Prof. Dr. Ramesh Kumar R
Professor and Nodal Research Officer
Formerly Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (ISRO) and Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering
Thiruvananthapuram, India
Also publishes as: Kumar R. R · R. Ramesh Kumar · Ramesh Kumar Radhakrishna Reddiar
About
Prof. Dr. Ramesh Kumar R holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Bombay (1984). He worked for about 30 years as a Scientist-Engineer at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO, from 1986, where as Head of the Honeycomb Product Development Division he led the team that designed, fabricated and structurally qualified the Moon Impact Probe structure placed on the Moon on 14 November 2008. He was later Professor and Nodal Research Officer at Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, and has guided six doctoral scholars to the award of the degree. His work covers the design, analysis and realisation of launch-vehicle structures, damage mechanics and buckling of composite shells, bamboo-based sandwich structures, and thermo-structural analysis.
Research
Areas of interest
- Design, analysis and realisation of aerospace structures for launch vehicles
- Damage mechanics of fibre-reinforced composite structures
- Design, analysis and realisation of bamboo-based sandwich structures
- Buckling of composite shells
- Thermo-structural analysis
- Elastomeric joints
- Analysis of artificial intervertebral discs
Education
Ph.D. — Aerospace Engineering
IIT Bombay
1984
M.Tech — Machine Design (Mechanical Engineering)
Kerala University
1979
B.Tech (B.Sc Engineering) — Mechanical Engineering
Kerala University
1976
Career
Professor and Nodal Research Officer
Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Jul 2014 – Sep 2023
Professor (Adjunct faculty), Department of Mechanical Engineering
Government Engineering College, Barton Hill, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Aug 2014 – Jul 2019
Scientist-Engineer; Head, Honeycomb Product Development Division (HPDD)
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
From Mar 1986, about 30 years
Doctoral supervision
6 completed · 1 ongoing
Pradeep M.
Awarded 2021Marbecelios College of Engineering (Kerala University)
Bonded Joints in FRP Skinned Honeycomb Sandwich Structure
B. Geethakumari
Awarded 2017SCT, Trivandrum
Influence of Pozzolanic Admixtures on the Mechanical and Fracture Properties of Refractory Cement at Elevated Temperatures
K. C. Gopalakrishnan
Awarded 2015CET, Trivandrum
Experimental and Cohesive Zone Model Study on the Failure of Adhesive Bonded Sandwich Structures
B. Saraswathy
Awarded 2013TKMCE, Kollam
Effect of Multiple Delamination on Vibration Characteristics of Composite Sandwich Structures
P. N. Dileep
Awarded 2004TKMCE, Kollam
Evaluation of Intralaminar Fracture Toughness of Multilayered Composites
S. Jose
Awarded 2002TKMCE, Kollam
Evaluation of Failure Strength / Fracture Toughness of Notched Laminated Composites
Vibin John
Expected to submit by 2021 (as stated in CV)CET, Trivandrum (KTU)
Post Buckling Behavior of Composite Shells
Publications
As listed in the editor's CV, newest first.
- 2025
Vibin J., Kumar, R R., Nagarajan. S and Sunilkumar S., Demystification on Post Buckling of Shells, Strength of materials, International scientific & technical journal, appeared on 16 August, 2025,
- 2023
Kumar, R R., Vibin J. and Sunilkumar S., Analytical Approach on Buckling Mode and Critical Stress of Composite Sandwich Shells, AIAA J, Vol. 61(40,1881-1884, 2023. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.J062622
Journaldoi:10.2514/1.J062622 - 2021
Sumith, S, and Kumar, R R., “Thermo-structural analysis of cryogenic tanks with common bulkhead configuration” Proc I MECHE, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 1-10, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1177/09544100211024789 Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI Expanded).
- 2021
Pradeep M and Kumar R R., Analytical approach for large size reinforced square hole with rounded corners in orthotropic circular cylindrical shells, Jnl. Aerospace Sci. and Tech., 73 (2), 84-95, May, 2021. UGC approved.
