Dr Christopher Leonardi
Dr

Christopher Leonardi

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+61 7 336 53761

Background

Biography:

Christopher Leonardi is an Associate Professor within the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering and an Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellow (Mid-Career). Dr Leonardi completed his PhD in computational mechanics at The University of Wales, Swansea, and his BE(Hons) in mechanical engineering at James Cook University, where he graduated with First Class Honours and a University Medal. Christopher’s PhD thesis resulted in the development of a computational approach to modelling complex fluid-particle suspensions and demonstrated its application in the context of underground mining. Prior to joining UQ, Christopher spent three years as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he worked on computational modelling of fluid-solid interaction problems in the context of oil and gas production.

Dr Leonardi has published more than 40 scientific papers in international journals, 30 conference papers (most in collaboration with industry partners), and one book chapter. He has graduated four PhD students as principal advisor and a further three as associate advisor. In addition to his academic pursuits, Christopher spent five years working as an engineering consultant with Rockfield Technologies Australia, where he applied advanced computational analysis tools to problems in bulk materials handling, structural design, and geomechanics.

Research:

Associate Professor Leonardi’s research is focused on the development and application of computational models of complex fluid-solid interactions, including suspension transport, porous media flow, multiphase flows, and poromechanics. The outputs of his work are applied to provide insight into the complex characteristics of subsurface fluid and solid mechanics in gas production from unconventional reservoirs (e.g. coal seams) and mineral extraction from challenging orebodies. Current and recent projects include studies on hydraulic fracturing and proppant transport in coal seam gas (CSG) reservoirs, surface movement within and adjacent to CSG tenements, counter-current two-phase flow in CSG wells, in situ recovery of minerals from low-permeability rocks, and bubble-particle interaction in hydrogen formation via methane pyrolysis.

Christopher and his group of postdoctoral researchers and postgraduate students possess expertise in a range of computational techniques, including the lattice Boltzmann, discrete element, finite element, and finite difference methods. His team collaborates closely with national computing facilities, such as Pawsey Supercomputing Centre, to development, implement, and apply these techniques to large-scale engineering problems.

Teaching and Learning:

Associate Professor Leonardi is Director of Teaching and Learning in the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering where he coordinates and lectures the course, MECH3780 Computational Mechanics, and lectures the first-year course, ENGG1001 Programming for Engineers. Christopher was awarded a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education from UQ in 2015 and received Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning from the Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) in 2019 and UQ in 2018.

Availability

Dr Christopher Leonardi is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Engineering, James Cook University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Swansea University

Search Professor Christopher Leonardi’s works on UQ eSpace

111 works between 2005 and 2025
All (111) Journal Article (61) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (48) Other Outputs (1)

21 - 40 of 111 works

2023

Journal Article

Hydrodynamic clogging of micro-particles in planar channels under electrostatic forces

Di Vaira, Nathan J., Łaniewski-Wołłk, Łukasz, Johnson, Raymond L., Aminossadati, Saiied M. and Leonardi, Christopher R. (2023). Hydrodynamic clogging of micro-particles in planar channels under electrostatic forces. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 960 A34. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2023.214

Hydrodynamic clogging of micro-particles in planar channels under electrostatic forces

2023

Journal Article

Processing of micro-CT images of granodiorite rock samples using convolutional neural networks (CNN), Part II: Semantic segmentation using a 2.5D CNN

Roslin, A., Marsh, M., Provencher, B., Mitchell, T. R., Onederra, I. A. and Leonardi, C. R. (2023). Processing of micro-CT images of granodiorite rock samples using convolutional neural networks (CNN), Part II: Semantic segmentation using a 2.5D CNN. Minerals Engineering, 195 108027, 108027. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2023.108027

Processing of micro-CT images of granodiorite rock samples using convolutional neural networks (CNN), Part II: Semantic segmentation using a 2.5D CNN

2023

Journal Article

Processing of micro-CT images of granodiorite rock samples using convolutional neural networks (CNN). Part III: Enhancement of Scanco micro-CT images of granodiorite rocks using a 3D convolutional neural network super-resolution algorithm

Roslin, A., Lebedev, M., Mitchell, T.R., Onederra, I.A. and Leonardi, C.R. (2023). Processing of micro-CT images of granodiorite rock samples using convolutional neural networks (CNN). Part III: Enhancement of Scanco micro-CT images of granodiorite rocks using a 3D convolutional neural network super-resolution algorithm. Minerals Engineering, 195 108028, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2023.108028

Processing of micro-CT images of granodiorite rock samples using convolutional neural networks (CNN). Part III: Enhancement of Scanco micro-CT images of granodiorite rocks using a 3D convolutional neural network super-resolution algorithm

