About
Dr. Kanan Thakkar is an Assistant Professor in Forensic Structural Engineering under School of Engineering & Technology at the National Forensic Sciences University - Gandhinagar Campus.
She obtained her Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from the Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SV NIT), Surat, Gujarat, India – Institute of National Importance under Ministry of Education (formerly Ministry of Human Resource Development), Government of India.
Post completing her Ph.D., she joined as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering & Technology, DIT University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India in 2021. In 2022, she joined as Assistant Professor in the Forensic Structural Engineering Division under the School of Engineering & Technology at the National Forensic Sciences University.
Dr. Thakkar has 13+ years of combined experience in teaching, research, consultancy, and academic administration in the domain of civil/structural engineering.
Her expertise and work focus on structural dynamics, performance-based seismic evaluation, fragility analysis, retrofitting of reinforced concrete and bridge structures, fire/blast analysis of structures, fire engineering, evaluation of structures, and structural health monitoring, with emphasis on quantitative assessment and optimization of structural performance under extreme loading conditions. Her work integrates numerical modelling, statistical analysis, and design methodologies, and includes contributions to fragility-based assessment frameworks, parametric studies on high-rise structures, and evaluation of advanced materials such as shape memory alloys and composites in civil infrastructure.
She has published in reputed international journals and conferences, serves as a reviewer for several reputed journals and international conferences, and has delivered numerous expert sessions on forensic engineering, structural safety, earthquake engineering, repair and rehabilitation of structures, advanced construction materials, applications of civil engineering in crime scene investigation, fire engineering, blast-resistant design, structural evaluation, and structural health monitoring, with her research covering seismic vulnerability assessment, bridge engineering, structural performance evaluation, fragility analysis, and performance-based design of infrastructure systems.
At NFSU, her work integrates structural engineering with forensic applications, contributing to structural failure analysis, infrastructure safety assessment, and forensic interpretation of built environments, along with training programs for technical professionals and law enforcement agencies. She also handles internships and placement coordination for M.Tech. Civil Engineering students.
No. of Publications
Research Paper
8
Book
0
Book Chapter
1
Academic Identity
Teaching Experience
Assistant Professor
National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
Feb 2022 to Till Today
Assistant Professor
DIT University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Feb 2021 to Jan 2022
Research Scholar
S. V. National Institute of Technology, Surat, Gujarat
Jan 2017 to Jan 2021
Assistant Professor
Saffrony Institute of Technology, Mehsana, Gujarat
Jul 2015 to Dec 2016
AWARDS
"Best Paper - Civil Engineering"
Saffrony Institute of Technology, Mehsana, Gujarat, India
January 2015
"Ph.D. Fellowship"
S. V. National Institute of Technology, Surat, Gujarat, India
January 2017
"Outstanding Women Researcher Award"
SKN Sinhgad College of Engineering, Pandharpur, Maharashtra, India
January 2020