HongTae Kang

Dr. HongTae Kang is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, specializing in automotive and mobility systems engineering. His career spans over two decades of research in structural durability, advanced materials, and fatigue analysis for vehicle components.

Education

• Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics, The University of Alabama (1999)
• M.S. in Engineering Mechanics, The University of Alabama (1997)
• B.S. in Earth Science Education, Seoul National University (1992)

Research Interests:
Dr. Kang focuses on automotive structural durability, with key contributions to:

• Fatigue of Welded Joints and Structures
• Thermo-Mechanical Fatigue in Hybrid Vehicle Components
• Advanced High-Strength Steel and Magnesium Alloy Testing
• Computational Modeling of Composite Materials
• Adhesive Bonding Fatigue Analysis
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Applications in Automotive Design

Publication Trends:
His work shows consistent emphasis on fatigue life prediction methods, welding mechanics, and composite material behavior in automotive contexts. Key collaborations include General Motors, American Iron and Steel Institute, and Ford Motor Company projects.

Professional Involvement:
Active member of

• Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
• ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)

Current Research:
Recent projects examine fatigue behavior of dissimilar material joints, multi-scale modeling of composites, and optimization of welding techniques for lightweight automotive structures.