Economical reinforcement cover using recycled plastic

Team Members: Dharmik Vasoya, Jewarth Jogi

Guided by: Prof. Bhargav H. Gokani (bhargav.gokani.cl@vvpedulink.ac.in)

The Economical Reinforcement Cover using Recycled Plastic project focuses on designing and developing a cost-effective, durable, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional concrete reinforcement covers. Aimed at enhancing the lifespan of reinforced concrete structures, this project leverages recycled plastic to create lightweight and strong reinforcement spacers.

At the heart of the project is a uniquely designed plastic cover that eliminates the need for wire-tying, simplifying installation and reducing labor time. The cover is produced using recycled plastic through 3D printing and later optimized for mass production. Its shape ensures a strong bond with concrete while maintaining the required cover spacing between reinforcement bars and formwork.

Unlike conventional concrete covers that risk compaction and cracking, the plastic version maintains its form, reduces transportation costs due to its low weight, and offers long-term durability without compromising structural integrity.

Key highlights of the project include:

  • Use of recycled plastic, promoting environmental sustainability.
  • Lightweight design, reducing transportation and labor costs.
  • No wire-tying needed, making installation faster and easier.
  • High bonding strength with concrete despite being plastic.
  • Various shapes and sizes adaptable to different construction needs.

The project also includes a successful prototype and detailed design analysis, demonstrating its practical application in foundations, roofs, walls, and columns.

In summary, the Economical Reinforcement Cover using Recycled Plastic offers a sustainable, affordable, and labor-efficient solution for modern construction practices. This project received SSIP (Student Startup and Innovation Policy) funding of ₹49,490 on 25th September 2024 for prototype development, and ₹35,636 on the same date for patent filing, with the patent successfully filed, marking a significant milestone in its innovation journey.

Paver Block Composition Enhanced with Polysulfone Microfibers for Superior Mechanical Properties and Environmental Sustainability

Team Members: Vidhi Chavda, Mahek Dodiya, Kripali Bariya

Guided by: Dr. Hitesh R. Ashani (hitesh.ashani.cl@vvpedulink.ac.in)

The Paver Block Composition Enhanced with Polysulfone Microfibers project focuses on designing and developing high-performance, eco-friendly paver blocks by integrating Polysulfone microfibers (PSFs) into the concrete mix. Aimed at improving mechanical strength and environmental sustainability, this project introduces a novel material approach in the field of construction.

At the heart of the project is the incorporation of PSFs, known for their high tensile strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance. These fibers create a dense internal reinforcement network, significantly enhancing the compressive strength, flexural strength, impact resistance, and overall durability of the paver blocks.

The mix design was carefully optimized, blending PSFs with cement, fine aggregates, and coarse aggregates. Advanced mixing techniques ensured uniform fiber distribution, while controlled casting and curing processes maximized performance benefits.

Key highlights of the project include:

  • Improved compressive, flexural, and impact strength of paver blocks.
  • Enhanced abrasion resistance and reduced water absorption, increasing lifespan under traffic and environmental stress.
  • Lower need for additional chemical additives, reducing the carbon footprint.
  • Potential for large-scale market adoption as a high-performance, sustainable alternative to traditional paver blocks.
  • Successful testing on key parameters like tensile splitting strength, freeze-thaw durability, and surface wear resistance.

The project also presents a complete performance evaluation with comparative analysis against conventional paver blocks, highlighting its commercial and environmental advantages.

In summary, the Paver Block Composition Enhanced with Polysulfone Microfibers project offers a durable, sustainable, and industry-ready solution for paving applications. This project has approved by SSIP (Student Startup and Innovation Policy) funding of ₹28,274 on 31st March 2025.

Development of Efficient and Sustainable Water Supply Systems for Lawn Using IOT

Team Members: Bhoomi Maheshwari, Janki Karkar, Ram Jilka, Narendra Parmar, Loeto Ramatsitla

Guided by: Dr. Jitendra V. Mehta (clhod@vvpedulink.ac.in)

The Development of Efficient and Sustainable Water Supply Systems for Lawn Using IoT project focuses on creating a smart irrigation solution that conserves water while ensuring optimal lawn health. By integrating Internet of Things (IoT) technology with soil moisture sensors and automated valves, the system monitors real-time soil conditions and weather forecasts to adjust water delivery accordingly.

At the core of the project is an IoT-based control unit that collects environmental data and triggers irrigation only when necessary. This reduces water waste and lowers energy consumption.

Key highlights of the project include:

  • Automated, sensor-driven water scheduling.
  • Real-time monitoring of soil moisture and weather conditions.
  • Remote control and data access through a mobile app or web dashboard.
  • Significant reduction in water usage and operational costs.
  • Support for both residential and commercial lawn spaces.

In summary, this project offers a sustainable and technology-driven approach to modern lawn irrigation, promoting efficient water use and long-term environmental benefits. . This project has approved by SSIP (Student Startup and Innovation Policy) funding of ₹48,852 on 31st March 2025.

Modified I-Section Beam Design for better Physical Properties

Team Members: Mihir Parmar, Brijesh Patel

Guided by: Prof. Bhargav H. Gokani (bhargav.gokani.cl@vvpedulink.ac.in)

The Modified I-Section Beam project, developed by the Department of Civil Engineering at VVP Engineering College, Rajkot, focuses on enhancing the structural efficiency of traditional I-section beams by transforming them into a diamond-shaped cross-section. This design aims to overcome key limitations of standard I-beams, specifically their vulnerability to buckling, shear, and torsional stresses.

At the core of this project is the geometric transformation of the beam’s web section. By adopting a diamond configuration, the new design distributes stress more evenly, leading to significant performance improvements. According to detailed software-based analyses (using STAAD PRO and SOLIDWORKS), the diamond section beam exhibits a 65% increase in load-carrying capacity, a 52.2% reduction in shear stress at the center, and a 15.37% reduction in bending stress compared to a standard I-section beam.

The modified beam maintains the same material (1023 carbon steel) and cross-sectional area as the conventional I-beam but offers much better resistance to torsional and temperature stresses. These improvements contribute to safer and more cost-effective building designs, especially in large-scale structures like warehouses, stadiums, and commercial complexes.

Key highlights of the project include:

  • Significant reduction in bending, shear, torsional, and temperature stresses.
  • Improved load distribution and structural strength without increasing material use.
  • Compatibility with existing manufacturing processes due to unchanged material specifications.
  • Verified performance improvements through both manual calculations and simulation software.

This project successfully secured SSIP (Student Startup and Innovation Policy) funding of ₹49,501 on 27th February 2024, recognizing its potential for real-world application and contribution to safer building infrastructure.

In summary, the Modified I-Section Beam project presents a practical, research-backed advancement in beam design, offering stronger and more resilient structural support systems for modern construction.

Low Cost High Strength Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Team Members: Yashrajsinh Jadeja, Umesh Kacha, Manharsinh Zala, Siddharth Parmar, Hardik Rathod,

Guided by: Prof. Bhargav H. Gokani (bhargav.gokani.cl@vvpedulink.ac.in)

The Low Cost High Strength Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete project focuses on developing an economical yet structurally superior concrete mix by integrating steel fibers. Aimed at reducing reliance on conventional reinforcement bars, this project explores the use of various fibers and additives to enhance mechanical properties like compressive, tensile, and flexural strength.

At the heart of this innovation is the strategic mix design. The team experimented with different fiber types, lengths, and percentages, alongside additives like silica fume, glass powder, GGBS, fly ash, and chemical admixtures like sodium hydroxide and superplasticizers. The goal was to optimize strength while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

To evaluate performance, four different mix designs were prepared, followed by comprehensive testing. This included compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, and permeability tests, along with advanced analysis techniques like XRD and SEM for microstructural insights.

Key highlights of the project include:

  • Enhanced compressive, tensile, and flexural strength through fiber reinforcement.
  • Reduced dependency on traditional steel reinforcement bars, lowering material costs.
  • Improved durability and reduced permeability, making it suitable for aggressive environmental conditions.
  • Use of supplementary cementitious materials for sustainable construction.
  • Microstructural validation of fiber bonding and crack control using XRD and SEM analysis.

The project also presents a detailed comparison of different mix designs and their structural performance, ensuring scalability for real-world applications.

In summary, the Low Cost High Strength Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete project offers a sustainable and affordable alternative to traditional reinforced concrete, promoting stronger and more durable structures. This project received SSIP (Student Startup and Innovation Policy) funding of ₹48,852 on 27th February 2024, further supporting its practical relevance and future development.

CorroSense: The Low-Cost Solution for Half-Cell Corrosion Testing

Team Members: Gautam Barbhaya, Satyarajsinh Jadeja, Mantram Vachharajani

Guided by: Prof. Bhargav H. Gokani (bhargav.gokani.cl@vvpedulink.ac.in)

The CorroSense project focuses on designing and developing a low-cost, portable, and non-destructive corrosion monitoring system using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) technology. Aimed at offering an affordable and accessible solution for evaluating corrosion in metallic artifacts and reinforced concrete structures, this project addresses the growing need for infrastructure safety and heritage preservation.

At the heart of CorroSense is an Arduino-based EIS setup capable of performing impedance measurements across a wide frequency and resistance range. This compact device operates efficiently on USB power, allowing for extended field use without the need for external power supplies. The system integrates Half-Cell Potential Testing using reference electrodes like Ag/AgCl or Cu/CuSO4 to evaluate corrosion risk levels with ease.

The project’s testing mechanism measures potential differences between embedded steel reinforcement and the reference electrode, providing clear indicators of corrosion severity. Its lightweight and field-ready design makes it ideal for engineers, conservators, and researchers.

Key highlights of the project include:

  • Extremely low system cost, making corrosion testing affordable for a wide range of users.
  • Non-destructive testing capability, suitable for both infrastructure and heritage conservation.
  • Portable and user-friendly design with laptop-powered operation.
  • Reliable assessment of corrosion risk through standardized potential measurements.
  • Successful integration of both EIS and Half-Cell Potential Testing methodologies.

The project also presents thorough experimental analysis, including phase-wise corrosion evaluation and risk categorization based on millivolt readings. A cost analysis is included to demonstrate its economic feasibility and scalability.

In summary, CorroSense is an innovative, field-deployable solution that combines affordable technology with proven corrosion assessment methods, offering a practical and scalable tool for structural health monitoring and conservation work. This project received SSIP funding of ₹40,356 on 31st March 2023 and its patent has been successfully published, marking a key milestone in its development.