Contact Dr Pavan Addepalli

Areas of expertise

  • Composites
  • Instrumentation, Sensors and Measurement Science
  • Structures and Materials
  • Through-life Engineering Services

Background

Before joining Cranfield in 2013, Pavan was at the TWI NDT Validation Centre Wales, working on the non-destructive evaluation of metals and composite materials. He was the recipient of the Prince of Wales Innovation Scholarship awarded by the University of Wales in 2010 to take up doctoral research in using Thermography to characterise defects and damage occurring in advanced composite materials. He holds a PhD from the University of Wales Trinity St David, an MPhil in Material Technology from Swansea University, UK and a BEng in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University, India. He is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and a full professional member of both the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (MIMechE) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET).

Research opportunities

Dr Addepalli's research focus is in the area of inspection and maintenance through fundamental research and its translation into industry. His interests extend into digitalisation of maintenance information and creating digital technology solutions encompassing aspects of Industry 5.0 into asset management. With automation (industrial automation to data automation) and digital transformation projects on the horizon, Pavan is interested in architecting solutions that suit both the technology and the business requirements, in other words, providing data-driven solutions through advanced artificial intelligence modelling evidenced through his list of publications.

The following are some direct research interests;

Material degradation assessment (inspection, qualification and categorisation)

Industrial non-destructive testing (Thermography, Ultrasound, X-radiography computed tomography, 3-d inspection)

Inspection data post-processing (artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches for defect characterisation)

Digital data management (data structures, data classification, data mining, knowledge extraction, decision systems, ontology engineering)

Cognitive digital twin creation for large asset inspection and maintenance

Current activities

Pavan Addepalli is a Lecturer in Degradation Assessment based with the Centre for Digital Engineering and Manufacturing, Manufacturing Theme at Cranfield University.

Pavan is currently working on an National Infrastructure funding looking at developing cutting-edge inspection solutions for gas pipelines. Previously, he worked on an Innovate UK project seeking to create a digital twin capable of providing maintenance decisions with specific focus on text and image data mining using machine learning. He was the Co-investigator for the Lloyd's Register project that looked at creating an inspection system capable of identifying counterfeit electronic components. Additionally, Pavan supported the EPSRC awarded Platform Grant investigating material behaviour of advanced materials and composites looking at the influence of multiple degradation mechanisms. He continues to expand his research in the area of Material Degradation Assessment, Non-destructive testing methods, especially Thermography, Data post-processing using advanced knowledge extraction algorithms, Machine learning for degradation assessment, Semantic based (Ontology-based), digital solution architecting leading to enterprise level digital architecture development.

Pavan's research interest include:

Thermography - Passive & Active

Non-destructive testing (NDT): 3D X-CT, 3D Imaging, Ultrasonic testing and Dye Penetrant Testing

Mechanical testing & material characterisation (including AI & ML approaches)

Composites - near and sub-surface defect and damage assessment

Counterfeit electronic component detection

Text & Image mining, knowledge extraction (Digital data management)

Through-life Engineering Services

Digital architecture to support servitization - digital twins, ontology engineering

Pavan leads The Digital Business and Enterprise Systems module on the MSc in Digital and Technology Solutions delivered through part-time and apprenticeship routes. Additionally, he lectures on topics on Degradation Assessment, Non-Destructive Testing, Risk and Reliability Assessment, Advanced Composite Materials and their Structural Integrity supporting MSc programme on Aerospace Manufacturing, Advanced Materials, Maintenance Engineering & Asset Management and Through-life Systems Sustainment.

Clients

National Gas Transmission

Babcock International

Royal Air Force

Ministry of Defence

Rolls-Royce Plc

BAE Systems

Bombardier Transportation

International Tin Association (ITA)

Elan Business Associates

Network Rail

H S Marston Ltd, part of UTC Aerospace Systems

DSTL

Publications

Articles In Journals

Conference Papers

Books