Recent News

Dr Supen Kumar Sah, Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering presents his exclusive study on the thermo-mechanical bending behaviour of functionally graded material (FGM) sandwich plates using the Sinusoidal Shear Deformation Theory (SSDT) in his recent paper titled “Thermo-mechanical bending of power and sigmoid FGM sandwich plate using sinusoidal shear deformation theory”. The paper has been published in the Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, having an impact factor of 3.2.

Abstract

This study examines the thermo-mechanical bending behaviour of functionally graded material (FGM) sandwich plates with temperature-dependent properties. FGMs, typically made from metal and ceramic, combine rigidity and high thermal resistance, and their properties are assumed to vary continuously in thickness. Using sigmoid and power law distributions, we analyse the smooth variation of properties and apply a one-dimensional heat conduction equation to determine temperature changes. The Sinusoidal Shear Deformation Theory (SSDT) is utilised to account for the sinusoidal distribution of shear stress while meeting traction-free boundary conditions. We derive the governing equations through Hamilton’s variational principle and Navier’s solution, resulting in closed-form solutions for center deflection, and normal and shear stresses of the plates. The analysis reveals that temperature-dependent properties and gradation indices significantly affect central deflection, normal stress, and shear stress. The SSDT results align well with existing shear deformation theory, confirming its accuracy.

Dr Sah collaborated with Dr Anup Ghosh from IIT Kharagpur on the research study. He aims to continue his research on FGMA and focus on the structural analysis of multidirectional Functionally Graded Material sandwich plates in the future.

Link to the article

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at SRM AP hosted a workshop on Atmanirbhar Bharat: Innovations in Lean Manufacturing for the Automotive Industry. The workshop focused on the evolving landscape of the automotive industry. Industry veterans Mr Narayan Vakil, an independent director with 40 years of experience across automotive components, and Mr Srikumar Srinivasan, Delivery Head at Tata Elxsi Ltd., led the workshop.

The workshop delved into topics such as electric vehicles (EVs), automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things allowing the attendees a chance to understand the principles of lean manufacturing and their crucial role in enhancing operational efficiency. Discussions also covered Industry 4.0 and its revolutionary impact on automotive production.

Participants were also offered insights on waste reduction strategies aimed at improving productivity while embracing sustainable manufacturing practices. The event also served as a platform for networking, fostering future collaborations between automotive manufacturers and technology providers.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering under the School of Engineering and Sciences at SRM University-AP, organised an industrial visit on March 22, 2025 to Reliance Industries – KGD6 Oil & Gas, Andhra Pradesh.

The Industrial visit helped enhance the practical knowledge and industry exposure of the B.Tech & M.Tech students in the field of oil and gas extraction and learn first-hand the sustainable practices followed in the industry. The visit aligned with the students academic curriculum and prepared them for a future in the energy sector.

The visit was led by faculties, Dr Gurumurthy Kagita, Prof. Prakash Jadhav, Dr Satya Pramod Jammy, Dr Chandan Kumar, and Dr Supen Kumar Sah from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, who accompanied the students throughout the visit. During the visit, students gained insights of operational aspects of oil and gas industries, offshore and onshore adopted technologies, pollution control strategies, real-time monitoring, automation, control systems used in oil and gas operations and environmental management techniques. Experts from Reliance Industries-KGD6 Oil & Gas explained advanced drilling techniques, offshore and onshore extraction processes, and storage techniques of natural gases to our students. The visit also provided insights into safety protocols, automation in industrial processes and sustainability practices in the Oil & Gas industry.

The visit was highly beneficial for students as it bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. It also offered an opportunity to interact with industry professionals and understand the challenges in oil and gas industries.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at SRM University-AP organised an industrial visit to the Dr Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station. Dr Chandan Kumar and Dr Manjesh Kumar, faculty coordinators at the department accompanied the students during the visit.The visit was aimed to facilitate practical knowledge among students and to enhance their industry exposure.

During the visit students were able to explore the various operational aspects of the power plant including boiler operations, turbine functioning, coal handling and environmental management techniques. The engineers from the plant also shared their expertise and offered practical demonstrations of the thermal plants’ functioning.

Students also got an opportunity to discuss the operational challenges and understand first hand the potential solutions to the problems. Interactions such as these allowed the students to make real time practical applications of the theoretical aspects learned.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering expressed gratitude to the management and staff of Dr Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station for their warm hospitality and invaluable learning experience. This visit was not only educational but also essential in bridging the gap between theory and practical application, contributing meaningfully to the academic and professional development of the students.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering hosted an invited talk on “Design of Composite Structures” on February 27, 2025. The session was delivered by Dr Subbareddy Daggumati, distinguished Associate Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. An expert in composite materials, structural mechanics, and computational modelling, Dr Subbareddy Daggumati, highlighted the significance of composite materials in aerospace, automotive, and structural applications in his talk.

The presentation covered key topics such as fatigue damage mechanisms, experimental analysis, predictive modelling, and recent advancements in composite material research. Participants, including faculty members, researchers, and students, actively discussed improving fatigue resistance through material selection, design optimization, and advanced testing techniques. A leading figure in advanced engineering research, Dr Subbareddy Daggumati also underscored the extensive research opportunities available for faculty, research scholars, and students interested in exploring the fatigue behaviour of composite structures. The event was highly informative, fostering academic exchange and encouraging further research into the fatigue behaviour of composite structures.

The event was presided over by Dr Lakshmi Sirisha Maganti, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Prof. Prakash Jadhav, Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The talk concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where attendees gained valuable knowledge on current challenges and future research directions in this field.