Introduction :

Mr Patel is a Civil Engineer with interests that extend to the engineering design of public works, notably dams, bridges, and marine structures; urban planning and urban affairs; the planning of factories, and other complexes that benefit from an inter-disciplinary approach; solar energy research; and software development.

He founded the firm, in 1960. It is owned and managed by professionals, with the route to becoming an Associate open to every engineer in the office. Now numbering about 70, the entire staff is profit-sharing, from the lowest-salaried employee to Associate.

Professional Background :
Mechanical Sciences Tripos Parts I & II, M A (Hons) University of Cambridge
Fellow of ICE, IE(I), ACI
Member of ASCE, IABSE, CEA(I), ACM
Associate Member of IASSS

Representative Project Experience :

New Bombay  :

Was one of the three original authors of a plan to develop a 350 km² new city (New Bombay) across the harbour (1965). Employed by the Government of Maharashtra for 5 years, in the role of Chief Planner for the new city, responsible for co-ordinating the work of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of economists, sociologists, transportation and city planners, architects and engineers, as well as the construction team. (1970-1974)

Large-panel precast residential buildings at Petit Hall, Bombay :

Principal engineering designer for a complex of several 27-storeyed buildings, with the lowest 3 stories cast-in-situ, and the upper 24 stories fully precast with large-panel RCC walls and slabs. To test the adequacy of the precast system, a 3-storey high full-scale mock-up using large panels and joints as proposed in the final construction was first built and tested. (1966-1970)

Vertical-axis Concrete Louvres :

Invented these as a substitute for glass windows in factories. They control sunlight, ventilation and incoming rain, and are not easily broken (1979). A variation is vertical-axis galvanized iron frames with "khus" infill for humidification and greatly increased comfort inside the factory (Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, 1988)

Roof skylights :

Invented and patented these as a brighter, cheaper and easier-to-maintain substitute for Northlights. (1980)

Vertical-axis Louvres for Humidification :

Like the vertical-axis concrete louvres these are suspended from the upper pivot. They are galvanized iron frames with khus used for the panel between two layers of expanded metal mesh. Water trickled in from the upper pivot, and collected from the bottom pivot and re-circulated, provides natural humidification for a much-improved internal working environment during the hot, dry summer months. (1986-1988)

Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (1996-1999)

Solar Energy Research :

Since 1980 in Land Research Institute, a not-for-profit Trust, of which Mr Patel is the founder and President. Recent work in collaboration with the University Institute of Chemical Technology has led to the development of a cooking pot that promises 75% savings in fuel consumption for cooking. (1980-to date)

Executive Committee Bombay Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (1983-96)

Koyna Dam :

Senior civil engineer with the Contractors for Koyna Dam, in charge of planning, and design and supervision of all temporary works, including cable crane foundations. (1956-1958)

Kariba Dam, Zambezi river :

Worked with Coyne & Bellier, Consulting Engineers, Paris on the design of Kariba Dam on the Zambezi. Conducted 1:100 scale plaster-of-paris model studies, loading the dam with mercury and measuring strains. Also developed the specifications and measurement practices for the cooling of concrete in the dam. (1955-1956)

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