Skip to main content
Log in

Investigation for influence of geopathic stress on structural behaviour of road elements

  • Technical Paper
  • Published:
Innovative Infrastructure Solutions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel road design parameter in the form of geopathic stress (GS) as a critical factor in the structural analysis of concrete pavements. While traditional pavement design practices are well-established, they often overlook the adverse effects of GS, including its magnetic and electric characteristics. This study conducts a two-year comparative analysis of concrete’s structural behaviour in GS zones and non-GS zones, utilizing destructive testing on laboratory beams and cubes, as well as non-destructive testing (NDT) with ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) on the Mumbai–Pune expressway. The results reveal a significant loss of compressive and flexural strength in concrete exposed to GS, reaching 18.43% and 23.43%, respectively, after one year. NDT results on panels indicate a progressive deterioration, suggesting weakened concrete over time. Furthermore, NDT on the expressway confirms that pavement deterioration is more pronounced in GS zones compared to non-GS zones, with all other parameters held constant. Given these findings, this paper recommends the incorporation of GS considerations in road design, offering benefits to structural engineering professionals and society by enhancing pavement longevity and durability in GS-affected areas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. About highways (2022) Accessed 23 Dec 2022, from Nic.in website: https://morth.nic.in/about-highways

  2. ACI 325 (2001) Accessed 24 Oct 2023, from Concrete.org website: https://www.concrete.org/committees/directoryofcommittees/acommitteehome.aspx?committee_code=C0032500

  3. Bengal SN, Pammar LS, Nayak CB (2022) Engineering application of organic materials with concrete: a review. Mater Today Proc 56:581–586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.02.390

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Salgude RR, Pimplikar SS, Kolekar DM, Yadav RR, Ghanekar S (2023) Investigation for effect of weak electric and magnetic fields at black spots on concrete pavement. Mater Today Proc 77:805–812. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.11.486

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Creightmore R (1997) Accessed 23 Dec 2022, from Landandspirit.net website: https://landandspirit.net/about-us/richard-creightmore/

  6. Meliknow E (1997) Proceedings of the first international congress on geopathic stress, Cyprus, pp 23–26

  7. Christopher S (1997) Proceedings of the first international congress on geopathic stress, Cyprus, pp 15–18

  8. Read J (2006) Geopathic Stress and subtle energy, life work potential. Life-Work Potential, Exminster, pp 14–18

    Google Scholar 

  9. Bachler K (1970) Discoveries of a dowser. Wiley, New York, pp 72–75

    Google Scholar 

  10. Sorate RR, Kharat AG, Dharmadhikari NP, Pimplikar SS, Narang G, Deshmukh D, Bhagwat S, Sorat S (2012) Geopathic stress aspect for sustainable development of built environment. Int J Sci Res Publ 2:1–4

    Google Scholar 

  11. Hacker GW (2008) Geopathic stress zones and their influence on the human organism. In: Proceedings of the Druskininkai congress on, earths fields and their influence on human beings, pp 8–17

  12. Sorate RR, Zode PM, Hire HB, Kharat AG, Dharmadhikari NP, Pimplikar SS (2014) Geopathic stress: a threat to the built environment. Int J Latest Technol Eng 3:30–32

    Google Scholar 

  13. Kolekar DM, Pimplikar SS, Salgude RR, Yadav RR, Deshmukh AS (2024) Use of poly contrast interference photography (PIP) for energy field analysis of concrete pavement. Techno-societal 2022. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp 343–360

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  14. Muthekar V, Sasane P, Phalak R, Gour S, Kharat A (2020) Application of light interference technique for locating groundwater veins. IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng 814:012027. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/814/1/012027

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Bhimraj GA, Gaikwad SB (2018) To study the nature of geopathic stress caused by ground water using NAAV meter and proton magnetometer. Int J Sci Innov Math Res (IJSIMR) 6(3):25–28. https://doi.org/10.2043/2347-3142.0603003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. von Pohl (1932) Earth currents: causative factor of cancer and other diseases by Gustav Freiherr von Pohl [ISBN 3772494021]

  17. Triste H (2003) Erath rays-the silent killer. Elsevier Publishing Company, New York, pp 28–43

    Google Scholar 

  18. Kingston K (1996) Creating scared space with Feng Shui. Judy Paiktus Ltd, London, p 264

    Google Scholar 

  19. Bird C (2000) The divining hand: The 500-year old mystery of dowsing. Whitford Press, West Chester, p 372

    Google Scholar 

  20. Dharmadhikari NP, Rao AP, Pimplikar SS, Kharat AG, Aghav SD, Meshram DC, Kulkarni SD, Jain BB (2010) Effect of geopathic stress on human heart rate and blood pressure. Indian J Sci Technol 3(1):54

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Dharmadhikari NP, Meshram DC, Kulkarni SD, Kharat AG, Pimplikar SS (2011) Effect of geopathic stress zone on human body voltage and skin resistance. J Eng Technol Res 3(8):255–263

