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.
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 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
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”.
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”.
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?”
These are projects that I have pursued with collaborations with colleagues in mechanics across the globe. These include both current and former collaborative projects.
This work is done in collaboration with Profs. Robert L Taylor and Sanjay Govindjee at UC Berkeley (USA).
This work is done in collaboration with Prof. Alfredo G Neto at Uni. Sao Paulo (Brazil).
This work is done in collaboration with Prof. Marko K Matikainen at Lappeenranta University of Technology (Finland).
This work is done in collaboration with Prof. Shantanu S Mulay at IIT Madras (India).
This work is done in collaboration with Prof. Surendranadh Somala at IIT Hyderabad (India).
This work is done in collaboration with Profs. D. Harursampath of IISc Bangalore (India) and Dewey Hodges of GATech (USA)