March 4, 2011
School of Engineering, Amritapuri
A new technologically advanced research lab was inaugurated at the Amritapuri campus on February 22, 2011.
This new Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) Lab was inaugurated in the presence of Sampoojya Swami Poornamritananda Puri, by Dr. Jayaraman, former Deputy Director, National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).
A unique set-up that will bring together computational capabilities of powerful software programs such as Ansys, Bentley, Solidworks and Algor Multiphysics, CAE will facilitate the solving of complex engineering and research problems.
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Balakrishnan Shankar, Associate Dean, Amritapuri campus noted, “This lab is especially meant to foster engineering research on campus, and enable faculty and research scholars to tackle current industrial problems.”
“Various engineering departments ranging from mechanical to electrical to computer science will be able to use its facilities to solve problems in engineering design and analysis, finite element analysis, simulation, computational fluid dynamics, thermal and structural elements.”
Gas Turbines Research Establishment, which is building India’s first jet engines, has already approached Amrita with help for solving real-life industrial problems which will need the lab infrastructure.
National Aerospace Laboratories that has nurtured a healthy relationship with Amrita over the years and has accepted many Amrita M. Tech. students for internships and projects, will also support the lab with research funds.
Following the inauguration, students had the opportunity to attend an expert lecture by the chief guest, Dr. Jayaraman on finite element analysis and its applications.
A numerical technique for finding approximate solutions of partial differential equations and integral equations, finite element analysis originated from the need to solve elasticity and structural analysis problems.
In structural analysis, finite element method provides detailed visualizations of where structures bend or twist, and indicates the distribution of stresses and displacements. This can be studied in compressors, propellers and turbine blades.
During his 30-year career at NAL, Dr. Jayaraman was involved with the design and fabrication of India’s first fully-indigenous 500 kilowatt wind turbine. As such, he elaborated on the finite element method used in the design and analysis of wind turbines.
Discussing the step-by-step process in producing such a wind turbine, he noted that they were being used in the Coimbatore District.
