Dr. Benny Raphael
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Chennai, TN 600036, India
His core expertise is in computing in civil engineering, particularly in the use of optimization, data analytics, sensing and control technologies to solve engineering problems in construction, infrastructure and building systems. He has applied optimization and machine learning to diverse areas such as structural monitoring, building physics, construction management, automation of building systems, and construction automation. His current focus is on construction automation. He has an active research program on developing the next generation automation technologies for improving the time, cost and quality of construction. In particular, his team is investigating how we can combine robotics and 3D printing for achieving high performance in construction activities, beyond what is possible using conventional methods.
Earned Degrees
Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, 1995
University of Strathclyde, 16 Richmond St, Glasgow G1 1XQ, United Kingdom
M.S. in Structural Engineering, 1992
Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600036
B.Tech. in Civil Engineering, 1990
Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600036
Awards and Honours
Best Paper Award, International Conference on Civil and Building Engineering Informatics, Tokyo, Japan, 2013
Distinguished R&D award, Minister for National Development (Government of Singapore) for innovation in developing the Zero Energy Building, 2011
Best Paper Award, ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers), 2008
Best Paper Award, ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers), 2003
IBM and Intel sponsored first prize (gold), High Performance Computing Challenge 2009 under parallel computing category organised by NUS, 2009
IBM sponsored second prize, HPC Challenge 2006 under grid computing category organised by NUS, 2006
Best Student Paper, Institution of Engineers India gold medal, 1990
Research Areas
| Optimisation |
| Machine Learning |
| BIM |
| Building automation and control |
| Construction automation |
| Sustainable and Green Buildings |
Professional Experiences
| 2018 – Present | : | Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India |
| 2013 – 2018 | : | Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India |
| 2006 – 2013 | : | Assistant Professor, Department of building, National University of Singapore, Singapore |
| Aug. 2005 – Dec. 2005 | : | Visiting Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India |
| 1997 – 2005 | : | Post doctoral fellow, Fonctionnaire scientifique, chargee de cours (Lecturer), EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland |