Muthumanikandan P has over 15 years of experience in finite element analysis, optimization, and software development. He has expertise in performing durability analysis, crash analysis, topology optimization, and reliability analysis on automotive and aircraft structures. Some of the tools he is proficient with include ABAQUS, ANSA, Hypermesh, LS-Dyna, Nastran, and Python. He has worked on projects for automotive companies analyzing closures, chassis, and bumper systems. He also has experience developing energy absorbing structures and performing pedestrian impact analysis.

1. CURRICULUM VITAE
Muthumanikandan P
prithivirajan@gmail.com
Mobile: +91-8903323165
H53/G3 Marutham Apts,
No.112 HIG Scheme,
Thiruvalluvar Nagar,
Thiruvanmiyur,
Chennai - 600 041
Professional Profile
ß Strong problem solving skills and hard-working.
ß Performed durability analysis on automotive closures, that includes oilcanning, denting, slam, torsion load
cases.
ß Performed Crash analysis to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS), Canadian Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS), Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) requirement.
ß Developed in-house topology algorithm and implemented it in Python Script to interface with ABAQUS
in order to perform multi-objective topology optimization to achieve structural and vibration targets.
ß Worked in all phases of product development process: Finite Element Modeling, Analysis,
Optimization and Reliability.
ß Worked in performing body durability for closures including front and rear.
ß Performed Durability/Fatigue and crash analysis of automobile components such as Chassis and bumper
systems.
ß Proficiency in performing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and optimization of aircraft and
automobile structures.
ß Involved in developing strain-rate dependent plastic material model using Cowper-Symonds equation.
ß Worked extensively in developing crash solutions for bumper beam assembly to solve for FMVSS,
IIHS and High speed impact solutions.
ß Performed fatigue calculation using Design Life.
Technical Summary
ß 10+ yrs of experience in performing finite element analysis using Nastran, ABAQUS, LS-Dyna and
software development.
ß 3+ yrs of performing analysis using LS-Dyna for frontal, rear and side impact analysis, and slam durability
analysis.
ß 1+yr of experience in performing pre-processing using ANSA.
ß Performed Finite Element Modeling using Hypermesh and Patran.
ß Performed crash, thermal, structural, modal, contact and coupled thermal-structural analyses.
ß 3+ yrs of experience in performing Topology Optimization and Sizing Optimization.
ß Performed Finite Element analyses by considering contact, geometric and material non-linearity.
ß 2+yrs of experience in performing software development using Visual Basic and Oracle.
Computer Skills
ß Modeling Packages : SolidWorks, AutoCAD.
ß FEM and FEA Packages :, Hypermesh, ANSA, ABAQUS, Optistruct, Nastran, LS-Dyna.
ß Programming Languages : Python, C, C++, Visual Basic, Java.
ß Scientific Packages : nCode FE-Fatigue, Matlab, Mathematica, DOT.
ß Database : Oracle, SQL Server, MS-Access.
ß Office tools : MS-Office.
ß Operating Systems : Windows 98/2000/XP, UNIX.

2. Work experience
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles / Easi Engineering
Project Chief / Consultant (Aug 2013 ~ Oct2015)
ß Performed durability analysis on automotive closures using ANSA for preprocessing and ABAQUS,
LS-Dyna for analysis and used hyperview for post processing.
ß Performed durability analysis using ncode FE-Fatigue.
ß Performed oilcanning and denting analysis on various closures components and automated the same for
analysis and post processing time reduction.
ß Performed slam analysis on closures components using Ls-Dyna and nCode FE Fatigue.
Tools Used: ANSA, Hypermesh, ABAQUS, Hyperview, Optistruct, Design Life
Yorozu America
Structural CAE Engineer (Aug 2010 ~ Sep 2011)
ß Performed Topology, shape and gauge optimization for various cradles and control Arms for effective
weight reduction and design direction.
ß Performed shape optimization for non-linear analysis by successful integration of ABAQUS and
Hyperstudy.
ß Performed durability calculation using Design life and optistruct.
Tools Used: Hypermesh, ABAQUS, Hyperview, Optistruct, Design Life
Beta CAE / Chrysler Group LLC
Structural CAE Engineer (Oct 2009 ~ Aug 2010)
ß Participated in Six Sigma Black Belt Training Program.
ß Performed durability analysis on the Side Step for Jeep and Truck Programs.
ß Involved in performing Finite Element Analysis of Storage box model for various load cases
Tools Used: LS-DYNA, Hypermesh, ABAQUS, Hyperview, Nastran, Optistruct, ANSA, META-POST
Altair Product Design / Cosma Engineering
Structural CAE Engineer (Jun 2009 ~ Oct 2009)
ß Developed finite element model of chassis and solved permanent set, fatigue, stiffness and modal issues
by optimizing the design for mass and cost.
ß Developed light weight, high performance energy absorbing crush can with the help of Design of
Experiment (DOE) studies, for varying sweep and crush can cross-sections.
ß Solved Beam assembly designs for multiple OEM’s by performing crash analysis with IIHS barrier
and FMVSS pendulums.
ß Optimized the design of various Control Arms for Buckling, Permanent Set, durability and stiffness
problems.
ß Analyzed design sensitivities of nonlinear bushing properties of the control arms with respect to the
permanent set results.
ß Conducted shape and size optimization study by combining shape variables created from Hypermorph
and optimization routine was called through Hyperstudy.
ß Best Cross-sectional design of the brace was studied for the cradle to solve stiffness issues.
ß Vehicle body model was replaced to bushing stiffness rate, to be used in the cradle for solving frequency response
analysis/point mobility targets in order to reduce analysis runtime.
ß Performed roll stiffness calculation on twist axle.
ß Performed clamping analysis of all brackets in the cradle to extract clamping force.
Tools Used: LS-DYNA, Hypermesh, ABAQUS, Hyperview, Nastran, Optistruct.

