NAGENDRA SOMANATH

Experienced aerospace research professional with over two decades of expertise in computational structural mechanics, system design, and multidisciplinary optimization. Proven track record of innovative engineering solutions at prestigious organizations such as US NAVY, Raytheon (Pratt & Whitney), General Electric, and NASA. Specializing in advanced technology development and integrated product design methodology. Skilled in technical leadership for successful multidisciplinary product systems, program management, and global team collaboration.

• Reviewer: AIAA Journal (1994-Present), Composites Engineering (1994-99), Engineering Optimization (1993-98), Structural Optimization (1995-02), Journal of Aircraft (1997-02), Engineering Mechanics (1997-98)
• AIAA: Structures Technical Committee (1995-2008), MDO Technical Committee (1999-Present)
• Proposal Reviewer: NSF, NASA, AFRL & GE Products Design Review
• AFRL Reviewer: University Programs/Methods/Technology Development/Design/Optimization
• Springer-Verlag Editorial Board: Associate Editor, International Journal of Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization

• Vishwakarma, Shubham, V., Kumar, P., Dutta, P., Nagendra, S. "Topological shape and performance optimization of microchannel diffusion bonded Heat Exchangers used in sCO2 Brayton Cycle." Accepted for Turbo 2024, ExCel London, England, UK, June 25-27, 2024.
• Norass, R., Nagendra S., Giering, M. and Olesegun, O. AIAA # 3242419, "Structural Material Property Tailoring of Dual Phase Titanium Alloy Microstructures Using Deep Neural Networks." Presented at AIAA SciTech Meeting, Orlando FL, NDA-09/MDO-12/MAT-08, Physics-Informed Machine Learning, Methods and Applications I, January 8, 2020.
• Nagendra, S., Noraas, R., Joly, M, Sarkar, S, Giering, M. "AI in PROPULSION– Mechanics, Machine Learning." Multidisciplinary Optimization, Intelligent Design and Engineering of Aerospace Systems (IDEAS) Workshop, August 15-16, 2019, National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, 44135.
• Norass R., Nagendra S. Giering, M. and Olesegun, O. "Structural Material Property Tailoring Using Deep Neural Networks." AIAA 2019-1703, Session: Special Session: Honoring Professor Rafi Haftka III, AIAA Scitech 2019 Forum, 7-11 January 2019, San Diego, California.
• Skuhersky, M., Go, T., Kirk, D. R., Wilde, M., Duraisamy, V. V., Kor, C., Kulkarni, M., Gangadharan, S. N. and Somanath, N. "Comparison of Propellant Setting Approaches for On-Orbit Propellant Depots During Propellant Transfer Maneuvers." AIAA SciTech 2019 Forum, San Diego, CA, 2019, AIAA 2019-1371, doi: 10.2514/6.2019-1371.
• Nagendra, S., Giering, M. "DEEPLEARNING – MDO, Algorithms and Applications." Talk At National Conference On Multidisciplinary Design, Analysis, AND Optimization, Bangalore, India, March 24, 2018.
• Vairamani, M., Duraisamy, V.V., Kulkarni, M.D., Gangadharan, S.N., Kirk, D.R., Wilde, M., Sathyanarayan, D., Nagendra, S. "Stability Analysis of a Novel On-Orbit Propellant Storage and Transfer System." AIAA 2018-021, 2018 Space Flight Mechanics Meeting, 8–12 January 2018, Kissimmee, Florida.
• Nazario, V., Ramirez, J., Kulkarni, M., Gangadharan, S. N., Kirk, D., Wilde, M., and Nagendra, S. "Mass Gauging and Validation of a Novel In-Space Propellant Storage and Transfer using CFD." AIAA SPACE and Astronautics Forum and Exposition, 2017, doi: 10.2514/6.2017-5198.
• Nagendra, S., Staubach, J.B., and Suydam, A. "Optimal Rapid Multidisciplinary Response Networks: Bayesian Machine Learning Methods." 6th Annual FAA/AIRFORCE/NASA/NAVY Workshop On application Of Probabilistic Methods to Gas Turbines, March 3-7, 2004, Patuxent River, Maryland, USA.
• Nagendra, S., and Seeley, C.E. "Effect of Statistical variations of Material and Process Parameters on the Stability of Tapered Laminated Shells: An Experimental and Analytical Study." SDM, St. Louis, Missouri, April 9-14, 1999.
