AAKKAM’26
Engineering Intelligent Solutions for a Greener Tomorrow
24–25 September 2026
About AAKKAM
AAKKAM, derived from the Tamil word for “Creation,” is a premier technical event organized by the ASCE Student Chapter at VIT, Vellore.
AAKKAM brings together students through a series of challenging and inventive engineering competitions designed to test technical knowledge, creativity, problem-solving, and practical engineering skills.
It is a platform where imagination meets engineering expertise, encouraging participants to challenge conventional thinking and create solutions for the future.
What AAKKAM Represents
The world has always been shaped by the power of creation and innovation. Every breakthrough begins with an idea and the courage to bring it to life.
AAKKAM celebrates this spirit by bringing together passionate minds to explore new ideas, challenge limitations, and create meaningful engineering solutions.
AAKKAM Focuses On
Innovation & Creativity
Explore new ideas and transform concepts into impactful solutions.
Problem-Solving
Tackle real-world engineering problems through creative approaches.
Collaboration & Growth
Build teamwork, exchange knowledge, and learn alongside fellow innovators.
About VIT
VIT is one of India’s leading private universities, renowned for its excellence in education, research, and innovation. With a diverse student community and world-class infrastructure, it empowers students to excel academically and professionally.
About the School of Civil Engineering (SCE)
The School of Civil Engineering (SCE), VIT, is a leading centre for civil engineering education, research, and innovation, with 45 distinguished faculty members, advanced laboratories, and strong industry and international collaborations. SCE actively undertakes R&D and consultancy projects with reputed organisations and government agencies.
VIT’s Engineering & Technology was ranked among the Top 6 in India and Top 119 globally in the QS University Rankings 2026, while Civil Engineering was ranked among the Top 8 in India and within the 201–275 range globally by the QS University Rankings 2026.
Note: The source draft stated “201 275 globally”; this has been formatted as “201–275” for readability without changing the intended ranking range.
About ASCE – VIT Student Chapter
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) – VIT Student Chapter is a vibrant student-led organization dedicated to advancing the field of civil engineering through technical excellence, innovation, and professional development. The chapter serves as a platform for aspiring engineers to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practices by organizing workshops, expert lectures, technical competitions, site visits, and community engagement activities. Through these initiatives, ASCE nurtures leadership, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and global professional networking, empowering students to become competent and responsible civil engineers committed to building a sustainable future.
CHIEF PATRON
Dr. G. Viswanathan
Chancellor
PATRON
Dr. Sankar Viswanathan
Vice President
Dr. Sekar Viswanathan
Vice President
Dr. G. V. Selvam
Vice President
Dr. Sandhya Pentareddy
Executive Director
Ms. Kadhambari S. Viswanathan
Assistant Vice President
Dr. V. S. Kanchana Bhaaskaran
Vice Chancellor
Dr. Partha Sharathi Mallick
Pro-Vice Chancellor
Dr. Jayabarathi T
Registrar
CONVENORS
- Dr. M. P. Saravanakumar, Dean, SCE
- Dr. CD Naiju, Director, Student Welfare
CO-CONVENORS
- Dr. A. Sofi, Associate Dean, SCE
- Dr. Dillip Kumar Barik, Head, EWRE
- Dr. S. Bala Murugan, Head, SGE
ORGANISING SECRETARY
- Dr. A. Sofi, Faculty Coordinator, ASCE
ARCHQUEST
Tagline: Masonry Arch Challenge
ARCHQUEST is a hands-on masonry challenge that puts participants’ understanding of structural behaviour, compression, load transfer, and masonry construction to the test.
Teams are challenged to design and construct a self-supporting round masonry arch using only the materials provided by the organizers. The arch must satisfy specified dimensional requirements and incorporate a keystone at the crown, which acts as the final locking element of the structure.
Once construction is complete, the temporary supports are removed and the arch is subjected to a progressive load test directly over the keystone. The load is gradually increased until the structure fails or becomes unstable, making structural efficiency and construction quality crucial to success.
Rules & Regulations
- Teams must consist of 2–5 members.
- Each team will be provided with 25 bricks, limited sand, and limited water.
- Only materials provided by the organizing committee may be used.
- The arch must have a round/curved profile.
- The required clear span is 1 m and height is 500 mm.
- A keystone is mandatory and must be positioned at the crown/top centre.
- The completed arch must be self-supporting.
- Cement, adhesives, concrete, steel reinforcement, and other binding materials are prohibited.
- Additional bricks, sand, or water may not be brought into the competition area.
- All construction activities must be completed within the allocated time.
- The completed arch will undergo a load test at the keystone/crown.
- Load will be increased gradually until failure or structural instability.
- The maximum successfully sustained load will be recorded.
- Decisions of the organizing committee and judges will be final and binding.
Judging Criteria
- Maximum Load Sustained
- Structural Stability
- Dimensional Accuracy
- Aesthetics
| Date | Time | Team Size | Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 September 2026 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | 2–5 members | ₹500 per team |
KINETIX
Tagline: Search. Solve. Draft. Conquer
KINETIX is a synchronized, multi-stage technical quest and rapid software drafting competition designed to test core civil engineering knowledge, problem-solving speed, and AutoCAD proficiency.
