Fatigue and Fracture Research Group

Descriptions of Current Research Projects

• Mitigation of Weldment Cracking of Highway Steel Structures Due to the Galvanizing Process
  Funded by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP)
• Determination of Fatigue Resistance of Coupler Connection in Aluminum Overhead Truss Sign Supports
  Funded by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT)
• Strain-based Fatigue Crack Monitoring of Steel Bridges using Wireless Elastomeric Skin Sensors
  Funded by Pooled-Fund Study TPF-5(328)
• Development of Distortion-Induced Fatigue Retrofits for Skewed Steel Bridge Girders
  Funded by the Mid-America Transportation Center (MATC)
• Repair of Floorbeam-to Stringer Connections Affected by Distortion-Induced Fatigue
  Funded by the Mid-America Transportation Center (MATC)
• Enhancement of Welded Steel Bridge Girders Susceptible to Distortion-Induced Fatigue, TPF-5(189)
  Pooled-Fund Study TPF-5(189)
• Extending Fatigue Lives of Existing Steel Bridges By Halting Distortion Induced Fatigue Using Pretensioned Bolts and Washers
  Funded by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and Pooled-Fund Study TPF-5(189)
• Repairing Existing Fatigue Cracks Using CFRP Materials
  Funded by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and Pooled-Fund Study TPF-5(189)
• Parametric Analysis of Cross-Frame Layout on Distortion-Induced Fatigue in Skewed Steel Bridges
  Funded by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and Pooled-Fund Study TPF-5(189)
• Fatigue Behavior of Welded Connections Enhanced with UIT and Bolting
  Funded by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT)
• Fatigue Enhancement of Undersized, Drilled Crack-Stop Holes
  Funded by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and the KU Transportation Institute (KU TRI)
• Composite Materials System for Use in Bridge Applications
  Funded by the University of Kansas Transportation Research Institute (KU TRI)
• Tuttle Creek Bridge Restoration
  Funded by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT)

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, Ron Barrett-Gonzalez, and Jian Li have extensive experience in experimental research, analytical investigations, high performance materials, and structural health monitoring.  The group has performed numerous studies utilizing linear and nonlinear finite element analyses of steel bridges and other structures.  Drs. Matamoros, Bennett, and Li 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.

Dr. Yaqin Chen is a visiting scholar with the research group during 2014-2015; she is an expert in numerical techniques including applications of wavelet theory.

Graduated Students From Fatigue and Fracture Research Group

Hao Liu, Ph.D.
Graduated, 2015
"A Finite-Element-Based Approach to Modeling Cracking and Repairs for Distortion-Induced Fatigue in Steel Bridges"

Eric Bonet, M.S.
Graduated, 2014
"Utilizing Fiber-Reinforced Polymers to Retrofit Steel Bridge Girders Damaged by Fatigue Loading"

Say Hak Bun, M.S.
Graduated, 2014
"Retrofit Techniques for Distortion-Induced Fatigue Damage in Steel Bridge Girders"

Gary Simmons, M.S., Ph.D.
Graduated, 2013
"Fatigue Enhancement of Undersized, Drilled Crack-Arrest Holes"

Amanda Hartman, Ph.D., 2013
"Analytical and Experimental Investigation for Distortion-Induced Fatigue in Steel Bridges"
Advisor: Caroline Bennett

Jack Przywara, M.S., 2013
"Applications of the Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) for the Analysis of Distortion-Induced Fatigue Cracking in Highway Bridge Girders"
Co-Advisors: Adolfo Matamoros and Caroline Bennett

Jeff Wheeler, M.S., 2013
"Use of Bolted CFRP Overlay Elements for Fatigue Enhancement of Welded Coverplates in Steel Bridge Girders"
Co-Advisors: Adolfo Matamoros and Caroline Bennett

Daniel Nagati, M.S., 2012
"Repair of Steel Bridge Girders Damaged by Distortion-Induced Fatigue"
Co-Advisors: Adolfo Matamoros and Caroline Bennett

Temple Overman, M.S., 2012
"Analytical Investigation of Repair Methods for Fatigue Cracks in Steel Bridges"
Co-Advisors: Adolfo Matamoros and Caroline Bennett

Regan Gangel, M.S., 2012
"Use of CFRP Overlays to Repair Fatigue Damage in Steel Bridge Girders and Components"
Co-Advisors: Adolfo Matamoros and Caroline Bennett

Fatih Alemdar, Ph.D., 2011
"Repair of Steel Bridge Girders Damaged by Distortion-Induced Fatigue"
Advisor: Adolfo Matamoros

Heidi Hassel, M.S., 2011
"An Analytical Evaluation of Distortion-Induced Fatigue in Steel Bridges"
Advisor: Caroline Bennett

Josh Crain, M.S., 2010
"Fatigue Enhancement of Undersized, Drilled Crack-Stop Holes"
Advisor: Caroline Bennett

Chris Adams, M.S., 2010
"Finite Element Study on Bridge Details Susceptible to Distortion-Induced Fatigue"
Advisor: Adolfo Matamoros

Benjamin Kaan, M.S., 2008
"Composite Materials System for Use in Bridge Applications"
Advisor: Caroline Bennett

Ismael Saifan, M.S., 2008
"Improved Fatigue Evaluation of Steel Bridges"
Advisor: Caroline Bennett

Brad Petri, M.S., 2008
"Finite Element Analysis of Steel Welded Coverplate Including Composite Doublers"
Advisor: Adolfo Matamoros

Brian Vilhauer, M.S., 2007
"Fatigue Behavior of Welded Connections Enhanced with UIT and Bolting"
Advisor: Caroline Bennett