I have been involved in several projects and case studies during my graduate, undergraduate, and internship programs. You can find a snapshot of most of those projects below:
Vehicle Dynamics
This project involved a comprehensive study of various aspects of vehicle dynamics, including forward dynamics, steering dynamics, planar and roll dynamics, and vehicle vibrations. It aimed to understand how vehicles respond under different driving conditions and maneuvers. I have used MATLAB/Octave for mathematical modeling and simulation to evaluate the vehicle's dynamic behavior. This included calculating reaction and brake forces and understanding the vehicle's response to different driving scenarios, such as acceleration on inclined roads and lane-change maneuvers.
Key outcomes of this project included the development of a detailed mathematical model of vehicle dynamics for a 2023 Toyota Corolla, which involved calculating regular and brake forces under various conditions. I also analyzed the vehicle's transient and steady-state responses to steering inputs, contributing to a better understanding of vehicle handling and stability. Furthermore, the project provided insights into the vehicle's roll dynamics and vibration characteristics, influencing future design improvements for better performance and safety. You can view the content of my Final Report on Vehicle Dynamics here. For more detailed information, don't hesitate to contact me.
Dynamics of Human Movement
Two fundamental experiments in biomechanics were conducted to record motion and ground reaction forces. In the Motion Analysis project, we used a video-based system with Cortex64 software and passive markers to study human gait while walking and running. By analyzing the 2D sagittal plane, we calculated different body segments' angles, velocities, and accelerations. Key findings included maximum speeds of the lateral malleolus occurring at 80% of the gait cycle during walking and 70% during running. This research provides valuable insights into gait mechanics, aiding in designing effective rehabilitation programs and performance enhancement strategies.
The GRF Analysis project studied the forces exerted during walking and running using Optima 464508-2000 Force Plates. We measured vertical, anterior-posterior, and medial-lateral forces for the studied subject. During walking, the maximum vertical braking force was 104.6% of body weight, while the maximum vertical thrust force was 112.05%. For running, these values were 144.36% and 195.36%, respectively. This analysis helps in understanding the kinetics of human gait, contributing to improved training programs and injury prevention.
Finite Element Methods (FEM)
These projects are part of my graduate-level CAD-Finite Element Method course, in which I analyzed finite element problems related to natural frequency, beam deflections, and heat transfer. I have used the Galerkin method to obtain the FEM solution of the partial differential equations and then compared it with the exact solution. MATLAB/OCtave was used to perform the numerical calculations, while ABAQUS was used for the simulation. The list of problems solved using finite element approximation are as follows:
Heat transfer on the fin of the condenser of a refrigerator.
Determining the transient temperature in a thin sheet of copper.
Energy density for the spring-mass system.
Temperature distribution for cylindrical fin.
Problems with quadratic shape functions and Gaussian quadrature.
Finding natural frequencies of vibrating hollow tubes.
I have worked on several projects related to computational fluid dynamics as a part of my curriculum, which helped me to develop a solid understanding of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and the finite-volume methods used for the computational modeling of the fluid domains. Some of the projects that I have worked on are as follows:
This research investigates the thermal performance and energy consumption of buildings in Nepal, where current construction codes overlook thermal behavior, leading to uncomfortable indoor climates. Focusing on the Thakle Integrated Settle, we utilized field data and TRNSYS simulations to analyze heating and cooling demands based on building orientation. The study found that heating demand accounts for 37% of the year, while cooling and comfort conditions comprise 32% and 31%, respectively. We incorporated a radiant floor heating system and a domestic hot water system to improve thermal comfort. Our findings indicate that solar-powered heating solutions can significantly enhance energy efficiency and comfort in Nepalese buildings. For more detailed information, please refer to the full report and paper.
Compressed Air Energy Storage
As a practical approach to implementing power load shifting, foster the accommodation of renewable energy, such as wind and solar generation. Energy storage techniques play an important role in facing the great challenge of maintaining power network stability and reliability. Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) is a promising energy storage technology due to its cleanness, high capacity, low cost, long storage duration, and long service life. However, the cost and scale are similar to that of a pumped hydro storage system (PHS) and other storage systems. The project's primary objective was to develop the laboratory setup of CAES to analyze the efficiency of different types of CAES and other various parameters and propose suggestions for future technology development. For more details, please take a look at the Full Report.
Dual Axis Solar Tracking System
This was a second-year project in which we designed and fabricated the dual-axis solar tracker. A dual-axis solar tracker can simultaneously track the sun’s radiation on horizontal and vertical axes. They use the same principle as the mountings of astronomical telescopes. To achieve maximum efficiency, the device tracks seasonal variations and daily tilt. The work focuses on designing and fabricating an automatic dual-axis solar tracker prototype using Arduino code based on a microcontroller, along with the fundamentals of solar panel parameters and their use. The device could simulate the sun’s tracking for 12 months within a few minutes, providing the system's prototype. For more details, please take a look at the Full Report.
Case Studies and Technical Reviews
I have done different case studies and technical reviews during my internship, graduate, and undergraduate studies, which can be found below: