India will lead the way in defence innovation with researchers atIIT Madras,who have developed a system for better protection of sensitive infrastructure against ballistic missile threats. The system has been made for reinforced concrete (RC) panels in strategic installations. These installations include defence bunkers, atomic power stations, bridges, and air runways to withstand ballistic impacts more efficiently.

When they are subjected to projectile impact, concrete structures usually experience localized damage, such as penetration, perforation, and scabbing. Protecting them is important in order to avoid catastrophic structural failure.

The scientists employed computational simulation to investigate the impact of missiles on RC panels, which gave rise to a performance-based design framework. The research was carried out by Dr Alagappan Ponnalagu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, and Roouf Un Nabi Dar, a research scholar.

Their model is founded on ‘Depth of Penetration’ (DOP) and Crater Damage Area, giving a systematic method to ballistic design. They also suggested a probabilistic equation for the estimation of crater diameter in RC panels.

Ponnalagu pointed out that current techniques for measuring damage tend to yield inconsistent results. The new model provides a consistent formula for crater damage estimation, which improves ballistic design.

IIT Madras, Internationally Renowned for the Quality Research

Faculty members at IIT Madras carry out research in their areas of interests, often in collaboration with research scholars, doctoral scholars and other researchers. The Institute has ongoing research collaborations with several universities, governments and industries. The research expertise available at the Institute is organized in a well- planned manner, department wise.

In fact, IIT Madras is internationally renowned for the quality and diversity of its research. Research at IIT Madras is nurtured through various academic programs run by the departments and through sponsored programs funded by national organizations and the industry.

The faculty along with the scholars of the various departments of Engineering, Science, Humanities and Management are involved in active research in frontier areas, which results in highly acclaimed International and National Journals and patents. They are also presented in International and National conferences.

Notable research conducted by IIT Madras includes AI-based diabetic retinopathy detection, clean energy technologies, advanced materials and nanotechnology, 5G communication networks, and water resource management.