EXPERTS ADVISORY

The collapse of Kolkata overpass bridge in the eastern state of West Bengal has put the focus back on India’s infrastructure problems and corruption.

University of Michigan experts can discuss the situation:

Vineet Kamat is a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the College of Engineering. His research focuses on the use of automation and robotics in the construction, operation and maintenance of civil infrastructure systems.

“Any engineering disaster usually occurs from a series or combination of unfortunate events and decisions. The 2.2-kilometer flyover bridge being constructed since 2009 was beset by significant delays. Only 76 percent of the work was completed. Such delays expose construction materials and partially completed work to the elements, resulting in possible corrosion and fatigue in materials. In recent months, there has been significant political pressure on the contractor to finish the work by September 2016 due to upcoming local state elections.”

“A rather long span of 100 meters collapsed during the process of pouring concrete. Based on initial evidence, it appears that the engineering failure occurred in the temporary formwork erected by the contractor to pour concrete. The formwork was supported by long steel girders and temporary piers. The formwork collapsed before the poured concrete achieved its own initial strength.”

“The progressive collapse began when one of the steel girders dislodged from its support, damaged the supporting pier, which in turn dislodged all the other girders, bringing down all the poured concrete and the steel reinforcement on the deck above.”

Contact: 734-764-4325, vkamat@umich.edu

Puneet Manchanda is a professor of marketing at the Ross School of Business. His areas of expertise are business in emerging markets, strategy and marketing issues.

“India sorely needs an infrastructure policy, both at the national and the local levels. Without this, the provision of public goods will always remain severely compromised by local financial and political interests.”

“While it may be tempting to write this and other incidents like the Chennai floods off as isolated shocks, they add to the perception, and perhaps the reality, that India and its metros cannot provide a strong backbone for economic activity.”

Contact: 734-936-2445, pmanchan@umich.edu