Tag: Saubhagya Kumar Panigrahi

Dr. Saubhagya Kumar Panigrahi: Associate Professor at VSSUT Burla, India

 

• Name: Saubhagya Kumar Panigrahi

• Title/Designation: Dr.

• Current Role/Designation: Associate Professor

• Organization/Institution Details: Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla, India

• Subject Track: Engineering

• Award Categories:
  Best Innovator Award
  Submitted on: Aug 20, 2025

Dr. Saubhagya Kumar Panigrahi is an accomplished academic and researcher, currently serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla, Odisha, India. With a career spanning over two decades, Dr. Panigrahi has contributed significantly to the fields of structural engineering and concrete technology. His work emphasizes the advancement of sustainable materials and innovative solutions in civil engineering, particularly in the areas of reinforced concrete design, structural retrofitting, and self-compacting geopolymer concrete. He is also passionate about educating the next generation of engineers, offering comprehensive courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Online Profiles

Dr. Panigrahi’s professional presence extends across several platforms where he actively shares his academic work and research achievements. His faculty profile on VSSUT’s official website provides insights into his academic contributions, while his Google Scholar profile showcases his published research and citations, reflecting his growing influence in the academic community. His Scopus profile further highlights his extensive research footprint and collaborations. These online profiles allow peers and students alike to access his work and stay updated on his contributions to the field.

• Google Scholar

• Scopus Profile

Education

Dr. Panigrahi’s academic journey is marked by a blend of deep expertise and practical applications. He completed his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at IIT Kharagpur in 2015, with a focus on strengthening shear-deficient reinforced concrete beams using fiber-reinforced plastics. His M.E. in Civil Engineering (Structural Engineering) from NIT Rourkela (2000) laid the foundation for his specialization in structural mechanics, while his undergraduate education in B.E. Civil Engineering from Utkal University (1997) provided him with a broad engineering background. This solid educational background has allowed him to pursue and contribute to cutting-edge research in concrete technology and structural engineering.

Research Focus

Dr. Panigrahi’s research interests lie at the intersection of sustainability and advanced structural design. His primary focus is on self-compacting geopolymer concrete—a groundbreaking material in the construction industry that aims to reduce environmental impact while enhancing concrete performance. He has explored the use of waste materials such as rubber fiber and e-waste as aggregate replacements in concrete, advancing the concept of recycling and resource conservation in construction. His research also covers areas like retrofit techniques for aging concrete structures, numerical modeling of concrete behavior, interface mechanics, and structural health monitoring, contributing to both theoretical advancements and practical applications in civil engineering.

Experience

With 23 years of professional experience, Dr. Panigrahi has been part of several renowned institutions, teaching and guiding students in the field of civil engineering. At VSSUT, where he has served since 2006, he has mentored numerous students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. His experience spans teaching a range of subjects including Concrete Structures, Advanced Structural Analysis, Fluid Mechanics, and Prestressed Concrete. Before his tenure at VSSUT, he served as an assistant professor at NIT Rourkela and as a lecturer in several other prestigious institutes like NIT Hamirpur and IGIT Sarang. Dr. Panigrahi’s multi-institutional career has shaped his ability to bring diverse perspectives into his teaching and research, enriching the learning experience for his students.

Research Timeline & Activities

Dr. Panigrahi’s research has been consistently evolving since the early stages of his career. His journey began with a focus on the ultimate strength of T-section columns during his Master’s thesis, moving towards more specialized topics such as the behavior of shear-deficient RC beams during his Ph.D. His current research is heavily concentrated on self-compacting geopolymer concrete and the development of sustainable construction practices through the use of industrial waste products. Dr. Panigrahi’s work is ongoing, with several active research projects exploring the potential of eco-friendly materials like fly ash, slag, and e-waste fibers in concrete. His research has not only been theoretical but has also led to several patents, contributing to advancements in concrete technology.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Panigrahi’s excellence in research and education has been widely recognized. He was awarded the Er. L. M. Patra Memorial Award in 2025 by The Institution of Engineers (India), Odisha State Centre, for his significant contributions to the field of civil engineering. In addition to the Research Excellence Award from InSc Awards 2024, he was also honored for publishing multiple papers in high-impact journals, earning him recognition within VSSUT. Notably, his doctoral student, Mr. Soumyaranjan Panda, received the “Student Project of the Year Award 2023” for his thesis on geopolymer concrete. These accolades underscore Dr. Panigrahi’s influence in advancing research and fostering academic excellence.

Top Noted Publication

Among Dr. Panigrahi’s many publications, his work on self-compacting geopolymer concrete stands out as some of his most influential research. His article titled “Sustainable Production of Self-Compacting Geopolymer Concrete through GGBFS-Based Optimal Blended Precursor,” published in Construction and Building Materials (2025), is widely regarded as a major contribution to the field of eco-friendly concrete. Additionally, his research on the use of waste rubber and e-waste fibers in concrete, published in the Journal of Environmental Management (2025), has drawn significant attention for its innovative approach to recycling in construction. His ability to bridge environmental sustainability with structural integrity makes his work highly relevant in today’s rapidly evolving construction industry.

