Dr Rajnish K Goel

Dr. R. K. Goel superannuated from CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR) in Jun 2020. He worked in CSIR-CIMFR from 1982 and was holding the post of Professor, Chief Scientist and Scientist-in-Charge of Roorkee Research Centre of CSIR-CIMFR at the time of his superannuation. His work and research areas are 'Engineering Geology and Rock Mechanics Applications for the Design of Tunnels and Underground Space in Rocks'.

During his 38 years of service to the Nation, he has worked on number of R&D and consultancy projects. Notable are - Design of various underground facilities for Ministry of Defence; Design of underground nuclear waste repositories, BARC, Mumbai; Sponsored and collaborative research projects sponsored by Ministry of Water Resources, DST and International Agencies; Design and evaluation of number of hydroelectric, highway and railway tunnel projects in different states of the country including the tunnels in challenging geology of Himalaya. He has worked as Proof Design Check Consultant for Chenani-Nashri Highway tunnels and Zojila Highway Tunnels in Jammu and Kashmir. He has developed new tunnelling techniques including the technology for squeezing ground condition and successfully implemented and applied these techniques in the field.

He has formulated six BIS codes and designed, developed and patented three instruments for the monitoring of tunnels and underground structures. Dr. Goel has co-authored five books, the latest one on "Underground Infrastructures: Planning, Design and Construction" published in May 2012. His books were published by Elsevier Ltd. and A.A. Balkema. Book on Engineering Rock Mass Classifications has been translated in Korean language by South Korean Publishing agency. Dr. Goel has published more than 150 research papers in peer reviewed National and International Journals and Conferences.

He is Editor of Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology (TUST), a Journal of Elsevier Science Ltd. He is Editorial Board member, ISRM (India) Journal and Editor, Journal of Rock Mechanics and Tunnelling Technology, a bi-annual Journal of ISRMTT since 2000.

In addition to various research awards of IGS, CSIR-CIMFR, IIT Roorkee, he has also received the highly recognized Ministry of Mines, Govt of India's National Geosciences Award 2004 for his outstanding contributions in Engineering Geology. He has received ISRMTT award for Outstanding Contributions in Rock Mechanics for the year 2007. He has also been awarded IIT Roorkee Gopal Ranjan Research Award 2012.

Dr. Goel was vice-President International Society for Rock Mechanics (India) from 2012 to 2017 and President, Indian Society for Rock Mechanics and Tunnelling Technology (ISRMTT), Roorkee Local Chapter since 2009 to 2021. Currently he is Vice President, IGS Roorkee Chapter and Executive Member, ISRMTT Main Body.

Dr. Goel had been to NTU, Singapore and EPFL, Switzerland as a visiting fellow; to Sweden as a member of delegation to visit underground oil storage facility; to Czech Republic for a joint collaborative project; and to USA, Korea, Malaysia, Iran and China to attend conferences.