He is a peer reviewer for reputed Journals like Construction and Building Materials (ELSEVIER), International Journal of Civil Engineering (INCE) (Springer), Case Studies in Construction Materials (ELSEVIER), KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering (ELSEVIER), International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering (Scopus Indexed), etc.

Dr Rao has actively involved in various National and International conferences/workshops as a member of organizing/Technical committee and chaired technical sessions in many conferences. He received best presenter award for his paper on “Bond Strength of HYSD Bars and SCC with and without Recycled Aggregate-An Experimental Study” in the international conference “CONCET2018” held at University of Malaya, KL, Malaysia during 7-10 August, 2018. He has also delivered invited talks/guest lectures in govt organizations and private Institutions. He also served as an expert member in prestigious committees (AP Public Service Commission, DNV-ISO, JNT University, etc.). He is also an evaluator for AICTE Proposals under AQIS (TEQIP).

Dr Rao authored a text book on “Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering” published by M/s S K Kataria and Sons, released in January 2019. He also edited proceedings of International and National Conferences and reviewed seven chapters of the text book “Limit State Design of Steel Structures” by S K Duggal, Tata Mc Grawhill. He is currently revising the text book on “RCC Designs” by B.C.Punmia (Lakshmi Publications) and a couple of books are in pipeline. He is a life member of Indian Concrete Institute, ICFRC, ISTE and Fellow of Institution of Engineers (India).