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[vikram.jeet]

UH VARYANI (1936 ) - RETIRED BUT STILL ACTIVE TO INSPIRE ENGINEERS
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Though UH Varyani Sir 's long journey as Structural engineer started from M/s Gulzar Singh Associates ,  he was destined to get International exposure and was selected for Training to West Germany  as Structural Designer  through , Govt of India. He worked with German engineers of Structures in a stay of about  one and half year in 1963 - 65.
Returned back to India in 1965 and rejoined  M/ Gulzar Singh and was posted at newly branch office , Calcutta where he was heading the design department from 1966 - 68 . But due to sudden demise of Er Gulzar Singh at age of 44 ,  UH Varyani not only lost his Mentor , but also became jobless due to closure of firm.

For a short while , he along with his colleagues formed a firm to take structural works ,and  his past credibility on  deliverables (Design work) helped the firm to seek jobs .  But soon UH Varyani got a job in NIDC , a  GOI Enterprise  and served there at senior position. Fortunes again favoured  him and was selected to Libya as  a Structural Expert  on  GOI Foreign Assignment ,  spending almost 10 years there .  His literary work on Technical aspects started in Libya .

On return from Libya , he was appointed by a leading  Architectural
firm  M/s Kothari & Associates  to head their Structural Design Department.  He was assiciated on many prestigious projects of firm  and retired from there.

UH Varyani Sir has shared his invaluable experience  in form of Four Books , Fourty papers and was associated with more than 2000 Structural Design Projects in his long career as Structural Designer. He is also an active member on this Structural engineering Forum.

The Practitioner of Structural Designs ,still inspire engineers and his books  enrich the Library of Designers / Consultants / Firms. His straightforwardness and very humble attitude  is examplary.

[vikram.jeet]

T N SUBBA RAO (1928 - 2008 )

Born in Architects's family , father was  renowned architect  , young Subba Rao had an  in - born passion for Structural Engineering and completed  B.E. from BMS College , Bangalore.

He joined M/s Gammon India Ltd as an Apprentice Engineer and started his illustrious career as Structural Design Engineer.  As a designer he always used to visit site to ensure his designs to be translated faithfully in construction execution. Extended stay at sites as designer,  gave him opportunity to study and improve construction practices , techniques and methods , and in return made him an outstanding Construction Engineer along with grassroot Designer .

Such was the dedication of Subba Rao , that caught eye of everyone in GIL due to his understanding of Structural  analysis and design alongwith Construction metrology,  that at age of 34 he was risen to the level of Director. His career in Gammon spanned over four decades and was MD for more than 15 yrs. He was founding Director of Gammon subsidiary Companies viz GILCON , Gammon Nirman Ltd , Gammon Turnkey Ltd and FPCC.

(to be  continued)

[vikram.jeet]

( in continuation from  previous post)


T N SUBBA RAO (1928 - 2008 )


Under the Chairman ship of Subba Rao Sir,  Gammon India Ltd has risen to a premiere  International  Construction Company with its own full fledged design Department at Mumbai and aided by GILCON Delhi under Dr VK Raina.
Sri  Subba Rao 's command over English along with his presentation skills , his understanding of designs especially Pre stressed Concrete  , his improved Construction techniques , all his accomplishments helped M/s Gammons to bag prestigious projects all over India and abroad in field of Bridges , Tunnels , Dams , High rise and other Civil Construction works.

TN Subba Rao was an active member of IRC and BIS. He was awarded many prestigious  awards in recognition  of his contribution to Civil Engg DESIGN  as well as Construction. Federation Internationale de LA Precontaire ( fib) London  awarded him Gold medal for his services in field of PSC in year 1986.

After retirement from Gammons ,  he started his own consultancy Firm namely Construma Consultancy pvt Ltd and many Bridge projects were handled under his guidance as Prime designer / Proof Consultant. Delhi Lajpat Nagar Flyovers as prime Designers  , Delhi Gurgaon Highway Bridges as Proof Consultant and many more.

He died in the year 2008 , but his vision  of design Consultancy Construma is carried forward by his son along with many engineers who learnt from him .

He was awarded posthumously in 2010 , The 2nd CIDC Vishwakarma award.

(  his unique  way of comments  as proof checking Consultant   - next post)

[vikram.jeet]

( in continuation from previous post  )

T N Subba Rao ( 1928 - 2008)


Sri Subba Rao  Sir was well known for his flow and command on English along with his presentation skills , which blossomed his  stature as a world class Technocrat .

He had a unique way of commenting as Design review Consultant , some excerpts are as under : ( Bridge design review)

"A view has been expressed that friction is 56 tonne and not 50 tonne as we have worked out. Since friction level is itself a matter of opinion and vary substantially,  we have felt that a 50T force would be adequate . Nevertheless  seismic condition is critical and this discussion is academic ".

" This is the present status in regard to your submissions as we see it. We have taken up your work on exclusive basis , having completed  all our other assignments .  In case we have caused you any anxiety , we sincerely regret the same. Please await next week for more response on transmittal".

( to be continued)

[vikram.jeet]

(  in continuation from previous posts)

T N  SUBBA RAO (1928-2008)

Subba Rao Sir  while commenting on design and drgs were never harsh , and proof check / Design reviews by him always  encouraged  the prime designers , simultaneously correcting them at vital design issues.  Some more excerpts from his design reviews :

" We have examined the Design Note NO- - - . We have no serious comments to make in respect of the design , since by parallel check we have found that stresses  arrived are not substantially  different to our computations. We presume end result would not be substantially  different. Assumptions made for stresses in prestress at various stages are also appropriate.  We trust this assessment of subject Note is adequate to serve your purpose ".


