Nemkumar Banthia

{{Infobox person

| honorific_prefix =

| name = Nemkumar Banthia

| honorific_suffix = PhD, P.Eng, FRSC

| image = Nemkumar Banthia.png

| birth_name = Nemkumar Banthia

| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1959}}

| birth_place = Nagpur, India

| education = {{unbulleted list| Doctorate of Philosophy | University of British Columbia}}

| alma_mater = {{unbulleted list| IIT Delhi (Master) | University of British Columbia (PhD) }}

| occupation = University Killam Professor, Researcher

| website = https://www.civil.ubc.ca/faculty/nemkumar-banthia

}}

Nemkumar Banthia FRSC, (born 1959) is an Indian-born Canadian engineer and professor of civil engineering at the University of British Columbia and the CEO of IC-IMPACTS.{{Cite web|url=https://www.civil.ubc.ca/faculty/nemkumar-banthia|title=nemkumar-banthia {{!}} UBC Civil|website=www.civil.ubc.ca|access-date=2017-07-17}} He is best known for his research in the fields of cement-based and polymer-based fiber reinforced composites, particularly on testing and standardization, fracture behavior, strain-rate effects, durability and development of sustainable materials.

Early life

Banthia was born in 1959 in Nagpur, India.{{cite web |title=Nemkumar Banthia |url=https://civil.ubc.ca/faculty/nemkumar-banthia/ |website=UBC Civil Engineering}}{{failed verification|date=February 2023}} Growing up in India, he was concerned with the poor quality of housing, poor quality of water, and the little state of transportation infrastructure. This further motivated him to pursue a field where he could transform societies and create healthy communities and vibrant economies by creating proper infrastructure. He obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Nagpur University and a Master of Technology in Structural Engineering in 1982, from the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi.{{Cite web|url=http://drishtimagazine.com/2016/08/dr-nemy-banthia-a-trend-setting-ubc-professor-2/|title=Dr. Nemy Banthia – Drishti Magazine|website=drishtimagazine.com|date=30 August 2016 |access-date=2017-07-19}} Banthia then moved to Canada where he obtained his doctorate in Civil Engineering Materials from UBC in 1987.{{Cite thesis|last=Banthia|first=Nemkumar P.|title=Impact resistance of concrete|date=1987|publisher=University of British Columbia|url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/cIRcle/collections/ubctheses/831/items/1.0062922}}

Career

Banthia's main area of research is fiber-reinforced composites and is he is credited for his contributions to the fundamental understanding of sprayed concrete including particle and fiber kinematics, rebound modeling, in-situ quality control and performance characterization. Banthia is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair and previous Distinguished University Scholar at the University of British Columbia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.civil.ubc.ca/faculty/nemkumar-banthia|title=Nemkumar Banthia|publisher=ubc.ca|accessdate=18 December 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-no96034608/|title=Banthia, N.|publisher=worldcat.org|accessdate=18 December 2016}} He is also a fellow of the American Concrete Institute, the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, the Indian Concrete Institute, the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Indian National Academy of Engineering.{{cite web |title=Prof. Nemkumar Banthia - Alumni Relations, IITD |url=https://alumni.iitd.ac.in/home/index.php/2020/10/17/prof-nemkumar-banthia/ |publisher=alumni.iitd.ac.in}}

= University of British Columbia =

Banthia was first appointed as an associate professor at UBC in 1992 and later promoted to professor in 1997.{{cite web |title=Durability of GFRP Reinforced Concrete in Field Structures | citeseerx=10.1.1.553.7262 }} He leads the Civil Engineering Materials group, also known as SIERA (Sustainable InfrastructurE ReseArch).{{cite web |title=Nemkumar Banthia - icri |url=https://store.icri.org/speaker/nemkumar-banthia-577406 |website=store.icri.org |language=en}} With Banthia's leadership, the group is extremely experienced in the field of composites and is well known for its extensive research in the field of fibre reinforcement, including shotcrete applications. Banthia was recognized by the university's Distinguished University Scholar (DUS) program and received an award in 2003.{{Cite web|url=http://news.ubc.ca/ubcnewsdigest/2003/03may07.html|title=UBC News Digest May 7, 2003 - UBC Public Affairs|website=news.ubc.ca|access-date=2017-07-17}}