• Durability Characteristics of Geopolymer Concrete – Progress and Perspectives

  • Authors: P. Pradhan, S. Dwibedy, M. Pradhan, S. Panda, S. K. Panigrahi

  • Journal: Journal of Building Engineering

  • Year: 2022

  • Citations: 124
    This paper reviews the durability characteristics of geopolymer concrete, emphasizing the progress in the development and performance evaluation of this innovative, eco-friendly material. The research explores various factors influencing the long-term sustainability of geopolymer concrete and its application in real-world construction projects.

• Factors Affecting Production and Properties of Self-Compacting Geopolymer Concrete – A Review

  • Authors: P. Pradhan, S. Panda, S. K. Parhi, S. K. Panigrahi

  • Journal: Construction and Building Materials

  • Year: 2022

  • Citations: 95
    This review paper discusses the challenges and factors influencing the production of self-compacting geopolymer concrete. It offers insights into the mix design, raw materials, and the impact of curing conditions on the material properties, contributing to the advancement of sustainable concrete solutions in the construction industry.

• To Evaluate and Compare the Efficacy of Combined Sucrose and Non-Nutritive Sucking for Analgesia in Newborns Undergoing Minor Painful Procedure: A Randomized Controlled Trial

  • Authors: P. Thakkar, K. Arora, K. Goyal, R. R. Das, B. Javadekar, S. Aiyer, S. K. Panigrahi

  • Journal: Journal of Perinatology

  • Year: 2016

  • Citations: 69
    While not directly related to civil engineering, this clinical study evaluates the combined efficacy of sucrose and non-nutritive sucking for pain relief in newborns undergoing minor medical procedures. Dr. Panigrahi’s involvement highlights his interdisciplinary approach, contributing to healthcare and medical research as well.

• A Comprehensive Study on Controlled Low Strength Material

  • Authors: S. K. Parhi, S. Dwibedy, S. Panda, S. K. Panigrahi

  • Journal: Journal of Building Engineering

  • Year: 2023

  • Citations: 56
    This study explores the controlled low-strength material (CLSM), used primarily for filling voids and stabilizing subgrade in road and foundation construction. The research provides insights into the mix design, material properties, and applications of CLSM in civil engineering projects.

• Alkali-Silica Reaction Expansion Prediction in Concrete Using Hybrid Metaheuristic Optimized Machine Learning Algorithms

  • Authors: S. K. Parhi, S. K. Panigrahi

  • Journal: Asian Journal of Civil Engineering

  • Year: 2024

  • Citations: 48
    This publication addresses the prediction of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) expansion in concrete using hybrid metaheuristic algorithms integrated with machine learning models. The paper offers a novel approach to assessing and mitigating ASR in concrete, an important challenge in structural durability.

Strength for the Best Innovator Award for Dr. Saubhagya Kumar Panigrahi:

1. Innovation in Sustainable Concrete:

Dr. Panigrahi has made significant contributions to the development of self-compacting geopolymer concrete (SCGC), a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete. His research on the use of industrial waste materials like fly ash, slag, and e-waste in SCGC showcases his commitment to creating eco-friendly, high-performance construction materials. His work in this area not only addresses environmental concerns but also enhances the strength and durability of concrete, contributing to both sustainability and structural integrity.

2. Advancements in Structural Retrofitting:

Dr. Panigrahi’s research on strengthening shear-deficient reinforced concrete (RC) beams using fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) represents a groundbreaking approach to structural retrofitting. His focus on improving the longevity and load-bearing capacity of aging structures through advanced materials has the potential to revolutionize the field of structural repair, offering cost-effective solutions to maintaining and extending the lifespan of critical infrastructure.

3. Use of Waste Materials in Construction:

One of Dr. Panigrahi’s pioneering efforts includes the exploration of waste rubber fiber and e-waste as replacements for aggregates in concrete. His research has demonstrated how waste materials can be repurposed for construction purposes, contributing to resource conservation and waste reduction in the industry. This innovative approach aligns with global goals of sustainability and circular economy, making a significant impact on the construction sector.

4. Durability of Geopolymer Concrete:

Dr. Panigrahi’s research on geopolymer concrete durability has established him as a leading expert in the field. His extensive studies on the long-term sustainability of geopolymer concrete under various environmental conditions have opened new avenues for its use in real-world construction. This work addresses the need for low-carbon, high-performance materials that can withstand harsh environmental factors, ensuring the longevity of infrastructures while minimizing ecological footprints.

5. Interdisciplinary Research Contributions:

Beyond his primary focus on concrete technology, Dr. Panigrahi has also collaborated on interdisciplinary research, as demonstrated by his involvement in a clinical trial related to neonatal pain relief. While outside his primary domain of civil engineering, this demonstrates his broad knowledge base and ability to apply engineering principles to diverse fields. His approach to blending expertise in engineering with other disciplines showcases his innovative mindset and versatility as a researcher.