Chanakya University School of Biosciences

Rashmiranjan Mohapatra

Ph.D., IIT, Hyderabad

Rashmiranjan Mohapatra

Ph.D., IIT, Hyderabad
rashmiranjan.m@chanakyauniversity.edu.in
Structural Mechanics, Composite Structures, Mechanical Joints, Damage Mechanics, Computational Modelling

My primary research interest is in advanced composite structures and computational solid mechanics. The increasing adoption of fiber–reinforced polymer composites in aerospace, energy storage, and high–pressure engineering systems is driving the demand for structures that are not only lightweight and efficient, but also highly reliable under extreme mechanical, thermal, and environmental conditions. Failures in such systems can have severe safety and economic consequences, making the development of predictive design and validation frameworks more critical. At the same time, the growing complexity of composite architectures arising from heterogeneous material systems, multiscale damage mechanisms, and advanced manufacturing processes poses significant challenges for integrated modelling, testing, and certification.

The central goal of research is to investigate the principles underlying the design, modelling, and validation of robust composite structures. How reliable structural performance can be achieved using materials and interfaces that exhibit inherently uncertain and progressive damage behavior, and how simplified analytical understanding can be systematically integrated with high-fidelity numerical models to derive globally predictive design characteristics, are the key questions that drive my work. I focus on the development of constitutive and damage models for fiber–reinforced composites, bonded and hybrid joints, and pressure-bearing structures, and their implementation within finite element frameworks to capture failure initiation, evolution, and interaction across multiple length scales.

My current research work focuses on the experimental and computational investigation of multi-bolted hybrid joints for launch vehicle and aerospace structures, with the aim of understanding load transfer mechanisms, progressive damage evolution, and failure interactions under complex thermo–mechanical loading conditions. In parallel, I aim to begin research on the design, computational modelling, and structural validation of composite pressure vessels for high-pressure hydrogen storage, leveraging my experience working in the aerospace industry. My work will focus on understanding the influence of lay-up architecture and liner–composite interface behavior on structural integrity and performance under extreme conditions, aligning with India’s green energy goals and the advancement of hydrogen storage technologies.

Rashmiranjan Mohapatra is an Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering with research interests in composite materials, structural mechanics, and computational modelling. He completed his Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad in collaboration with the RCI, DRDO, where his work focuses on the comprehensive investigation of metallic and composite structural joints for aerospace applications.
Before joining Chanakya University, he was working in the aerospace industry on the design and modelling of composite pressure vessels and rocket motor casings, where he contributed to lay-up architecture, structural integrity and failure analysis of composite pressure vessels, and liner–composite interface design for high-pressure applications.

His expertise spans computational modelling, laminate theory, structural testing, and simulation-driven design. His work has been published in leading peer–reviewed journals, including the International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, Thin-Walled Structures, and Engineering Structures. He has also contributed to the academic community as a peer reviewer for reputed journals, including Scientific Reports, Springer Nature. His research also has received best presentation award in computational mechanics category at the SICE 2022 internation conference organized by Indian Structural Integrity Society at Hyderabad.

Ph.D., Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, 2025, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad

M.Tech., Mechanical Engineering, 2020, Odisha University of Technology & Research, Bhubaneswar