• Oung Park, Raphael T. Haftka, Bhavani V. Sankar, James H. Starnes and Somanath Nagendra. "Analytical-Experimental Correlation for a Stiffened Composite Panel Loaded in Axial Compression." Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 38, No.2, March-April 2001, pp.378-387.
• Nagendra, S. "Response Surface Description Functions – System Identification and Kernel Functions." Submitted for 2nd AIAA Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Specialist Conf. May 1-4, 2006, Newport Rhode Island, USA.
• Nagendra, S., Midgeley, J., Staubach, J.B. "Multilevel Hierarchical Decomposition: Identification Procedures For Edge Of Design Space Feasibility." ASME TURBO Expo 2006, Power for Land, Sea and Air Systems, May 8-11, 2006, Barcelona, Spain.
• Isaacs, A., Sudhakar, K., Mujumdar, P.M., and Nagendra, S. "Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Of Bi-Level Hierarchically Decomposed Systems." ASME TURBO Expo 2006, Power for Land, Sea and Air Systems, May 8-11, 2006, Barcelona, Spain.
• Nagendra, S. "Design Information Optimum Vector Machine Learning Systems." 6th World Congress on Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, May 30-June 3, 2005, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
• Nagendra, S., Staubach, J.B., Somesh, S., and Rao, A.K. "Optimal Rapid Multidisciplinary Response Networks – RAPIDDISK." Intl. Conf. On Modeling, Simulation, Optimization for Design of Multi-Disciplinary Engineering Systems (MSO-DMES), GOA, India, Sept 24-26, 2003.
• Nagendra, S., Staubach, J.B., Srinivas, G.K., and Niranjan, D. "Optimal Rapid Multidisciplinary Response Networks – RAPIDATTACH." Intl. Conf. On Modeling, Simulation, Optimization for Design of Multi-Disciplinary Engineering Systems (MSO-DMES), GOA, India, Sept 24-26, 2003.
• Tappeta, R. V., Nagendra, S., Renaud, J.E. "A Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Approach for High Temperature Aircraft Engine Components." Structural Optimization, Volume 18, Number 2/3, October, pp. 134-145, 1999, Published by Springer-Verlag, Germany.
• Joon, Fui Ho, Nagendra, S., Gangadharan, S.N., and Eslami, H. "Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of Composite Panels with Geometric Cut-Outs Subject To Combined Mechanical, Thermal and Acoustic Loading." 41st SDM, 2000.
• Nagendra, S., Laskaris, E.T., Ranze, R.A., Thompson, P.S. "Sensitivity Variations of Material and Geometric Parameters on the Stability of Tapered Laminated Shells." ICCM-12, Paris, June 9-12, 1999.
• Kolonay, R.M., Nagendra, S., and Laflen, J. "Sensitivity of Turbine Blade Components." Presented at 7th AIAA/USAF/NASA/ISSMO: Symposium on Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization, St Louis, Missouri, 1998.
• Nagendra, S., Laflen, J., and Wafa, A. "Applied Neural Networks for Predicting Approximate Structural Response Behavior Using Learning and Design Experience." Proc. Of the 39th SDM Conference, Long Beach, CA, April, 21-24, 1998.
• Tappeta, R., Nagendra, S., Renaud, J. "A Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Approach for High Temperature Aircraft Engine Components." Proc. Of the 39th SDM Conference, Long Beach, CA, April, 21-24, 1998.
• Nagendra, S., and Gangadharan, S. N. "Optimum Multidisciplinary Design and Impact of Biofouling of Hydrofoils on Structural Response Characteristics." Proc. Of the 39th SDM Conference, Long Beach, CA, April, 21-24, 1998.
• Gangadharan, S. N., Nagendra, S., and Fiocca, Y. "Response Surface Based Laminate Stacking Sequence Optimization Under Stability Constraints." Published in Proc. Of the 36th AIAA / ASME / AHS SDM Conference, Kissimmee, FL, April 7-9, 1997.
• Nagendra, S., and Plybon, R. "Performance Based Preliminary Design of Airframe Propulsion Systems in a Collaborative Optimization Environment." Published in Proc. Of the 36th AIAA / ASME / AHS SDM Conference, Kissimmee, FL, April 7-9, 1997.
• Nagendra, S., Haftka, R. T., Gürdal, Z., and Watson, L. T. "Derivative Based Approximation for Predicting the Effect of Changes in Laminate Stacking Sequence." Structural Optimization, Vol. 11, pp. 235-243, March, 1996.
