The largest triaxial machine in Pakistan has been successfully functionalized at WAPDA’s Central Material Testing Laboratory (CMTL) – Technical Services Division. WAPDA made the machine operational in collaboration with the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore. The machine is designed for geotech testing of rocks for the foundation of mega dams and hydropower projects.
Chairman WAPDA Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd) and Vice Chancellor UET, Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir, visited CMTL today to mark the occasion. UET’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Chairperson of the Civil Engineering Department, Director of Center of Excellence in Water Resources Engineering, WAPDA’s Member (Water), GM (Technical Services) and GM (C&M) Water were also present on occasion.
The Chairman, accompanied by the Vice Chancellor, visited the rock machine lab, soil mechanic lab, and cement and concrete lab in detail to view the testing facilities available there.
Expressing gratitude to the UET Vice Chancellor and his team, the Chairman appreciated Technical Services Division WAPDA for making the large-scale triaxial machine functional. Dilating upon his priorities, the Chairman said that WAPDA is adding the latest machines and gadgets to the CMTL, revamping and digitalising the existing testing equipment, and developing modern testing facilities in Pakistan for all sorts of material used in mega projects instead of sending the samples abroad for testing.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice Chancellor of UET highlighted the significance of developing industry-academia linkages for research and excellence in the construction of projects. He said we are keen to work with WAPDA to enhance human intellectual capital at WAPDA. During the interaction, Chairman WAPDA and Vice Chancellor UET also discussed the proposals for establishing a WAPDA chair at UET and developing need-based courses at advanced academic levels in UET for WAPDA officers/scholars.
It was also agreed that a delegation comprising senior faculty members of the UET would visit WAPDA’s mega projects, e.g., Diamer Basha Dam, Dasu Hydropower Project, and Mohmand Dam, to witness construction activities under the supervision of international consultants and reputed experts.
Earlier, the GM (Technical Services) briefed the Chairman and the Vice Chancellor about revamping a large-scale triaxial machine. The Chairman directed the GM (Technical Services) to explore possibilities for increasing commercial ventures at CMTL.
