Dr. Howie Fang, Ph.D.

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Professor and Chair of Civil and Mechanical Engineering

hfang@liberty.edu

Education

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
M.S. in Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
M.S. in Civil Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, China
B.S. in Engineering Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, China

Experience Record

2022 – Present Professor & Chair, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
2016 – 2022 Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering & Engineering Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
2012 – 2016 Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering & Engineering Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
2006 – 2012 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering & Engineering Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
2002 – 2006 Assistant Research Professor, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems
2003 – 2006 Adjunct Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS
1992 – 1998 Research Associate, Scientific Research Institute, Liaoning Technical University, Liaoning, China

Specialty Areas

Finite element modeling and simulation
Design optimization

Publications

Z. Li, H. Fang, J. Fatoki, M. Gutowski, Q. Wang (2021). A numerical study of strong-post double-faced W-beam and Thrie-beam guardrails under impacts of vehicles of multiple size classes. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 159, 106286.
Q. Wang, H. Fang (2020). An Adaptive ARBF-HDMR method for reliability analysis of geotechnical engineering problems. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, 44(12), 1705-1723.
X. Du, G. Zhao, W. Wang, H. Fang (2020). Nitsche’s method for non-conforming multipatch coupling in hyperelastic isogeometric analysis. Computational Mechanics, 65(3), 687-710.
Q. Wang, H. Fang, H. Yin (2020). Reliability analysis of concrete barriers under vehicular crashes using augmented RBFs. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 61, 1215-1228.
E. Palta, H. Fang (2019). On a multi-scale finite element model for evaluating ballistic performance of multi-ply woven fabrics. Composite Structures, 207(1), 488-508.
H. Yin, H. Fang, G. Wen, M. Gutowski, Y. Xiao (2018). On the ensemble of metamodels with multiple regional optimized weight factors. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 58(1), 245-263.
E. Palta, M. Gutowski, H. Fang (2018). A numerical study of steel and hybrid armor plates under ballistic impacts. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 136-137, 279-294.
Q. Wang, H. Fang (2018). Reliability Analysis of Tunnels using an Adaptive RBF and a First-Order Reliability Method. Computers and Geotechnics, 98, 144-152.
E. Palta, H. Fang, D.C. Weggel (2018). Finite element analysis of the Advanced Combat Helmet under various ballistic impacts. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 112, 125-143.
H. Fang, E Palta, M. Gutowski (2018). Numerical simulation of high-speed impacts involving metallic and nonmetallic materials. International Journal of Computational Methods and Experimental Measurements, 6 (3), 463-475.
M. Gutowski, E. Palta, H. Fang (2017). Crash analysis and evaluation of vehicular impacts on W-beam guardrails placed behind curbs using finite element simulations. Advances in Engineering Software, 114, 85-97.
H. Yin, Y. Xiao, G. Wen, H. Fang (2017). Design Optimization of a New W-beam Guardrail for Enhanced Highway Safety Performance. Advances in Engineering Software, 112, 154-164.
M. Gutowski, E. Palta, H. Fang (2017). Crash analysis and evaluation of vehicular impacts on W-beam guardrails placed on sloped medians using finite element simulations. Advances in Engineering Software, 112, 88-100.
H. Fang, J. Bi, C. Zhang, M. Gutowski, E. Palta, Q. Wang (2017). A constitutive model of aluminum foam for crash simulations. International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics, 90, 124-136.
G. Zhao, X. Du, W. Wang, B. Liu, H. Fang (2017). Application of isogeometric method to free vibration of Reissner-Mindlin plates with non-conforming multi-patch, Computer-Aided Design, 82, 127-139.
Y. Xiao, H. Yin, H. Fang, G. Wen (2016). Crashworthiness design of horsetail-bionic thin-walled structures under axial dynamic loading. International Journal of Mechanics and Materials in Design, 12(4), 563-576.
Q. Wang, H. Fang, L. Shen (2016). Reliability analysis of tunnels using a meta-modeling technique based on augmented radial basis functions. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 56, 45-53.
H. Yin, H. Fang, Q. Wang, G. Wen (2016). Design optimization of a MASH TL-3 concrete barrier using RBF-based metamodels and nonlinear finite element simulations. Engineering Structures, 114, 122-134.
