Large scale triaxial machine made functional at CMTL WAPDA

ISLAMABAD: The large-scale triaxial machine, the largest of its kind in Pakistan, has been successfully made operational at WAPDA’s Central Material Testing Laboratory (CMTL). The Technical Services Division of WAPDA collaborated with the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore, to activate the machine, which is specifically designed for geotechnical testing of rocks intended for the foundations of major dams and hydropower projects.Nepra May Cut Electricity Prices

To commemorate this milestone, Chairman WAPDA Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd) and Vice Chancellor UET, Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir, visited CMTL today. The event was also attended by UET’s Pro Vice Chancellor, the Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, the Chairperson of the Civil Engineering Department, the Director of the Center of Excellence in Water Resources Engineering, WAPDA’s Member (Water), and the General Managers (Technical Services) and (C&M) Water.

The Chairman, alongside the Vice Chancellor, toured the rock machine lab, the soil mechanics lab, and the cement and concrete lab to assess the available testing facilities.

Expressing appreciation for UET’s Vice Chancellor and his team, the Chairman commended the Technical Services Division of WAPDA for successfully making the large-scale triaxial machine operational. Emphasizing his priorities, the Chairman mentioned that WAPDA is incorporating the latest machinery and equipment into the CMTL, as well as upgrading and digitalizing existing testing apparatus, with the aim of establishing modern testing facilities in Pakistan for various materials used in major projects, thereby reducing the need to send samples abroad for testing.

During the event, the Vice Chancellor of UET underscored the importance of fostering industry-academia partnerships for research and excellence in project construction. He expressed a strong desire to collaborate with WAPDA to enhance the intellectual capital within the organization. The Chairman and Vice Chancellor also discussed proposals for establishing a WAPDA chair at UET and developing need-based courses at advanced academic levels for WAPDA officers and scholars.

It was further agreed that a delegation of senior UET faculty members would visit WAPDA’s significant projects, such as the Diamer Basha Dam, Dasu Hydropower Project, and Mohmand Dam, to observe ongoing construction activities under the supervision of international consultants and reputable experts.

Previously, the GM (Technical Services) provided the Chairman and Vice Chancellor with an overview of the large-scale triaxial machine’s refurbishment. The Chairman instructed the GM (Technical Services) to explore opportunities for expanding commercial activities at CMTL.