1983 - MTech - Applied Mechanics & 1995 - Ph.D - Applied Mechanics Associate Director @ Nuclear Engineering Group, IGCAR
Dr. Chellapandi obtained an M.Tech. in 1983, and a Ph.D. in 1995 in Applied Mechanics from IIT Madras.
Dr. Chellapandi is currently Director, Safety Group and Associate Director, Nuclear Engineering Group, Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR); these Groups are responsible for designing Fast Breeder Reactor components and ensuring safety of the structures, components and plant.
Dr. Chellapandi started his career in IGCAR in 1979. Having specialized in design, analysis and qualification of Nuclear Reactor Components, he provided design support to the 40 MW Fast Breeder Test Reactor, conceptual design of 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), detailed analysis of various structural mechanics failure modes and design validation. He was instrumental in developing a unique Structural Mechanics Laboratory at IGCAR. He is the convener of the Task force responsible for manufacture and erection of reactor assembly components of PFBR, under construction at Kalpakkam. Recently, the main and safety vessels were successfully erected at the site, which is an international benchmark for such structures.
Dr. Chellapandi has executed several projects in collaboration with R & D establishments such as SERC – Chennai, CBRI – Roorkee, and TBRL – Chandigarh. He played a key role in initiating the IITM-IGCAR Cell in addition to IISc-IGCAR cell, and the IITK – IGCAR R & D cell. He is an active member of all the Joint Policy Committees.
Dr. Chellapandi is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, Professor at the Homi Bhabha Institute, Adjunct Professor at PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, and at Satyabama University, Chennai. He is a member of the Technical Working Group on Fast Reactor in International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna. He has to his credit 47 journal papers and has published 162 papers in International Conferences, 122 in National Conferences and Symposia. He has also authored five book chapters and 9 IGC Newsletter Articles. Dr. Chellapandi has won many awards, notable among them being the National Design Award in Mechanical Engineering in 2006 from Institution of Engineers (India). Other awards include: Homi Bhabha Science & Technology Award for 1997; Indian Nuclear Science Award in 2005; DAE Group Achievement Awards in 2006, 2007 and 2008 for Design of PFBR Main Vessel and Seismic Design & Qualification of PFBR Components, and Agni Award for Excellence in Self-Reliance from DRDO.
In recognition of his outstanding professional accomplishments and his significant and sustained contributions to the Nuclear Engineering Group of IGCAR, IIT Madras and its alumni are proud to confer this award on him.
