Research

As an engineer, I focus on the application and use continuum mechanics to develop concepts to solve the problem or atleast progress in the area. While any physical phenomenon can be described through one or more partial differential equations (Navier-Stokes, Maxwell and so on), the physics of change (deformation, temperature change, fluctuations in electric / magnetic fields) in any matter is driven by the forces acting on them. In any particular application, we know the forces acting and need to determine the change or vice-versa. This general structure holds true when one considers all matter, from brain tissue to geology of the earth, through the scope of continuum mechanics. The overarching goal of my research is to explore and develop numerical methodologies for continuum (i.e. solid and fluid) mechanics aimed ot better understand interdisciplinary applications of scientific and societal importance.

  • Mechanics of any application requires one to consider the behavior of solids and fluids. For ex:
    • In water-borne natural hazards, water (fluids) either transport un-restrained solid bodies (like ships etc.) or impact and applies load on restrained solid bodies (like buildings etc.).
    • In non-exhaust emission, solid particulates from tyre and brake wear from solid objects are transported by air (i.e fluid).
    • When tensegrities are used as civil engineering structures, they are affected by wind and water. Thus, loading due to fluids need to be be considered
  • Without trivializing issues existing in turbulence or high-Reynolds number flows etc., it is possible to consider the physics of incompressible flows completely (under certain conditions). The state of the art in numerical methods, today, facilitates this. It is also important to explicitly consider this rather than trivilize them as simple boundary conditions on solids/structures.

Primary research areas

These primary research areas are those where I am presently funded and also of great interest for the application of mechanics to diverse areas.

Natural hazards Engineering

Natural hazards preparedness and sustainable hazard mitigation is critical to a nation’s ability to withstand and respond to natural disasters like tsunamis, hurricanes and floods. Just in the year 2020 (Jan – Jun), US has faced ten separate billion-dollar weather and climate-related disaster events as reported by the NOAA. In this work, we present numerical techniques and tools for modeling and comprehending natural disasters. For more, check out Natural Hazards: Computing for health of the planet

Digital twin (Wave flume)

The Large Wave Flume at the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory in Oregon State University is the largest of its kind in North America. Its size and ability facilitites it to operate in high Reynolds regimes and is used in for understanding the nearshor hydrodynamics, tsunami inundation and structure impact, pollutant mixing, ocean wave energy systems etc. In this work, we are building a digital twin of the wave flume. For more information, check out “OSU wave flume digital twin”.

Secondary research areas

Tensegrity-based deployable structures

Tensegrity structures have been extensively studied over the last years due to their potential applications in modern engineering such as in metamaterials, deployable structures, planetary lander modules, etc. Many of the currently proposed structures have one or more soft/swinging modes. These modes have been vividly highlighted and referenced as grounds for the unsuitability of tensegrities as engineering structures. This work proposes alternative stable configurations. Read more at “Deployable tensegrity structures”.

Non-Exhaust emissions

While exhaust emissions are being drastically reduced, the same cannot be said for the non-exhaust emissions. This is owing to the fact that non-exhaust emissions are primarily from tire wear, brake wear, and road wear. Unlike exhaust emissions, these are much more difficult and trickier to measure, estimate, and control. We are developing numerical methods to help improve tribological properties of tire and brake products to reduce non-exhaust emissions. Read more at “Are non-exhaust emissions important?”

Collaborative projects

These are projects that I have pursued with collaborations with colleagues in mechanics across the globe. These include both current and former collaborative projects.

Coupled problems

This work is done in collaboration with Profs. Robert L Taylor and Sanjay Govindjee at UC Berkeley (USA).

Textile composites

This work is done in collaboration with Prof. Alfredo G Neto at Uni. Sao Paulo (Brazil).

Tendon mechanics

This work is done in collaboration with Prof. Marko K Matikainen at Lappeenranta University of Technology (Finland).

Electromechanics of Hydrogels

This work is done in collaboration with Prof. Shantanu S Mulay at IIT Madras (India).

Seismo-mechanics

This work is done in collaboration with Prof. Surendranadh Somala at IIT Hyderabad (India).

Laminated composites

This work is done in collaboration with Profs. D. Harursampath of IISc Bangalore (India) and Dewey Hodges of GATech (USA)