Theory of Rectangular Plates Course | IIT Guwahati | Prof. Poonam Kumari
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 3 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 4 weeks |
| Categories | Mechanical Engineering |
| Credit Points | 1 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Feb 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 28 Mar 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Theory of Rectangular Plates: A Comprehensive 4-Week Course by IIT Guwahati
In the realms of mechanical, civil, aerospace, and automotive engineering, the analysis of fundamental structural elements is paramount. Among these, plates are ubiquitous, forming the backbone of structures from aircraft fuselages and car body panels to building floors and machine components. A deep understanding of plate behavior under load is not just academic—it's essential for safe, efficient, and innovative design.
We are excited to present a detailed, postgraduate-level course: "Theory of Rectangular Plates - Part 1". This meticulously structured 4-week program, led by an award-winning expert from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, is designed to provide a rigorous foundation in plate theory and its analytical solutions.
Your Instructor: A Renowned Expert in the Field
This course is taught by Prof. Poonam Kumari, an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Guwahati. Prof. Kumari is a distinguished scholar and educator with impressive credentials:
- Ph.D. from IIT Delhi (2012) and Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Simon Fraser University.
- Specializes in Continuum Mechanics and Smart Material Structures.
- Has developed pioneering 3D and 2D solutions for composite and piezolaminated plates.
- Authored 29 International Journal publications and 29 International Conference publications.
- Has been teaching the Theory of Plates and Shells course at IIT Guwahati since 2014.
- Recipient of the prestigious Young Engineer Award (2017) from the Indian National Academy of Engineers and the SERB Women Excellence Award (2019).
- Her online course on this topic was selected for the AICTE Faculty Development Programme.
About the Course: Building a Strong Analytical Foundation
This course offers a systematic journey into the mechanics of rectangular plates. It moves beyond software black-boxes to build a fundamental understanding of how and why plates behave the way they do.
Course Objectives:
- Provide a systematic development of plate governing equations using variational calculus.
- Discuss fundamental analytical solution techniques for key engineering problems: bending, free vibration, and buckling.
- Lay the groundwork for applying these principles to advanced topics like functionally graded plates and piezoelectric plates.
Who Should Enroll?
- Final year B.Tech, M.Tech, and Pre-Ph.D. students in Mechanical, Civil, Aerospace Engineering, and Applied Mechanics.
- Faculty members and researchers working in Solid Mechanics/Continuum Mechanics.
- Industry professionals seeking to deepen their theoretical understanding for simulation and design validation.
Prerequisites: A solid background in Advanced Solid Mechanics or Theory of Elasticity is required to fully benefit from this advanced course.
Detailed 4-Week Course Layout
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Basics of Elasticity, Energy Principles, Classification of Various Plate Theories |
| Week 2 | Kinematic Assumptions for Various Theories, Development of Governing Equations, Boundary Conditions and Plate Constitutive Relations |
| Week 3 | Navier Solution for Bending, Levy Solution, Approximate Solutions |
| Week 4 | Navier Solution for Free Vibration and Buckling Cases, Levy Solution for Free Vibration Case, Development of 3D Solution in Mixed Form |
Essential Reference Books
To complement the lectures, the following authoritative texts are recommended:
- J. N. Reddy, “Theory and Analysis of Elastic Plates and Shells”, CRC Press, 2006.
- K. Bhaskar and T.K. Varadan, “Plates: Theories and Applications”, Wiley, 2014.
- K. Chandrashekhara, “Theory of Plates”, University Press (India) Limited, 2001.
Industry Relevance & Applications
The principles taught in this course are directly applicable in industries that rely on precise structural analysis and simulation. This foundational knowledge is crucial for effectively using and interpreting results from industry-standard software tools like ABAQUS and ANSYS. The course content is also highly relevant for research and development organizations such as ISRO, where lightweight and high-performance structures are critical.
Whether you aim to advance in academia, enhance your research capabilities, or gain a competitive edge in the engineering industry, this course on the Theory of Rectangular Plates provides the essential analytical toolkit. Join Prof. Poonam Kumari in this deep dive into one of mechanical engineering's most fundamental and powerful topics.
Enroll Now →