Education
Padakanti Rakesh pursued his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at the National Institute of Technology Warangal (NITW), Telangana (2019–2024), under the guidance of Prof. P. Rathish Kumar and Dr. S. Venkateswara Rao. He completed his M.Tech in Structural Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, securing a remarkable CGPA of 9.8/10 (2017-2019). His academic journey began with a B.Tech in Civil Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad (2013–2017), with a 76.62% mark. Additionally, Rakesh completed his Higher Secondary education from the Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh, with an impressive 96.2% in 2013. His academic foundation has been enriched with specialized courses in areas such as advanced reinforced concrete structures, structural dynamics, and material testing, which have greatly contributed to his expertise in the field of structural engineering and sustainable construction.
Experience
Dr. Padakanti Rakesh is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Vignan’s Foundation for Science, Technology & Research, Guntur, India, since 2024. Prior to this role, he worked as a Postgraduate Engineer Trainee at Kirby International Building Systems, where he designed pre-engineered buildings for multiple purposes, including earthquake estimation and steel structure design. His notable design work includes a project involving 10,000 tons of approved tonnage. Rakesh also contributed as a Project Student at the Structural Engineering Research Centre (SERC)-CSIR from 2018 to 2019, working on projects related to precast concrete connections and stress distribution in special concretes. Additionally, he has been involved in various consultancy projects, including structural stability checks and proof-checking for high-profile buildings in Hyderabad and Chennai, demonstrating his practical expertise in civil engineering.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Padakanti Rakesh has been recognized for his outstanding academic performance and contributions to the field of civil engineering. He was honored with the prestigious University Gold Medal for his exceptional performance in M.Tech Structural Engineering. In addition, Rakesh secured distinction in the “RILEM-ICI Doctoral Course,” a testament to his deep understanding of advanced concrete technology. He also performed well in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), reinforcing his proficiency in the field. Rakesh’s leadership skills were recognized when he was elected as the student coordinator for the Civil Engineering department at Vivekananda Institute of Technology in 2016. His academic excellence and research-oriented mindset have earned him numerous accolades, paving the way for his successful career in both academia and industry. These honors reflect his dedication to advancing knowledge in structural engineering and sustainable construction practices.
Research Focus
Dr. Padakanti Rakesh’s research interests are deeply embedded in the fields of structural engineering, particularly focusing on advanced concrete technologies and optimization techniques. His work extensively involves the development of sustainable concrete, specifically high-strength geopolymer concrete (HSGPC) using multi-component alkali-activated materials. He explores innovative aspects like non-destructive testing and the retrofitting and rehabilitation of existing structures. His research on precast connections and the recycling and reuse of construction materials is aimed at improving the efficiency and sustainability of the construction industry. Rakesh is also interested in the application of finite element methods, statistical tools, and image processing techniques to optimize material properties and predict bond behavior. Through his work, he aims to promote sustainable and resilient building practices, contributing to the evolution of modern construction methods. His research findings have been published in leading international journals and conferences.
Publication Top Notes
📚 “Flexural Bond Behaviour of Multi-Component Alkali-Activated Reinforced Concrete (AARC)” – Construction and Building Materials, 2025 🏗️
📚 “A Study on Estimating Deterioration in Multi-Recycled Aggregate Concrete Using Surface Imaging Techniques” – Journal of Building Engineering, 2024 🧱
📚 “Study on the Bond Behavior of High-Strength Geopolymer Concrete” – Asian Journal of Civil Engineering, 2022 🔗
📚 “Study on Prediction of Bond Strength of Ambient Cured Geopolymer Concrete” – Journal of Structural Engineering, 2022 🏢
📚 “A Comparative Study on Bond Behavior of Ternary Blended Geopolymer Concrete and Conventional Concrete” – Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, 2024 🌍
📚 “The Effect of Nano Materials on the Strength Properties of Self-Compacting Concretes” – Cement and Concrete, 2023 🧪
📚 “Shear Strength of Ternary Blended Fiber Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Crimped Fibers” – International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, 2018 💪
📚 “A Perspective on the Precast Beam-to-Beam Connection for Prefabricated Housing Systems” – Journal of Applied Science and Computation, 2019 🏠
Conclusion
Dr. Padakanti Rakesh is a dedicated academician and researcher with a strong foundation in structural engineering and concrete technology. His work in sustainable construction and innovative material development has contributed to the advancement of the field. Through his comprehensive research and consultancy experience, he continues to drive change in the areas of high-strength concrete and precast systems. His scholarly achievements, recognition, and involvement in numerous professional projects underscore his commitment to excellence and his role as a significant contributor to the global engineering community.