Aerospace Engineering Failure Analysis

Ajay Sharma

****.******@********.*** 720-***-**** https://linkedin.com/in/ajay-sharma-63934a137

STATEMENT

Vying to become an industry expert in failure analysis of structures. Also, looking forward to utilizing my expertise in finite element analysis and failure modeling & analysis of composites towards industrial applications. EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, Boulder, CO Aug 2017 – Aug 2024 PhD in Aerospace Engineering Sciences (specialization in composite materials) : GPA: 3.68/4

• Thesis: An investigation into failure mechanics of thin carbon-fiber reinforced composites.

• Performed, validated, and improved upon a testing method for large curvature flexural behavior of materials and provided guidelines for accuracy and error correction. Validated test method by utilizing Digital Image Correlation and strain gauges.

• Directed an extensive experimental campaign on large curvature bending of CFRP, and co-related predicted failure modes from experiments with SRCT for Roccor Inc. funded by US Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), Albuquerque.

• Developed a nonlinear numerical failure prediction model for thin CFRP laminates subjected to large curvature flexure.

• Developed a user subroutine in ABAQUS to incorporate material non-linearity of thin CFRP composite laminates.

• Developed a Python-ABAQUS script for finite element analysis of composite structural booms (static analysis as well as explicit dynamic analysis) for Opterus Inc. funded by NASA, & helped reduce production costs by comparing & analyzing different material and laminate configurations.

VELLORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Vellore, India

Aug 2012 - May 2016

B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering (with Honors) : GPA: 9.02/10

• Thesis: Finite element analysis on flexural behavior of Carbon Epoxy/ Rohacell Foam Core Sandwich Composites, funded by Aeronautics Research and Development Board (ARDB), India.

• Published a journal article that received a special mention in Graphene-info, a renowned website on graphene research. Also, presented a poster on same topic at Faraday Discussions, IIT Bombay organized by Royal Society of Chemistry.

• Served as Vice-President of Toastmasters International- VIT chapter. EXPERIENCE

RED METERS LLC, Orlando, FL Aug 2024 - Present

Product Development Engineer (FEA & Stress Analyst)

• Conduct detailed structural analyses using FEA on Red Meter cartridges, and perform stress analysis of the composite overwrapped pressure vessels subjected to very high pressure and vacuum scenarios.

• Develop optimized simulation models by continuously improving the CAD model to predict performance and enhance product reliability while ensuring cartridge is still very sensitive in tracking variation of flow properties through the tube.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (manufacturing, electronics and software) to ensure proposed design changes are feasible, and simultaneously address design challenges and recommend engineering solutions. TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Technical expertise: Solid Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Composite structures and materials, Carbon fibers, Failure modeling, Failure analysis, Finite element modeling, strain gauges, Digital Image Correlation, Universal Testing Machine.

• Software expertise: MATLAB, ABAQUS, ANSYS, SolidWorks, Python, Dragonfly, MS office, Autodesk Ecotect.

• Soft skills experience: Public speaking, technical writing, team work, reliability, strong communication skills, mentoring. ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Best paper in Spacecraft Structures awarded at AIAA SciTech 2020, the most prestigious conference in the aerospace engineering community, organized by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

• Only Student in 2012-2016 undergraduate batch with more than 3000 students to secure ‘Honors’.

• Selected by CU Boulder for the prestigious National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) membership. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:

• Appointed as a graduate peer mentor to help undergraduate freshmen with coursework, support, and encouragement.

• Appointed to the Fluids, Structures, and Materials seminar committee to schedule talks, presentations, and seminars.

• Founded a new organization, SKY at CU Boulder that teaches relaxation techniques to cope with stresses of everyday life.

• Mentored a total of ten undergraduate students during doctorate, and helped them achieve their respective research goals. PUBLICATIONS:

Journal articles:

Harihara Sharma, A., Rose, T.J., Bearns, N., Murphey, T.W. and López Jiménez, F., 2023. Analysis of Geometric and Material Nonlinearity in the Column Bending Test. AIAA Journal, pp.1-11. Sharma, A., Pandey, M., Khutia, M., Joshi, G.M. and Cuberes, M.T., 2018. Development of thermal sensor by reinforced graphene nanoplatelets thermoplastic blends. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 57(5), pp.380-386. Conference proceedings:

Lopez Jimenez, F., Sharma, A., Folkers, M. and Murphey, T.W., 2024. Design and Characterization of a Trussed Collapsible Tubular Mast. In AIAA SCITECH 2024 Forum (p. 0411).

Sharma, A.H., Perez, R., Bearns, N.W., Rose, T.J. and Lopez Jimenez, F., 2021. Some Considerations Involving Testing Guidelines for Large Curvature Bending of High Strain Composites using the Column Bending Test. In AIAA Scitech 2021 Forum (p. 0196). Sharma, A.H., Hill, S.A., Perez, R., Rose, T.J. and Lopez Jimenez, F., 2020. Tensile fiber failure on High Strain Composites. In AIAA Scitech 2020 Forum (p. 0208).

Sharma, A.H., Rose, T.J., Seamone, A., Murphey, T.W. and Lopez Jimenez, F., 2019. Analysis of the column bending test for large curvature bending of high strain composites. In AIAA Scitech 2019 Forum (p. 1746). – Awarded Best Paper in Spacecraft Structures at AIAA SciTech 2020.

ROSE, T., SHARMA, A., SEAMONE, A., JIMÃ, F.L. and MURPHEY, T., 2018. Carbon Unidirectional Composite Flexure Strength Dependence on Laminate Thickness. In Proceedings of the American Society for Composites” Thirty-third Technical Conference. Joshi, G.M., Sharma, A., Pandey, M., Khutia, M., Rao, N.M., Kaleemulla, S., Deshmukh, R.R. and Cuberes, M.T., 2016, May. Optimized surface topography of thermoplastics blends modified by graphene. In AIP Conference Proceedings (Vol. 1731, No. 1). AIP Publishing.

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