Overview
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
Works
Search Professor Christopher Leonardi’s works on UQ eSpace
2020
Conference Publication
Modelling Micro-Proppant Transport in Stress-Sensitive Naturally-Fractured Reservoirs
Di Vaira, Nathan, Leonardi, Christopher and Johnson Jr., Raymond (2020). Modelling Micro-Proppant Transport in Stress-Sensitive Naturally-Fractured Reservoirs. 82nd EAGE Conference and Exhibition, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 8-11 December. Richardson, TX United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/200600-ms
2020
Conference Publication
Towards a stochastic model of the permeability of rough fractures
Laniewski-Wollk, Lukasz and Leonardi, Christopher (2020). Towards a stochastic model of the permeability of rough fractures. 22nd Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference AFMC2020, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 7-10 December 2020. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/9d96db0
2019
Journal Article
A cascaded phase-field lattice Boltzmann model for the simulation of incompressible, immiscible fluids with high density contrast
Gruszczyński, G., Mitchell, T., Leonardi, C., Łaniewski-Wołłk, Ł. and Barber, T. (2019). A cascaded phase-field lattice Boltzmann model for the simulation of incompressible, immiscible fluids with high density contrast. Computers & Mathematics with Applications, 79 (4), 1049-1071. doi: 10.1016/j.camwa.2019.08.018
2019
Journal Article
Towards the development of a baseline for surface movement in the Surat Cumulative Management Area
Masoudian, Mohsen S., Leonardi, Christopher, Chen, Zhongwei and Underschultz, Jim (2019). Towards the development of a baseline for surface movement in the Surat Cumulative Management Area. The APPEA Journal, 59 (1), 95-114. doi: 10.1071/aj18181
2019
Journal Article
Challenges in modelling of hydraulic fracturing in low-permeability coal seams with complex cleat networks and stress regimes
Aghighi, Mohammad Ali, Johnson, Raymond Jr. and Leonardi, Chris (2019). Challenges in modelling of hydraulic fracturing in low-permeability coal seams with complex cleat networks and stress regimes. APPEA Journal, 59 (1), 166-178. doi: 10.1071/aj18140
2019
Journal Article
Influence of elastoplastic embedment on CSG production enhancement using graded particle injection
You, Zhenjiang, Wang, Duo, Leonardi, Christopher, Johnson Jr, Raymond and Bedrikovetsky, Pavel (2019). Influence of elastoplastic embedment on CSG production enhancement using graded particle injection. The APPEA Journal, 59 (1), 310-318. doi: 10.1071/aj18086
2019
Journal Article
Numerical and experimental investigations of pressure-driven gas flow in hollow-core photonic crystal fibers
Masum, Billah M., Aminossadati, Saiied M., Kizil, Mehmet S. and Leonardi, Christopher R. (2019). Numerical and experimental investigations of pressure-driven gas flow in hollow-core photonic crystal fibers. Applied Optics, 58 (4), 963-972. doi: 10.1364/ao.58.000963
2019
Conference Publication
Quantifying the influence of three dimensionality on hydraulic fracturing in coal seam gas wells
Leonardi, Christopher R., Flottmann, Thomas, Pandey, Vibhas J. and Johnson, Raymond J. (2019). Quantifying the influence of three dimensionality on hydraulic fracturing in coal seam gas wells. SPE/AAPG/SEG Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 18 – 19 November 2019. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (URTEC). doi: 10.15530/AP-URTEC-2019-198203
2019
Conference Publication
Development of predictive models in support of micro-particle injection in naturally fractured reservoirs
You, Zhenjiang, Wang, Duo, Di Vaira, Nathan, Johnson, Raymond, Bedrikovetsky, Pavel and Leonardi, Christopher (2019). Development of predictive models in support of micro-particle injection in naturally fractured reservoirs. SPE/AAPG/SEG Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 18 – 19 November 2019. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (URTEC). doi: 10.15530/AP-URTEC-2019-198276
2019
Conference Publication
Using 3d printed synthetic rock for systematic evaluation of mechanical properties in coal
Deisman, Nathan, Flottmann, Thomas, Guo, Yujia, Hodder, Kevin, Chalaturnyk, Richard and Leonardi, Christopher (2019). Using 3d printed synthetic rock for systematic evaluation of mechanical properties in coal. SPE/AAPG/SEG Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 18 – 19 November 2019. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (URTEC). doi: 10.15530/AP-URTEC-2019-198255
2019
Journal Article
Thermo-Hydrodynamics of a Helical Coil Heat Exchanger Operated with a Phase-Change Ice Slurry as a Refrigerant
Kamyar, Amin, Aminossadati, Saiied M. and Leonardi, Christopher R. (2019). Thermo-Hydrodynamics of a Helical Coil Heat Exchanger Operated with a Phase-Change Ice Slurry as a Refrigerant. Heat Transfer Engineering, 40 (3-4), 283-294. doi: 10.1080/01457632.2018.1428989
2019
Conference Publication
Development and Evaluation of Multiphase Closure Models used in the Simulation of Unconventional Wellbore Dynamics
Mitchell, Travis, Hill, Bryce, Firouzi, Mahshid and Leonardi, Christopher (2019). Development and Evaluation of Multiphase Closure Models used in the Simulation of Unconventional Wellbore Dynamics. Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (URTEC), Brisbane, QLD Australia, 18 - 19 November 2019. Tulsa, OK United States: Unconventional Resources Technology Conference. doi: 10.15530/ap-urtec-2019-198239
2018
Journal Article
Numerical analysis of gas diffusion in drilled hollow–core photonic crystal fibres
Masum, B. M., Aminossadati, S. M., Leonardi, C. R., Kizil, M. S. and Amanzadeh, M. (2018). Numerical analysis of gas diffusion in drilled hollow–core photonic crystal fibres. Measurement, 127, 283-291. doi: 10.1016/j.measurement.2018.05.106
2018
Journal Article
Improved coupling of time integration and hydrodynamic interaction in particle suspensions using the lattice Boltzmann and discrete element methods
Wang, Duo, Leonardi, Christopher and Aminossadati, Saiied M. (2018). Improved coupling of time integration and hydrodynamic interaction in particle suspensions using the lattice Boltzmann and discrete element methods. Computers and Mathematics with Applications, 75 (7), 2593-2606. doi: 10.1016/j.camwa.2018.01.002
2018
Journal Article
Investigation of local and non-local lattice Boltzmann models for transient heat transfer between non-stationary, disparate media
McCullough, J. W.S., Leonardi, C. R., Jones, B. D., Aminossadati, S. M. and Williams, J. R. (2018). Investigation of local and non-local lattice Boltzmann models for transient heat transfer between non-stationary, disparate media. Computers and Mathematics with Applications, 79 (1), 174-194. doi: 10.1016/j.camwa.2018.01.018
2018
Conference Publication
Towards closure relations for the rise velocity of Taylor bubbles in annular piping using phase-field lattice Boltzmann techniques
Mitchell, Travis, Leonardi, Chris, Firouzi, Mahshid and Towler, Brian (2018). Towards closure relations for the rise velocity of Taylor bubbles in annular piping using phase-field lattice Boltzmann techniques. 21st Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 10 - 13 December 2018. Hawthorn, VIC, Australia: Australasian Fluid Mechanics Society.
