Ken Reifsnider

Alexander Giacco Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics
Director, Center for Composite Materials and Structures
Director, Virginia Commonwealth Center for Material Systems

Office:         120 Patton Hall
Phone:          (540) 231-5316
E-mail:         mrl@vt.edu

Technical interests:

long-term behavior of material systems subjected to cyclic and sustained mechanical, thermal, and chemical environments
damage accumulation, damage analysis, property evolution, prediction of remaining strength (damage tolerance) and life (durability)
reliability, safety, certification, performance simulation, design codes
design of material systems for durability and damage tolerance

Recent activities

Dr. Reifsnider is originator of the MRLife performance simulation code for the prediction of remaining strength and life. That code has been used by many major industries to estimate the durability and damage tolerance of composite materials and structures, especially under complex loading and environmental conditions such as high temperature service in aggressive environments. The code is being integrated into the design codes of industries, including Babcock and Wilcox, General Electric, United Technologies, and others.
The Materials Response Group, of which Dr. Reifsnider is a member (and co-founder) is currently heavily involved in the experimental investigation of polymer and ceramic based-composites, in flat and tubular forms, for the determination of properties and long-term performance under conditions that include creep, creep rupture, fatigue, and aging behavior. The Group is also involved in associated damage analysis in support of efforts to predict remaining strength and life.
Dr. Reifsnider has a major focus on the kinetic theory of damage accumulation, and the use of "critical element" concepts to analyze the evolution of stress states and material states under long-term loading histories.

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Last Update - October 30, 1995