Raj Rajagopal

Senior Fellow, Robust Design Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne

Dr. Rajagopal joined Rocketdyne in 1979 and has participated on a lead role on many internal and externally sponsored advanced technology projects. His research and application work has been funded by agencies such as NASA, DARPA, DOD Air Force, Navy and High Performance Computing Modernization offices.  He was an active participant and early adopter of the NASA sponsored research on the development Probabilistic Structural Analysis Methods using finite element analysis. He later expanded the vision to include the design exploration, robust design, multi-disciplinary analysis, deterministic and robust or probabilistic optimization concepts as applied to design of rocket propulsion and other aerospace components. Dr. Rajagopal and his team are developing and applying an integrated set of enabling design tools to reduce the risk in the development of new engineering systems.

Due to his teams pioneering efforts, the stochastic analysis concepts are applied internally at Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne in a routine manner on multiple disciplines such as aero-thermal and systems engineering. His current work includes efficient methodology development and solution of multi-physics problems that require tight coupling while effectively using high performance cluster computing.

Dr. Rajagopal holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from University of Madras, India; Master of Technology degree from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India; Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.