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Expert: - 3/25/2003


Question
Hi, my name is Margarita Cruz I'm a student at the University of Puerto Rico, and for my geography class, I have to do a project.  I'm was wondering what is the point of view of an engineer about the canalization of a river's bed.  Are you guys aware of the natural consecuences (spell check) of its canalization, and what is the purpose of it?
Thanks a lot for your time.

Answer
Hi Margarita,

I am not an expert on canals, but from what I know, canalisation is man-made profiling of the river cross-section and helps with controlling the erosion of the riverbed to ensure a long life and smooth flow of water, especially during floods. This also maintains the river banks and avoids damage to buildings and infrastructure next to the rivers.

The environmental impact is that natural vegetaion can not grow as well as in the original state, and so this may also affect fish life, etc.

I hope this helps!

Kind regards,

Arshad

Civil Engineering

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Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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