Professor Hubert Chanson
Professor

Hubert Chanson

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53516

Background

Hubert Chanson is Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Queensland, where he has been since 1990, having previously enjoyed an industrial career for six years. His main field of expertise is environmental fluid mechanics and hydraulic engineering, both in terms of theoretical fundamentals, physical and numerical modelling. He leads a group of 5-10 researchers, largely targeting flows around hydraulic structures, two-phase (gas-liquid and solid-liquid) free-surface flows, turbulence in steady and unsteady open channel flows, using computation, lab-scale experiments, field work and analysis. He has published over 1,250 peer reviewed publications including two dozen of books. He serves on the editorial boards of International Journal of Multiphase Flow, Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, and Environmental Fluid Mechanics, the latter of which he is currently a senior Editor. He chaired the Organisation of the 34th IAHR World Congress in June 2011 and of the 22nd Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference in December 2020, both held in Brisbane, Australia.

Availability

Professor Hubert Chanson is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Civil engineering Engineering Turbulent flows Water resources engineering

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Canterbury
  • Doctoral Diploma of Engineering, The University of Queensland
  • Postgraduate Diploma of Nuclear Engineering, Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucleaires

Research interests

  • Industrial Two-Phase Flows

    In high-velocity turbulent flows, air bubbles are entrained at the free surface. This process (self-aeration) is caused by the turbulent velocity fluctuations acting next to the free surfaces. The presence of air within the flow increases the bulk of the flow, modifies the momentum shear layers and enhances the air-water gas transfer. The project is based upon new experimental investigations using large-scale experiments. The results enable a better understanding of the fluid mechanics of free-surface air-water flows.

  • Estuarine processes

    Investigation of the hydrodynamics and turbulent mixing in estuarine zones, under micro- and macro-tidal conditions. Field works. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Physical modelling.

  • Mixing and dispersion in rivers and estuaries

    Turbulent mixing in small estuaries with application to water quality modeling

  • Engineering heritage

    History of technology. Historical development of hydraulic engineering and structures, includings dams, spillways, weirs, culverts ...

  • Non-Newtonian fluid dynamics

    Experimental and theoretical study of non-Newtonian fluid flows, including thixotropic fluid flows, dam break, debris flows.

  • Open Channel Flow and Hydraulic Engineering

    Open channel flows are encountered in a wide range of applications from large rivers to roof gutters including irrigation channels. New research investigations include the hydraulic jump flows, undular flows, weir overflow, stepped cascades and supercritical flows. Applications to hydraulic structures cover high-head spillways, stepped chutes, rubber dams, stilling basins and water quality prediction.

  • Hydraulic structures

    Design and operation of spillway systems, incl. high head structures, large dams and overflow sections.

  • Air entrainment in hydraulic structures and industrial applications

    Study of air entrainment and air-water flows in hydraulics structures, hydraulic systems, re-aeration plants and water treatment systems.

  • Tidal bores

    A tidal bore is a surge of water propagating upstream in an estuarine zone when the tidal flow turns to rising and rushes into a funnel shaped river mouth with shallow waters. The bore forms typically during the early flood tide when the tidal range exceeds 4-6 m and the estuary bathymetry amplifies the tidal range with a low freshwater level. Worldwide it is believed that over 450 estuaries are affected by a tidal bore, on all continents except Antarctica. The interactions between tidal bores and mankind are complex. Tidal bores can be dangerous, impacting adversely on man-made structures and endangering lives. They can be also a major touristic and sport attraction. The aim of this research is to characterise the turbulent properties of bore fronts including the coupling between free-surface and velocity fluctuations, and impacts on sedimentary processes and ecology.

Research impacts

Hubert Chanson's publication record includes over 1250 international refereed papers and his work was cited over 6,500 times (WoS) to 22,500 times (Google Scholar) since 1990. His h-index is 43 (WoS), 47 (Scopus) and 75 (Google Scholar). Hubert Chanson has been active also as consultant for both governmental agencies and private organisations, and he delivered numerous invited keynotes worldwide. He chaired the Organisation of the 34th IAHR World Congress in Brisbane, Australia in June 2011 which attracted over 850 participants from more than 45 countries, and the Organisation of the 22nd Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference in Brisbane, Australia in December 2020 which attracted over 250 participants, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

His Internet home page is {http://www.uq.edu.au/~e2hchans}. He also developed a gallery of photographs website {http://www.uq.edu.au/~e2hchans/photo.html} that received more than 2,000 hits per months since inception. His open access publication webpage is the most downloaded publication record at the University of Queensland: {http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/list.php?browse=author&author_id=193}.

