As part of its expansion plan, Structwel Designers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai, is about to launch ground penetrating radar system, a survey instrument that runs on radio waves. The ground penetrating radar system helps in locating underground structures like pipes and wires, waterproofing of terrace, and finding out subsoil strata among other things. "We also plan to establish a structural laboratory in near future," reveals Chetan R. Raikar, Managing Director, Structwel Designers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
The company plans to establish construction material and product testing laboratories in other cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad within six months. The company already has similar laboratories at Vashi, Navi Mumbai; Mahim, Thane and Goregaon, Mumbai; and Pune. The Vashi and Pune laboratories are accredited with ISO/IEC 17025:1999 from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration, Government of India. "Ours is the first laboratory in private sector in Mumbai to be accredited in the field of civil engineering material testing," says Raikar. The company is also planning to set up laboratories in other countries like UAE (Dubai).
Structwel will also hold lecture series to educate clients, consultants and engineering students. "The lecture series will generate awareness about geotechnical investigation, why testing of construction materials and products is necessary, and enlighten students and consultants from different fields," says Milind Naik, Executive (R&D), Structwel Designers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
Starting in 1967 as a specialist in major civil engineering projects including complex restoration assignments, the company has over the years developed capabilities to offer total project services. Structwel offers conservation, repair and restoration of heritage structures, project management consultancy, structural designing, and detailed engineering and innovative technologies. The company's clients include L&T-ECC, BPCL, HPCL, Ircon, RBI and Hindustan Lever Ltd.
Recently, Structwel carried out standard penetration test for an upcoming mall and hospital at Kalyan, near Mumbai, for Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. The company also undertook soil investigation for Tunir post-naval station in Raigad district for Garrison Engineer (P). Other completed projects in soil testing/investigation are: a residential building project at Thane for MHADA, MIDC's office building at Mahape (standard penetration test to find out the safe bearing capacity of the soil), and Plate Load Test for an MIDC road project from Kalyan to Navi Bombay.
The company holds patents for permeability of concrete equipment conforming to Dean standard and accurate cement content (in ready mix concrete) equipment conforming to British standard, both developed in-house.