STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

After three and half years of undergraduate study in Civil Engineering, I feel
completely satisfied with my decision to choose engineering as my career option as it
has revealed most pragmatic and down-to-earth approach to tackling human problems
to me. My enthusiasm coupled with scope for innovations and opportunities available
in the civil engineering has motivated me to opt for higher studies and contribute to the
field through meaningful research. I sincerely believe that graduation at West
Virginia University will be an ideal step in this direction.

My decision to major in Civil Engineering was result of my desire to contribute

something beautiful to the society, direct impact of Civil Engineering on every
individual’s life and importance of infrastructure for development of a country.
Foundation of this lay in my childhood admiration of my friends’ father who was a civil
engineer and I used to be excited and inquisitive whenever I used to visit him.

I am optimistic and hardworking and strongly believe in maintaining ethical

integrity in all my endeavours. My family maintains a highly motivated ambience
conducive to academic pursuit. This has ingrained the desire of competition and
achievement and temperament of scientific inquiry in my character. Consequently I
topped every class I attended in school and high school. My hard work and perseverance
paid off when I scored in top 1% of students in Joint Entrance Examination for
admission in India’s premier technology colleges, the National Institute of Technology
(NIT - warangal).

I had first formal exposure to structural engineering in course “Mechanics of

Materials”. This course inculcated in me the fundamental tenets of structural behaviour
which ignited my interest in this field. To strengthen my concepts I pursued courses on
basic and “Advanced” “Structural Analysis” which enabled me to do elastic analysis of
structures using flexibility and stiffness approaches. Design courses like basic and
“Advanced” “Design of Concrete Structures”, “Design of Steel Structures” and
“Analysis and Design for Wind and Earthquake Effects” equipped me with adequate
tools to carryout Load Resistant Factor Design and introduced me to codal provisions.
Laboratory courses helped me consolidate my fundamentals and reinforce theoretical
background.

I armed myself with the knowledge of basic geotechnical engineering in

“Geotechnical Engineering I” & “II”. These courses have given me sound grasp of
fundamentals. Numerous visits to construction sites enhanced my practical
understanding. Elective course “Foundation Engineering” gave vital insight into design
of shallow and deep foundation in clayey and sandy soil.
 I also credited courses like “Materials of Construction”, “Building Construction
and Equipments” and “Functional Design of Buildings” which inculcated latest
construction technology and management methods in me. “Construction Management”
highlighted importance of effective team coordination for project execution in quality
construction practice and exposed me to plethora of applications of Operations
Research in project management.To keep myself abreast with latest information, I am
regularly referring to ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering, Earthquake
Engineering and Structural Dynamics, Indian Construction: Journal of Builders
Association of India and Magazine of Concrete Research.

In the previous years I have paved a way to shape my career but I realised that
undergraduate education has given me only glimpse of knowledge in this field. My
decision for Master of Science in structural engineering or construction mangement is
an effort to quench my thirst of knowledge and contribute to field by positive research.
From consultants of my professors, guidance of my seniors and careful perusal of web-
pages of university, I am convinced that my career will be in best hands at your
University. Not only was I attracted by its distinguished faculty, excellent laboratory
facilities and high reputation but also by quality of research going on. My choice of this
specialisation is motivated by its multidisciplinary nature which will broaden my
horizons and give me flexibility in professional practice.

The practical knowledge I received in my summer Training was really inspiring, when
I was a part of a team of trainees working for National Authority of Highways India
(NHAI) and Hindustan Shipyard Limited. Here I took the task of performing a study
of testing of materials procured for Roads, mix design, design of reinforced
concrete structures.Also I had the opportunity to visit and learn about the surveying. I
was exposed to the various aspects of structural and Transportation Engineering and I
got the opportunity to interact with the Engineers involved with futuristic activities that
inspired me.

The knowledge gained through academics and experience in trainings came to lime
light when I proceeded to work for M/s AARVEE associates where I took up railways
as my field research for two years designing bridges, retaining walls etc.,.

My academic pursuits have not however, prevented me from participating with interest
in various extracurricular activities. As coordinator of the Civil Engineering
Association, Technical Festival and Cultural Festival of NIT WARANGAL, I have
enjoyed working in a team while planning for the organization's activities. Apart from
these I have represented my college as captain of cricket team winning the Inter NIT
sports meet for our college.

The undergraduate curriculum enabled me to clear my fundamentals; so I feel the need

to complete my Masters. The fast emerging global scenario in the field of Civil
Engineering, and moreover the quality of education and exposure to plethora of research
work in USA supplemented by my own interest, has helped me to fortify my decision
to pursue graduate studies in U.S.A.

