Crystal Elasticity & Plasticity Course | IIT Guwahati | Prof. Swarup Bag
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 6 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Categories | Metallurgy and Material science & Mining Engineering |
| Credit Points | 2 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 29 Mar 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Introduction To Crystal Elasticity And Crystal Plasticity: Bridging Scales in Material Science
Understanding how materials deform under stress is fundamental to engineering everything from skyscrapers to microchips. While traditional continuum mechanics provides a macroscopic view, the true story unfolds at the atomic and crystalline level. This is where the fascinating fields of crystal elasticity and crystal plasticity come into play, offering a physics-based, multi-scale understanding of material behavior.
We are excited to introduce a detailed 8-week course designed to demystify these advanced concepts. Taught by Prof. Swarup Bag of the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, this course is meticulously crafted to bridge the gap between continuum mechanics and material science, empowering students and professionals to model and predict material performance with unprecedented accuracy.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Swarup Bag
Learning complex topics is best done under the guidance of an expert. Prof. Swarup Bag brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this course.
- Academic Excellence: He holds a Ph.D. from IIT Bombay and has pursued post-doctoral research at the prestigious Center for Material Forming (CEMEF), MINES Paris Tech, France.
- Research Prowess: His primary research focuses on fundamental process modeling of welding, optimization of manufacturing processes, and recrystallization in metal forming. With over 56 journal papers, 45 conference papers, and 18 book chapters, he is a leading voice in the field.
- Award-Winning Scholar: Prof. Bag is the recipient of the ‘Royal Arc Award 2009’ for the best PhD thesis in welding and is the author of the book ‘Computational models for GTA and laser welding processes’.
- Dedicated Educator: At IIT Guwahati, he teaches core subjects like ‘Mechanical Behavior of Materials’, ‘Theory of Plasticity’, and ‘Physics of Manufacturing Processes’, ensuring the course content is both academically rigorous and pedagogically sound.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is designed to be accessible and highly beneficial for a broad audience.
- Intended Audience: Bachelor, Master, and PhD students in Mechanical, Materials, Metallurgical, Chemical Engineering, or Physics.
- Prerequisites: There are no strict educational prerequisites, making it open to motivated learners. However, a basic familiarity with Solid Mechanics and Engineering Materials will be an added advantage.
- Course Level: Undergraduate/Postgraduate.
Course Overview & Learning Objectives
This 8-week journey is designed to transform your understanding of material behavior. The course aims to:
- Provide a physics-based foundation for modeling materials and manufacturing processes.
- Bridge the conceptual gap between continuum-scale descriptions and microstructural mechanisms.
- Develop a fundamental understanding of how common engineering materials respond to mechanical loading at different length scales.
- Present complex topics in a simplified and enjoyable manner, perfect for beginners eager to delve into advanced material science.
Through engaging lectures and reinforcing assignments, you will gain the tools to analyze and predict material deformation from the crystal lattice to the component scale.
Detailed 8-Week Course Layout
| Week | Topic | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Structure and Properties of Materials | Foundational concepts in crystallography and material properties. |
| Week 2 | Elasticity | Isotropic and anisotropic elastic behavior of materials. |
| Weeks 3 & 4 | Continuum Plasticity | Macroscopic theories of plastic deformation and yield criteria. |
| Weeks 5 & 6 | Crystal Plasticity | Deformation mechanisms at the crystal level: slip systems, dislocation motion, and crystallographic shear. |
| Week 7 | Hardening Mechanisms in Metals | How metals become stronger through deformation (work hardening, precipitation hardening, etc.). |
| Week 8 | Multi-Scale Approach to Materials Modeling | Integrating crystal-scale models with continuum-level simulations for predictive design. |
Essential Reference Books
To supplement your learning, the course draws upon seminal texts in the field. Key references include:
- Rees, D.W.A., Basic Engineering Plasticity
- Rao, C.L. & Deshpande, A.P., Modelling of Engineering Materials
- Courtney, T.H., Mechanical Behaviour of Materials
- Dieter, G.E., Mechanical Metallurgy
- Chakrabarty, J., Theory of Plasticity
- Reed-Hill, R.E., Physical Metallurgy Principles
Why Enroll in This Course?
In today’s competitive landscape, expertise in multi-scale material modeling is a powerful differentiator. Whether you aim to work in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, or materials design, understanding crystal elasticity and plasticity is crucial. This course offers a unique opportunity to learn these concepts from a distinguished IIT professor, structured in a way that builds knowledge from the ground up. Don't miss this chance to deepen your understanding of the mechanical soul of materials.
Enroll Now →