Vice Chancellor
Prof. Dr.D.S.Ramachandra Murthy
Vice Chancellor (Officiating)
St. Peter’s Institute of Higher Education and Research
St. Peter’s University
Chennai 600054
Dr..D.S.Ramachandra Murthy was born in 1947 in Chennai. Graduated in Civil Engineering from Dr.Alagappa Chettiar College of Engineering and Technology, Karaikudi, and obtained post graduate degree in Structural Engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy, University of Madras. Obtained Ph.D. degree from Anna University in the area of Corrosion Fatigue. Served as Junior Engineer (Design) at Tuticorin Harbour Project, Ministry of Shipping and Transport, Govt. of India, for 16 months. Joined CSIR - Structural Engineering Research Center, Chennai, in 1972 and retired as Director Grade Scientist and Advisor (Management) in 2007. Served as Professor and Dean (R&D) at St. Peter’s Engineering College (conferred deemed University status in 2008) and as Principal, St. Peter’s College of Engineering and Technology (SPCET), before taking up the present assignment.
Being an accomplished Scientist of CSIR, Dr.Murthy undertook research projects in the areas of Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics, Steel Offshore Structures, Nuclear Piping components, Housing and Prefabrication, Precast and Prestressed concrete, and advanced concrete technologies. He has untiringly worked to contribute to the needs of the society and industrial development through research and transfer of technology. His major contributions are: creation of a world class facility for Fatigue and Fracture studies at SERC; development of expertise in fatigue and fracture mechanics analysis and testing of full scale components and structures demonstrated through important projects for the Government Departments, industry and MNC. Carried out pioneering research on corrosion fatigue in steel offshore structures in India and evaluated the performance of automobile and railway components for several industries. Contributed for production technology for prestressed concrete monoblock railway sleepers Organized national and international seminars, workshops and training programmes for dissemination of advanced knowledge.
As Dean (R&D), Dr.Murthy started M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes at St. Peter’s University. He also initiated SPIHER – MSME Business Incubator sponsored by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. As Principal at SPCET, he contributed to the development of the nascent institution by motivating faculty and students, for achieving high academic performance and conducting several technical programmes on disaster management, health monitoring of structures, advanced manufacturing technologies and two science camps for school students under the Inspire programme of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
Dr. Murthy was deputed to Sweden, U.K., Czechoslovakia, and U.S.A., under UNDP Fellowship Programme for 12 months during 1976-77. Served as short term UNCHS Consultant at Building Research Institute, Kingston, Jamaica, during 1986. Deputed to MPA (Staatliche Materialprufungsanstalt), University of Stuttgart, Germany, under CSIR-DAAD Exchange of Scientists Programme in 2001.
Dr.Murthy’s work has been published as 174 technical papers including 61 in International and National journals. He has mentored four Ph.Ds and guided several M.E./M.Tech research dissertations. He served as Editor for Journal of Structural Engineering and Member, Editorial Board, International Journal of Fatigue and Fracture of Engineering Materials and Structures. He won 12 awards for technical papers and National award from NACE International India Section, Corrosion Society of India. Dr.Murthy is a Fellow of The Institution of Engineers (India) and Life Member of the Indian Concrete Institute and the Indian Society for Non Destructive Testing.