Overview

Overview: Department of Applied Mechanics

The Department of Applied Mechanics at Walchand College of Engineering (WCE), Sangli, is a premier center for advanced education and research in structural engineering. Specializing in M.Tech (Civil-Structural Engineering) and Ph.D. programs, the department combines academic rigor with real-world applications through a curriculum aligned with industry and global standards.

Renowned for its research in structural, earthquake, bridge, and railway engineering, as well as FEA, sustainable infrastructure, and structural health monitoring, the department maintains strong industry ties through consultancy, structural audits, and collaborative projects.

Equipped with state-of-the-art labs and advanced software tools, it fosters innovation, hands-on learning, and interdisciplinary problem-solving. Alumni hold key positions in industry, academia, and government, reflecting the department’s commitment to excellence, professional development, and leadership in infrastructure engineering.

Objectives

The Department of Applied mechanics aims to achieve the following objectives:

To achieve high level of technical expertise to understand, identify, formulate, design and implement a real-life structural engineering problem.
To satisfy the requirement of society through active participation in infrastructural development with leadership and ethical principles.
To inculcate individual critical thinking in analysing the complex problems in structural engineering field.
To build capacity in upcoming areas of research in structural engineering.
To induce qualities of effective communication skills, working in teams and lifelong learning.

Policy

The Department of Applied Mechanics is dedicated to excellence in education, research, industry collaboration, and professional ethics. It aims to develop skilled engineers and innovators who contribute to sustainable infrastructure and societal advancement.

Vision

To be a Structural Engineering Program of the first choice by the aspiring students and prospective employers by implementing world class educational and research practices.

Mission

To implement Outcome Based Education Philosophy effectively by.

Adopting dynamic academic curricula, implementing innovative teaching learning processes and research practices.
Providing opportunities to the students for the development of professional skills.
Nurturing critical thinking and creativity in the students.
Inculcating in the student’s life-long learning attitude with sensitivity towards society and environment.

Strengths

The Department of Applied Mechanics stands out for its key strengths, which include:

Highly experienced faculty
Well-structured and industry-relevant curriculum
Advanced laboratories and software tools
Research-driven approach
Strong industry and government collaborations
Structural testing and consultancy services
Expertise in structural audits for public and private sector projects
High success rate in competitive examinations (UPSC, MPSC, etc.)
Comprehensive professional development opportunities
Accomplished alumni network
Commitment to continuous quality improvement

These strengths collectively position the department as a leader in applied mechanics, structural engineering, infrastructure research, and consultancy.

Areas of Expertise

The Department of Applied Mechanics excels in the following areas of expertise:

Earthquake Engineering
Railway Engineering
Bridge Design and Analysis
Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
Computational Mechanics
Advanced Concrete Technology
Smart Materials and Structures
Structural Fire Engineering
Structural Health Monitoring
Seismic Retrofitting and Rehabilitation of Structures
Structural Audits and Condition Assessments
Soil-Structure Interaction
Sustainable Infrastructure Development
Composite Materials

These areas of expertise enable the department to prepare students for leadership roles in structural, and infrastructure engineering sectors.

Salient Department Features

The Department of Applied Mechanics at Walchand College of Engineering stands out for its unique features and strengths, including:

- Academic Excellence:
  - Rigorous curriculum aligned with national and international standards.
  - Faculty members with extensive industry and research experience.
  - Nearly 85% of faculty registered for or holding PhDs.
- State-of-the-Art Infrastructure:
  - Advanced laboratories for structural testing, material testing, and CAD/FEA.
  - Access to high-end software tools like COMSOL, MIDAS Civil etc.
- Research and Innovation:
  - Active research in structural dynamics, bridge engineering, railway infrastructure, earthquake-resistant design, and sustainability.
  - Regular publications in Scopus, SCI-indexed journals, and participation in conferences.
  - Research outputs in the form of IPR and Patents.
- Industry and Government Interface:
  - Collaborations with leading companies, public works departments, Indian Railways, and government agencies for testing, structural audits, and consultancy projects.
  - Expert-led guest lectures, workshops, and technical certifications.
- Skill Development Opportunities:
  - Hands-on learning through design projects, consultancy assignments, field visits, and technical competitions.
  - Active participation in professional societies like ISTE, IEI, ISET, ISWE, IGS, IIBE, ICI, and ISSE.
- Global Competence:
  - Alumni contributing to major infrastructure projects globally and pursuing higher education at premier institutes.
  - Participation in international conferences and technical collaborations.
- Student-Centric Environment:
  - Mentorship by faculty for academic, personal, and professional growth.
  - Opportunities for leadership through workshops, and community service.
- Placement and Professional Success:
  - Strong placement records in leading MNCs, design consultancies, testing and audit firms, and government organizations.
- Consultancy Excellence:
  - The department provides professional testing, structural audit, proof-checking, and third-party inspection services for public and private sector building infrastructure and civil engineering projects.
  - In the year 2024–25, the department successfully executed consultancy work exceeding ₹1.25 crore.
  - Significant contribution to ensuring structural safety, quality assurance, and code compliance in major infrastructure works.
  - Expert contribution as a structural engineer for arbitration and legal/ court matters.
- Continuous Improvement:
  - Regular curriculum review and pedagogical innovations.
  - Feedback-driven updates to ensure alignment with industry advancements and future trends.

These features highlight the department as a centre of excellence, producing highly skilled, innovative, and socially responsible engineers and consultants.

Leadership

Dr. Sachin Balasaheb Kadam is a distinguished academician and researcher in field of Civil-Structural Engineering. Currently serving as Professor and Head of the Department of Applied Mechanics at Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli, he has extensive experience in teaching, research, and administration. His expertise exhibit in domain of structural analysis, seismic design, structural health monitoring, finite element analysis, and structural fire engineering.

Dr. Kadam earned his Ph.D. in Structural Dynamics from Department of Earthquake Engineering, IIT Roorkee in 2014, following his M.E. in Civil (Structural) Engineering from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, in 2002 and B.E. in Civil Engineering from the same university in 1997. His professional career includes roles as a Structural Engineer at Reliance Industries Ltd. and a Junior Engineer at L&T ECC Ltd., before transitioning into academia in year 2004. He taught all major courses on analysis and design of structures in Civil Engineering. He supervised and guided 72 M.Tech. Dissertations in Structural Engineering and also guiding 4 students for their doctorate degree out of which 1 student has awarded Ph.D. degree. He has h index of 8 (i-10 index of 7, total citations exceeding 343 +, Source: Google Scholar, June 2025.) and four patents granted in India and Australia. He has worked as reviewer for reputed international journals. He has also authored a book and lead major research projects, including a ₹1.03 crore DST-FIST ongoing grant for pseudo dynamic test setup and research grant from MORTH and NTU Singapore.

In addition to his research contributions, Dr. Kadam has played crucial administrative roles, serving as the Registrar of Walchand College of Engineering from 2020 to 2023, Chief Rector of institute hostel from 2017 to 2020, and a Board of Studies (BOS) member in civil engineering at Shivaji University since 2023. He is an active member of professional organizations such as ISET, ISTE, ISWE, and IGS, and holds a membership with the Institution of Engineers (India) and American Concrete Institute. His achievements have been recognized with prestigious award of Young Scientist by the Uttarakhand State Science & Technology Congress in 2011 and Best Paper Award (Taylor and Francis’s Publication) in 2023 organised by Chandigarh University, Punjab.