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Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen
Associate Professor

Zhongwei Chen

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53742

Overview

Background

Conduct interdisciplinary research to tackle technical challenges associated with the efficient and responsible extraction of geo-energy and geo-resources. Three main focuses of my research interests are:

1. Mining geomechanics for high-stress and high-temperature mining conditions.

  • It covers ground support design, excavation stability analysis, pillar stability, mine seismicity, strata movement and surface subsidence, and mine paste fill optimisation.
  • My research team has also conducted extensive work on (i) using Thin Spray-On Liners (TSLs) to replace shotcrete, (ii) developing new experimental capabilities in assessing grout durability in extremely acidic and hot conditions (>140°C ), and (iii) evaluating rock sensitivity to different weathering conditions (e.g., wet-dry cycles and humidity effect).

2. Reservoir geomechanics, targeting key technical challenges associated with unconventional gas recovery.

  • It includes borehole stability, permeability evolution, reservoir petrophysical properties characterisation, multiphase flow in fractured porous media with challenges associated with natural gas extraction, carbon geological sequestration, underground hydrogen storage, and energy storage in depleted reservoirs, and
  • Over the years, my group has developed advanced multiscale multiphase and multiphysics computational modelling capabilities

3. Machine Learning Applications in Mining and Natural Gas Fields

  • Explore the diverse applications of machine learning and deep learning algorithms in geomaterial strength analysis (sedimentary rock in particular), geotechnical characterization (e.g., automatic calculation of rock fracture characteristics, and roadway stability assessment of different geological conditions), and subsurface characterization. By harnessing the power of data-driven approaches, the research group aims to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of rock mechanics analysis, enabling more effective decision-making in engineering projects.

Teaching Courses:

  1. Applied Mining Geomechanics (MINE3129) (Since 2023)
  2. Mine Geotechnical Engineering (MINE4120) (2013- 2023)
  3. Coal Mine Strata Control (MINE4128) (2013- 2023)

Resources Geomechanics Lab (NATA accredited. Accreditation Number: 21126) with leading experimental capabilities in:

1. A suite of rock mechanics testing capabilities:

  • Mechanical properties (e.g., modulus, Poisson's ratio, density)
  • Rock strengths (e.g., UCS, triaxial strength, fracture shear strength, direct shear, punch shear, direct tensile strength, Brazilian Tensile Strength, and bond adhesion force), and
  • Rock petrophysical properties (e.g., porosity, permeability/conductivity at different high confining stresses, fracture compressibility, slake durability, and rock weathering etc)

2. Rock dynamic responses to different stress conditions (transient condition) using non-destructive methods (e.g., Acoustic Emission and Ultrasonic Detection for different applications at different scales)

3. Characterization of fluid flow (water or gas) in fractured porous media under a high-stress environment (up to 10,000 psi)

4. Quantifying the evolution of the intrinsic and relative permeability of extremely tight reservoirs (e.g., coals, shales, and tight sandstones) to gas adsorption/desorption as well as the changes of contact angle with varying reservoir pressure

5. Visualising two-phase flow using microfluidics: discontinuous flow vs continuous flow

6. