Dr. Munirajulu on Simulation, Making a Better World, and More

This interview is part of a series featuring the members of our diverse AU community, from speakers and conference attendees to forum participants and online commenters. You are AU.

1. What’s your current job role?
Head of CFD at L&T Construction, Larsen & Toubro Limited, in India. I’m responsible for performance-based design in the AEC/MEP areas using CFD simulation.

2. What are your main areas of expertise?
CFD simulation in the AEC industry.

3. What do you enjoy most about your work?
Solving difficult and challenging problems.

4. What are your main areas of interest?  
New technologies for AEC/MEP in the construction industry, including Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), and IoT; coaching and mentoring next-level associates; being part of learning communities (especially AU).

5. What’s your favorite piece of technology?
Simulation, including Autodesk Simulation CFD.

6. What one challenge in your work would be most satisfying to solve?
Convincing customers and consultants that simulation technology is useful in design.

7. What one thing should new graduates entering your field know?
Be open to learning new technologies and industry-oriented skills and being part of designing and building fast.

8. What is your all-time favorite AU class and why?
Many classes were useful. My favorite would be the keynotes because they give a glimpse of what the future could hold in the construction industry.

9. Describe a favorite project you’ve worked on using Autodesk software.
I have used Autodesk Simulation CFD in architectural and MEP applications for a number of iconic and large building projects—a shopping mall, a convention center, a modern airport, a technology office space—to simulate and evaluate thermal comfort, smoke visibility for safe evacuation, ventilation in occupied spaces, the effect of wind-driven flows over façades, etc.

10. What has been one of your most impactful moments attending AU and why?
Presenting a class for the first time at AU and getting generally good feedback from attendees that the class has been useful to them.

11. What new skill, personal or professional, would you most like to learn?
Use of generative design and simulation-integrated design.

12. If you could contribute one thing to making a better world, what would it be?
The education of underprivileged children.

Check out Dr. Munirajulu’s profile (and follow him) to learn more about his work and contributions to the AU community. He led two sessions at AU 2020: Using Autodesk CFD in the AEC Industry for Sustainable Design and Learn Autodesk CFD for Fire and Smoke Simulation.