H. Fang, M. Gutowski, M. DiSogra, Q. Wang (2016). A numerical and experimental study of woven fabric material under ballistic impacts. Advances in Engineering Software, 96, 14-28.
H. Yin, H. Fang, G. Wen, Q. Wang, Y. Xiao (2016). An adaptive RBF-based multi-objective optimization method for crashworthiness design of functionally graded multi-cell tube. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 53(1), 129-144.
H. Yin, H. Fang, Y. Xiao, G. Wen, Q. Qing (2015). Multi-objective robust optimization of foam-filled tapered multi-cell thin-walled structures. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 52(6), 1051-1067.
N. Li, H. Fang, C. Zhang, M. Gutowski, E. Palta, Q. Wang (2015). A numerical study of occupant responses and injuries in vehicular crashes into roadside barriers based on finite element simulations. Advances in Engineering Software, 90, 22-40.
A.D. Ralston, D.C. Weggel, M.J. Whelan, H. Fang (2015). Experimental and numerical investigations of glass curtain walls subjected to low-level blast loads. International Journal of Computational Methods and Experimental Measurements, 3(2), 121-138.
C. Zhang, N. Li, W. Wang, W.K. Binienda, H. Fang (2015). Progressive damage simulation of triaxially braided composite using a 3D meso-scale finite element model. Composite Structures, 125, 104-116.
H. Fang, Q. Wang, D.C. Weggel (2015). Crash analysis and evaluation of cable median barriers on sloped medians using an efficient finite element model. Advances in Engineering Software, 82, 1-13.
H. Yin, G. Wen, H. Fang, Q. Qing, X. Kong, J. Xiao, Z. Liu (2014). Multiobjective crashworthiness optimization design of functionally graded foam-filled tapered tube based on dynamic ensemble metamodel. Materials & Design, 55, 747-757.
Q. Wang, H. Fang, N. Li, D.C. Weggel, G. Wen (2013). An efficient FE model of slender members for crash analysis of cable barriers. Engineering Structures, 52, 240-256.
J. Bi, H. Fang, Q. Wang, X. Ren (2010). Modeling and optimization of foam-filled thin-walled columns for crashworthiness designs. Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 46(9), 698-709.
P.M. Hassing, H. Fang, Q. Wang (2010). Identification of material parameters for McGinty’s model using adaptive RBFs and optimization. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 42(2), 233-242.
Q. Wang, H. Fang, X.K. Zou (2010). Application of micro-GA for optimal cost base isolation design of bridges subject to transient earthquake loads. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 41(5), 765-777.
M.F. Horstemeyer, X. Ren, H. Fang, E. Acar, P.T. Wang (2009). A comparative study of design optimization methodologies for side-impact crashworthiness using injury-based versus energy-based criterion. International Journal of Crashworthiness, 14(2), 125-138.
H. Fang, Q. Wang, Y. Tu, M.F. Horstemeyer (2008). An efficient non-dominated sorting method for evolutionary algorithms. Evolutionary Computation, 16(3), 355-384.
H. Fang, Q. Wang (2008). On the effectiveness of assessing model accuracy at design points for radial basis functions. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering, 24(3), 219-235.
P.M. Gullett, M.F. Horstemeyer, M.I. Baskes, H. Fang (2008). A deformation gradient tensor and strain tensors for atomistic simulations. Modelling and Simulation in Materials Science and Engineering, 16(1), 015001.
H. Fang, Q. Wang (2007). Multiobjective design of a vehicular structure using metamodeling and an efficient genetic algorithm. International Journal of Design Engineering, 1(1), 41-55.
H. Fang, M.F. Horstemeyer (2006). Global response approximation with radial basis functions. Engineering Optimization, 38(4), 407-424.
Y. Xiang, Q. Wang, Z. Fan, H. Fang (2006). Optimal crashworthiness design of a spot-welded thin-walled hat section. Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 42(10), 846-855.
H. Fang, M.F. Horstemeyer (2006). A generic optimizer interface for programming-free optimization systems. Advances in Engineering Software, 37(6), 360-369.
H. Fang, M.F. Horstemeyer (2005). HiPPO: an object-oriented framework for general-purpose design optimization. Journal of Aerospace Computing, Information, and Communication, 2(12), 490-506.
H. Fang, M. Rais-Rohani, Z. Liu, M.F. Horstemeyer (2005). A comparative study of metamodeling methods for multi-objective crashworthiness optimization. Computers & Structures, 83(25-26), 2121-2136.
H. Fang, K. Solanki, M.F. Horstemeyer (2005). Numerical simulations of multiple vehicle crashes and multidisciplinary crashworthiness optimization. International Journal of Crashworthiness, 10(2), 161-171.
H. Fang, M.F. Horstemeyer, M.I. Baskes, K. Solanki (2004). Atomistic simulations of Bauschinger effects of metals with high angle and low angle grain boundaries. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 193(17-20), 1789-1802.