Fatigue and Fracture Research Group
 

Descriptions of Current Research Projects


Faculty

Stan Rolfe
A.P. Learned Distinguished Professor
Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering
E-Mail: srolfe@ku.edu
 		 Adolfo Matamoros
Associate Professor
Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering
E-Mail: abm@ku.edu

 		 Ron Barrett-Gonzalez
Associate Professor
Aerospace Engineering
E-Mail: barrettr@ku.edu


 		 Caroline Bennett
Assistant Professor
Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering
E-Mail: crb@ku.edu

 

The KU research group is led by Professor Stanley T. Rolfe, who has over 40 years of leadership and expertise in the field of fatigue and fracture.  Dr. Rolfe has an extensive research background and considerable practical experience in the application of fracture mechanics to various fatigue and fracture problems.  Dr. Rolfe is a recipient of the ASTM Fracture Mechanics Medal and has published more than 70 technical papers on the topics of fracture and fatigue of steel structures.  Professor Rolfe has written an oft-referenced textbook on Fatigue and Fracture Control in Structures, co-authored by John Barsom of U.S. Steel.  The third edition of this textbook was published in 1999, and is widely considered the authoritative source on fatigue and fracture control in structures. 

Professors Adolfo Matamoros, Caroline Bennett, and Ron Barrett-Gonzalez have extensive experience in experimental research, analytical investigations, and high performance materials.  The group has performed numerous studies utilizing linear and nonlinear finite element analyses of steel bridges and other structures.  Both Dr. Matamoros and Dr. Bennett have sizeable experience in laboratory testing of structural steel members and have successfully conducted numerous field investigations of bridge structures. Professors Matamoros, Bennett, and Barrett-Gonzalez all have substantial expertise with high performance materials, including carbon-fiber reinforced polymers, glass fiber reinforced polymers, high performance steel, and high performance concrete.
 


Current Graduate Students in the Fatigue and Fracture Research Group

Fatih Alemdar
M.S. Student, 2008 - Present
E-Mail: alemdar@ku.edu		 Gary Simmons
PhD Student, 2006 - Present
E-Mail: gsimmons5@kc.rr.com
Resume		 Amanda Hartman
PhD Student, 2008 - Present
E-Mail: arch-asz@ku.edu
Regan Gangel
M.S. Student, 2010 - Present
regang@ku.edu		 Daniel Nagati
M.S. Student, 2010 - Present
anagati@ku.edu		 Temple Richardson
M.S. Student, 2010 - Present
temple10@ku.edu
Jack Przywara
M.S. Student, 2011 - Present
j345p627@ku.edu		 Say Hak Bun
M.S. Student, 2011 - Present
sayhak1@ku.edu		 Nathan Hickey
Undergrad Research Assistant, 2010 - Present
     

 

Graduated Students From Fatigue and Fracture Research Group

Regan Gangel
M.S. Student, Graduated, 2012
"Use of CFRP Overlays to Repair Fatigue Damage in Steel Bridge Girders and Components"

Fatih Alemdar
PhD Student, Graduated, 2011
"Repair of Steel Bridge Girders Damaged by Distortion-Induced Fatigue"

Heidi Hassel
M.S. Student, Graduated, 2011
"An Analytical Evaluation of Distortion-Induced Fatigue in Steel Bridges"

Josh Crain
M.S. Student, Graduated, 2010
"Fatigue Enhancement of Undersized, Drilled Crack-Stop Holes"

Chris Adams
M.S. Student, Graduated, 2010
"Finite Element Study on Bridge Details Susceptible to Distortion-Induced Fatigue"

Benjamin Kaan
M.S. Student, Graduated, 2008
"Composite Materials System for Use in Bridge Applications"

Ismael Saifan
M.S. Student, Graduated, 2008
"Improved Fatigue Evaluation of Steel Bridges"

Brad Petri
M.S. Student, Graduated, 2008
"Finite Element Analysis of Steel Welded Coverplate Including Composite Doublers"

Brian Vilhauer
M.S. Student, Graduated, 2007
"Fatigue Behavior of Welded Connections Enhanced with UIT and Bolting"