Theme Workshop on Concrete for Coastal Environment - October 7-8, 2008 (NITK Surathkal, India) -

Construction in Hostile Environment An overview in Antarctica

Joseph Silveira Dy. Chief Engineer, Mormugao Port Trust,Goa.

ABSTRACT Mans quest for exploring and developing new areas has been a continual process. The scientific community is in constant pursuit of technological innovations and carrying out scientific studies in Antarctica has been the mission of many countries forming part of the Antarctic Treaty Protocol. In order to fulfil the requirements of the scientists, construction of habitats in this hostile environment has been a challenge in construction. Every structure constructed is unique in its own way as the design has to meet the requirements of the ATP and commitment to working responsibly and cleanly in Antarctica. Designs of Antarctic stations are tailor-made considering various factors. The challenge is to maintain a sustainable temperature within the structure in the extreme Antarctic environment where temperatures drop to -80 degree C and use of eco-friendly materials. The sequencing of the site construction is phased out to optimize time. Construction is generally limited to the 3 month austral summer and prefabrication of all elements is resorted to ensure the best quality and drastically reduce the commissioning time. It is crucial that all potential impacts before, during and after construction of the station are identified and mitigated. Since many years, engineers have been playing a vital role in these new developments from concept to commissioning.

Brief CV - Joseph Silveira

Qualifications: B.Tech.(Civil) from KREC, Surthkal (1981 batch), MIE, MACI(I), MICI, DIPPM (New Orleans), DIT. Designation: Dy. Chief Engineer, Mormugao Port Trust Experience: 27 years in Planning, Design, Construction and Maintenance of Civil and Marine Structures like township, schools, community centres, sheds, warehouses, workshops, water tanks, jetties, berths, mechanized ore handling plant, etc. in Mormugao Port Trust. Others: Convenor and Lead Auditor of QMS ISO 9001, Convenor and Internal Auditor of EMS ISO 14001, Member of the Expert Group for establishing the 3rd Indian Research Station at Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica for National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa. Member of the 26th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica to make an in-depth study of the site and associated factors for the 3rd Indian Research Station.

Joseph Silveira, Mormugao Port Trust, Goa

Paper No. IV-2

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