Education

B.S. Civil Engineering, University of New Mexico (May,  2004)

M.S. Civil Engineering, University of New Mexico (May,  2005)

Ph.D. Civil Engineering, Cornell University (August,  2010)

About Me

I have completed my PhD research and have moved from the CFG to NASA Langley Research Center (Durability & Damage Tolerance Branch). My dissertation can be downloaded from here Other downloads are available under the Publications tab at the left.

Dissertation Acknowledgements

I would like to thank all members of the Cornell Fracture Group, especially Professor Ingraffea. A sufficient amount of gratitude and respect could never be adequately expressed. Bruce, Gerd, and Wash, without your persistent tutoring I would still be spinning my wheels. Mike and Jeff, thanks for the many brainstorming sessions and journal article discussions over the years. John, frantically working all hours of the night on the ComFraMCoS paper remains my favorite Cornell memory.

Of course, I owe much to the love and support from Ma (Vicki) and Pa (Joel). Stephanie, my wife, your delicious dinners, always cheerful attitude, and ability to make me smile when code isn't compiling is a rare and wonderful combination. Travis, little brother, a guy could not ask for a better brother and friend. I am very proud of your accomplishments. My football coach, Mike Glenn, was also a very influential person in my life. The lessons he taught of hard work and discipline have extended well beyond the field. My dissertation research was funded by the Durability and Damage Tolerance Branch at NASA Langley Research Center. My mentor was, and is, Dr.\ Ed Glaessgen. The simulations presented were completed at the NASA AMES supercomputing facility, Pleiades. Much thanks are due to their very capable technical support staff.

Contact Information

Telephone:    (757) 864-3094

Postal address:    NASA Langley Research Center; Mail Stop 188E; Hampton VA, 23681-2199, 14850

Electronic mail:    jdh66@cornell.edu or Jacob.D.Hochhalter@nasa.gov

Send mail to with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: August 10, 2010