Citizen Charter
Citizen Charter
National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM)
(An Autonomous Research Institute under the Ministry of Mines, Government of India)
1. Introduction
The National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM) is an autonomous research organization under the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, dedicated to the field of rock engineering and rock mechanics. NIRM has been in the service of the nation for 35 years with the objective of providing scientific and technological services to the mining, tunnelling, transport, and power sectors through applied research, consultancy, testing, and training.
With modern equipment and a coherent team of experienced and dedicated Scientists, NIRM combines research activities and consulting services to provide customised solutions for a wide range of rock mechanics and rock engineering problems. NIRM’s services are widely accepted by industry for its site-specific solutions through innovative approach/applied research.
NIRM strives to meet industry requirements/challenges in rock engineering and rock mechanics related measurements and challenges with augmented scientific instrumentation and upgraded facilities with the support of Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India and make value addition to planning, design, excavation, and construction stages of minor and major projects with zero/minimised hazards and improved productivity.
NIRM is currently receiving funds from Government of India for its infrastructure development and research activities and incur its non-plan expenditure from internal resources. NIRM aims to work for financial self-sustainability with its high-quality services under challenging variable industry conditions and trends. Ministry of Mines Govt. of India has been providing support for initiatives through industry involvement and research organisations for wider collaboration in mining, power, nuclear and infrastructure sectors. With this support NIRM works to gear up its activities by reaching out to various industries and global organisations.
Key areas of NIRM activities:
NIRM has capability to characterise various project sites like mining, tunnelling, transport, and power sectors in the following key areas.
Site Characterisation–Scientific studies based on engineering geological, seismotectonic, engineering geophysical, engineering seismological and in-situ geotechnical tests of rockmass.
Tunnelling and Mining – Numerical modelling and design of surface and underground mines, tunnel, caverns and major structures, controlled blasting and excavation engineering, design of slopes, slope stability, instrumentation and conventional monitoring, advanced seismic monitoring of surface and underground excavations
Testing Services - Laboratory testing of rock samples & wire ropes and in-situ testing of various mining accessories using NDT technique
NIRM Vision and Mission:
Vision
The Institute has a vision to become a self-sustaining Centre of Excellence of International Standard in the areas of rock mechanics, rock engineering and allied fields for the development of mining, tunnelling, transport, and power sectors.
The vision is to lay special emphasis on innovation, professional competency, and skill development, through quality services to all the stakeholders in the identified sectors.
This vision will be responsive to changing domestic and global needs and meet the industry requirements in economical manner.
Areas of specialization
The spheres of NIRM activities are divided into nine specialised areas with a specialist team for each of them.
Engineering Geology | Geomechanics and Ground Control |
Engineering Geophysics | Engineering Seismology |
Geotechnical Engineering | Seismotectonics |
Numerical Modelling | Testing Services |
Rock Blasting and Excavation Engineering
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Short-term and long-term training courses
Plan short-term and long-term training and capacity building on latest trends and modern investigation techniques for up-skilling NIRM scientists for enabling timely solution to various industry challenges.
Conduct and provide training for executives from the industry with their association and support for awareness/basic/advanced level interaction and operation at project sites.
Testing and calibration
Develop accredited testing and calibration facilities of international standards for various laboratory as well as in-situ tests, contribute for standards in testing and investigation
NIRM Mission
“To provide scientific and technological inputs to the mining, civil and construction industries to optimize their operations and to perfect their designs with a view to improve production, productivity and product quality for better safety, economy, conservation and environmental management”
NIRM Services to target Industry
NIRM Skills, Services and advanced research in rock mechanics and allied areas is primarily focussed to addressing challenges in mining, tunnelling, transport, and power sectors with due regard to safety and security of environment. NIRM scientific solutions aim to provide valuable scientific and engineering inputs, and pave way for sound economics of operations of the structures thereby enabling optimisation of cost of projects and thus contributing to project cost efficiency.
Accordingly, the mission involves the following:
To advance the science and practice of rock mechanics and rock engineering in India. Carry out advanced research in the areas of rock mechanics and rock engineering to remain a centre of excellence.
To provide high quality services with site specific approach, carry out applied research in achieving safety, stability, and sustainability in various civil, mining and critical infra projects.
Work to fulfil the objectives of a scientific proposal and to the total satisfaction of concerned industry/organisation adhering to contractual specifications.
To build national capacity and skill development, conduct awareness programs in collaboration with industries and academic institutions.
Enhance knowledge and skill of the employees through self-development, workshops, training programmes and conferences on regular basis.
Enable innovation and collaboration with domestic and international institutions for advancing research with a view to addressing current and future challenges
List of Services and Standards
Engineering Geological investigations/mapping/analysis
Seismotectonic and geomorphological studies
Engineering Geophysical Investigations from surface and underground.
In-Situ Stress, Deformability, Permeability and Shear Strength Parameters.
Testing of rockmass for physico-mechanical properties
Rock excavation by blast design, optimisation of blasting, controlled blasting
Monitoring and mitigation of ground vibration, air overpressure and fly rock.
Rock mass damage control and near field vibration monitoring
Design of excavation and method for extraction, sequencing and backfilling.
Analysis of stability of mine, design of different types of supports, stress analysis and design of mines using numerical modelling tools
Instrumentation, monitoring of mines, mining Induced Seismicity, Seismic Hazard in mines using Seismic /Microseismic Monitoring.
Service Standards:
NIRM responds to relevant/corresponding area enquiries with proposal tailored to the site conditions based on the inputs provided/available. The proposals envisage work elements, time-schedules, responsibilities, and coordination requirements to fulfil the objectives. Proposals are provided in 7 to 15 days’ time period depending on various inputs. Applicability of BIS, ISRM, ASTM standards, other test standards, tools etc. are incorporated appropriately. NIRM adheres to contractual obligations to provide technical reports in a timely manner.
Stakeholders
Civil engineering, hydropower, nuclear, mining and infrastructure firms
Central and State Government departments
Public and private sector mining companies
Academic and research institutions
Responsibilities
NIRM Responsibilities
Field Data, Scientific Investigation, Analysis and Report
Deliverables: Client/Site specific deliverables like Technical Notes, Technical Reports, outputs, and analysis etc. are shared and the inputs, work, output are intellectual property of NIRM and are restricted to specific clients/industry
Industry/Stakeholder/Citizen Responsibilities
We request the cooperation of our Industry/Stakeholder/Citizen to:
Provide complete and accurate information while seeking services.
Adhere to contractual obligations and mutually agreed timelines.
Participate constructively in consultations and feedback mechanisms.
Refrain from activities that affects the productivity of scientific output through unauthorized means/ and influencing decisions.
Feedback Mechanism:
Related industry and stakeholders provide feedback on the completion of objectives of scientific investigation at a project site on the scientific work done.
Contact Information
National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM),
Eshwar Nagar, Dr Punith Rajkumar Road,
Banashankari 2nd Stage Bengaluru-560 070
Karnataka, India
Email: dto@nirm.in, Website: https://www.nirm.in