 16700:2017 “Criteria of Structural Safety of Tall Concrete Buildings.” Despite a good effort of bringing the Indian design community at the same base scale, this code still lacks in a clear depiction of certain aspects. It is also felt that commentary of this code may be provided in a similar fashion as of ASCE 07:2016, ACI 318:2014 to facilitate the adoption of the code. As a first step to it, this study is mainly aimed towards understanding some of the critical structural aspects of the code so as to develop a better understanding in practitioners and design engineers about it. Moreover, some critical clauses are also highlighted through a comparison of the same with various existing international standards.
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    Assessment of floating solar PV (FSPV) potential and water conservation: Case study on Rajghat Dam in Uttar Pradesh, India
    (Elsevier, 2022-02) Jha, Shibani K; Mittal, Ravi Kant
    Widely acceptable Photovoltaic (PV) technology faces the challenge of substantial land requirement. However, emerging PV technology over water bodies through floating solar panels can resolve this challenge and additionally leads to operation of the panels at low temperature, improving the energy generation efficiency and insulating water bodies to account for reduction in evaporation loss. In this work, simulation tasks are performed to assess the technical potential of floating photovoltaic power generation and discusses the sustainable system of floating solar PV technology in terms of prospective PV potential, conservation of water and potential to conserve agriculture land bank. The study estimates, power potential of 6513 MWp for 25% coverage of total submergence area at Rajghat dam located in the Southern part of Uttar Pradesh, India, and annual power generation of 10,623,501 MWh. The study also reports annual evaporation loss reduction of 1395 cubic meter per MWp (or 0.9 l per kWh) as an additional benefit. In terms of economic assessment, the Levelized cost of energy (LCOE) is reported as $ 0.036/kWh (INR 2.61/kWh) with 8.55% internal rate of return (IRR), a very encouraging parameter for large scale deployment of FSPV plants. Based on the findings, the study recommends FSPV installation in water reservoirs, justified by considerable savings in water evaporation losses and avoiding use of cultivable land for solar PV Installation purpose.
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    Effect of Soil Heterogeneity on Soil–Structure Interaction
    (Springer, 2018-06-10) Mittal, Ravi Kant
    Soil–structure interaction due to its significant effect on the response of the structure had already gained importance and therefore been incorporated in the Indian seismic code IS 1893-Part 4:2005. Since the advent of soil–structure interaction, continuous researches have been done on this topic and hence the concepts kept on modifying for more realistic results. The existing literature has already shown some of the critical parameters that are missing in Indian seismic code. Still, there is research gap in this area as some of the other important parameters too need to be included. Due to lack of proper geotechnical reports before the start of construction, thereby the misinterpretation of soil properties by the designer increases the susceptibility of the structure to failure in spite of including the code-specified effects such as soil–structure interaction. Critical situation occurs when the soft layer is underlying a hard stratum which the designers may misinterpret as the hard layer to the full depth due to improper geotechnical reports. Also, there is not any guideline in Indian seismic code to direct the designers to deal with the heterogeneous soil condition. In this research, a parametric study is carried out on a 150 m tall RCC chimney considering the effect on structural response of it by incorporating the effect of different conditions of layered soil mass.
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    Experimental Study on Waste Tire Chips-Reinforced Sand Using Cyclic Plate Load Test
    (Springer, 2021-07-28) Mittal, Ravi Kant
    The scarcity in availability of suitable land and the associated huge costs for construction of deep and large foundations supporting tall superstructures have compelled engineers across the globe to resort to numerous ground improvement techniques to improve the subsoil properties. With the emphasis on sustainable construction practices and waste management techniques gaining attention worldwide, research towards the same to alleviate engineering problems has witnessed a surge. Therefore, the use of industrial, common and construction wastes for enhancement of structural properties in fresh construction is being studied widely. Similarly, utilizing shredded waste tire chips as reinforcement in soil has shown promising results. In the present study, cyclic model footing load tests are performed on square footing supported by a sand bed reinforced with randomly distributed waste tire chips in a square tank. Various intensities of cyclic loads (loading, unloading, and reloading) are applied on the model footing and subsequently, the elastic rebound of the footing corresponding to each intensity of loading and the pattern of variation of the coefficient of elastic uniform compression (Cu) of reinforced sand are assessed. The influence of different percentages of tire chips (5–40%) is analyzed by randomly mixing them in the soil medium at 70% equivalent relative density for a depth of up to the width of the footing. The results indicate that tire chip addition can significantly improve the bearing capacity as well as the coefficient of elastic uniform compression and this improvement can further be enhanced on an increase in the percentage of reinforcement (improvement of up to 50% is observed).
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    Response Spectrum Modal Analysis of Buildings using Spreadsheets
    (IJMER, 2012) Mittal, Ravi Kant
    Seismic analysis of any structure is now mandatory requirement for design of structures. These analyses are very time consuming and tedious. Problem is to be analyzed as per country code only (e.g. IS 1893-2002 for India) in which building is situated. An attempt has been made to make these analyses simple using spread sheets.Spread sheet has been prepared for analysis of structure by response spectrum analysis using SRSS method and CQC method.