3. NetShape International LLC
Application Development Engineer (Apr 2008 ~ Feb 2009)
ß Developed Finite Element Model of Energy absorbers, performed crash analysis and optimized for mass to
meet the performance.
ß Worked on Development of pedestrian Impact Energy absorbers, to reduce injury criteria such as acceleration,
rotation and shear caused on pedestrians in low speed impact.
ß Engineered Energy absorbers to meet FMVSS, CMVSS, IIHS and Pedestrian Impact regulation.
ß Involved in material card deck development in LS-Dyna for obtaining good correlation of test results
with CAE.
ß Involved in optimizing the Cowper Symonds material model with respect to the test data to
minimize error.
ß Helped in developing optimum design of Chair base, reducing the mass by 25% using Topology and
sizing optimization in optistruct.
Tools Used: LS-DYNA, Hypermesh, LS-POST, Optistruct.
Martinrea International Inc.
Structrual Engineer (Nov 2006 ~ Apr 2008)
ß Performed Finite Element Modeling of full Chassis assemblies, worked closely with the designers to
achieve the targets of cradle assembly for their modal, stiffness, strength, permanent set, point mobility
and durability load cases.
ß Performed durability analysis on parent metal, weld and design iterations are performed to reach the
design targets.
ß Involved in engineering and optimizing the design to achieve mass and cost reduction by
interacting closely with design group and manufacturing engineers.
ß Physical testing of the cradle assembly is simulated in FEA and fatigue failures are predicted in both weld
and parent metal and possible design changes are made to achieve the target prior to the actual testing.
ß Performed linear stamping simulation in Hyperform to understand thickness distribution during
manufacturing process to alter the design in conceptual stage.
ß Coordinated activities of hydroforming simulation, for one of the crossmembers in the cradle.
ß Engineered the design and worked to reduce gap between the designer and customer
Tools Used: Nastran, ABAQUS, Hypermesh, Optistruct, FE-Fatigue.
International Trucks and Engine Corporation
Contract CAE Engineer (Jun 2006 ~ Oct 2006)
ß Finite Element Modeling of Chassis assembly and performed modal and durability analysis, to determine
the performance of the new oil cooler bracket. The natural frequencies of the proposed bracket are
compared with the current bracket, to determine the vibration performance of the proposed bracket.
ß Performed Finite Element modeling of hood assembly for the modal and durability analysis of new splash
panel brackets. Hood mounted proposed design of the splash panel bracket is analyzed for its modal
performance, and the durability of the bracket is estimated by applying lateral, longitudinal and vertical
gravitational loads and observing at the peak von Mises stress in each load case.
ß Bead Optimization of the splash panel is performed to increase Natural frequencies, to keep the natural
frequency of the assembly away from the frequency of the engine vibrations and road shocks.
ß Performed Finite Element Modeling, durability and modal analysis of new fuel filter bracket.
ß Topology Optimization is performed to suggest a new topology design of the hood mount, with

4. displacements and frequency constraints.
ß Fatigue strain-life prediction of radiator bracket mountings is calculated for the constant amplitude cycle.
ß Shape optimization is carried on the radiator bracket mountings, to increase the durability
performance.
ß Durability analysis is being performed using LifEst on a new proposed cross-member, that absorbs load that has
been transmitted from the axle to the torque rod and the cross-member.
Tools Used: Team Center, Nastran, Hypermesh, Optistruct, LifEst.
Magna Closures
CAE Engineer (Mar 2006 ~ Jun 2006)
ß Involved in the Finite Element Modeling of door latch assembly, drum fork assembly, car front door
assembly, window regulator assembly.
ß Performed Finite Element Analysis of striker assembly for transverse, longitudinal and orthogonal loading cases, the
results obtained from the analysis is correlated with the test results.
ß Performed dent analysis of a car roof by applying static and dynamic punch loads, by modeling punch
and roof as the contact surfaces with welded and bolted joints.
ß Performed thermal stress analysis of a car hood, considering material nonlinearity and transient thermal
loads.
ß Involved in the finite element modeling of automotive cockpit module that involves door latch assembly
for performing explicit analysis, mesh size of the model is taken care off since time step depends on the
length of the smallest finite element in the model.
ß Contact analysis is performed on a hyper-elastic rubber washer to determine the volume displaced by it,
while it is compressed by two rigid surfaces.
Tools Used: ABAQUS, Hypermesh, Patran, Nastran
Wright State University, Dayton, OH
Graduate Research Assistant (Jan 2004 ~ Dec 2005)
Computational Design and Optimization Center (CDOC)
Topology optimization of a Curved Thermal Protection System (TPS) panel for the future space shuttle orbiter, in
the presence of high thermal stress and heavy acoustic loads while re-entering the earth’s atmosphere, in the
presence of geometric nonlinearity is performed. This project is funded by Wright-Patterson Air force Base
(WPAFB), Dayton.
ß Strong proficiency in interfacing ABAQUS with Python scripts.
ß Developed models of curved and flat TPS.
ß A sequentially coupled thermal and structural analysis is performed by considering non-linear
geometric deformation.
ß Modal and structural analyses are performed by considering temperature dependant material
properties.
ß Evolutionary Structural Optimization (ESO) algorithm is modified to obtain best topology of the TPS
panel in the nonlinear domain.
ß ESO algorithm is coded in python script and interfaced with ABAQUS CAE.
ß Topology optimization of TPS is performed to obtain the final model with low thermal stress and high
fundamental natural frequency by complete automation of ABAQUS CAE with python script.
ß Natural frequency of the structure is controlled through out the design process.

