CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC), Chennai, celebrated its Diamond Jubilee (1965-2025), on 10 June 2025. The 60 glorious years of shaping infrastructure and service to the nation. As a part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, a meet with stakeholders Stakeholder Connect - was organized on 10 June 2025 at 9 AM and the CSIR-SERC Diamond Jubilee Celebration function was held in the afternoon.
Dr. V. Govindaraj, Head (R&D), ECC Division, L&T Ltd., Chennai was the chief guest of the Stakeholder Connect event. Around 50 stakeholders from across the industry participated in the event. The event began with an invocation and lighting of lamp by the dignitaries. Dr. N. Anandavalli, Director, CSIR-SERC and Coordinating Director, CSIR Madras Complex (CMC), welcomed the stakeholders from the industry and delivered the welcome address. In her address, she said that this event shall provide a road map for CSIR-SERC’s future research focus. She also made a detailed presentation – 60 years | One Spirit – in which she briefed on the genesis of CSIR-SERC from Roorkee to Chennai, unique and significant contributions of CSIR-SERC to the nation, society and to the field of civil and structural engineering since 1965, 60 years of legacy of CSIR-SERC, demonstrative structures at the campus, current research focus, thrust areas and laboratories of CSIR-SERC, recent scientific contributions and future focus areas.
Dr. P.S. Ambily, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-SERC, introduced the chief guest to the audience. Dr. Govindaraj in his address, remembered the visionary leaders of CSIR and CSIR-SERC, who built the CSIR laboratories across the nation. He credited CSIR-SERC for its various technological achievements and praised its ground-breaking and cutting-edge technologies such as ferrocement, precast concrete sleepers, high strength deformed bars, etc., that contributed to the national development in a huge way. He said that the research activities at CSIR-SERC is on par with the reputed research institutes across the world and shared the long association of L&T with CSIR-SERC. He said that various element level and micro level problems exist in the construction industry which needs to be addressed and requested CSIR-SERC to take up such issues. Highlighting the difficulty in taking new civil engineering technologies from laboratory to the field, which requires multiple approvals, he said that enormous hard work and resilience is required to achieve it and requested the industry, academia and research institutes to work hand-in-hand to successfully implement the new technologies developed. Talking about the significance of fire resistance studies and digital evolution, he requested CSIR-SERC to set up new labs with focus on utilization of digital technologies to the industry and on fire resistance studies.
The chief guest’s lecture was followed by the inauguration of exhibition on the occasion of Diamond Jubilee. It was then followed by the presentation by scientists on the expertise and service rendered on six thrust areas of CSIR-SERC, viz, Structural Health Monitoring & Life Extension, Energy Infrastructure, Disaster Mitigation, Advanced Materials for Sustainable Structures, Special & Multifunctional Structures, and Offshore Structures. The stakeholder feedback and the panel discussions followed. Dr. P. Harikrishna, Chief Scientist, CSIR-SERC, proposed vote of thanks.
The CSIR-SERC Diamond Jubilee function started at 2 PM. Prof. U. Kamachi Mudali, Vice Chancellor, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, was the Chief Guest and Dr. Ramji Singh, Member, Dam Safety Review Panel, Govt. of Gujarat, was the Guest of Honour. Dr. N. Anandavalli, Director, CSIR-SERC and Coordinating Director, CMC, presided over the function and delivered welcome address. In her address, she remembered the visionary leaders of CSIR-SERC and the people who built this great institution and said that it is the collective responsibility of the present team to continue excelling and pass on the torch to the future generation. A special video on the milestones, memories and moments of pride of sixty glorious years of CSIR-SERC was played before the audience.
The presentation on the glimpse of activities on the occasion of Diamond Jubilee was given by Dr. J Prabakar, Chief Scientist, CSIR-SERC. Dr. J. Rajasankar, Chief Scientist, CSIR-SERC, introduced the chief guest Prof. Kamachi Mudali to the audience. Prof. Kamachi Mudali delivered the Prof. G.S. Ramaswamy Memorial Lecture on Relevance of Corrosion towards Integrity and Management of Structures. In his lecture, he spoke on economy and growth of Indian industry, sustainable development goals and Agenda 2030, sustainable development – relevance to materials & corrosion, impact of corrosion on industry and public, holistic corrosion management for integrity of structures, potential areas of R&D towards corrosion control, degradation monitoring and evaluation technologies for structures, solutions for mitigating corrosion of concrete structures, national policy on corrosion control and management (NPCC&M), and national gains expected from adopting NPCC&M. He highlighted that colossal corrosion damage is a big concern with respect to assets and structures for India, and it needs immediate care through a national policy and an institution.
Dr. S. Parivallal, Chief Scientist and Advisor (M), CSIR-SERC, introduced the Guest of Honour, Dr. Ramji Singh to the audience. In his address, Dr. Ramji Singh spoke on the significance of dam rehabilitation and maintenance, problems faced by them during the process and said that CSIR-SERC has the ability to provide a comprehensive solution to the various problems in the area of dam rehabilitation and maintenance. He said, they are already collaborating with CSIR-SERC and desired to work together in more areas.
Prof. Santosh Kapuria, Former Director, CSIR-SERC, virtually inaugurated the ConStruct 3D PrintPod – 3D Printed Building done by CSIR-SERC. Concrete 3D printing (3DCP) is emerging as a transformative technology within the construction sector, facilitating a convergence of digital design, advanced materials engineering and robotic automation. CSIR-SERC has demonstrated the practical application of 3DCP by constructing a ConStruct 3D PrintPod, which opens up new possibilities for resilient, resource-efficient, and customized built environments, especially in applications requiring rapid deployment, such as disaster relief housing, remote site construction and smart urban infrastructure.
Prof. Kamachi Mudali, released the Coffee Table Book compiled on the occasion of Diamond Jubilee. Dr. Ramji Singh, released the 60 technologies book that highlights the 60 significant technologies of CSIR-SERC. The former directors and around 80 retired staff members of CSIR-SERC were felicitated during the event, in gratitude for their service. A presentation on the former directors were shown for the audience, which was followed by the honouring of former directors and retirees by Director, CSIR-SERC.
As a part of the function, AcSIR Science Club was inaugurated and a video on the same was played. As a part of CSIR-SERC Diamond Jubilee celebrations, a quiz competition was organised amongst students of engineering colleges - exclusively for civil engineering students - on 14 May 2025. The prizes were distributed to prize winners during the function by the dignitaries. As part of Diamond Jubilee celebrations, a poster preparation competition was organized for the staff members of CSIR-SERC on the theme CSIR-SERC@2040. Prizes were also distributed for the winners during the function. Shri E. Mahesh Kumar, Controller of Stores & Purchase, CSIR-SERC, proposed vote of thanks.
The physical inauguration of 3D printed building followed. The battery-operated vehicle meant for transporting staff within the campus, was also flagged off.