• Nagendra, S., Destine, J., Haftka, R. T., Gürdal, Z., and Watson, L. T. "Improved Genetic Algorithms for Design of Composite Panels." Computers & Structures, Vol. 58, No. 3, pp. 543-555, 1996.
• Nagendra, S., Kodiayalam, S., Parthasarathy, V. N., and Davis, J. E. "Optimization of Tow Fiber Paths for Composite Design." Published in Proc. Of the 36th AIAA / ASME / AHS SDM Conference, New Orleans, pp. 1036-1048, April, 1995.
• Kodiayalam, S., Nagendra, S., and DeStefano, J. "Composite Sandwich Structure Optimization with Application to Satellite Components." AIAA Journal, Vol. 1, pp. January, 1996.
• Nagendra, S., and Kapania, R. "Recent Advances in Static and Dynamic Stability Analysis of Laminated Structures." International Conference on Stability of Structures (ICSS-95), Coimbatore, India, June, 1995.
• Kogiso, N., Watson, L. T., Haftka, R. T., Gürdal, Z., and Nagendra, S. "Design of Composite Panels by a Genetic Algorithm With Memory." Mechanics of Composite materials and Structures, September, 1994, pp. 1-17.
• Gürdal, Z., Haftka, R. T., and Nagendra, S. "Genetic Algorithms for the Design of Laminated Composite Panels." SAMPE Journal, Vol. 30, No. 3, May/June, 1994, pp. 30-35.
• Kogiso, N., Watson, L. T., Gürdal, Z., Haftka, R. T., and Nagendra, S. "Minimum Thickness Design of Composite Laminates Subject to Buckling and Strength Constraints by Genetic Algorithms." AIAA-94-1600 CP, Published in Proc. Of the 35th AIAA / ASME / AHS SDM Conference, Hilton Head, SC, Part 4, April 18-20, 1994, pp. 2257-2275.
• Nagendra, S., Haftka, R. T., and Gürdal, Z. "Genetic Algorithms for the Design of Composite Panels." Published in the Proc. Of the Int'l. Symposium on Advanced Technology for Design and Fabrication of Composite materials and Structures, Torino, Italy, May 24-28, 1993.
• Haftka, R. T., Gürdal, Z., and Nagendra, S. "Genetic Algorithms for the Design of Laminated Composite Panels." Structural Optimization 1993, The World Congress on Optimal Design of Structural Systems, Ed. J. Herskovits, Rio de Janeiro, August, 1993, pp. 143-153.
• Nagendra, S., Haftka, R. T., and Gürdal, Z. "Design of Blade Stiffened Composite Panels by a Genetic Algorithm Approach." Published in Proc. Of the 34th AIAA / ASME / AHS SDM Conference, La Jolla, CA, April 19-22, 1993, pp. 2418-2436.
• Nagendra, S., Gürdal, Z., Haftka, R. T., and Starnes, Jr., J. H. "Buckling and Failure Characteristics of Compression-Loaded Stiffened Composite Panels with Cutout." Composite Structures, Vol. 28, April, 1994, pp. 1-17.
• Nagendra, S., Haftka, R. T., and Gürdal, Z. "Stacking Sequence optimization of Simply Supported Laminates With Stability and Strain Constraints." AIAA Journal, Vol. 30, No. 8, August, 1992, pp. 2132-2137.
• Nagendra, S., Haftka, R. T., and Gürdal, Z. "Buckling Optimization of Laminate Stacking Sequence with Strain Constraints." Proc. Of the 10th ASCE Conference on Electronic Computation, April 13-15, Indianapolis, IN.
• Nagendra, S., and Loos, A. C. "Optimization of the Curing Process of Filament Wound Composites." Proc. Of the 34th International Sampe Symposium and Exhibition, Reno, NV, G. A. Zakrzewski et al. Eds., Vol. 34, SAMPE Covina, Calif., pp. 1873-1866, 1989.
• Nagendra, S., Haftka, R. T., Gürdal, Z., and Starnes, Jr., J. H. "Design of a Blade Stiffened Composite Plate with a Hole." Composite Structures, Elsevier Applied Science, (Dr. I. H. Marshall, Ed.), Vol. 18, 1991, pp. 195-219.
• Loos, A. C., Knight, C. E., Nagendra, S., and Tzeng, T. S. "Axisymmetric Cure / Stress Model for Filament Wound Composites." Proc. Of the 2nd JANNAF Composite Motor Case Subcommittee Meeting, NASA LaRC, Hampton, VA, February 23-26, 1987.
• Nagendra, S., and Loos, A. C. "Curing Process Optimization in Filament Wound Composites." Technical Report CCMS-88-14, VPI-E-88, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061.
