Assam down town University successfully organised the Masonry Arch Competition as part of Ecclesia 2026 under the Techno Management Fest 2026.

The competition was coordinated by Dr. Nayan Jyoti Sarma and witnessed the participation of 11 student teams. The activity focused on the practical aspects of masonry arch construction and load testing, providing students with an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge of structural engineering in a hands-on setting.

During the competition, participants prepared cement-sand mortar and constructed masonry arches using the materials provided. They worked collaboratively to arrange bricks, maintain the required arch geometry, ensure proper alignment and achieve structural stability. Following construction, the arches underwent load testing, wherein weights were gradually placed on top of each structure to evaluate their load-carrying capacity, stability and response under increasing loads.

The exercise offered valuable insights into the principles of load transfer, compressive forces, arch geometry and the importance of proper construction techniques. It also encouraged teamwork, coordination, analytical thinking and practical problem-solving among participants.