5. Tools Used: ABAQUS, PYTHON Script, ANSYS
A topology optimization package is developed in MATLAB. TPS panel is simulated with re-entry thermal loads and the topology
design is performed to reduce the thermal stress and increase the fundamental natural frequency. This project is funded by
Wright-Patterson Air force Base (WPAFB), Dayton.
ß Worked in a group for modeling, analysis and optimization of a curved TPS panel subjected to
transient thermal loads using Matlab 6.1.
ß Finite element model of a TPS panel is created using Matlab.
ß Transient thermal, structural and modal analysis are performed in Matlab.
ß Topology optimization is performed with stress and frequency constraints by removing inefficient
elements from the finite element model, to minimize the weight.
Tools Used: MATLAB, Genesis
Sizing optimization of an Intermediate Complexity Wing (ICW) is performed, to reduce the weight, by
considering the flutter and stress constraint.
ß An ICW wing model is created in Nastran with ribs, spars, posts and skins.
ß Design Optimization Tool in Nastran is used to obtain sensitivity and to perform optimization.
ß Nastran is integrated with Matlab to construct linear, reciprocal and Two-Point Abstract Non-linear
Approximation (TANA 2) models.
ß The wing weight is minimized by considering thickness of ribs, spars and skins as design
variables, subjected to stress, frequency and flutter constraints.
ß The optimization is performed using DOT and TANA 2 approximation models.
Tools Used: NASTRAN, MATLAB, C++, DOT
Meusys
Programmer (Jan 2001 ~ Dec 2002)
Worked as a programmer in developing various applications using Visual Basic, Ms-Access and Oracle
ß Developed Defective Reclaim Report Software for Mando Brakes System, SIPCOT Industrial Park,
Tamil Nadu using Visual Basic (VB), Crystal Report and MS-Access.
ß Developed office automation software for a Multilevel Marketing Company using VB and Oracle.
ß Created an Intranet Web Site for Mando Brakes System, SIPCOT Industrial Park, Tamil Nadu using
Active Server Pages (ASP) and MS-Access.
Academic Projects
ß Performed reliability analysis of various systems by considering uncertain parameters like loading and material
properties using Monte-Carlo and Response Surface Method (RSM).
ß Performed reliability analysis in the topology optimization, by considering material properties and loading
as uncertain parameters.
ß Finite Element programming is done in Matlab for various 2-D and 3-D elements.
ß Determination of natural frequencies for an aircraft wing using Siglab and Matlab.
ß Modeling and analysis of an aircraft wing using Adaptive Modeling Language (AML).
ß Flutter analysis and modal analysis of an aircraft wing using Genesis.
ß Performed stress analysis of a wrench using ANSYS with and without Fillet.
ß Design of a Blended-Wing-Body Aircraft using AML
Educational Qualification
ß Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
ß GPA: 3.6/4.0
ß Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, 2000, Bharathidasan University, Trichy, Tamil Nadu,
India.

6. Conference and Proceedings
ß Muthu, P., and Grandhi, R.V., “Evolutionary Structural Optimization for Thermal Protection System Design,”
The 30
th
Dayton-Cincinnati Aerospace Sciences Symposium, March 2005.
ß Muthu, P., Grandhi, R.V., Haney, M., “Optimum Topology for a Curved Thermal Protection System Using
Evolutionary Structural Optimization,” Wright State University Graduate Student Symposium, May 2005.
ß Muthu, P., Haney, M., and Grandhi, R.V., “Topology Optimization of a Curved Thermal Protection System
subjected to transient thermal loads,” Dayton Engineering Symposium, Oct 2005.
ß Muthu, P., Haney, M., and Grandhi, R.V., “Topology Optimization of a Curved Thermal Protection
System with large deformation,” 2nd AIAA Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Specialist Conference.