Bhishm Dewangan, PhD

I am Bhishm Dewangan, currently working as a research fellow on the EPSRC project titled “Structural Health Monitoring of Composites using Optical Fibre” at the University of Hertfordshire, UK. My role is to support an EPSRC project that aims to develop a new technology incorporating smart monitoring into process control, evaluation, and through-life monitoring of high-value composite assets. It strategically brings together academics from 6 UK universities (University of Southampton, University of Bristol, University of Warwick, Wrexham Glyndwr University, University of Hertfordshire and University of Nottingham) to create and evolve the sensor concept into case study exemplars related to a critical need in composite manufacturing. As part of the University of Hertfordshire, my role within the project involves demonstrating optical and mechanical performance, as well as structural monitoring, during the composite cure process. The assignment includes recording and analysing the response to complex multiaxial loading in a multidirectional composite lay-up. 

I have expertise in process modelling and composite manufacturing using vacuum bagging. I have hands-on experience with experimental techniques, including vacuum infusion, double vacuum bagging, compression moulding, autoclave curing, and oven curing processes for composites. I am also trained in the 3D printing of polymer and short-fibre reinforced polymer composites. 

I worked on multiscale modelling of composite materials using a coupled thermo-chemo-mechanical framework. A multiscale approach was employed to simulate composite curing under different processing conditions and to investigate the resulting temperature distribution and residual stresses. User-defined material subroutines were developed in Fortran and implemented in Abaqus, including: UMAT for cure and temperature-dependent viscoelastic mechanical behaviour; HETVAL/UMATHT for cure kinetics and exothermic heat generation; USDFLD for tracking the degree of cure as a field variable; and UEXPAN for modelling chemical shrinkage and thermal expansion during curing. Thermo-structural periodic boundary conditions were implemented in Abaqus using Python scripting. In addition, I carried out extensive experimental characterisation of FRP composites, including SEM imaging, EDS mapping, X-ray diffraction for phase identification and residual stress measurement, micro-CT scanning, mechanical testing using UTM (tensile, flexural, and ILSS), and surface topography analysis using a 3D profilometer.

"Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss more about my work or possible collaborations. I am always up for trying new concepts and collaborating on creative endeavours."