    Google Scholar 

  22. Aghav SD, Tambade PS (2015) Investigating effects of geopathic stress on health parameters in young healthy volunteers. Int J Chem Phys Sci 4:28–34

    Google Scholar 

  23. Bradna L (2002) The influence of hydro pathogenic zones on drivers. Narendra Prakashan, Pune, pp 38–43

    Google Scholar 

  24. Kharat AG (2000) Empirical and theoretical investigation on built environment, Ph.D.Thesis, University of Pune, p 107

  25. Sorate RR, Kharat AG, Shivshetti M, Desai A, Nandgude M, Ekal P, Sontakke P (2015) Geopathic stress: parameter for the occurrence of accidents. IV (V), IJLTEMAS

  26. Pimplikar SS, Salgude RR (2017) Road accident prediction models based on geopathic stress. IJERMCE ISSN (Online) 2456–1290:75–77

    Google Scholar 

  27. Pimplikar SS, Kharat AG, Sujata V (2005) Geopathic stress—a novel road design parameter. In: Presented in the international conference START 2005 IIT Khargpur, pp 435–443

  28. Pimplikar SS, Kharat AG (2012) Effect of geopathic stress on the performance of roadways. IJECS 4:125–128

    Google Scholar 

  29. Sorate R, Dharmadhikari N, Kharat AG, Bhagwat S (2013) Effect of geopathic stress zone on soil properties. Elixir Geosci 54C(2013):12365–12367

    Google Scholar 

  30. Salgude RR, Pailwan P, Pimplikar S, Kolekar D (2024) Investigation of the effects from geopathic stress on the design thickness of flexible pavements. World J Eng. https://doi.org/10.1108/wje-09-2023-0383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Chafekar BH, Jarad GP, Pimplikar SS, Dharmadhikari NP, Kharat AG, Sorate RR (2013) Effect of geopathic stress on pavement distresses. IOSR J Mech 1:1–08

  32. Poddar A, Rana S (2014) Effect of geopathic stress and its correction on human body and machinery breakdown. Med Med Sci (LRJMMS) 1:41–045

    Google Scholar 

  33. Silk A, Cown D (1999) Ancient energies of the earth. Thorsons, London, p 319

    Google Scholar 

  34. John Wilcock (1994) Accessed 23 Oct 2023. https://wwwsop.inria.fr/agos/sis/dowsing/dowsdean.html

  35. Dharmadhikari NP, Muthekar VV, Mahajan CS, Basavaiah N, Kharat AG, Barde SI et al (2019) Vein width measurement of groundwater on earth’s surface using semiconductor laser light and proton precession magnetometer. J Appl Geophys 171(103864):103864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2019.103864

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Nayak CB, Taware PP, Jagadale UT, Jadhav NA, Morkhade SG (2021) Effect of SiO2 and ZnO nano-composites on mechanical and chemical properties of modified concrete. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Civ Eng 46:1237–1247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Allahverdi A, Mahinroosta M, Pilehvar S (2017) A temperature–age model for prediction of compressive strength of chemically activated high phosphorus slag content cement. Int J Civ Eng 15(5):839–847. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-017-0196-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Kate GK, Nayak CB, Thakare SB (2021) Optimization of sustainable high-strength–high-volume fly ash concrete with and without steel fiber using Taguchi method and multi-regression analysis. Innov Infrastruct Solut. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-021-00472-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Jones R, Fącąoaru I (1969) Recommendations for testing concrete by the ultrasonic pulse method. Matér Constr 2(4):275–284. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02475162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Nayak CB, Throat NS, Thakare SB (2018) Corrosion impact analysis on residual life of structure using cathodic technique and Algor simulation software. Eng Struct Technol 10(1):18–26. https://doi.org/10.3846/est.2018.1468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Jagtap A, Nayak C (2020) Corrosion monitoring of RCC structure by using corrosion expansion sensor. In: Pawar P, Ronge B, Balasubramaniam R, Vibhute A, Apte S (eds) Techno-societal 2018. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp 205–216

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  42. Qixian L, Bungey JH (1996) Using compression wave ultrasonic transducers to measure the velocity of surface waves and hence determine dynamic modulus of elasticity for concrete. Constr Build Mater 10(4):237–242. https://doi.org/10.1016/0950-0618(96)00003-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Ibragimov R, Korolev E, Deberdeev T, Dolbin I (2022) Influence of electromagnetic radiation on the degradation of reinforced concrete structures—review. Case Stud Constr Mater 17:e01454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Indian Standard (IS 13311-1) (1992) Method of non-destructive testing of concrete, part 1: ultrasonic pulse velocity. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  45. Indian Standard (IS 456) (2000) Plain and reinforced concrete-code of practice. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dipak M. Kolekar.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

This article's authors did not conduct research involving human subjects or animals.

Informed consent

Formal consent is not necessary for this type of study.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kolekar, D.M., Pimplikar, S.S. Investigation for influence of geopathic stress on structural behaviour of road elements. Innov. Infrastruct. Solut. 9, 106 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-024-01417-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-024-01417-5

Keywords

Navigation