" I have gone through the document in depth. I am afraid I cannot accept the logic given in this document . It is based on Skin - Friction  theory plus balance through End bearing. This is ,however  an approximate  theoretical  exercise.  We have no Codal references  for this kind of behaviour.  From that point of view , the depth suggested appears to be acceptable . We are prepared to interact with firm's representatives by prior appointment".


(To be continued)

[vikram.jeet]

In continuation from previous posts)


T N SUBBA RAO (1928 - 2008)

A  grassroot designer who took equal  interest in construction by his extended  stays at sites during his long journey to excellence both in design and construction , Sri Subba Rao Sir was an unmatchable asset to his Company as well as Nation ,as also to International  arena  especially in field of Prestressed Concrete /Bridges.  He always gave a sane advice for achieving economy,  fast construction in addition to review on  design / details . Some excerpts :

"As a matter of priority and in view of the time demand for supply of bearings , it is of utmost importance that this item be ordered soonest. For this purpose , bearings proposed for various flyovers should be grouped and minimum nos of bearing sets be identified. We suppose this is on hand . With regard to expansion joints and Drainage  spouts , they need to be ordered sufficiently ahead ( say six months prior to your requirements )so that they would be installed in time for laying wearing Concrete for the entire stretch. This issue need to be taken up with your top management and , hence this note."

(To be continued)

[vikram.jeet]

(In continuation from previous posts)
T N Subba Rao (1928-2008)

Sri Rao Sir  , after retirement from Gammons  started his own consultancy Firm as already stated , and by this time he was a fatherly figure in field of Bridges . His reviews were highly acknowledged by Consultants as well Engg  Client Departments.  
I attended one meeting with him in Delhi at the office of Prime consultant   ( I being from client side as Design co-ordinator)  . He was to come from Mumbai by morning flight . He had nos of meetings with various clients in Delhi in connection with ongoing flyover works . Being little late and short of time , he apologized at the outset and the focused on vital points . His clarity in deliberation of various technical issues was highly impressive and speak volumes  about his tall stature in field of Prestressed Concrete works /Bridges.

Lastly a few words of commenting from his end :
" Finally we would like to advise you on these matters which are basically conceptual and time oriented , and cost wise little impact , you are the best judge regarding choice of options. We can bring to your attention our preferences and  attitudes on the proposals made by Prime consultant. Once these layouts are accepted , you will find the differences are minimal, if the designed analysis  is accurate."

[vikram.jeet]

Prof Mahesh Tandon ( 1941 - Still very active)

Born in Undivided India during British  period  .  Being brilliant student in academics  ,  young Mahesh Tandon  was destined for mission of very high responsibility  and commitment  infield of Structural and Civil engineering ,  still contributing his excellence .  He graduated from University of Roorkee ( now IIT) in the year 1962 and completed MS from University of Hawaii & Illinios , USA in 1965 AND PhD from University of Hyderabad . He is also a Guest  professor .



Not much about his life / biography available  on net , but the quantum of Design Consultancy work handled by his Consultancy firm (M/s Tandon Consultants pvt Ltd) , Delhi , both as Prime Designer and as Proof/Review Consultant especially in field of Bridges / Flyovers  / Metro Stations / Metro/ Metro line Bridges in Delhi as well as other states , speak volumes about his service to the profession of Structural Engg .

( to be continued ))

[vikram.jeet]

(In continuation from previous post)


PROF. MAHESH TANDON (1941 - Still very active )


With availability of advanced  technology , newer materials  , modern construction equipments , the development has taken rapid pace all over the globe. This has compelled Structural Designers to match with fast  growing demands to provide structural  concepts , designs and construction methodologies.  Though super calculators in form of computers aided with softwares helped to an extent , but Str Er  intervention is must to avoid GIGO. Also CAD is a helping tool but blind  reliance  fully on it , proves fatal .

Prof Tandon while practicing in above scenario , is one of very few contemporary  Structural experts who has ensured Quality  works (  though in  large quantum to meet the rapid pace of Infrastructure development ) with complete  str safety and economy , especially in Delhi and other Indian States where Highways/expressways flyovers / Metro projects are in progress .

As already noted in previous  post , much about him is not available on net.
After completing MS from USA , I think , he worked as Lecturer  of Civil Engg Structures for initial short period  , but  passion for Design field led him to leave comfortable teaching profession to join  a tough and demanding  sojourn  and  he joined  practising Consultancy  firm M/ S STUP Consultants .

(To be continued)

[vikram.jeet]

Prof Mahesh Tandon (1941 - still active )
( in continuation from previous post)

After working for   over 15 years in Stup Consultants , Prof  Tandon  ventured  to start a Consultancy Firm  Tandon Consultants in year 1986 at Delhi.  Looking to his track record , his technical knowledge  , his  dealings in terms of sticking to commitments , there was no dearth of Consultancy works/projects and he was in need of a team who can deliver the Quality Structural work . Prof  in initial period after inception of TCPL  labored hard to seek , train many   str designing  aspirants  and a formidable team  was formed to support.  Later many experienced engineers also   joined him .

Structure works of Prof Mahesh Tandon , especially infrastructures projects of Highways , Metro , Railways are uncountable and  unlimited  time  he has devoted / still spending with his technical team is beyond imaginations. Many Govt and Private Agencies relied on him for Review Consultancy works on long term basis while  construction Agencies seek Prime Consultancy services from him.

(To be continued)