Projects

My current researches are focused on developing a method for optimization in design of structures using geometrical analysis of structures. The following is the list of my past projects.

Dynamic Analysis of an Electric Pole using Assumed Mode Method

This project was a part of my graduate level course Structural Dynamics during Fall'13 under Prof S. J. Dyke.

The objective of the project was to obtain the dynamic response of an electric pole. The exact solution of the pole (vertical cantilever) has infinite many modes, but for this project, the pole was assumed to move with one or limited finite number of modes.

Different modes satisfying the geometric boundary conditions like parabolic, sine, exponential, etc. were assumed and a response of the tip of the pole was generated using state space analysis. The different natural frequencies for the various shape functions were compared and it was concluded that the rigid body shape function yielded the least fundamental frequency and was thus the best shape function among the ones considered for the study.

Also, the pole was considered as a generalized MDoF with polynomial shape functions. The dynamic response and the fundamental frequencies for various total number of assumed modes were compared.

Here is the link to the report of the project.

Note: This is an intellectual property of me, my guide and the people mentioned in the report. Inform any one of us before making use of the same.

Schematic Diagram of the Electric Pole

Analysis of Indeterminate Structures using Relative Deformation Coefficient Method(RDCA)

This my undergraduate research work done during my senior year(2012-13). RDCA is an ingenious structural analysis method developed by my guide, Prof H. S. Patil along with his PhD student, Prof H. S. Patel

The philosophy underlying this approach may be stated as: 'Application of unit deformation corresponding to any unknown action in a structure produces waves of deformation. The magnitudes of these waves are defined by the rotation and/or translation of joints. These deformations are evaluated successively by computing four independent terms evolved in the present approach'

The superiority of this method lies in its simplicity to understand, its ability to analyse indeterminate structures without involving the solution of simultaneous equations and the possibility of determining local solution.

I worked in extending this method for elastic supports. I have also co-authored a paper regarding the same method.

Here is a link to the report of the project.

Note: This is an intellectual property of me, my guide and the people mentioned in the report. Inform any one of us before making use of the same.

Actual deformation of the rotation at the joints

A approximate simplification of a multi-span beam

Analysis of Dust Deposition on a Heliostat

This was a part of my research internship at IIT-Rajasthan under Dr. Laltu Chandra.

This project focused in the study of dust deposition on flat plates, in this case, a heliostat. Dust deposition on flat mirror plates depends on various factors like heliostat field density, soil composition, Atmospheric humidity, mirror orientation, wind speed, plate material, height and structure of heliostat etc. In this study, various experiments were performed with small scaled heliostat model in wind tunnel to study flow based dust deposition for unidirectional uniform flow field. To understand cause for deposition, Ansys fluent 13.0 is used for simulation of flow field with similar geometrical construction.

In dense heliostat field, strong vortices form by heliostats can become a cause for high deposition on back heliostats. Calculation of threshold velocity gives idea of flow based cleaning. By this study, one can understand cause for deposition in controlled environment and remove the flow factors which increase deposition with the concept of flow blockage.

A journal paper, co-authored by me was published in Elsevier.

Here is a link to the complete article of the project.

Note: This is an intellectual property of me, my guide and the people mentioned in the report. Inform any one of us before making use of the same.

Model of a single Heliostat

Dust density on a Heliostat

World's Largest Popsicle Stick Bridge

This is my a herculean effort by 26 freshmen and sophomores.

During the feasibility stage, we tested the Popsicle brick (a pack of five strongly glued sticks) in accordance to the entire standard test done to any structural material. With the help of our beautiful 20t UTM, we tested the brick for tension, compression and formed a 5X10 cm beams to test it for flexure and shear. Our results were encouraging. The brick could withstand a tensile force of about 400kg! With this we designed and made a suspension bridge with a main span of 2.8m and total length of 5m using 400,000 popsicle sticks, standard glue and 400m length of 2mm ϕ brake wires with an overall cost of about $2000 (INR110, 000). It can with withstand a load of one tonne. The beams were innovatively reinforced by the brake wires kept under post tensioning. The bridge is under contention for the Guinness book of world records.

Here is the clipping of the article published in the Times of India.

The Mighty Midget

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse