Krishna Sai Vutukuru

Civil & Structural Engineer

Krishna Sai Vutukuru, PhD, PE, is a Civil & Structural Engineer at DDA Forensics. Dr. Vutukuru conducts investigations into structural collapses, failures, and defects on residential and commercial buildings. He excels in performing calculations, creating and utilizing advanced structural models, and conducting comprehensive field investigations to assess structural safety and integrity. Vutukuru’s work is instrumental in determining the cause and origin of structural failures, providing technical guidance, and developing design guidelines to prevent future structural issues. He specializes in wind analysis, structural and geotechnical engineering, structural analysis, structural dynamics, aeroelasticity, vibration and inspection, and forensic investigations.

Before joining DDA Forensics, Vutukuru held pivotal roles at M2E Consulting Engineers and Thornton Tomasetti, where he provided leadership and technical expertise in assessing the structural integrity of various building types against natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods.  

Vutukuru’s career began with a significant role as a Senior Forensic Engineer in the aftermath of the tragic Surfside Collapse in Miami. He collaborated with colleagues at Thornton Tomasetti and worked alongside experts from the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) in Washington, D.C. He conducted forensic investigations, obtained detailed measurements, and performed scientific analysis. His work was instrumental in narrowing down the potential causes of the collapse, demonstrating his leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills. 

Vutukuru’s academic achievements include publishing numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers. An enthusiast of machine learning, he has authored several research papers on its implications and applications in civil and structural engineering. He is passionate about improving building standards and assisting homeowners, builders, designers, and insurance professionals in finding common ground. Vutukuru has a robust research background and has conducted numerous studies on wind-driven rain effects, wind-induced vibrations on curtain wall systems, and downburst simulations. His research has led to significant contributions in developing testing protocols and proposing design guidelines to enhance structural resilience against wind effects. His work has been recognized through various awards, publications, and conferences.

He earned his Doctorate in Structural Engineering and Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Florida International University (FIU), where he focused on mitigating wind-induced vibrations in curtain wall window systems. He also holds a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), BHU, Varanasi, where his thesis focused on the performance analysis of ruptured or corroded cable-stayed bridges. Krishna also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from IIT BHU, Varanasi. He holds professional affiliations with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honor Society. He proudly holds HAAG Residential and HAAG Wind Damage Inspector certifications, and a Remote Pilot certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Dedicated to education and mentorship, Vutukuru served as a teaching assistant at FIU for courses in sustainable building engineering, hurricane engineering, structural dynamics, and engineering drawing. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis.