Dr. Dayakar Penumadu

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Penumadu has been a faculty member in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville (UTK) since Fall 2001. He currently holds the Joint Institute for Advanced Materials (JIAM) Chair of Excellence position, joint with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Prior to his current position, he was a faculty member at Clarkson University for 8 years. Dr. Penumadu received his BS from Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India, his MS from University of Kentucky and Purdue University, and his PhD from Georgia Institute of Technology. He was also a consultant with Tata Consulting Engineers from 1986-1987.

Research Areas

Multi-axial stress-strain-time behavior of multi-phase materials and fiber reinforced polymeric composites. Multi-scale microstructure using scanning electron micrography, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and non-destructive imaging using neutrons and X-rays. Modeling hydraulic transport and stress transfer processes of geomaterials from micro-structure. Geo-mechanics and its applications to Lost Foam Casting (LFC) process. Particle size and shape analysis of powders and granular materials. Two and three dimensional imaging of materials and engineering analysis using energy selective neutrons. Tensorial residual stress mapping using neutron scattering.

Research Sponsors

Sample Recent Research Projects:
1)Title: Imaging with Neutrons
Agency: National Science Foundation and United States Department of Energy
2)Title: The Effects of Sea Water on Polymeric Composites For Naval Applications
Agency: The Office of Naval Research
3)Title: Mechanical Properties Using Nano-Tensile Testing System
Agency: Center for Materials Processing (CMP) and MTS Nano
4)Title: Pitch Based Carbon Fiber Concrete Composites
Agency: Federal Highway Administration
5)Title: Wetability & Rate of Capillary Absorption in the Coating of LF Casting
Agency: General Motors (GM)
6)Title: Improvements to Lost Foam Casting (LFC) Process
Agency: United States Department of Energy (NICE3 program)/NYSERDA
7)Title: Pattern Quantificaton on and Strandardization for Lost Foam Casting
Agency: United States Department of Energy
8)Title: Neutron Scattering and Imaging for Metal Casting
Agency: General Motors Corporation
9)Title: Research Experience for Undergraduates Site: Adv. Mat. Proc. & Eng.
Agency: National Science Foundation
10)Title: Three Dimensional Experiments of Clay with Controlled Microfabric
Agency: National Science Foundation

Selected Publications

Dutta, A., Penumadu, D, and Files, B.M. "Nano Indentation Testing for Evaluating Modulus and Hardness of Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Composites, " Journal of Materials Research, MRS, Vol. 19, No. 1, 158-164, 2004.

Prashant, A., and Penumadu, D. "Effect of Intermediate Principal Stress on Over- Consolidated Kaolin Clay, " Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 130, No. 3, 284-292, 2004.

Mandeville, D., and Penumadu, D. "True Triaxial Testing System for Clay with Proportional-Integral-Differential (PID) Control, " Geotechnical Testing Journal, ASTM, Vol. 27, No. 2, 134-144, 2004.

Penumadu, D., Chen, C., and Johnson, C. "Characterization of Rheological Properties of Lost Foam Casting Refractory Slurries, " Transactions of American Foundry Society, AFS, Paper No. 04-066, 2004.

Benson, R.M., Penumadu, D, Michaels, R, and Sen, I. "Thermal and Morphological Characterization of EPS Foam and Its Relationship with Processing Parameters, " Transactions of American Foundry Society, AFS, Paper No. 04-045, 2004.

Wettimuny, R., and Penumadu, D. "Application of Fourier Analysis to Digital Imaging for Particle Shape Analysis, " Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 18, No. 1, 2-9, 2004.

Penumadu, D, Dutta, A., Pharr, G.M., Files, B.M. "Mechanical Properties of Blended Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Composites, " Journal of Materials Research, MRS, Vol. 18, No. 8, 308-319, 2003.

Wettimuny, R., and Penumadu, D. "Automated Digital Image Based Measurements of Boundary Fractal Dimension for Complex Nanoparticles, " Journal of Particle and Particle Systems Characterization, 30, pp 1-8, 2003.

Penumadu, D, Benson, R., and Michaels, R. "Qualitative and Quantitative Description of EPS Foam for Lost Foam Casting, " Transactions of American Foundry Society, AFS Paper No. 03-113, 2003.

Bartholomeeusen, G., Sills, G.C., Znidarcic, D. Kesteren, V.W., Merckelbach, L.M., Pykes, R., Carrier III, W.D., Lin, H., Penumadu, D., Wintwerp, H., Masala, S., Chan, D. "Sidere (International Predictions on Large Strain Consoildation): numerical prediction of large-strain consolidation," Geotechnique, 52, No. 9, 639-648, 2002.