Leon Wegner B.E., M.A.Sc., Ph.D., P.Eng.

Education and Experience

B.E.(Sask.), M.A.Sc.(Tech U. of Nova Scotia), Ph.D.(M.I.T.)

Specialization: Structures/Materials, Fretting Fatigue, Mechanics of Composite Materials, Fibre-reinforced Concrete, Structural Health Monitoring

Dr. Wegner’s research interests include several different areas in the general field of structural engineering and materials, ranging from cement-based and composite materials to structural health monitoring and fatigue. Many research projects include both experimental and numerical modelling components. Recently, his focus has been on the development of cold-weather admixture systems for mortar to allow masonry construction to proceed at subfreezing temperatures, and fretting fatigue of bolted steel connections for improved approaches for the design and fatigue evaluation of potash mineshafts and other fatigue-prone structures. His work related to the mechanics of composite materials has concentrated largely on the numerical analysis of interpenetrating phase composites. He also has expertise in structural health monitoring, with special emphasis on vibration-based damage detection of bridges.

Current Opportunities for Graduate Students

Dr. Wegner currently has openings for one PhD student and two MSc students to work on industry-sponsored research projects related to the fretting fatigue behaviour of bolted steel connections for mineshaft applications. With the overall goal of developing improved methods to estimate the fatigue life for design or evaluation purposes, thesis projects will include both experimental fatigue testing of small- and full-scale specimens and advanced numerical modelling components. Please contact Prof. Wegner for further information.