Search Professor Hubert Chanson’s works on UQ eSpace

968 works between 1988 and 2025
All (968) Journal Article (585) Book Chapter (41) Conference Publication (275) Book (19) Other Outputs (42) Edited Outputs (6)

721 - 740 of 968 works

2004

Journal Article

Unsteady Air-Water Flow Measurements in Sudden Open Channel Flows

Chanson, Hubert (2004). Unsteady Air-Water Flow Measurements in Sudden Open Channel Flows. Experiments in Fluids, 37 (6), 899-909. doi: 10.1007/s00348-004-0882-3

Unsteady Air-Water Flow Measurements in Sudden Open Channel Flows

2004

Conference Publication

Effects of Turbulence Manipulation in Skimming Flows: An Experimental Study

Gonzalez, Carlos A. and Chanson, Hubert (2004). Effects of Turbulence Manipulation in Skimming Flows: An Experimental Study. 15th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Sydney, Australia, 13-17 December, 2004. Sydney, Australia: University of Sydney.

Effects of Turbulence Manipulation in Skimming Flows: An Experimental Study

2004

Book Chapter

Introduction to Part 1: Introduction to Open Channel Flows

Chanson, Hubert (2004). Introduction to Part 1: Introduction to Open Channel Flows. Environmental Hydraulics of Open Channel Flows. (pp. 3-10) edited by Hubert Chanson. Burlington, MA: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann. doi: 10.1016/B978-075066165-2.50033-3

Introduction to Part 1: Introduction to Open Channel Flows

2004

Conference Publication

Stepped Spillways for Embankment Dams: Review, Progress and Development in Overflow Hydraulics

Chanson, Hubert and Gonzalez, Carlos A. (2004). Stepped Spillways for Embankment Dams: Review, Progress and Development in Overflow Hydraulics. International Conference on Hydraulics of Dams and River Structures, Tehran, Iran, 26th - 28th April, 2004. LEIDEN: A A BALKEMA PUBLISHERS.

Stepped Spillways for Embankment Dams: Review, Progress and Development in Overflow Hydraulics

2004

Book Chapter

Unsteady open channel flows: 2. Applications

Chanson, H. (2004). Unsteady open channel flows: 2. Applications. The Hydraulics of Open Channel Flow: An Introduction. (pp. 318-370) edited by Hubert Chanson. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. doi: 10.1016/b978-075065978-9/50024-6

Unsteady open channel flows: 2. Applications

2003

Journal Article

Air Entrainment Processes in a Circular Plunging Jet: Void-Fraction and Acoustic Measurements

Chanson, Hubert and Manasseh, Richard (2003). Air Entrainment Processes in a Circular Plunging Jet: Void-Fraction and Acoustic Measurements. Journal of Fluids Engineering, 125 (5), 910-921. doi: 10.1115/1.1595672

Air Entrainment Processes in a Circular Plunging Jet: Void-Fraction and Acoustic Measurements

2003

Journal Article

Etude d'une Rivière Semi-tropicale" ('Study of a Sub-tropical River'

Chanson, Hubert (2003). Etude d'une Rivière Semi-tropicale" ('Study of a Sub-tropical River'. Bulletin Electronique d’actualité Scientifique et Technologique en Australie (BestOZ), 19, 16-16.

Etude d'une Rivière Semi-tropicale" ('Study of a Sub-tropical River'

2003

Journal Article

Etude d'une rivière semi-tropicale (Study of a sub-tropical river)

Chanson, Hubert (2003). Etude d'une rivière semi-tropicale (Study of a sub-tropical river). BestOz, 19, 16.

Etude d'une rivière semi-tropicale (Study of a sub-tropical river)

2003

Other Outputs

Expert Advice on Hydraulic Design for Decant System Antamina

Chanson, Hubert (2003). Expert Advice on Hydraulic Design for Decant System Antamina. St Lucia, Qld: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Queensland.

Expert Advice on Hydraulic Design for Decant System Antamina

2003

Journal Article

Epidemiological determinants of spread of causal agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome in Hong Kong

Donnelly, CA, Ghani, AC, Leung, GM, Hedley, AJ, Fraser, C, Riley, S, Abu-Raddad, LJ, Ho, LM, Thach, TQ, Chau, P, Chan, KP, Lam, TH, Tse, LY, Tsang, T, Liu, SH, Kong, JHB, Lau, EMC, Ferguson, NM and Anderson, RM (2003). Epidemiological determinants of spread of causal agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome in Hong Kong. Lancet, 361 (9371), 1761-1766. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13410-1

Epidemiological determinants of spread of causal agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome in Hong Kong

2003

Journal Article

Strong Interactions between Free-Surface Aeration and Turbulence in an Open Channel Flow

Chanson, Hubert and Toombes, Luke (2003). Strong Interactions between Free-Surface Aeration and Turbulence in an Open Channel Flow. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, 27 (5: 14th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference), 525-535. doi: 10.1016/S0894-1777(02)00266-2

Strong Interactions between Free-Surface Aeration and Turbulence in an Open Channel Flow

2003

Other Outputs

Creek recovering well from pollution

Chanson, Hubert (2003, 04 22). Creek recovering well from pollution Bayside Bulletin/The Redland Times xx-xx.

Creek recovering well from pollution

2003

Journal Article

Stepping up

Chanson, Hubert (2003). Stepping up. International Water Power and Dam Construction, 55 (4), 22-24.