To ensure complete competitive fairness between internal and external participants, campus navigation speed is removed. Instead, all teams move together in synchronized time slots across four designated station points in different locations.
Upon entering each station point, teams must search the space to locate their checkpoints in their respective station points. The first three station points challenge teams with their critical thinking and problem solving skills related to several civil engineering domains and basics.
The fourth checkpoint transitions into a high-speed AutoCAD drafting challenge. Using their own laptops, teams must interpret and solve all the clues given in the first three station points and convert it into a properly scaled, accurate 2D AutoCAD drawing before the station timer expires.
In addition to technical accuracy, teams that complete and submit their solutions early within any checkpoint window earn valuable in-station solving speed bonus points; and teams solving late beyond the designated time window will receive negative points accordingly.
Rules & Regulations
- Teams must consist of 2–4 members.
- Each team must bring at least one laptop with Autodesk AutoCAD pre-installed for the drafting station.
- The total event duration is 2 hours, comprising a 30-minute orientation briefing followed by a 90-minute active competition window.
- Teams must move between station points in groups under the direction of event escorts; individual or early movement between stations is prohibited.
- Upon entering a station room, teams must search the designated area to locate their checkpoint where the clue cards are given.
- Hiding, altering, or tampering with clue cards intended for other teams is strictly forbidden and will result in immediate disqualification.
- Mobile phones, smartwatches, internet browsing, and external assistance are strictly prohibited throughout the competition.
- Laptops are strictly reserved for AutoCAD drafting during Station 4; internet usage or file sharing on laptops during the event is banned.
- CAD drawings must be created from a blank file template on-site; pre-existing DWG drawings or imported CAD blocks are prohibited.
- Submissions handed in before the 20-minute station timer expires will receive an official timestamp from the station judge to calculate speed bonus points.
- All participants must carry a valid college/student ID card. Decisions of the organizing committee and judging panel will be final and binding.
Judging Criteria
- Accuracy in solving the clues
- In-Station Solving Speed Bonus
- Teams solving the clues beyond station time window are penalized by negative markings
- AutoCAD Drafting Precision & Scale (Station 4)
- CAD Layering, Annotations & Completeness
- Adherence to Event Rules & Conduct
| Date | Time | Team Size | Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 September 2026 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Maximum 4 members | ₹400 per team |
CIVIL ARENA
Tagline: Think Fast. Build Smart. Survive the Crisis
CIVIL ARENA is a fast-paced, progressive civil engineering competition designed to test much more than textbook knowledge.
The competition takes participants through three increasingly challenging stages, beginning with a technical knowledge quiz, moving into rapid individual challenges, and culminating in a team-based engineering crisis simulation.
The questions and challenges span multiple areas of civil engineering, including structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation, environmental engineering, construction management, surveying, hydraulics, and general engineering aptitude.
Rules & Regulations
- The competition is conducted in three progressive stages: Civil Qualifier, Civil Sprint, and Civil Arena.
- Participants must follow the instructions given by the quizmaster, event coordinators, and judges.
- Team members must comply with the rules applicable to each stage of the competition.
- Team discussion is permitted only when specified by the respective stage.
- Any form of malpractice, unauthorized assistance, or unfair means will result in disqualification.
- Participants must not use unauthorized electronic devices or external assistance during the competition.
- Scores from each stage will determine qualification for the subsequent stage.
- In case of a tie at a qualification cutoff, a sudden-death question may be used.
- The team achieving the highest final score will be declared the Civil Arena Champion.
- Decisions made by the organizing committee and judges will be final and binding.
- For detailed stage-wise rules, question formats, scoring, qualification procedures, and tie-break rules, participants must refer to the official Civil Arena Rulebook.
Judging Criteria
- Accuracy of answers
- Time management
- Team response
- Overall score
- Speed
- Accuracy
- Individual performance
- Reaction under pressure
- Scoring discipline
- Engineering judgement
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Clarity of final answer
- Overall score
| Date | Time | Team Size | Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 September 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | 1–3 members | ₹100 per person |
REINFORCEX
Tagline: Geometry Unfolded
REINFORCEX is a practical structural engineering challenge designed to bridge the gap between engineering drawings and real-world construction execution.
Participants are provided with structural drawings and reinforcement details appropriate to their academic level. Their challenge is to interpret these drawings correctly and transform the information into a scaled miniature reinforcement model.
The event focuses on one of the most important skills in structural and construction engineering: the ability to accurately translate a design into physical form.
Participants must carefully interpret details such as reinforcement arrangement, dimensions, spacing, and other specified design features, and reproduce them accurately in their model.
The challenge consists of three major stages: Design Analysis, Manufacturing, and Presentation.
Design Analysis: Participants first study the structural drawing and reinforcement details, understand the requirements, and plan how the model will be constructed.
Manufacturing: Teams then construct the miniature model using the materials provided for the challenge, including thread, barbecue sticks, paper, cardboard, tape, and glue.
Presentation: After completing the model, participants present their work and explain their observations, design interpretation, and aesthetic decisions.
