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John Everett Dolbow

Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
319 Gross Hall, Box 90287, Durham, NC 27708-0287
319 Gross Hall, Box 90287, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Professor John E. Dolbow came to Duke University from Northwestern University, where he received an MS and PhD in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics. During the course of his graduate study, John was a Computational Science Graduate Fellow for the Department of Energy, and he spent a summer working at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Dr. Dolbow's research concerns the development of computational methods for nonlinear problems in solid mechanics. In particular, he is interested in the use of modern computational methods to model quasi-static and dynamic fracture of structural components and the evolution of interfaces. A native of New Hampshire, Dr. Dolbow received his Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Hampshire.  In 2020, he became an Assistant Vice President for Research for Duke University.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science · 2018 - Present Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering
Professor of Mathematics · 2014 - Present Mathematics, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering · 2018 - Present Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering

In the News


Published November 19, 2024
Dolbow Named Associate Vice President for Research & Innovation
Published April 17, 2020
Dolbow Named Assistant VP for Research

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Recent Publications


A variational phase-field framework for thermal softening and dynamic ductile fracture

Journal Article Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering · January 1, 2025 A variational phase field model for dynamic ductile fracture is presented. The model is designed for elasto-viscoplastic materials subjected to rapid deformations in which the effects of heat generation and material softening are dominant. The variational ... Full text Cite

Classical variational phase-field models cannot predict fracture nucleation

Journal Article Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering · January 1, 2025 Notwithstanding the evidence against them, classical variational phase-field models continue to be used and pursued in an attempt to describe fracture nucleation in elastic brittle materials. In this context, the main objective of this paper is to provide ... Full text Cite

Nucleation of Fracture: The First-Octant Evidence Against Classical Variational Phase-Field Models

Journal Article Journal of Applied Mechanics · January 1, 2025 As a companion work to [1], this article presents a series of simple formulae and explicit results that illustrate and highlight why classical variational phase-field models cannot possibly predict fracture nucleation in elastic brittle materials. The focu ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Assessment of the Optimal Settings of TFL for Laser Lithotripsy and Associated Thermal Injury Risk

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2028

Normal is not normal: Resolving severe mechanical environments through models, methods, and discovery

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Sandia National Laboratories · 2024 - 2027

ACRR Fuel Performance Modeling

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Sandia National Laboratories · 2022 - 2025

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Education, Training & Certifications


Northwestern University · 1999 Ph.D.
Northwestern University · 1998 M.S.
University of New Hampshire · 1995 B.S.M.E.