Banthia has developed a number of novel methodologies for fibers use in concrete and shotcrete reinforcement, developed a family of fibres for reinforcing Portland cement-based materials, pioneered research in microfiber-reinforced cement composites for civil applications, demonstrated use of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) in new construction and repairs. Some more specific topics of current and planned research include mechanical properties and durability of Portland cement concrete (plain and fibre-reinforced); permeability of Portland cement concrete; shotcrete (wet and dry processes); shrinkage, cracking and durability; impact/blast resistance of concrete and fiber reinforced concrete; use of fiber reinforced plastic composites for new construction and repair, and use of recycled materials in concrete.{{Cite web|url=http://www.civil.ubc.ca/research/research-areas/materials-engineering|title=Materials Engineering {{!}} UBC Civil|website=www.civil.ubc.ca|access-date=2017-07-17}}

= IC-IMPACTS =

In 2012, Banthia was named Scientific Director of the India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability (IC-IMPACTS).{{Cite news|url=https://ic-impacts.com/about/people/nemy/|title=Dr. Nemy Banthia|date=2014-01-08|work=IC-IMPACTS|access-date=2017-07-17}} IC-IMPACTS is the first, Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence established through the Canadian Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE){{Cite news|url=http://ic-impacts.com/about/about-us/|title=About Us|date=2013-12-17|work=IC-IMPACTS|access-date=2017-07-19}} as a Centre dedicated to the development of research collaborations between Canada and India. A number of projects led by Banthia at IC-IMPACTS have been covered by media outlets globally.

Committees

Banthia has served on numerous committees and is currently actively involved with CSA: Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC) as the Chair of Technical Subcommittee on Durability. He also serves on Editorial Boards of eight international journals and is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Cement and Concrete Composites.{{cite web |title=Cement and Concrete Composites - Journal - Elsevier |url=https://www.journals.elsevier.com/cement-and-concrete-composites |website=www.journals.elsevier.com}} With a CiteScore of 10.9 and an Impact Factor of 6.257{{Cite book|url=https://www.journals.elsevier.com/cement-and-concrete-composites|title=Cement and Concrete Composites}} the journal has one of the highest Impact Factor in the field.{{Cite web|url=http://www.globeseries.com/main/globe2016/conference/speakers/speakers-details/nemkumar-banthia.html|title=Nemkumar Banthia Speaker at GLOBE 2016|website=www.globeseries.com|access-date=2017-07-17}}

Conferences and seminars

Through seminars and other events, Banthia contributes towards continuing education of practicing engineers, graduate students and other institutions, business personnel and technicians.

Some of his most recent involvements, with international conferences, include:

Chair Steering Committee, PROTECT2017
Conference Co-Chair CONSEC2016
Conference Chair, BEFIB 2016
Conference Co-Chair, ACMBS-XI
Chair Steering Committee, PROTECT2015
Conference Chair, ConMat'15

Publications

Banthia has more than 450 research publications with an outstanding H-index value of 48 (Web of Science). To date, he holds 9 patents, has published over 450 refereed papers and over 30 books, edited volumes, and special journal issues.

Awards and honours

File:Dr. Banthia at the 2017 Darpan Extraordinary Achievements Awards.png

Banthia was inducted as a Distinguished University Scholar at UBC in 2003 and was appointed as a Senior Canada Research Chair in Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Sustainability in 2006. He was honoured by the British Columbia Innovation Council by its Solutions Through Research Award and jointly by the Seoul National University and the Korea Concrete Institute by their Distinguished Researcher Award.

Some of Banthia's recent academic and professional awards and distinctions include:

