Research on Steel Beam Performance May Lead to Safer, More Reliable Structures
For Lilli Webb, engineering is about getting the details right, especially the ones others might overlook.
The Lawrence Technological University architectural engineering graduate student has been named the 2026 recipient of the Structural Engineers Foundation Research Grant, a competitive national award that supports emerging talent in structural engineering. The $3,000 grant is funding her spring semester research.
Her project takes a close look at a highly specific but important question in steel design: how flange bending affects weld strength in wide flange beams.
“Lilli’s work focuses on a design topic that hasn’t been properly evaluated in several years and research is needed to better understand this topic and modify current design standards that will hopefully save material and reduce carbon emissions,” said Dr. Keith Kowalkowski, Assistant Department Chair, Civil and Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering. “Understanding how the limit state influences weld stresses will lead to more efficient structural design. That’s the kind of thinking we want to see from our students.”
Webb’s research, Experimental Studies of the Influence of Flange Bending on Weld Strength for Steel Wide Flange Beams, aims to produce data that can inform design decisions and improve performance in the field. It’s the kind of work that sits at the intersection of theory and application, where small insights can have meaningful impact.
“This is a significant accomplishment, especially for a graduate student,” Kowalkowski said. “It speaks to Lilli’s ability to take on complex problems and contribute something valuable to the profession.”
The recognition from the Structural Engineers Foundation places Webb among a select group of students nationwide whose work shows strong potential to influence the future of structural engineering. For LTU, it’s another example of students doing more than completing coursework. They are asking better questions, testing assumptions, and building knowledge that extends beyond the classroom, according to Kowalkowski.
And for Webb, it’s a chance to keep digging into the kind of engineering challenges that matter, one detail at a time.
