The aerodynamic shape of an aircraft plays a critical role in its performance. Aerodynamic Shape Optimization (ASO) modifies the shape to achieve desired performance metrics, such as reduced drag or increased lift. ASO integrates numerical optimization techniques with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Gradient-based optimization techniques are widely employed for ASO. The adjoint solution enables the […]

Futuristic high Mach number flight systems using advanced air-breathing propulsion technologies typically have multiple flow paths with supersonic flows that merge before exiting the vehicle. The supersonic-supersonic co-flow configuration is a canonical model used to study the fundamental aerodynamics of these interactions. A pseudo-shock is a composite gas-dynamic feature produced in viscous-dominated internal flows due […]

An understanding of the aeroacoustics of twin turbulent jets is essential for applications involving noise reduction in dual engine aircrafts and launch vehicles. The aeroacoustic dynamics of these jets are influenced by the spacing between the shear layer of the two jets as well as the spatio-temporal nature of the structures arising from the interaction […]

Climate change has significantly exacerbated the wildfire seasons, increasing their frequency, duration, and scale of destruction. Globally, wildfires destroy approximately 400 million hectares of land annually, resulting in significant biodiversity loss, degradation of soil nutrients, and other ecological consequences. The fire locations are often inaccessible for ground-based interventions due to the challenging terrain, and current […]

The transonic Mach number regime is a critical phase in the atmospheric ascent of launch vehicles, where aerodynamic loads peak due to the combined effects of high freestream dynamic pressure and angle of attack. Besides high steady loads, launch vehicles experience very high levels of pressure fluctuations caused by interactions between the unsteady λ-shock system […]

Microwave absorption materials (MAMs) are crucial for both long-standing aeronautical and emerging space security applications, with carbon-based materials traditionally dominating the field due to their exceptional strength and lightweight nature. In recent years, other ceramic-based materials have emerged as promising alternatives, due to their superior resistance to thermal detection, due in turn to their low […]

The quadcopters are increasingly used in cluttered environments as rapid advancements are made in the development of lightweight sensors and payloads. Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) missions,  crack detection on the interior surface of a pipe/tunnel, and close inspection in tropical forest environments are a handful of examples where quadcopters are being deployed. Safe operation in […]

This dissertation focuses on surface preparation and its effect on the shear strength of adhesively bonded Single Lap Joints (SLJs) in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), their fracture properties, and the associated Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) parameters. The surface preparation was carried out using different grades of emery paper so that the interfaces of different roughness […]