B.Tech., Mechanical Engineering, 2017, C.V. Raman Global University, Bhubaneswar

Journal Articles

  1. R. Mohapatra, V. Narayanamurthy, M. Ramji, and S. Sidhardh, Modeling of CFRP hybrid lap joints via energy-based 2D framework,” International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, vol. 288, pp. 109986, Jan. 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2025.109986.
  2. R. Mohapatra, S. Palathingal, V. Narayanamurthy, and M. Ramji, “Investigating the influence of pre-tightening on radial-type flight intersection joints using a spring-mass model,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering, vol. 239, no. 7, pp. 702–723, Dec. 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/09544100241308964.
  3. R. Mohapatra, H. Sonwani, S. Sidhardh, V. Narayanamurthy, and M. Ramji, “An energy-based 2D model for predicting mechanical behavior of adhesively bonded CFRP laminates,” Engineering Failure Analysis, vol. 163, p. 108589, Sep. 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2024.108589.
  4. R. Mohapatra, S. Palathingal, V. Narayanamurthy, and M. Ramji, “Modeling the joint rotational stiffness of a radial-type flight intersection joint: An analytical approach, numerical simulation, and experimental validation,” Thin-Walled Structures, vol. 196, p. 111473, Mar. 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2023.111473.
  5. R. Mohapatra, S. Palathingal, V. Narayanamurthy, and M. Ramji, “Modeling the mechanical behavior of torque-tightened screw lap joints,” Engineering structures, vol. 298, p. 117071, Jan. 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2023.117071.
  6. R. Mohapatra, S. Palathingal, V. Narayanamurthy, and M. Ramji, “Modeling of counter-bore and counter-sink screw lap joints,” Mechanics Based Design of Structures and Machines, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 289–314, Aug. 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/15397734.2022.2107540.

Conference Proceedings

  1. R. Mohapatra, S. Sidhardh, V. Narayanamurthy, and M. Ramji, “Analytical model for the mechanical behavior of CFRP double-stepped adhesively bonded lap joint,” presented at 21st European Conference on Composite Materials (ECCM 21), Nantes, France, July 2-5, 2024.
  2. R. Mohapatra, S. Sidhardh, V. Narayanamurthy, and M. Ramji, “Modelling the Mechanical behavior modeling of adhesively bonded CFRP joints using a two-dimensional energy model,” presented at 18th ISAMPE National Conference on Composites (INCCOM-18), CSIR-NAL Bangalore, India, Feb. 8-9, 2024.
  3. R. Mohapatra, S. Palathingal, V. Narayanamurthy, and M. Ramji, “Modeling the behavior of pre-tightened screw lap joint,” presented at the 4th Structural Integrity Conference and Exhibition (SICE-2022), IIT Hyderabad, India, Dec. 14-16, 2022.
  4. R. Mohapatra, S. Palathingal, V. Narayanamurthy, and M. Ramji, “A study on the load-deformation behavior of countersink lap joint,” presented at the 66th Congress of ISTAM, IIT Kharagpur, India, Dec. 3-5, 2021.
  5. R. Mohapatra and R.R. Dash, “Reduction of Vertical Vibration for Convalescent Patients in a wheelchair using an Optimal Dynamic Absorber,” presented at the 4th International Conference on Management, Sciences, Engineering and Applications (ICMSEA 2019), CUTM Odisha, India, Dec. 20-23, 2019.

Project 1

  • Title: Numerical modelling of composite pressure vessel
  • Duration: 1 years
  • Granting Agency: Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), DRDO
  • PIs/Co PIs: Prof. Gangadharan Raju, Prof. Ramji Manoharan
  • Purpose: To develop predictive finite element models of composite rocket motor casings using cohesive zone modelling, supported by experimentally characterized material properties and automated Python-based workflows for reliable failure prediction.
  • Status: Completed

  • Obtained the Best Presentation Award in Computational Mechanics at the SICE 2022 conference organized by Indian Structural Integrity Society at IIT Hyderabad.
  • Qualified Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), organized by IIT Guwahati.
  • Contributed as a member of the Organizing Committee for the 4th Structural Integrity Conference and Exhibition (SICE 2022) conference.
  • Contributed as a member of the Organizing Committee for the Industry Connect event (MAE-IC 2024).
  • Certification in ANSYS, Central Tool Room & Training Centre, Bhubaneswar, India, 2019.
  • Certification in INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION, Bosch Rexroth, Bhubaneswar, India, 2017.
  • Certification in Advance Modelling, Tool Room Training Centre (TRTC), Bhubaneswar, India, 2017.
  • Student member of Indian Society for Applied Mechanics (ISAM).

  • Beyond academia, he enjoys indoor games, video gaming, and reading about world history.

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