2023

Journal Article

Performance analysis of a concentrated direct absorption solar collector (DASC) with nanofluids using computational fluid dynamics and discrete ordinates radiation modelling (CFD-DORM)

Mojumder, Juwel C., Aminossadati, Saiied M. and Leonardi, Christopher R. (2023). Performance analysis of a concentrated direct absorption solar collector (DASC) with nanofluids using computational fluid dynamics and discrete ordinates radiation modelling (CFD-DORM). Renewable Energy, 205, 30-52. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2023.01.066

Performance analysis of a concentrated direct absorption solar collector (DASC) with nanofluids using computational fluid dynamics and discrete ordinates radiation modelling (CFD-DORM)

2023

Journal Article

Performance analysis of magnetorheological plastomer dampers with different annular shear gaps

Aziz, Mohammad Abdul, Aminossadati, Saiied M. and Leonardi, Christopher (2023). Performance analysis of magnetorheological plastomer dampers with different annular shear gaps. Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 568 170396. doi: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2023.170396

Performance analysis of magnetorheological plastomer dampers with different annular shear gaps

2023

Conference Publication

Probabilistic quantification of size segregation and screen-out of microparticles subject to electrostatic forces

Leonardi, Christopher R., Di Vaira, Nathan J., Laniewski-Wollk, Lukasz, Aminossadati, Saiied M. and Johnson, Raymond L. (2023). Probabilistic quantification of size segregation and screen-out of microparticles subject to electrostatic forces. SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference and Exhibition 2023, HFTC 2023, The Woodlands, TX, United States, 31 January– 2 February 2023. Richardson, TX, United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/212379-ms

Probabilistic quantification of size segregation and screen-out of microparticles subject to electrostatic forces

2023

Conference Publication

Co-application of indirect hydraulic fracturing and micro-proppants with existing surface-to-inseam wells to improve pre-drainage of low permeability coals in mining areas

Ramanandraibe, H. M., Johnson, R. L., Sedaghat, M. and Leonardi, C. R. (2023). Co-application of indirect hydraulic fracturing and micro-proppants with existing surface-to-inseam wells to improve pre-drainage of low permeability coals in mining areas. ADIPEC, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2-5 October 2023. Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/216613-MS

Co-application of indirect hydraulic fracturing and micro-proppants with existing surface-to-inseam wells to improve pre-drainage of low permeability coals in mining areas

2023

Journal Article

Quantifying the permeability enhancement from blast-induced microfractures in porphyry rocks using a cumulant lattice Boltzmann method

Mitchell, T. R., Roslin, A., Łaniewski-Wołłk, , Onederra, I. and Leonardi, C. R. (2023). Quantifying the permeability enhancement from blast-induced microfractures in porphyry rocks using a cumulant lattice Boltzmann method. Transport in Porous Media, 146 (3), 587-615. doi: 10.1007/s11242-022-01875-4

Quantifying the permeability enhancement from blast-induced microfractures in porphyry rocks using a cumulant lattice Boltzmann method

2023

Journal Article

Experimental and numerical investigation into the fracture patterns induced by blast-loading under unconfined and confined conditions

Mitchell, T. R., Wang, Z., Araos, M., Leonardi, C. R., Gefken, P. R. and Onederra, I. A. (2023). Experimental and numerical investigation into the fracture patterns induced by blast-loading under unconfined and confined conditions. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 56 (4), 2433-2455. doi: 10.1007/s00603-022-03195-x

Experimental and numerical investigation into the fracture patterns induced by blast-loading under unconfined and confined conditions

2022

Journal Article

Processing of micro-CT images of granodiorite rock samples using convolutional neural networks (CNN), Part I: Super-resolution enhancement using a 3D CNN

Roslin, A., Marsh, M., Piché, N., Provencher, B., Mitchell, T. R., Onederra, I. A. and Leonardi, C. R. (2022). Processing of micro-CT images of granodiorite rock samples using convolutional neural networks (CNN), Part I: Super-resolution enhancement using a 3D CNN. Minerals Engineering, 188 107748, 107748. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2022.107748

Processing of micro-CT images of granodiorite rock samples using convolutional neural networks (CNN), Part I: Super-resolution enhancement using a 3D CNN

2022

Journal Article

Comparative performance analysis of a SF-CPV/T collector under Australian climatic conditions using CFD and radiation modelling techniques

Mojumder, Juwel C., Aminossadati, Saiied M. and Leonardi, Christopher R. (2022). Comparative performance analysis of a SF-CPV/T collector under Australian climatic conditions using CFD and radiation modelling techniques. Energy and Buildings, 271 112297, 1-20. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112297

Comparative performance analysis of a SF-CPV/T collector under Australian climatic conditions using CFD and radiation modelling techniques

