John Everett Dolbow

Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

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 modeling quasi-static and dynamic fracture of structural components, the evolution of interfaces with nonlinear constitutive laws, and developing models for stimulus-responsive hydrogels. A native of New Hampshire, Dr. Dolbow received his Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Hampshire.

Appointments and Affiliations

  • Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
  • Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Professor in the Department of Mathematics
  • Faculty Network Member of The Energy Initiative
  • Bass Fellow

Contact Information

  • Office Location: 319 Gross Hall, Box 90287, Durham, NC 27708
  • Office Phone: (919) 660-5202
  • Email Address: john.dolbow@duke.edu
  • Websites:

Education

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

Research Interests

Modeling quasi-static and dynamic fracture of structural components, the evolution of interfaces with nonlinear constitutive laws, and developing models for stimulus-responsive hydrogels

Awards, Honors, and Distinctions

  • R. H. Gallagher Young Investigator Award. U.S. Association for Computational Mechanics. 2005
  • Young Researcher Fellowship Award. First MIT Conference on Computational Fluid and Solid Mechanics. 2001
  • Robert J. Melosh Medal, Best Student Paper in Finite Element Analysis. Duke University. 1999
  • Computational Science Graduate Fellow. U.S. Department of Energy. 1997
  • Highest Technical Content Award. ASME Regional Student Conference. 1995
  • Walter P. Murphy Graduate Fellowship. Northwestern University. 1995
  • Presidential Scholar. University of New Hampshire. 1991

Courses Taught

  • CEE 520: Continuum Mechanics
  • CEE 530: Introduction to the Finite Element Method
  • CEE 622: Fracture Mechanics
  • ME 524: Introduction to the Finite Element Method
  • ME 758S: Curricular Practical Training
  • MENG 550: Master of Engineering Internship/Project
  • MENG 551: Master of Engineering Internship/Project Assessment
  • MENG 552: Master of Engineering Supplemental Internship

In the News

Representative Publications

  • Guével, A., Y. Meng, C. Peco, R. Juanes, and J. E. Dolbow. “A Darcy–Cahn–Hilliard model of multiphase fluid-driven fracture (Accepted).” Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 181 (December 1, 2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2023.105427.
  • Costa, A., T. Hu, and J. E. Dolbow. “On formulations for modeling pressurized cracks within phase-field methods for fracture (Accepted).” Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics 127 (October 1, 2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tafmec.2023.104040.
  • Liu, Yangyuanchen, Susanne Claus, Pierre Kerfriden, Junqin Chen, Pei Zhong, and John E. Dolbow. “Model-based simulations of pulsed laser ablation using an embedded finite element method.” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 204 (May 2023): 123843. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2022.123843.
  • Fei, F., A. Costa, J. E. Dolbow, R. R. Settgast, and M. Cusini. “Phase-Field Simulation of Near-Wellbore Nucleation and Propagation of Hydraulic Fractures in Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS).” In Society of Petroleum Engineers  Spe Reservoir Simulation Conference, Rsc 2023, 2023. https://doi.org/10.2118/212251-MS.
  • Fei, F., A. Costa, J. E. Dolbow, R. R. Settgast, and M. Cusini. “A phase-field model for hydraulic fracture nucleation and propagation in porous media.” International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, January 1, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.3612.