About Us

​​​​​​​The Protective Technology Research Centre (PTRC) was established on 29 September 1998 via the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Most of the joint R&D projects in PTRC have been supported by DSTA, MINDEF. PTRC’s R&D project with DSTA on the development of underground space for civilian and military uses represents one of the most successful examples of joint R&D projects with the industry or government agencies. The project supports the national effort in constructing caverns and tunnels within granite, as well as sedimentary rocks for the storage of strategic materials.

As part of the Underground Technology and Rock Engineering (UTRE) programme, DSTA and PTRC, together with geologists of Building and Construction Authority (BCA), studied soil samples over the past 2 years to compile the Geology of Singapore.

The second edition of Geology of Singapore was recently launched on 18 March 2009 at the Inaugural Defence Construction Seminar 2009. It will be a useful reference for construction and urban planning professionals, who are constantly looking for space to develop in land-scarce Singapore.

The Straits Times article on the Construction of Jurong Rock Cavern (dated 16 April 2009) also shows the successful transfer of PTRC technology from military usage with DSTA to civilian usage, in which PTRC and DSTA act as consultants to JTC Corp. The Jurong Rock Cavern will be the first underground oil storage facility in Singapore and Southeast Asia.​

Over the years, the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering has been working closely with the Protective Infrastructure and Estate (PI), Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), which was known as the Lands and Estates Organisation of MINDEF before 2000.

Besides DSTA, the School has also worked with the Public Works Department of the Ministry of National Development and the Singapore Joint Civil Defence Force of the Ministry of Home Affairs on several joint research projects. Some of the projects were on the effects of dynamic, explosion or blast loading on blast doors, foundations of civil defence shelters, underground facilities and aboveground structures. These research projects involve both numerical simulations and experimental investigations on the effects of high-intensity transient dynamic loading on soil and rock media as well as on structural components and systems.

Building on the success of these projects, MINDEF proposed in 1997 to set up jointly with NTU an inter-school research centre, the Protective Technology Research Centre, to conduct and manage focused R&D programmes on protective engineering.

Established in September 1998, the Protective Technology Research Centre (PTRC) is an inter-disciplinary research centre jointly funded by NTU and the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). 

Three functional areas are identified to achieve the missions of PTRC. They are (1) Research and Development, (2) Education and Training, and (3) Technology Transfer. The functional areas comprise the following activities:​

• ​Conducting focused R&D programmes in dynamic and weapon effects on infrastructures and facilities.
• Establishing collaborations with local and foreign universities, research centres and industries.
• Effecting technology transfer.
• Maintaining a resource centre.
• Providing specialised advisory services.

Since its establishment, PTRC has received more than 1000 international and local visitors. Some of our visitors include:

• Visit by Chongqing University, China, 10 February 2017
• Visit by Swedish Delegation, 22 January 2016
• Visit by Kajima Corporation, Japan, 5 August 2016
• Visit by Northwestern Polytechnical University, China, 21 April 2015
• Visit by Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO), USA, 27 March 2014
• Visit by Future Systems and Technology Directorate (FSTD), MINDEF, 31 October 2013
• Visit by DTRA, 1 March 2013
• Visit by Swedish Delegation, 26 January 2012
• Visit by Mr Michael Swisdak (MINDEF Visiting Scientist), 18 February 2011
• Visit by Dr Lim Chee Onn (NTU Board of Trustees and Chairman, Singbridge International Singapore Pte Ltd), 24 May 2010
• Visit by Office of Chief Scientist and Technology Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs, 1 October 2009
• Visit by US Department of Energy, 5 February 2009
• Visit by Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), USA, 21 July 2008
• Visit by Shiraz University, 11 April 2008