2022

Journal Article

Efficient implicit methods for wellbore shear failure analysis during drilling and production in coalbeds

Zhong, Ruizhi, Mitchell, Travis, Johnson Jr., Raymond and Leonardi, Christopher (2022). Efficient implicit methods for wellbore shear failure analysis during drilling and production in coalbeds. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 155 105129, 105129. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2022.105129

Efficient implicit methods for wellbore shear failure analysis during drilling and production in coalbeds

2022

Journal Article

Poroelastic solution of a wellbore in a swelling rock with non-hydrostatic stress field

Masoudian, Mohsen S., Chen, Zhongwei and Leonardi, Christopher (2022). Poroelastic solution of a wellbore in a swelling rock with non-hydrostatic stress field. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 14 (2), 303-314. doi: 10.1016/j.jrmge.2021.05.003

Poroelastic solution of a wellbore in a swelling rock with non-hydrostatic stress field

2022

Journal Article

Load response of magnetorheological (MR) plastomer dampers under applied magnetic fields

Abdul Aziz, Mohammad, Aminossadati, Saiied M. and Leonardi, Christopher (2022). Load response of magnetorheological (MR) plastomer dampers under applied magnetic fields. Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 547 168930, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2021.168930

Load response of magnetorheological (MR) plastomer dampers under applied magnetic fields

2022

Journal Article

Influence of particle polydispersity on bulk migration and size segregation in channel flows

Di Vaira, Nathan J., Łaniewski-Wołłk, Łukasz, Johnson, Raymond L., Aminossadati, Saiied M. and Leonardi, Christopher R. (2022). Influence of particle polydispersity on bulk migration and size segregation in channel flows. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 939 A30. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2022.166

Influence of particle polydispersity on bulk migration and size segregation in channel flows

2022

Conference Publication

Implications of recent research into the application of graded particles or micro-proppants for coal seam gas and shale hydraulic fracturing

Johnson, Raymond Leslie, Ramanandraibe, Honja Miharisoa, Di Vaira, Nathan, Leonardi, Chris, You, Zhenjiang, Santiago, Vanessa, Ribeiro, Ayrton, Badalyan, Alexander, Bedrikovetsky, Pavel, Zeinijahromi, Abbas, Carageorgos, Themis, Sanchez-Barr, Angel, Chalaturnyk, Rick and Deisman, Nathan (2022). Implications of recent research into the application of graded particles or micro-proppants for coal seam gas and shale hydraulic fracturing. SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 17-19 October 2022. Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/210628-ms

Implications of recent research into the application of graded particles or micro-proppants for coal seam gas and shale hydraulic fracturing

2021

Other Outputs

Targeted conditioning and extraction

Onederra, Italo, Leonardi, Christopher, Mitchell, Travis, Roslin, Alexandra, Araos, Miguel, Wang, Zi, Lopez, Paulo and Salazar, Felipe (2021). Targeted conditioning and extraction. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.

Targeted conditioning and extraction

2021

Conference Publication

A novel methodology for predicting micro-proppant screenout in hydraulic fracturing treatments

Di Vaira, Nathan J., Łaniewski-Wołłk, Łukasz, Johnson Jr., Raymond L., Aminossadati, Saiied M. and Leonardi, Christopher R. (2021). A novel methodology for predicting micro-proppant screenout in hydraulic fracturing treatments. Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Virtual, 16–18 November 2021. Tulsa, OK, United States: Society of Exploration Geophysicists. doi: 10.15530/ap-urtec-2021-208342

A novel methodology for predicting micro-proppant screenout in hydraulic fracturing treatments

2021

Journal Article

A 3D LBM-DEM study of sheared particle suspensions under the influence of temperature-dependent viscosity

McCullough, J. W.S., Łaniewski-Wołłk, , Aminossadati, S. M. and Leonardi, C. R. (2021). A 3D LBM-DEM study of sheared particle suspensions under the influence of temperature-dependent viscosity. Powder Technology, 390, 143-158. doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2021.05.011

A 3D LBM-DEM study of sheared particle suspensions under the influence of temperature-dependent viscosity

2021

Journal Article

Stability assessment of the phase-field lattice Boltzmann model and its application to Taylor bubbles in annular piping geometries

Mitchell, T., Holzer, M., Schwarzmeier, C., Bauer, M., Rüde, U. and Leonardi, C. (2021). Stability assessment of the phase-field lattice Boltzmann model and its application to Taylor bubbles in annular piping geometries. Physics of Fluids, 33 (8) 083325, 1-22. doi: 10.1063/5.0061694

Stability assessment of the phase-field lattice Boltzmann model and its application to Taylor bubbles in annular piping geometries

