Al Ain: Researchers and academicians from 24 countries would be gathering at the UAE University to discuss safety of construction and geophysical and engineering aspects of the ambitious development in Al Ain.
The experts will present and discuss the new approaches and applications and recommendations at the First International Conference on Engineering Geophysics. The three-day event will be held at UAE University between December 11 and 14.
Jointly organised by Al Ain Municipality and UAE University, the conference would be attended by 150 delegates from Australia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, China, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan, and UAE. An exhibition would also be organised on the side lines of the conference in which exhibitors from the USA and Canada would participate, said the organisers.
Unprecedented construction
An official of the UAE University said Al Ain has been witnessing an unprecedented construction evolution. The size and quality of buildings need to accommodate the future ambitious development plans. This requires taking into consideration all the necessary measures to insure the safety of the people and the constructions.
"The top priority is therefore the understanding of the geological and the structural nature of the ground in Al Ain city and precisely locating the cavities and the Falajes in addition to delimiting the zones which might endanger the future constructions," he said.
Knowledge of various ground parameters at different sites in the city, he said, is the principle entrance to insure successful planning designs. "This will prevent negative impacts on people, constructions and environment," he added.
Study mandatory for permits
Al Ain Municipality has also issued a decree in 2009 according to which the engineering geophysics study has become mandatory for the issuing of building permits for all construction projects in the city. UAE University has been playing an active role in promoting engineering geophysics techniques through scientific research and by development new and advanced approaches in obtaining better knowledge of the subsurface.
Engineering Geophysics methods, said the official, are used to detect the unseen subsurface hazardous structures without drilling or changing the land morphology. These methods are non-destructive and environment friendly.