I am applying to your university because of the excellent reputation of your school. In

addition, your splendid facilities are also a major attraction to me. In my experience as
a student I know for certain that good facilities can make a difference in a student's life
and learning experience. I hope you will grant me the privilege of pursuing my Masters
Degree in your prestigious university

I look forward to a long and fruitful association with University of West

Virginia at Morgantown

Civil engineering has been an integral part of our lives since ages. It is one of the most
useful application of physical and scientific principles. As a child I enjoyed learning the
fundamentals of Physics and Mathematics. Their wide range of applications in the field
of civil engineering motivated me to become an engineer. Currently, I am pursuing my
Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech, 4th Year) in Civil Engineering from IIT Roorkee, India.
I expect to receive my first degree in June 2017.
Upon receiving my Bachelor’s degree, I plan to continue my education by studying a
Master’s course in Construction Management at Arizona State University. My interest in
construction management was sparked by topics such as construction principles,
design of concrete structures and behavior of materials introduced to me in 3 semester
courses. Participation in summer trainings gave me a glimpse of the challenges one
might face while working in this dynamic sector. I aim to enhance my existing
knowledge, learn new skills and build a rewarding career in this industry.
During my Bachelor’s I have had a comprehensive exposure to the core areas of Civil
Engineering such as engineering physics, properties of steel and reinforced concrete,
design of steel structures, structural analysis and estimation and costing etc. However,
the field that has stirred me the most is construction management. I have obtained 82%
marks in this course. I have performed very well in other subjects as well. My aggregate
percentage up to 6th semester is 79%. In addition, I have gained a lot of practical
experience through projects and summer trainings.
In my first summer training (from 1st June 2015 to 30th June 2016) I worked under the
guidance of an architect. I learnt various foundation related activities such as BBS (Bar
Bending Schedule), estimation of the amount and cost of concrete and bricks required.
In July 2015 I completed my 2nd summer training from Central Building Research
Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, India on the project “ABC in Reinforced concrete”. The main
objective of this research work was to develop an understanding of ABC in reinforced
concrete and to determine the depth of carbonation in RCC structures.
Concrete ABC is the process in which atmospheric carbon dioxide reacts with the
alkaline components of hardened concrete and creates calcium carbonate. This in turn
makes the reinforcing steel susceptible to damage from corrosion. I conducted
experiments with different types of concrete mixtures to measure the depth of
carbonation. I also investigated the effects of temperature and humidity on the rate of
carbonation. I found that ABC increases with the rise in temperature. In addition, I
determined the moisture diffusion coefficient of concrete by measuring the interior
humidity of concrete specimens. An inverse relationship between concrete strength and
moisture content was observed.
During my training I also gained hands on experience of casting cubes, cylinders and
prisms. I also made Excel sheets to perform complex and lengthy calculations to
calculate the above mentioned parameters. I can confidently use software like AutoCad.
I demonstrated my building modeling proficiency in a workshop conducted by IIT
Mumbai. I derived the parameters of the leaning tower of Pisa in Autocad and made a
model of the tower with ice cream sticks. Currently, I am learning the professional
project management software Primavera P6.
My 4th year project is in progress. It is a team project which focuses on enhancing the
strength of concrete by admixture. Chemical admixtures are the smallest component of
a concrete mix. They impart significant beneficial effects to concrete properties in terms
of performance, durability and environment optimization leading to sustainability etc.
Our aim is to derive the strength of cubes casted with cement concrete and concrete
with admixtures.
During my B.Tech I published a paper titled “ABC Concrete from Industrial Waste – A
Review”, in the International Journal of Innovative Research in Science (IJIRSET),
Engineering and Technology, Vol. N, Issue 12, December 2016, ISSN (Print): 9999-
8888 . I have also gathered valuable experience in interacting with faculty members and
developed presentation skills via technical discussions and presentations. Throughout
my education I have had an excellent academic record. Considering my research and
data analysis skills I believe that I can successfully complete the graduate program at
Arizona State University.
In my Master’s I would like to expand my knowledge of the latest construction
techniques and develop business management skills which can be applied in a wide of
construction projects. In addition, I wish to study and do research under Dr. Kenneth
Sullivan whose papers in civil and environmental engineering have been greatly
revered.
As mentioned above, I am passionate about Civil Engineering and I would like to join
the MSc Construction Management program at Arizona State University which happens
to be making waves in this sector. I selected this university for my Master’s because I
strongly believe that the learning environment plays a critical role in gaining knowledge
and expertise. More importantly, your program combines engineering and business
curricula, which prepares construction executives to take leading roles. I firmly believe
that pursuing my graduation from ASU will definitely give direction to my pursuits of
becoming a successful construction professional in the future so that I can serve my
countrymen. (860 Words)
Yours sincerely
Sandeep Gulia