National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM) at Kolar Gold Fields, Karnataka, at present extends its R&D support to the industry in the areas of non-coal mines, coal mines, hydro-electric and tunneling projects and civil construction projects. The institute was established in 1988 to conduct research, render guidance and provide consultancy in mining and civil engineering sectors. During the year 2005 it has patented one of its technologies which has been assigned to National Research Development Corporation for commercialization.
NIRM has proven expertise in the key areas of research i.e optimum design of mining operations and excavation systems, design of support system for improving safety, conservation and productivity, prediction of un-known sub-surface features and monitoring stability of excavations. During the year it has carried out studies on evaluation of the stability of the crown pillar and the stopes. The institute has conducted training courses for the granite/dimensional stone quarry of operators and assisted in setting up a Test House for dimensional stones at Jaipur.
One of the major thrust areas of the institute is to improve safety and productivity of underground coal-mines in the country. It carries out ground stability assessment through strata and support monitoring. It is involved in conducting rock mechanics studies required for excavations in several hydro-electric projects in India. It has also taken up various investigations projects in Katra-qazigund rail link in the mountainous terrain in Jammu & Kashmir. Geo-physical investigations were carried out at various tunnel portals and bridge abutments. It has taken up testing services like measurement of strain at high temperature under uni-axial and tri-axial compressive stress conditions and thermo-mechanical behaviors of rocks.
The institute is associated with 14 prestigious organisations and collaborated with Geo-Stock, France, Italian-Thai Development Public Co. Ltd., Larsen-Toubro Oman Lt., Tata Hydro Power Authority, Bhutan and UNIDO.
DS/AS/030106-NIRM
(Release ID :14724)