• Dynamic impact analysis

• Fracture mechanical simulation

• Simulation of adhesively bonded joints and composites

We are dedicated to academic and technical research for various computational simulations using finite element method (FEM) based on dynamics and solid mechanics. This includes dynamic impact analysis incorporating strain-rate dependency and nonlinearity from various sources, material and product failure analysis utilizing continuum damage mechanics and fracture mechanics, and interface fracture analysis of composite materials using Cohesive Zone Modeling techniques. These studies find applications in analysis and design of packaging of consumer appliances, impact analysis of spent nuclear fuel transport casks, and design and safety assessment of structural adhesive bonding elements and so on. We primarily offer analysis results that have been experimentally validated, and we also conduct research to facilitate such validation.

• Mechanism Design and Optimization

• Packaging Design

• Reliability based design and optimization

We are doing research focused on the development and application of optimization techniques, which we apply to tackle issues identified through collaboration with diverse industrial partners. Our investigations cover a range of optimization methods aimed at addressing real-world challenges. These include traditional structural optimization using mathematical programming, optimal design using meta-modelling and design of experiments. Additionally, we prioritize research into design under uncertainty such as robust optimization and reliability-based optimization. We apply these studies to various engineering problems such as mechanism design, packaging optimization, and reverse engineering for parameter estimation in engineering systems.

• Assessment for regulatory conditions

• Assessment for beyond design basis accidents

RAM (Radiological Material) transport and storage casks are specialized containers designed for the safe transportation and storage of radioactive materials, such as spent nuclear fuel, radioactive waste, or other radioactive sources. These casks are engineered to provide shielding against radiation and to contain any potential radioactive materials in case of accidents or mishaps during transport or storage. They undergo rigorous testing and certification to ensure their compliance with regulatory standards for radiation protection and safety. Additionally, they are designed to withstand various environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, pressures, and physical impacts, to ensure public safety from the hazard of the radioactive materials they contain. We are specialized in the structural safety assessment of those casks using numerical simulations with accepted codes and standards such as ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code.  

• Cladding failure assessment  

• Fuel assembly transportability assessment 

Spent nuclear fuel (SNF), also known as used nuclear fuel, is the fuel that has been used in nuclear reactors to generate electricity and discharged after intended period of time. Despite being less efficient for electricity generation, SNF remains highly radioactive and thermally hot. Therefore, it needs to be carefully managed and stored to prevent environmental contamination and ensure public safety. For safe and economic management, the structural integrity of SNF should be maintained under normal condition of storage and transportation. We are developing framework and criteria for SNF mechanical integrity and transportability assessment. This research necessitates intricate engineering analyses involving complex layers of engineering systems spanning from meso-scale cladding tubes to a large scale transport cask. We address these challenges utilizing model reduction techniques and state-of-the-art computational analysis methods with optimization.