Qi ZHANG

Short Bio

Currently, I am a research assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. I work with Prof. Zhen-Yu Yin. Prior to joining PolyU, I received my Ph.D. degree in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University in June 2021, advised by Prof. Ronaldo I. Borja. My Ph.D. thesis is MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF UNCONVENTIONAL GEOMATERIALS. I received my B.Eng. degree from Tongji University in July 2016, advised by Prof. Hehua Zhu for the final year project, with an undergraduate minor degree in Applied Mathematics.

Research Interests

I am interested in understanding and controlling the fundamental poro-mechanical processes that determine the formation and recovery of earth resources from sedimentary rocks to achieve energy and environmental sustainability. At present, my research is focused on formulating innovative theories and developing advanced numerical methods to investigate the multi-scale pore structures, multiple fluid flow patterns, and complex multi-physics processes. Additionally, I am exploring the effects of bedding-induced anisotropy. This comprehensive investigation is aimed at facilitating a transition towards sustainable energy practices, and our results should be applicable to general porous media with slight modifications. By integrating rock experimental testing data (such as the poroelasticity constants) with poromechanics and solid mechanics theory, my team and I aim to build predictive models that can enhance our understanding of shale behavior and contribute to more efficient and sustainable energy extraction practices.

Resources

Here are the MATLAB main file and two associated functions (Double contraction and Conversion) for anisotropic elasticity (fourth-order elastic moduli tensor, 9*9 matrix form, Voigt notation 6*6 matrix form, etc.) The theory could be found in this [PDF].

Here is a MATLAB file that explains the concept of Spin of a Tensor in isotropic functions.

Teaching

My primary teaching objective is to equip students with a solid foundation in geomechanics, fostering their ability to think critically and innovatively. This will enable them to meet the increasing societal demands for energy and environmental sustainability. I am passionate about nurturing their capabilities and enthusiasm for advancing fundamental knowledge in geomechanics. I am keen on teaching both fundamental and applied courses in areas such as rock and soil mechanics, solid mechanics, finite element method, and elasticity and inelasticity. I also aim to offer general courses in geotechnical engineering to cultivate the upcoming generation of leaders in the field of geomechanics.

I have been teaching and giving lectures on (1) Analytical and Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering for Semester Two of 2022/23 and 2023/24; (2) CE620 Research Methods for Semester One of 2023/24 at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. In addition, I have been a teaching assistant for Computational Poromechanics at Stanford University.

Academic Service

Conference Convener

• Mini-Symposium MS13: Computational Geomechanics. EMI 2024 IC, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria.
• Mini-Symposium S25: Computational Geomechanics and Multiphysics Coupling in Porous Media. ICCES2023, Shenzhen, China.

Journal Reviewer

• Acta Geotechnica
• Applied Energy
• Computers and Geotechnics
• European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering
• Gas Science and Engineering
• Geoenergy Science and Engineering
• Géotechnique Letters
• International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics
• International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering
• International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology
• International Journal of Geomechanics
• International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences
• Journal of Cleaner Production
• Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A
• KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering
• Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences
• NeurIPS ML4PS workshop
• Renewable Energy
• Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
• Soils and Foundations

Manuscripts under consideration

Publications