J. N. BANDYOPADHYAY, Ph.D., is Professor of Civil Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. He has a wide experience in teaching, research and industrial consultancy of various government and private agencies. Dr. Bandyopadhyay has conducted short-term courses for teachers of various technological institutes and universities and has organized and attended several international conferences. He has authored two books and published/presented about a hundred technical papers in several national and international journals and conferences. His areas of interest include design of reinforced concrete structures, bridge engineering and shell structures.