Researcher | Anupama V.A.

ANUPAMA V. A.

DOCTORAL RESEARCH SCHOLAR

Prime Minister's Research Fellowship (PMRF) holder

about

ABOUT

I am a doctoral research scholar in the Building Technology and Construction Management (BTCM) Division, Department of Civil Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Madras.

My research supervisor is Prof. Manu Santhanam.

I have been awarded the prestigious Prime Minister's Research Fellowship (PMRF) to pursue doctoral studies.

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My doctoral research aims elucidating the salt deterioration mechanism in masonry systems, focusing on mortars, substrates, and substrate-mortar interactions. It will help in developing novel scientific framework for the repair and restoration of the historic masonry monuments along the Eastern Coastal belt of India.

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My research interests include

microstructural characterization
salt weathering
repair and rehabilitation
durability studies
concrete technology

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Peep into my research here!

Beyond research, I am passionate about classical dance, music and poetry.

Education

EDUCATION

2020 - Ongoing

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Doctor of Philosophy

CGPA: 10

Dissertation Title: Standardization of repair mortars for the conservation of heritage masonry structures

September, 2022 - December, 2022

Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna

Exchange Research Scholar

2017 - 2019

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Master of Technology in Construction Technology and Management

CGPA: 9.06

Thesis Title: Sandwich technique in reinforced earth wall construction

2013 - 2017

National Institute of Technology Calicut

Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering

CGPA: 8.79

Project Title: Evaluation of Properties of aerated lightweight concrete with rice husk ash as partial replacement of sand.

Publications

PUBLICATIONS

JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS

V. A. Anupama, S. Divya Rani, Swathy Manohar & Manu Santhanam, “Investigation of weathering resistance and damage manifestations of mortar formulations for heritage structures in saline environment”, International Journal of Architectural Heritage, https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2024.2374028
V. A. Anupama & Manu Santhanam, “Salt Weathering Resilience in Masonry: An Accelerated Laboratory Study Involving Wind-Induced Variations”, Construction and Building Materials, https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2024.2374028
V. A. Anupama, Enrico Sassoni & Manu Santhanam, “Long-term Retention and Efficiency of DAP and TEOS Consolidants in Weathered Masonry” (to be submitted in November 2024)
V. A. Anupama, Enrico Sassoni & Manu Santhanam, “Effect of consolidation on the salt weathering resistance of masonry systems – under preparation” (to be submitted in December 2024)

CONFERENCE PUBLICATIONS

V. A. Anupama & Manu Santhanam, “Impact of wind on the salt weathering resistance of masonry mortars”, RILEM Week 2024
V. A. Anupama & Manu Santhanam, “Morphological evolution of calcium carbonate crystals in dry hydrated lime mortar”, 6th Heritage Mortar Conference (HMC 2022)
V. A. Anupama & Manu Santhanam, “An investigation of the salt weathering resistance of dry hydrated lime mortar subjected to accelerated carbonation”, RILEM TC-277 Workshop on ‘Lime based materials for repairing historic structures, 2022.’
V. A. Anupama & Manu Santhanam, “Durability of heritage masonry structures: Review on the substrate-mortar interaction”, 75th RILEM Week, 2021
Swathy Manohar, V. A. Anupama, & Manu Santhanam, “Salt deterioration of heritage structures – Correlating the insights from field and lab studies”, 75th RILEM Week, 2021

Positions of responsibility

resumé

POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Associate Secretery of Civil Engineering Association, NITC (2016-'17)
Elected member of Students Activity Council (2016-2017)
Chief Student Editor of NITC College Magazine ((2016-'17)
Senior Executive-Media Committee-Tathva, Ragam (2015, 2016 and 2017)
Executive of the hospitality and public relation committee as part of the national conference TISI-2015.
Senior executive of Literary and Debating Club, NITC.
Founder organizer of I-INK, Literature festival of NITC.
Coordinator of civil technical event 'Labyrinth'.
Higher secondary school leader (2012-2013), High school head girl (2010-2011)

Awards and Honours

AWARDS & HONOURS

Best Poster Award at the one-day workshop on 'Conservation of Heritage Structures - connecting the past and future' at IIT Bombay - September, 2024.
Best Paper Award in the RILEM Conference on Sustainable Materials and Structures as part of 78th RILEM Week, held at Toulouse, France - August 2024
PhD Travel Grant by RILEM
Second prize in the 180Research@CE-IITM Season 2 organized by Civil Engineering Association, IITM – August 2022
International Immersion Experience Travel Award launched by the Office of Global Engagement, IIT Madras – Jan 2022
Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship – December 2020
One of the top ten students among the undergraduate class comprising 150 students at NIT Calicut in 2017
First prize in the intercollegiate debate, street play and recitation competitions in Ragam 2015 and 2017
Best outgoing student of the years 2011 and 2013

State awards-

Kadathanaatt Madhaviyamma Puraskaram (2015)
Winner for Malayalam poetry writing and Hindi recitation competitions (2011,2013).
Changampuzha kavya Puraskaaram (2010)
Thirunelloor Puraskaaram (2010)
Orchard India Award (2010)
Kuttettan Puraskaaram (2009)
DC books Vaayana Puraskaaram (2008).

Memberships

MEMBERSHIPS

RILEM, International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems, and Structures (Young Member since February, 2020)
American Concrete Institute (Student Member since March, 2021)