Distinguished Alumni Award by the IIT-Delhi Alumni Association, October 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020-10-20|title=IIT Delhi Declares Alumni Award 2020|url=https://thenewsofthepeople.com/iit-delhi-declares-alumni-award-2020/|access-date=2021-06-27|website=Latest News|language=en-US}}
Global Citizenship Award received at the alumni UBC Achievement Awards, November 2018.{{Cite web|date=2018-11-30|title=2018 alumni UBC Achievement Awards Recipients {{!}} Alumni UBC|url=https://trekmagazine.alumni.ubc.ca/2018/fall-2018/features/2018-alumni-achievement-awards|access-date=2021-06-27|website=trekmagazine.alumni.ubc.ca|language=en}}
Industry Marvel Award by Darpan Magazine, September 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.darpanmagazine.com/awards/2017/meet-darpan-extraordinary-achievements-award-winners-2017/?page=2|title=Darpan : Magazine, News, Entertainment, Lifestyle|website=www.darpanmagazine.com|access-date=2017-10-03}}
World CSR Excellence Award of Global CSR Foundation, March 2017. Award given in Mumbai, India.{{Cite web|url=http://ic-impacts.com/ic-impacts-ceo-awarded-global-csr-award/|title=IC-IMPACTS CEO Awarded Global CSR Award – IC-IMPACTS|website=ic-impacts.com|access-date=2017-07-17}}
Drishti Award for Innovations in Science and Technology, November 2015.{{Cite web|url=http://drishtimagazine.com/2016/08/dr-nemy-banthia-a-trend-setting-ubc-professor-2/|title=Dr. Nemy Banthia – Drishti Magazine|website=drishtimagazine.com|date=30 August 2016 |access-date=2017-07-17}}
Special Commemorative Conference organized by American Concrete Institute to honor N. Banthia in Mumbai, India, December 2015.
Best Paper Award from the Int. J of Civil Structural Health Monitoring [Paper in 1:25-35, 2011] Award presented in November 2013.{{cite web |title=2011-2012 Aftab Mufti Best Paper Awards |url=http://www.ishmii.org/aftab-mufti-medal/2011-2012-aftab-mufti-best-paper-awards/ |publisher=www.ishmii.org}}
Aftab Mufti Medal of the International Society for Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure (ISHMII) November 2013.{{cite web |title=Nemy Banthia receives Aftab Mufti Medal from ISHMII |url=https://www.cae-acg.ca/nemy-banthia-receives-aftab-mufti-medal-from-ishmii/ |publisher=cae-acg.ca}}
Horst Leipholz Medal, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (2012).{{cite web |title=UBC Civil Engineering Newsletter by UBC Engineering - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/ubc_engineering/docs/civil_summer_2012/12 |website=issuu.com |language=en}}
Killam Research Prize, UBC (2012).{{cite web |title=2012 Annual Final Report |url=http://killamlaureates.ca/doc/2012_Annual%20Report_Final_021813.pdf |publisher=killamlaureates.ca}}
Leadership in Science and Technology, Drishti (2016). {{Cite web |last=Drishti |date=2016-08-05 |title=Dr. Nemy Banthia |url=https://drishtimagazine.com/dr-nemy-banthia-a-trend-setting-ubc-professor/ |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=Drishti Magazine |language=en-US}}
Distinguished Alumnus Award, UBC (2018).{{Cite web |last=Lee |date=2019-03-14 |title=Professor Nemkumar Banthia wins Distinguished Alumnus Award for excellence in technology & innovation |url=https://civil.ubc.ca/professor-nemkumar-banthia-wins-distinguished-alumnus-award-for-excellence-in-technology-innovation/ |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=UBC Civil Engineering |language=en-US}}
University Killam Professor, UBC (2023). {{Cite web |title=Dr. Nemy Banthia receives UBC’s highest academic honour - News {{!}} UBC Applied Science |url=https://apsc.ubc.ca/news/2023/dr-nemy-banthia-receives-ubcs-highest-academic-honour |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=apsc.ubc.ca |language=en}}

In the media

Banthia's innovative research work has been covered by different media outlets. A number of his research projects have received intense attention, including the development of the new coating material to protect concrete pipes from corrosion.{{Cite web|url=http://journalofcommerce.com/Technology/News/2017/6/New-coating-material-protects-concrete-pipes-from-corrosion-1025009W/|title=New coating material protects concrete pipes from corrosion|website=journalofcommerce.com|access-date=2017-07-19}}

Banthia's work on the innovative carbon-neutral concrete coating, which is a product made from recycled material specifically designed to repair old and deteriorating sewer pipes, was featured in June 2021 in an article by The Weather Network.{{Cite web|title=Repairing Canada's aging sewer system with an eco-friendly solution|url=https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/news/article/repairing-canadas-sewers-with-an-eco-friendly-solution|access-date=2021-06-27|website=www.theweathernetwork.com|date=5 June 2021 |language=en-CA}}

The use of recycled vehicle tires as fibers in concrete to strengthen the material, add reinforcement, and enhance its properties has received significant interest.{{Cite news|url=http://www.bnn.ca/researchers-recycle-tires-to-strengthen-and-clean-up-concrete-1.808668|title=Researchers recycle tires to strengthen and clean up concrete - Article - BNN|date=2017-07-19|work=BNN|access-date=2017-07-19}} Use of recycled material in concrete helps in reducing its environmental impacts, hence the innovation has had positive feedback from the media.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tractionnews.com/rubber-hits-road-recycled-tires-create-stronger-concrete/|title=When the rubber hits the road: Recycled tires create stronger concrete|website=www.tractionnews.com|date=23 June 2017 |access-date=2017-07-19}}

Another well perceived project is the deployment of the famous self-healing road in Thondebhavi, India.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ubyssey.ca/science/self-healing-roads/|title=Self-healing roads protecting villages in India from heavy rains|last=Ong|first=Rachel|work=The Ubyssey|access-date=2017-07-17}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.recyclinginternational.com/recycling-news/10612/plastic-and-rubber/canada/used-tyre-fibres-reduce-crack-formation-concrete|title=Used tyre fibres reduce crack formation in concrete|last=International|first=Recycling|website=Recycling International - recycling magazine for professionals by professionals|access-date=2017-07-19}} The project has been highlighted as one of 2016's most transformative inventions and important scientific discoveries having the potential to impact millions of people.{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/science/science/020117/the-genius-15.html|title=The genius 15|date=2017-01-02|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=2017-07-18}}{{Cite news|url=https://e27.co/9-awe-inspiring-inventions-2016-20161223/|title=2+0+1+6 = 9 awe-inspiring non-digital inventions that caught our eye in 2016|work=e27|access-date=2017-07-18}} He has also been interviewed for his opinion on the safety of B.C.’s bridges and the need for more condition assessment.{{Cite news|url=https://vancouversun.com/bridges+safe+because+regular+inspections+repairs+officials/8432860/story.html|title=B.C.'s bridges safe because of regular inspections and repairs: officials|last=Sinoski|first= GORDON HOEKSTRA and Kelly|work=www.vancouversun.com|access-date=2017-07-19}}

Banthia's contributions to different communities through the work of IC-IMPACTS have been covered by Canadian news sources.{{Cite news|url=http://www.metronews.ca/news/vancouver/2016/11/14/ubc-engineer-paves-way-for-roads-that-repair-themselves.html|title=Goodbye, construction? UBC prof paves way for nano-fibre roads that repair themselves {{!}} Metro Vancouver|work=metronews.ca|access-date=2017-07-19}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.biv.com/article/2017/6/ubcs-tire-fibre-concrete-could-have-big-benefits-e/|title=UBC's tire-fibre concrete could have big benefits for the environment|work=Business In Vancouver|access-date=2017-07-19}} In celebration of Canadian Water Week, IC-IMPACTS water projects and initiatives were featured in print copies of The Vancouver Sun and online articles in The Province{{cite news | url=https://theprovince.com/feature/water-water-everywhere-but-can-we-make-it-safe-to-drink | title='Water, water everywhere,' but is it safe to drink? | date=17 March 2017 | first=Dan | last=Fumano | newspaper=The Province | accessdate=18 September 2018 }} and CBC in March, 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://theprovince.com/feature/water-water-everywhere-but-can-we-make-it-safe-to-drink/more-valuable-than-oil-water-is-big-business|title=Troubled Waters: More valuable than oil, water is big business|date=2017-03-22|work=The Province|access-date=2017-07-19}}{{Cite news|url=https://theprovince.com/feature/water-water-everywhere-but-can-we-make-it-safe-to-drink|title=Troubled Waters: 'Water, water everywhere,' but is it safe to drink?|date=2017-03-17|work=The Province|access-date=2017-07-19}} The research work was highlighted during an interview on the CBC Radio show Quirks & Quarks which aired in January 2017.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/emotional-hangovers-slime-mold-self-repairing-roads-1.3920620/driverless-car-meet-self-repairing-road-1.3920850|title=Driverless car, meet self repairing road|work=CBC Radio|access-date=2017-07-19}}

In 2016, Banthia was featured on the cover of Drishti Magazine when he won the DRISHTI Award for Leadership in Science and Technology.