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    Two-phase flow in fractured media: Quantifying the influence of salinity and mechanical properties
    Origin Energy Upstream Operator
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Modelling and monitoring of spatiotemporal variation of CSG-induced subsidence
    Santos Limited
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Leading Practice in Hard Rock Preconditioning
    Technological Resources Pty Limited
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Impact of Dewatering and Reservoir Pressure on Coal Triaxial Strength
    Origin Energy Upstream Operator
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Impact of Depletion, Moisture Content and Fracture Network Distribution on Coal Strength
    Origin Energy Upstream Operator
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Aerodynamic characterisation of textured fabrics
    AusCycling Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Pressure drop and proppant transport in vertical and horizontal fractures: The role of 100 mesh
    Origin Energy Upstream Operator
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Quantifying the Influence of Wire Screen Geometry on Voiding and Pinning in CCR Reactors
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Massively parallel models of particle suspensions
    Pawsey Centre for Extreme Scale Readiness
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Horizontal Coal Seam Gas Well Drilling Optimisation: The Role of Coal Mechanical Properties
    Santos Limited
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Evaluating the bulk geomechanical properties of coals under changing net effective stress conditions
    Arrow Energy Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Evaluating the bulk geomechanical properties of coals under changing net effective stress conditions (Stream 2)
    Arrow Energy Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Quantifying the influence of anisotropy on the mechanical properties of depleted coals
    Origin Energy Upstream Operator
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Rock mass preconditioning and fragmentation
    BHP Billiton Group Operations
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Sustainable enhancement of coal seam gas production in Queensland
    Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Multiphase and multicomponent modelling of bubble and suspension transport in CSG production
    Pawsey Supercomputing Centre
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Optical Equipment for Advanced Thermofluid Measurements
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Converting Tight Contingent CSG Resources: application of Graded Particle Injection in CSG Stimulation
    Australian Energy Resource Growth Centre Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Advanced Modelling in support of Completion and Stimulation (AMCS) Designs for Naturally Fractured Low Permeability Coals
    Arrow Energy Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    CSG reservoir stimulation using graded particle injection - Field design and application
    Australia Pacific LNG Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Multiphase and multiscale modelling of gas-liquid-particle transport in CSG reservoirs and wells
    Pawsey Supercomputing Centre
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2022
    Surface movement and shallow processes
    QGC Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Characterising the geomechanics of coal fragmentation in long-wall top coal caving
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Gas transport in tight coal matrix
    QGC Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Mathematical modelling of wellbore pressure profiles in CSG (pumped) wells
    QGC Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Characterising the behaviour of hydraulic fracturing fluids via computational modelling of dense, viscoplastic suspensions
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Impact of coal-fluid interaction on the effectiveness of fracturing during coal seam gas drainage
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Christopher Leonardi is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Modelling and fabrication of optimal fiber-based filter for effective air-borne fine-particle capture

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Travis Mitchell

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of a non-Newtonian phase-field lattice Boltzmann method model for complex flows in porous media

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati, Dr Travis Mitchell

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of a non-Newtonian phase-field lattice Boltzmann method model for complex flows in porous media

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati, Dr Travis Mitchell

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Use of Differential InSAR for Monitoring Surface Deformation in the Surat Basin

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Phil Hayes

  • Master Philosophy

    LBM-DEM modelling of multiphase, viscoelastic suspensions

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Travis Mitchell

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Quantifying the mechanical properties of myocardium in cases of heart failure by preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Travis Mitchell

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Quantifying the mechanical properties of myocardium in cases of heart failure by preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Travis Mitchell

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of a computational framework for the dynamic interaction of fluids and solids during resource extraction

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Travis Mitchell

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Quantifying and attributing surface movement in the Surat Basin, south-east Queensland

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Phil Hayes

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development and Optimisation of 3D Reconstruction Algorithms

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Controlling microenvironments to enable green fuels and scalable electrolysis

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Tom Rufford, Dr Travis Mitchell

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Computational Simulation of a high-efficiency refrigeration system for underground mines

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Improving Gas Recovery in Low-Permeability Coals by Deployment of Multi-stage Indirect Hydraulic Fractures

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen, Professor Ray Johnson

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Overcoming roadblocks in mammalian cell biomanufacturing

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Justin Cooper-White

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Integrating hydrogen from methane pyrolysis into the iron and steel industry

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Travis Mitchell, Associate Professor Simon Smart

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating fundamental bubble-particle interactions in three-phase systems

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Travis Mitchell

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of methodology to quantify intensive preconditioning in block and panel caving operations

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen, Associate Professor Italo Onederra

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of an Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Model to Investigate the Transmission of Airborne Contaminants Under Both Static and Dynamic Scenarios

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Dr Christopher Leonardi directly for media enquiries about:

  • Complex fluid dynamics
  • Computational modelling
  • Oil and gas production

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