2018
Journal Article
Development of a three-dimensional phase-field lattice Boltzmann method for the study of immiscible fluids at high density ratios
Mitchell, T., Leonardi, C. and Fakhari, A. (2018). Development of a three-dimensional phase-field lattice Boltzmann method for the study of immiscible fluids at high density ratios. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 107, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2018.05.004
2018
Conference Publication
Evaluation of the temperature-dependent rheology of non-Brownian particle suspensions via direct numerical simulation
Leonardi, C. R., McCullough, J. W. S., Wang, D. and Aminossadati, S. M. (2018). Evaluation of the temperature-dependent rheology of non-Brownian particle suspensions via direct numerical simulation. 21st Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Adelaide, SA Australia, 10-13 December 2018. Perth, WA Australia: Australasian Fluid Mechanics Society.
2017
Journal Article
Improved locality of the phase-field lattice-Boltzmann model for immiscible fluids at high density ratios
Fakhari, Abbas, Mitchell, Travis, Leonardi, Christopher and Bolster, Diogo (2017). Improved locality of the phase-field lattice-Boltzmann model for immiscible fluids at high density ratios. Physical Review E, 96 (5) 053301, 053301. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.96.053301
2017
Journal Article
A critical review of flow maps for gas-liquid flows in vertical pipes and annuli
Wu, Benjamin, Firouzi, Mahshid, Mitchell, Travis, Rufford, Thomas E., Leonardi, Christopher and Towler, Brian (2017). A critical review of flow maps for gas-liquid flows in vertical pipes and annuli. Chemical Engineering Journal, 326, 350-377. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2017.05.135
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Christopher Leonardi is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Master Philosophy
LBM-DEM modelling of multiphase, viscoelastic suspensions
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: 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
-
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 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 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
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
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
Overcoming roadblocks in mammalian cell biomanufacturing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Justin Cooper-White
-
Doctor Philosophy
Controlling microenvironments to enable green fuels and scalable electrolysis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Tom Rufford, Dr Travis Mitchell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development and Optimisation of 3D Reconstruction Algorithms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating fundamental bubble-particle interactions in three-phase systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Travis Mitchell
-
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
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
Computational Simulation of a high-efficiency refrigeration system for underground mines
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati
-
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
Completed supervision
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the transport of proppant and micro-proppant in fracture networks via direct numerical simulation of particle-laden flows
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati, Professor Ray Johnson
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Computational modelling of nanofluids under solar radiation in a CPV/T collector
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Development of a multiphase lattice Boltzmann model for high-density and viscosity ratio flows in unconventional gas wells
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mahshid Firouzi
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Direct Numerical Simulation of Coupled Fluid-Particle Flow in Hydraulic Fractures
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Numerical investigation of conjugate heat transfer and temperature-dependent viscosity in non-Brownian suspensions with application to hydraulic fracturing
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Integrated Numerical Model for Examining the Performance of Magnetorheological Plastomer Dampers: Magnetorheological Plastomer Dampers
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Impact of preconditioning fracturing on fluid accessibility of chalcopyrite ores
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Italo Onederra
-
2023
Master Philosophy
ADVANCED MODELLING OF FLOOR DISRUPTION BLASTING TO IMPROVE LOW-WALL STABILITY IN COAL MINING
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Italo Onederra
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Performance simulation of Hollow-Core Photonic Crystal Fibre as a gas sensor for industry applications
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil, Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Numerical and Experimental Investigations of Thermo-hydrodynamic Characteristics of Ice Slurry in Helical Heat Exchangers
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Development and Investigation of Integrated Reservoir-Wellbore Flow Model
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen, Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati
-
2018
Master Philosophy
Detonation performance of novel hydrogen peroxide and nitrate-based hybrid explosives
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Italo Onederra
-
2017
Master Philosophy
Investigating the application of linear shaped charges in wall control practices
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Italo Onederra
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Christopher Leonardi directly for media enquiries about:
- Complex fluid dynamics
- Computational modelling
- Oil and gas production
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