The RDA facilitated a seminar in collaboration with SOILTECH, local engineering company, featuring an Australian expert, to explore innovative slope protection techniques and technologies, focusing on introducing low-cost, innovative solutions to bolster infrastructure resilience against slope failures. Discussions covered various critical aspects, including origins, economic, environmental, and aesthetic impacts, alongside historical cost analysis, emphasizing the urgent need for efficient, sustainable approaches in slope stability and landslide prevention.
An in-depth exploration of innovative slope stability approaches introduced cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to improve protection measures without imposing heavy financial burdens. Notably, the use of drone technology emerged as an exciting modern approach, offering precise, cost-effective assessments and interventions.
The seminar stressed eco-friendly solutions, highlighting the strategic use of locally sourced materials such as coir, enhanced with nano-technology to combat slope and landslide issues. Bioengineering, leveraging plant roots to reinforce soil, emerged as a sustainable alternative, promoting both stability and cosmetic appearance.
Keynote speaker Mr. Ranjan Fernando, an Eminent Engineer from Australia, focused on value engineering solutions promising maximum utility at minimum cost, offering a holistic approach to slope protection.
SOILTECH's initiative sparked a conversation on integrating technology, ecology, and value engineering into infrastructure development, marking a forward-thinking approach to civil engineering challenges.
The seminar fostered a shared understanding of the latest advancements in slope protection and landslide mitigation, paving the way for safer, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly infrastructure solutions. Highlighted strategies aim to reduce costs by 40% compared to current mitigation practices in Sri Lanka, utilizing new techniques, technologies, and emphasizing cosmetic appearance, presenting a crucial solution for the country's economy.
