Copyright © 2024 IIT Tirupati
Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati
BRIDGE
Research Group

Bridging the Gap

Where Material Science
Meets Structural Design

Advancing the Field of Structural Engineering with Innovative and High-Performance Cement and Fiber Composite Materials

Understanding materials at the fundamental level can transform the way we design structures and shape the future of 'Civil Engineering'
About Us

Our highly dedicated research team boasts extensive experience in collaborative, cutting-edge research

With over a decade of expertise in conducting large-scale experiments and advanced data analysis, the team has successfully executed numerous high-value research and consultancy projects. Fostering strong research collaborations with allied fields like material science and environmental engineering, the team pushes the boundaries of structural engineering knowledge.

Extensive expertise

Over a decade of experience in large-scale experimental research

Continuous learning

Pushing the boundaries of knowledge through a forward-thinking approach

Collaboration

Connections with allied fields such as material science and environmental engineering

Bridging the gap

Integrating collaborative research outcomes to formulate optimized structural design guidelines
05

Post Doc. Fellows

06

Research Scholars

05

UG/PG Students

23

Alumnus

04

Project Grands

Dr. Bijily Balakrishnan

Empowering Vision

Leading with Integrity

The cornerstone of the group's success, guiding its efforts with unwavering integrity, dedication, and a clear vision for innovation. With a natural ability to inspire and motivate, she cultivates a culture of collaboration and excellence, empowering team members to reach their full potential. Her commitment ensure that every project is executed to the highest standards, earning trust and respect from both colleagues and research community. Under her leadership, the team continues to push the boundaries of knowledge, making a lasting impact on the field.

Research Areas

Advancing research and innovation through high performance and sustainable materials, cutting-edge technologies, and collaborative excellence
Mockup

Formulation of Structural Design Guidelines

The research team specializes in the experimental and numerical evaluation of various reinforced cement concrete (RCC) and fiber-reinforced composite (FRC)-based structural elements and systems under diverse loading conditions to develop and refine structural design guidelines.
Mockup

Ultra-High Performance Concrete

Renowned for its exceptional strength and durability, UHPC is widely used in demanding applications like bridges, high-rise buildings, and military structures. The team focuses on developing, characterizing, and evaluating the structural performance of an indigenously designed UHPC mix for diverse structural applications.
Mockup

Fiber/Textile Reinforced Concrete - FRC/TRC

FRC/TRC is ideal for advanced construction applications due to its enhanced crack resistance, durability, and toughness. The team focuses on developing sustainable solutions to improve the durability and bond of various fibers and textiles used in FRC/TRC and evaluating their performance in various structural elements.
Mockup

3D Printing Concrete and Technology

3D concrete printing revolutionizes construction by enabling precise, efficient, and sustainable fabrication of complex structures. Our team focuses on developing unique mix designs for 3D-printed concrete, characterizing its properties, evaluating its performance in structural elements, and advancing new 3D printing technologies

Project's Highlights

Learn More
Delivering innovative research and exceptional results, reflecting our commitment to excellence and transforming vision into reality

Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) Bridge Girders

UHPC, with its exceptional strength, durability, and crack resistance, presents a promising material for bridge applications, especially in resisting complex loading conditions.

The study aims to analyze the mechanisms governing shear behavior, including the role of fibers, the contribution of concrete and reinforcement, and failure modes under different loading scenarios.

Rectangular Reinforced Concrete Beam-Slab Systems

This study proposes a new design methodology for rectangular beam-slab systems based on yield line analysis by incorporating the effects of membrane action for different modes of failure.

Seismic Retrofitting of RC Framed Structures

Non-ductile RC buildings, especially open-ground storey configurations, often fail to meet seismic code compliance. This research adopts retrofitting strategies, including RC shear walls, to prevent premature failure and reduce collapse risks. Performance-based seismic design ensures the retrofit schemes meet code requirements.

Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Conventional glass fiber reinforced concrete suffers from reduced durability due to the poor alkali resistance of glass fibers. This study investigates the use of a sustainable coating to enhance the alkali resistance and bonding of glass fibers, thereby improving the strength and durability of GFRC.

Structural Behavior of 3D Printed Concrete

Understanding the structural behavior of 3D-printed concrete (3DPC) is a significant need as the technology continues to grow in construction. This study focuses on understanding how the unique manufacturing process influences the mechanical properties and performance of the material and structures built from it.

Research Grants

Fueling Innovation: Celebrating Our Latest Research Grants and Achievements

Latest News

Learn More
Stay Updated: Explore the Latest Breakthroughs, Projects, and Insights.

Attended an international conference on nanostructured materials (NANO 2024) at Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi.

The event brought together leading researchers from academia, industry, and government to explore advancements across 16 technical themes.

Dr. Bijily Balakrishnan
Assistant Professor, Civil

Abins Aziz
Research Scholar

Leela Aparna Devi
Research Scholar

UHPFRC Symposium 2024, Menton (France)

Abhilash M
Research Scholar

World conference on earthquake engineering 2024, Milan (Italy)

Session chair for the panel on fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) systems, International Conference on Concrete Under Service Conditions - Environment and Loading (CONSEC24),
IIT Madras, India

Dr. Bijily Balakrishnan
Assistant Professor, Civil

"Full Scale Structural Testing of Flexural Elements Made with Concrete 3D Printed Lost Formwork"

Research Grand
Received from CSIR, India
Dr. Bijily Balakrishnan
Assistant Professor, Civil

Dr. A.V. Rahul
Assistant Professor, Civil

Published an article on "Quantification of volume change of AAC blocks for various environmental conditions" in the Journal of Sustainable Cement-Based Materials, 2023

R Sudhakar
MS Research Scholar

Affiliation

Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati

The Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati (IIT Tirupati), established in 2015 under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, is an autonomous Institute of National Importance. Guided by a vision to contribute to society through excellence in scientific and technical education and research, IIT Tirupati began with B.Tech. programs and has expanded to include MS, Ph.D., M.Tech., M.Sc., and Master of Public Policy programs. Initially operating from a temporary campus, it moved to its 548-acre Yerpedu campus in 2022, offering advanced academic, research, and recreational facilities with plans to accommodate 12,000 students.

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendar and stay informed about our exciting upcoming events. Don’t miss the chance to connect, learn, and engage with us.

  • 3rd International Conference on Construction Materials and Structures, IIT Tirupati, July 2025.
    Learn more >

  • Updating ....

  • Updating .....