Prof. K. Ramesh
Projects
As Principal Investigator:
  1. Stress Separation in Digital Photoelasticity
    Sponsor IIT(M) - ISRO Cell
    Duration March 2005 to August 2007, On-going.
    Cost Rs. 14.06 Lakhs.
    Abstract:
    Conventional photoelasticity can give difference in principal stresses and shear stresses. For obtaining individual stress components, it requires additional experiment or the use of a numerical method. For stress separation inside the domain, one needs the value of fringe order and isoclinic angle at every pixel in it. With advanced digital image processing systems, it has now become possible to get the fringe order and the isoclinic value at every pixel in the domain. This project is to show how to handle this data efficiently for application of the shear difference technique. The various issues related to digital implementation such as boundary pixel identification, modified boundary grids for shear difference algorithm etc. are to be addressed as part of the project. The algorithm developed is to be validated for example problems and specific problems that are of interest to VSSC, Trivandrum. A stand alone executable version of the stress separation software would be supplied to VSSC for their use.

  2. Digital Photoelasticity Using Single Data Acquisition.
    Sponsor IIT(M) - ISRO Cell
    Duration March 2003 to August 2005
    Cost Rs. 14.35 Lakhs.
    Abstract:
    In order that the developements in digital photoelasticity are applicable for field problems there is a need for developing newer approaches based on single shot data aquisition. One such approach is developments in the effective use of colour information for data interpretation. Another approach which is generic and applicable to a wide variety of problems is the use of four phase stepped images shot using a combination of a high resolution digital camera and a Multispec imager. Inherently this approach can give a higher accuracy of the retardation calculation. Algorithms for data interpretation for interpreting colour information as well as processing four phase stepped images would be developed. The software would be made platform independent for easy portability. The algorithms developed would be tested for sample problems in the laboratory and would be extended to a few selected examples from VSSC.

  3. Development of Advanced Phase-Unwrapping Algorithms in Photomechanics.
    Sponsor IIT(M) - ISRO Cell
    Duration May 2001 to July 2003
    Cost Rs. 7.86 Lakhs.

    Abstract:
    A Comprehensive and robust algorithm for phase-unwrapping in photoelasticity is developed. The reserach work addressed issues such as isochromatic-isoclinic interaction, the presence of general noise in phase map and special software procedures to account for arbitrary model geometry. The algorithms thus developed are tested for a variety of problems in the laboratory using transmission photoelasticity. A limited number of practical case studies supplied by VSSC are carried out using the digital polariscope. A stand alone software package developed in VC++ is installed at VSSC and the engineers are given training to use it. The project also helped in establishing the digital photoelastic facility at IIT Madras.

  4. Development of Software Tools for Photoelastic Analysis of Rapid Prototype Models.
    Sponsor Aeronautics Research and Development Board (Structures Panel)
    Duration March 1997 to March 2000
    Cost Rs. 6.2695 Lakhs.
    Abstract:
    The project has focussed on combining rapid prototyping (RP) and digital photoelasticity for stress analysis of prototypes. The role of direct use of RP models for transmission photoelastic analysis, and the use of photoelastic coatings on RP modles have been studied. The advantages of combining RP and rapid tooling (RT) for model making has been brought out. Advanced algorithms have been developed for photoelastic data acquisition by using phase shifting techniuques. Newer methodologies for stress separation in photoelasticity have also been developed. So far eight papers have been published on various aspects of the project.

  5. Development of Advanced Digital Image Processing Algorithms for Photomechanics and its Application to Aerospace components
    Co-Investigator Prof. N. G. R. Iyengar
    Sponsor Aeronautics Research and Development Board (Structures Panel)
    Duration Jan 1994 to Sept 1997
    Cost Rs. 9.98 Lakhs.
    Abstract:
    Transmission photoelasticity is good for model studies. However, for analysing practical structures in opertating conditions, photoelastic coatings is ideal to use. In view of a comparatively poor optical response of photoelastic coatings, usually a white light is used to illuminate the model. This results in observing fringe patterns in colour. Various issues related to recording and processing fringe patterns in colour has been studied in this project. Use of a multi-parameter stress field solution for evaluating stress field in the neighbourhood of cracks has been developed. Contourable plastics from locally available materials has been developed. In all eleven research publications have been published based on the achievements of the project.

  6. Study of Dynamic Fracture of Composite Materials - Nominated as Principal Investigator between Jan'1991 and Jan'1993. Prof. B. D. Agarwal was the principal investigator for the remaining period.
    Co-Investigator Prof. Arun Shukla,
    University of Rhode Island
    Sponsor DST of INDIA and NSF of USA
    Duration Sept 1990 to Sept 1993
    Cost Rs. 18.7 Lakhs.
    Abstract:
    A high speed recording system meant for crack propagation and stress wave propagation studies has been built as a part of this project. The system is capable of recording 850,000 frames per second. This is a unique facility for Dynamic Fracture studies in INDIA and with this facility IIT Kanpur is one of the few organisations in the world to have this capability. The influence of volume fraction on the SIF in orthotropic composites have been studied. In all three research publications have been published based on the achievements of the project.

  7. Application of Digital Image Processing Technique to the Determination of SIF in Orthotropic Composite Materials
    Co-Investigator Prof. B. D. Agrawal
    Sponsor Aeronautics Research and Development Board (Structures Panel)
    Duration March 1989 to Dec 1992
    Cost Rs. 6.2695 Lakhs.
    Abstract:
    The use of digital image processing for photoelastic analysis has been initiated in this project. A new non-iterative methodology for fringe skeleton identification has been developed. Using this, a large volume of data could be collected with ease from experimental fringe patterns. Overdeterministic method for stress field evaluation in fracture mechnaics problems involving both isotropic and orthotropic materials have been developed. Development of transparent composite using locally available materials have been carried out. Classification of crack-tip isochromatics for orthtropic composites has been done. In all six research papers have been published based on the project achievements.

As Co-Investigator
  1. Modern methods of measurement and diagnosis in Mechanical Engineering
    Principal-Investigator Dr. T. Sundararajan
    Sponsor Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Government of India.
    Duration Oct 1990 to Dec 1991
    Cost Rs. 20.0 Lakhs.
    Abstract:
    Five laboratories of the Mechanical Engineering department were involved in the modernisation effort. Facilities for colour image processing in the context of photoelastic analysis has been established using this project.

  2. Integrated Design and Competetive Manufacturing - Technology Development Mission
    Principal-Investigators Prof. G.K. Lal and Prof. S.G. Dhande
    Sponsor Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Government of India.
    Duration March 1994 to March 1997
    Cost Rs. 250.0 Lakhs.
    Abstract:
    The suitability of models for photoelastic analysis made by Fused Deposition Modelling and Solid Ground Curing has been studied. The role of Rapid tooling for photoelastic model making has also been studied. In all two research publications have been published based on the achievements of the project.
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