Yasara Dharmadasa

RESEARCH INTEREST

Yasara is interested in characterizing the structural mechanics of nonlinear systems, such as composite structures, crumpled sheets, or architectured materials. His PhD focused on designing a scalable, strain energy-based hinge using High-strain composites (HSC) for deployable space structures. His work involved fabricating and testing carbon fiber composites, prototyping hinge designs, deriving analytical frameworks to rationalize the hinge behavior, and conducting finite element simulations. He also worked on characterizing the behavior of plastic creases in thin sheets, focusing on improving experimental methods of measuring the crease properties. His current research at Thevamaran Lab involves characterizing VACNT foam materials. 

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, USA, 2023

M.Sc., Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2017

B.Sc., Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2015

WORK EXPERIENCE

Graduate Intern, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Summer 2022 

JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS

1. B. Yasara Dharmadasa, Juan M Mejia-Ariza, Manan Arya, Jonathan F Sauder, Paolo Focardi, Samuel C Bradford, Francisco Lopez Jimenez. “Free Vibration of a Panel Supported by a Shear Compliant Two-Flexure Hinge”. AIAA Journal. Submitted  
2. B. Yasara Dharmadasa, Matthew W. McCallum, Seyon Mierunalan, Sahangi P. Dassanayake, Chinthaka H. M. Y. Mallikarachchi, Francisco Lopez Jimenez. 2020. “Formation of Plastic Creases in Thin Polyimide Films”. ASME. J. Appl. Mech. May 2020; 87(5): 051009. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4046002 
3. Glascock, Nick, Bryce Huber, Clayton Cantrall, Will Evonosky, Eric Robinson, B. Yasara Dharmadasa, & and Kyri Baker Glascock. “MAFSA: Mars Autonomous and Foldable Solar Array”. New Space, 6(4), 308-319, 2018 https://doi.org/10.1089/space.2018.0020 

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

1. B. Yasara Dharmadasa, Juan M Mejia-Ariza, Manan Arya, Jonathan F Sauder, Paolo Focardi, Samuel C Bradford, Francisco Lopez Jimenez. “Design, Fabrication, and Testing of a Scalable Hinge Architecture Using High Strain Composite Flexures”, AIAA Spacecraft Structures Conference, National Harbour, MD, 2023 https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-0581 
2. B. Yasara Dharmadasa, Juan M Mejia-Ariza, Manan Arya, Jonathan F Sauder, Paolo Focardi, Samuel C Bradford, Francisco Lopez Jimenez. “Design of Flexures for Deployable Reflect arrays using High Strain Composites”. AIAA Spacecraft Structures Conference, San Diego, CA, 2022 https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2022-0651
3. B. Yasara Dharmadasa and Francisco Lopez Jimenez. “Modeling the Effect of Creases in an Unfolding Membrane”. AIAA Scitech Forum, Virtual,2021 https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2021-1258 
4. B. Yasara Dharmadasa, Matthew McCallum, and Francisco Lopez Jimenez. “Characterizing and modeling the viscoplastic behavior of creases in Kapton polyimide films”. AIAA Scitech Forum, Orlando, FL, 2020 https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2020-2165
5. B. Yasara Dharmadasa, Chinthaka H. M. Y. Mallikarachch, and Francisco Lopez Jimenez. “Characterizing the mechanics of fold-lines in thin Kapton membranes” 2018 AIAA Spacecraft Structures Conference, Kissimmee, FL, 2018 https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2018-0450 
6. B. Yasara Dharmadasa, and Chinthaka H. M. Y. Mallikarachch. “Simulation of neutral angle in thin folded membranes” SSESL Annual Session, Colombo, 2016 
7. B. Yasara Dharmadasa, and Chinthaka H. M. Y. Mallikarachch. “Finite element simulation of thin folded membranes” 7th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment, Kandy, Sri Lanka. 2016. 

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS 

1. B. Yasara Dharmadasa and Francisco Lopez Jimenez. Understanding the spring-like behavior of a creased sheet. APS March meeting 2022, Chicago 
2. B. Yasara Dharmadasa and Francisco Lopez Jimenez. Viscoelasticity and plasticity in the formation of creases in thin sheets. APS March meeting 2021, Virtual 

HOBBIES 

 Hiking, Road-tripping, Camping, Skiing, and Exploring culinary delights.