Journal - 2020
Abhishek S K., Sunil K G., Kumar R R , DIC Correlation with analysis under impact of fiber metal laminates. Advances in Production and Industrial Engineering. Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering, chapter 25, pp 335-345, 21 Sep. 2020, Springer, Singapore. Scopus indexed.
Chapter - 2020
Pradeep, M and Kumar R R, An analytical approach for large size optimized hole in composite circular cylindrical shells, IAC-20, C2.VP,23,x61505, 71st IAC- The Cyber Space Edition,12-14 October, 2020, International Astronautical Federation, IAF. Emerging SCI.
Int'l conf. - 2020
Pradeep, M and Kumar R R, “A non-singular analytical technique for reinforced non-circular holes in orthotropic laminates”, Int. Jnl. of Applied Mech. and Engg., 25(1), 92-105, 2020, DOI:10.2478/ijame-2020-0007 SCImago .
Journaldoi:10.2478/ijame-2020-0007 - 2020
Sayed, S J, Sreeram P V and Kumar R R, Computational analysis of micro wind turbine with bamboo blades for domestic applications, Inter. Jnl. ENERGY, POWER AND DEVELOPMENT, II ISSN 0019-5537, 70, 150-155, SEP.-OCT. 2020.
Journal - 2020
Akshay B, Sony, A, Kumar R R, Design of a High-Performance Composite Triple Clamp of Motorbike, Inter. Jnl. Innovative Tech. and Exploring Engg. 9(3), 1253-1259, 2020. ISSN: 2278-3075 (Online) SCI Expanded.
Journal - 2020
Abhijith, U, Kumar R R, Enhancement of fracture properties of composite laminate with Si C additive, Inter. Jnl. of Recent Tech. and Engineering™ , 8(5),1110-1112, 2020. Emerging SCI.
Journal - 2020
Ajay, G M and Kumar R R,, Modal Analysis of A Motorbike, WJERT, 6, 416-425, 27, ISSN 2454-695 X, 2020.
Journal - 2020
Abhinanth M. M. and Kumar R R., Experimental study and algorithm for a gantry robot, WJERT, 6(5), 426-434, ISSN 2454-695 X, 2020.
Journal
Awards & recognition
Moon Impact Probe structure placed on the Moon
Designed, fabricated and structurally qualified by a team under the Honeycomb Product Development Division (HPDD), VSSC, ISRO, when he was Head of HPDD
Indian patent: Energy Absorption Cartridge (Patent No. 373231)
Co-inventors: G. Sunil Kumar, Atul Kumar, R. Ramesh Kumar, P. S. Sreejith
Fellowship under the Indo-German exchange programme, DLR Braunschweig, Germany
Certificate of Reviewing, Acta Astronautica (Elsevier)
Also reviewed technical papers for Elsevier publications from 1994 to 2014
Member, Green Energy Forum
Professional memberships
- Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI): life member; served as Executive member, Treasurer and Secretary, 1994–2014
- Bamboo Society of India: member
- Indian Society for Nondestructive Testing (ISNT): life member; Vice Chairman, Trivandrum Chapter, 2010–2012
- Indian Society for Advancement in Materials and Process Engineering (ISAMPE): life member; Vice Chairman, Trivandrum Chapter, 2011–2013
- Society for Aerospace and Manufacturing Engineers (SAME), Trivandrum Chapter: life member
Conference presentations
- 3rd Global Conference on Material Science & Engineering, Dubai, UAE (24–25 April 2025)
- CMST 2018, Cambridge University, UK (March 2018): chaired and presented a paper
- ICCE, Rome, Italy (July 2017)
- NTU, Singapore (2016)
- DLR, Braunschweig, Germany (2015)
Talks, events & training
Lectures & expert talks
- Buckling and Post Buckling of Composite Shells (1 day)
- Design, Realisation and Testing of Composite Laminates / Structures (2 days)
- Design of Filament Wound Pressure Vessels (1 day)
- Design of Sandwich Structures for Aerospace Applications (1 day)
- Fracture in Metals and FRP Composite Structures (1 day)