Teaching

This course introduces students to the fundamental design principles and concepts employed by civil, mechanical and aeronautical engineers to build more robust structures under different failure criteria and relies on extensive problem solving. The topics that are discussed include: static equilibrium, force resultants, free body diagrams, analysis of determinate structures (beams and trusses), stresses and strains and their tensor formulation, constitutive equations, failure criteria, beam bending, shear force and bending moment diagrams, moment of inertia and deflections in beams, torsion of shafts, beam buckling and advanced problem solving using linear superposition. Term papers to engage students in the formulation and resolution of open-ended real life problems e.g. RBC in malaria, cochlear implants, rails under stresses etc. are assigned.

This course introduces analytical solutions of contact stresses and deformations at surfaces and delves on various wear mechanisms: adhesive, abrasive, fatigue, impact, chemical and fretting wear. Macromechanical vs. micromechanical tribology processes are contrasted and ways of quantifying wear are analysed. Use of coatings as a way to reduce wear are discussed in detail with respect to deposition processes and coating structures, characterization of coatings and selection. Engineering design for wear, effect of microstructure and wear induced microstructural change are explored in detail for metals, polymers, ceramics and composites. Case studies are used to highlight critical design criteria for wear

This course introduces students to a wide range of standard techniques often used to probe the mechanical properties of materials. The students get a hands on experience and knowledge of efficient specimen preparation and machine operation. Care is taken that all the tests are done in adherence with international standards and techniques are demonstrated to eliminate experimental art-effects .  

This course goes into the details of causes of fatigue failure in materials. Mechanisms of cyclic plastic deformation at the microstructiral level leading to fatigue will be described. Ways to express the fatigue life in terms of driving forces like stresses and strains will be outlined. Linear elastic fracture mechanics methodology to explain fatigue crack growth will also be elaborated upon. Additional topics will include rolling contact fatigue, corrosion fatigue, residual stresses as well as overloads.