KARACHI, June 16: A five-day workshop on monitoring and strengthening of bridge structures got under way at the NED University of Engineering and Technology on Monday.

The workshop, being organized jointly by the Civil Engineering department of the university and Asian Centre for Engineering Computations and Software (ACECOMS), aims to provide consolidated theoretical background and practical knowledge on the computer-aided \ modelling, analysis and design of bridge structures, said one of the organizers.

The workshop, being attended by about two dozens of engineers and urban development managers, both from private and government sectors, was formally inaugurated by the dean, civil engineering and architecture of the university, Dr Abdus Samad Khan.

During the first session of the workshop, Zafar Razzak, a teacher of the civil engineering department of the university, gave an overview of the existing bridges in the country and referred to the aspects related to modifications and changes in the standard design keeping in view the local conditions.

The associate director of ACECOMS, Naveed Anwar, discussed in details, with the help of slides and graphic designs, the structural systems for bridges observed internationally and locally. He also gave an introduction to the structural modelling and analysis.

The co-chairman of the department of civil engineering, Dr S H Lodhi, said there was a need to have proper monitoring and understanding about the design of bridges to avert any problem to its users.