• Nagendra, S., and Loos, A. C. "A Finite Element Cure Model and Cure Cycle Optimization for Composite Structures." Technical Report CCMS-88-14, VPI-E-88, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061.
• Nagendra, S., Haftka, R. T., Gürdal, Z., and Watson, L. T. "Improved Genetic Algorithms for Design of Composite Panels." Proc. Of 15th Int'l Symposium on Math. Prog., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, August 15-19, 1994.
• Nagendra, S., Haftka, R. T., Gürdal, Z., and Starnes, Jr., J. H. "Global-Local Design Procedure for Stiffened Panels With Holes." NASA-Project Review, NASA-LaRC, Hampton, VA 23666.
• Nagendra, S., Haftka, R. T., Gürdal, Z. "PASCO-GA: A Genetic Algorithm Based Design Procedure for Stiffened Composite Panels under Stability and Strain Constraints." 10th DOD / NASA / FAA Conference of Fib. Comp. In Structural Design, November 1-4, 1993, Hilton Head, SC 29928.
• Nagendra, S. "Integer Programming Concepts for Stacking Sequence Design Under Stability and Strain Constraints." Invited Seminar – The Danish Center for Applied Mathematics and Mechanics (No. 431) The Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark, April, 1991.
• Nagendra, S., Haftka, R. T., Gürdal, Z., and Starnes, Jr., J. H. "Evaluation of Soft-Skin Concept for Stiffened Panels with Holes." NASA-Project Review, NASA-LaRC, Hampton, VA 23666.
• Nagendra, S., Haftka, R. T., Gürdal, Z., and Starnes, Jr., J. H. "Design of Stiffened Panels with a Hole." Proc. Of the 4th Technical Conference of the American Society of Composites, held at Virginia Tech, October 3-5, 1989, Blacksburg, VA 24061.
• Nagendra, S. "Integer Programming Concepts for Stacking Sequence Design." Guest Lecture - The University of Aalborg, Aalborg, Denmark, March, 1991.

• Research Associate
• June 15, 1993 – July 2, 1994 Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
• Vibration Analysis and Design of Flexible Structures with Robust Damping
• Methods for Discrete & Continuous Design Algorithms with memory and learning
• Tow Placement Design of Composite Structures
• National Research Council (NRC) Fellowship
• August 10, 1992 – June 15, 1993 Research Associate with Dr. J. S. Sobieski, Interdisciplinary Research Office, NASA Langley Research Center
• Decomposition methods for Hierarchic Problems
• Multilevel Optimization Methods for Structural Analysis of Hub Structures
• Danish Center of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics Fellow
• January 15, 1991 – June 30, 1991 Research Associate with Dr. P. Pedersen, Danish Research Academy & The Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen
• Strain Energy minimization for 3D - 2D Composites
• Bounds on Strain Energy Using Principal Strains and Optimality Criteria
• Graduate Research Assistant
• August 10, 1986 – April 15, 1993 Engineering Science & Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University Principal Advisors: Late Dr. R.T. Haftka and Dr. Z. Gurdal
• Design Analysis and Tailoring, sponsored by NASA LaRC
• Developed Design Algorithms for Stability and Strain Failure in Composite Plates
• Implemented a Sequential Approximate Optimization Approach for Panel Design
• Developed Integer Programming methods for Discrete variable Optimization
• Developed Discrete Design Methods using Genetic Algorithms for Design
• Designed Algorithms for Discrete-Continuous Optimum Design of Stiffened Panels
• Design of Stiffened Panels, sponsored by NASA LaRC Principal Advisors: Late Dr. J.H. Starnes, Jr., Late Dr. R.T. Haftka, Dr. Z. Gurdal
• Global Stiffened Panel Analysis using Panel Design Code – PASCO
• Local Stress State due to Cutout using finite element analysis – EAL
• Developed Linear and Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis Models (STAGS) for Failure
• Evaluated Stability and Failure Characteristics of Stiffened Panels with Cutouts
• Conducted Experimental Testing of Verified Minimum Weight Designs

• Adjunct Faculty at University of Hartford – mentored students in Math and Engineering
• Taught courses as continuing education internally at P&W and GE in areas of MDO, Mechanics, and Design
• Mentored several graduate engineers/interns (VPI&SU/Embry Riddle/Univ. of Hartford/Univ. of Connecticut) in Structural Mechanics and Design, Multidisciplinary Design Optimization through their thesis work

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