The event tests participants on their ability to move from 2D technical information to a 3D physical representation while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail. REINFORCEX is ideal for participants interested in structural detailing, reinforcement, construction practices, and practical engineering execution.
Rules & Regulations
- Each team must consist of 2–3 participants.
- Participants will be provided with structural drawings and reinforcement details for the challenge.
- Teams must interpret the given drawings and construct the specified scaled miniature reinforcement model.
- Participants must use the materials and equipment specified by the organizing committee.
- Teams must complete the challenge within the allocated time.
- The completed model should accurately represent the given reinforcement arrangement and structural details.
- Participants must maintain accuracy in the specified dimensions, reinforcement details, and design features.
- Teams will be required to give an oral presentation explaining their observations and design/aesthetic decisions.
- Participants must follow all instructions given by the event coordinators and judges.
- Any form of malpractice, unfair assistance, or violation of event instructions may result in disqualification.
- Decisions made by the organizing committee and judges will be final and binding.
Judging Criteria
- Presentation Quality
- Aesthetics
- Accuracy of the Model
- Correct representation of the given design features
- Displacement Length
- Dowel Details
- Stirrup Spacing
- Overall Dimensions
- Reinforcement Arrangement
| Date | Time | Team Size | Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 September 2026 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | 1–3 members | ₹400 per person |
DESIGNFORGE 3.0 (Flagship Event)
Tagline: Design Beyond Boundaries
DESIGNFORGE 3.0 is a hands-on design workshop and competition centered on STAAD.Pro, conducted in collaboration with Bentley Education. The event is designed to encourage participants to explore innovative engineering solutions beyond conventional approaches.
The event combines expert-led learning on STAAD.Pro, practical software exposure, and a competitive design challenge. Participants will first gain insights into modern structural design approaches using STAAD.Pro, and then apply their creativity, technical knowledge, and problem-solving skills to develop a solution based on a problem statement revealed during the competition.
The event provides participants with an opportunity to learn, design, experiment, and compete using STAAD.Pro, while developing their skills in design thinking, creativity, collaboration, and engineering problem-solving.
Rules & Regulations
- The competition is open to teams of 2–3 participants.
- The problem statement will be revealed/shared during the competition.
- Participants must develop their design based on the given problem statement.
- Participants are expected to apply the concepts and techniques introduced during the workshop.
- The required software must be installed before the competition.
- A detailed software installation guide will be shared with registered participants prior to the event.
- Participants must ensure that the required software is properly installed and functional before reporting to the competition.
- Teams must work collaboratively and complete their design within the specified competition time.
- Participants must follow the instructions provided by the workshop mentors, event coordinators, and judges.
- Designs must be the original work of the participating team and should be developed during the competition.
- Any form of malpractice, plagiarism, or unauthorized assistance may result in disqualification.
- Participants must adhere to all venue, software, and competition guidelines.
- The decisions of the organizing committee and judging panel will be final and binding.
- For any additional technical or event-specific regulations, participants must refer to the instructions provided by the organizers.
| Date | Time | Team Size | Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 September 2026 (Workshop) | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | 1–3 members | ₹200 per person |
| 25 September 2026 (Competition) | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
ZERONET
Tagline: Engineering a Sustainable Future
ZERONET is a technical poster competition that challenges participants to think creatively and develop innovative engineering solutions for a sustainable and net-zero future.
The competition is designed to test participants’ technical knowledge, creativity, innovation, problem-solving ability, and presentation skills. Participants will be given the competition theme and detailed problem statement during the event, after which they must develop and present their solution within the allotted time.
The challenge encourages participants to transform their engineering knowledge into creative, technically sound, and impactful solutions while effectively communicating their ideas through a technical poster.
Rules & Regulations
- Each team must consist of 1–3 participants.
- The theme and problem statement will be revealed during the competition.
- The official ZERONET Rulebook will be provided to participants during the competition.
- Participants must develop their poster based on the theme, problem statement, and instructions provided at the venue.
- The poster must be prepared digitally.
- Participants must complete and submit their poster within the time limit specified by the organizers.
- Each team must present and explain their poster to the judging panel.
- The maximum presentation time is 5 minutes.
- The submitted work must be original and developed by the participating team.
- AI-generated content and pre-made templates are prohibited.
- Plagiarism of technical ideas or content is strictly prohibited.
- Participants must follow all instructions given by the event coordinators and judges.
- Any violation of the competition rules may result in disqualification.
- The decisions of the judging panel and organizing committee will be final and binding.
Judging Criteria
- Innovation
- Creativity
- Adherence to Topic
- Technical Soundness
- Presentation
| Date | Time | Team Size | Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 September 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | 1–3 members | ₹100 per person |
Registration
Accommodation
| ROOM TYPE | TOTAL AMOUNT INC. GST(Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Dormitory with A/C | 1298 |
| Dormitory without A/C | 1180 |
Note: A/C dormitory is not available in Women’s Hostel
| Name | Designation | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Harrish Kumar S | Vice Chairperson | 7397722945 |
| R Sanjay | Finance Head | 9445437913 |
| Lakshmi S Praveen | Outreach Head | 8590631976 |