Stepping up

2003

Other Outputs

Facts and Fables of Roman Aqueducts

Chanson, Hubert (2003, 02 01). Facts and Fables of Roman Aqueducts InMotion 7-8.

Facts and Fables of Roman Aqueducts

2003

Conference Publication

Two-Phase Flow Characteristics of an Unsteady Dam Break Wave Flow

Chanson, Hubert (2003). Two-Phase Flow Characteristics of an Unsteady Dam Break Wave Flow. 30th IAHR Biennial Congress, Thessaloniki, Greece, 24-29 August, 2003. Greece: THEMA.

Two-Phase Flow Characteristics of an Unsteady Dam Break Wave Flow

2003

Journal Article

Discussion of "Stability of concrete macro-roughness linings for overflow protection of earth embankment dams"

Chanson, Hubert (2003). Discussion of "Stability of concrete macro-roughness linings for overflow protection of earth embankment dams". Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 30 (3), 601-604. doi: 10.1139/L03-035

Discussion of "Stability of concrete macro-roughness linings for overflow protection of earth embankment dams"

2003

Conference Publication

Minimum Energy Loss Structures in Australia : Historical Development and Experience

Chanson, Hubert (2003). Minimum Energy Loss Structures in Australia : Historical Development and Experience. 12th National Engineering Heritage Conference, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, September, 2003.

Minimum Energy Loss Structures in Australia : Historical Development and Experience

2003

Conference Publication

Hydraulic Engineering: Where to ? (Quel Futur pour l'Ingenierie Hydraulique?)

Chanson, Hubert (2003). Hydraulic Engineering: Where to ? (Quel Futur pour l'Ingenierie Hydraulique?). 30th IAHR Biennial Congress, Thessaloniki, Greece, 24-29 August, 2003.

Hydraulic Engineering: Where to ? (Quel Futur pour l'Ingenierie Hydraulique?)

2003

Book

The Hydraulics of Open Channel Flow

Chanson, Hubert (2003). The Hydraulics of Open Channel Flow. China: Hydrology Bureau of Yellow River Conservancy Committee.

The Hydraulics of Open Channel Flow

2003

Conference Publication

Micro- and Macro-scopic Study of Two-Phase Flow on a Stepped Chute

Yasuda, Youichi and Chanson, Hubert (2003). Micro- and Macro-scopic Study of Two-Phase Flow on a Stepped Chute. 30th IAHR Biennial Congress, Thessaloniki, Greece, 24-29 August, 2003. Greece: THEMA.

Micro- and Macro-scopic Study of Two-Phase Flow on a Stepped Chute

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    Diving into the Desert. Indigenous and Future Floodplain Management
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019 - 2022
    Understanding pollutant transport in estuaries and coastal rivers (ARC Discovery Project administered by the Queensland University of Technology)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Fish Passage Culvert Research - Upstream fish passage in standard box culvert hydraulic engineering
    Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Hydrodynamics of stepped spillways: energy dissipation and reaeration performances
    Universities Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Designing effective fish-friendly waterway culverts: integration of hydrodynamics and swimming performance
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Optimum design of hydraulic structures in rural and urban Australia: dealing with floods and droughts
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    A study of turbulence and influence of anthropogenic inputs in small subtropical estuaries
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Turbulence and energy dissipation in stepped spillways and urban drainage systems
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    A Basic Study of Mixing and Dispersion in Riverine and Estuarine Systems in South-East Queensland
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    A Basic Study of Mixing and Dispersion in Estuarine Zones
    Australian Academy of Science
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Acoustic signature measurement: application to industrial multiphase flows.
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Collaborative visit to Laboratoire de Mecanique des Fluides et Acoustique Ecole Centrale de Lyon, France
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 1995
    Hydraulic design of stepped channels and spillways
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Hubert Chanson is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Hydrodynamic Modelling and Turbulence Manipulation of Low Velocity Zones in Box Culverts to Assist Upstream Passage of Small Body Mass Fish

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    A Study of Turbulent Secondary Flows in Partially Filled Smooth Circular Pipes

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Turbulence in hydraulic jump roller: hydrodynamics versus aerodynamics

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Matthew Mason

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Wind Loads on Buildings in Experimentally Simulated Thunderstorm Downburst Outflows

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Matthew Mason

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Simulating local wind conditions within complex cityscapes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Matthew Mason

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Hubert Chanson directly for media enquiries about:

  • Air-water flow, re-oxygenation
  • Air-water gas transfer
  • Dams and engineering
  • Engineering - dams
  • Engineering - sewers
  • Engineering - spillways
  • Engineering - weirs
  • Engineering heritage dams, hydraulics, spillways
  • Floods - engineering
  • Floods and engineering
  • Fluid mechanics
  • Heritage dams - engineering
  • Hydraulic structures
  • Hydraulics
  • Hydrodynamics
  • Metrology
  • Sewers - engineering
  • Spillway design
  • Weirs

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