ANUPAMA V. A.
CNRS Postdoctoral Fellow
Prime Minister's Research Fellowship (PMRF) holder in PhD
ABOUT
I am a CNRS postdoctoral researcher in the Laboratoire des Fluides Complexes et leurs Réservoirs (LFCR) at University De Pau Et Des Pays De L'adour (UPPA), Pau, France. My research supervisor is Dr Hannelore Derluyn.
I am working on the ERC Project - PRD Trigger on Salt Weathering of Building Stones.
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My doctoral research under the guidance of Dr. Manu Santhanam at IIT Madras, India, aimed at elucidating the salt deterioration mechanism in masonry systems, focusing on mortars, substrates, and substrate-mortar interactions. It is an attempt towards a novel scientific framework for the repair and restoration of the historic masonry monuments along the coastal belt of India.
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My research interests include
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microstructural characterization
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heritage building materials
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salt weathering
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repair and rehabilitation
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durability studies
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concrete technology
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Beyond research, I am passionate about classical dance, music and poetry.
EDUCATION
2020 - 2025
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Doctor of Philosophy
CGPA: 10
Dissertation Title: Standardization of repair mortars for the conservation of heritage masonry structures
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September, 2022 - December, 2022
Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna
Exchange Research Scholar
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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
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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.
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PUBLICATIONS
JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
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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
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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
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V. A. Anupama, Enrico Sassoni & Manu Santhanam, “Long-term Retention and Efficiency of DAP and TEOS Consolidants in Weathered Masonry”, RILEM Technical Letters, https://doi.org/10.21809/rilemtechlett.2024.206
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V. A. Anupama, Enrico Sassoni & Manu Santhanam, “Masonry subjected to salt weathering: Can consolidation by TEOS or DAP help prevent deterioration? ” (under review)
CONFERENCE PUBLICATIONS
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V. A. Anupama & Manu Santhanam, “Impact of wind on the salt weathering resistance of masonry mortars”, RILEM Week 2024
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V. A. Anupama & Manu Santhanam, “Morphological evolution of calcium carbonate crystals in dry hydrated lime mortar”, 6th Heritage Mortar Conference (HMC 2022)
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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.’
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V. A. Anupama & Manu Santhanam, “Durability of heritage masonry structures: Review on the substrate-mortar interaction”, 75th RILEM Week, 2021
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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
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Associate Secretery of Civil Engineering Association, NITC (2016-'17)
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Elected member of Students Activity Council (2016-2017)
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Chief Student Editor of NITC College Magazine ((2016-'17)
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Senior Executive-Media Committee-Tathva, Ragam (2015, 2016 and 2017)
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Executive of the hospitality and public relation committee as part of the national conference TISI-2015.
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Senior executive of Literary and Debating Club, NITC.
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Founder organizer of I-INK, Literature festival of NITC.
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Coordinator of civil technical event 'Labyrinth'.
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Higher secondary school leader (2012-2013), High school head girl (2010-2011)
AWARDS & HONOURS
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Woman PhD scholar with the highest CGPA in the Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, India.
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Special mention in the Young Researchers’ Symposium (YRS), organized by Technology for Low Carbon and Lean Construction Centre of Excellence at IIT Madras – January 2025
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Best Poster Award at the one-day workshop on 'Conservation of Heritage Structures - connecting the past and future' at IIT Bombay - September, 2024.
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Best Paper Award in the RILEM Conference on Sustainable Materials and Structures as part of 78th RILEM Week, held at Toulouse, France - August 2024
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PhD Travel Grant by RILEM
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Second prize in the 180Research@CE-IITM Season 2 organized by Civil Engineering Association, IITM – August 2022
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International Immersion Experience Travel Award launched by the Office of Global Engagement, IIT Madras – Jan 2022
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Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship – December 2020
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One of the top ten students among the undergraduate class comprising 150 students at NIT Calicut in 2017
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First prize in the intercollegiate debate, street play and recitation competitions in Ragam 2015 and 2017
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Best outgoing student of the years 2011 and 2013
State awards-
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Kadathanaatt Madhaviyamma Puraskaram (2015)
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Winner for Malayalam poetry writing and Hindi recitation competitions (2011,2013).
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Changampuzha kavya Puraskaaram (2010)
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Thirunelloor Puraskaaram (2010)
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Orchard India Award (2010)
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Kuttettan Puraskaaram (2009)
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DC books Vaayana Puraskaaram (2008).
MEMBERSHIPS
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RILEM, International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems, and Structures (Young Member since February, 2020)
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American Concrete Institute (Student Member since March, 2021)
