Endowments

Prof. K. Rajagopal did his B.Tech. in Civil Engineering from JNTU College of Engineering, Kakinada in 1979 and completed his M.Tech. in Ocean Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology Madras 1981. Later in 1985, he received his Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. He was a research Associate Military Engineering Research Group from 1986-93 and later as an associate professor and professor respectively at IIT Madras in the Civil Engineering Department.

Professor’s research interest includes Geosynthetics, Reinforced soil structures, Finite element, analysis in geomechanics and Construction in soft grounds. He has various publications at his credit both national and international and these were well received. Some of his sponsored research project includes Studies on Geosynthetic Based Erosion Control Measures, Investigations on Vacuum Consolidation of Soft Clay Soils, Investigations on the Anchored Retaining Walls for Railway and Highway Applications, Strength and Stiffness of Geocell Reinforced Soft Soil Subgrades etc and Provided consultancy services for the design of shallow and deep foundations, stone columns, geosynthetic reinforced soil embankments and retaining walls, landfills, recommendations for remedial actions. Currently he is guiding PhD and M.Tech students.

His professional activities include Chairman of Asian Activity Committee, International Geosynthetics Society (from January 2016), Council Member, International Geosynthetics Society, USA, 2010-2018, Member of the Board of Academic Studies of JNTU Hyderabad and Gayathri Vidya Parishad, Visakhapatnam, Member of Technical Evaluation Committee, NIOT, Chennai, exchange visits to other universities.

Number of M. Tech. Projects Guided by Prof. k. rajagopal till date: 35 and B.Tech. Projects is 20. Various Awards/Prizes/Academic Achievements/ Recognition were received by professor which includes Achievement Award by International Geosynthetics Society, Best Paper award for the paper titled “Finite Element Study of the Subsidence in Longwall Coal Mines” published in Journal of Rock Mechanics and Tunnelling Technology in 2001, Institute Merit Prize for standing first in the graduating class of M.Tech. Ocean Engineering in the year 1981 at IIT Madras, Commemorative Award on the occasion of Two Decades of Geosynthetics in India by Central Board of Irrigation and Power. He has various publications at his credit both national and international and these were well received.

We request all alumni who have interacted with Prof K. Rajagopal, and have fond memories with him, to sponsor the Chair he occupies. An Institute Chair requires an Endowment of Rs 1 Cr, and the annual returns from the principal will be used to sustain the Chair.

We appeal to all of you to join hands in this endeavour and contribute generously.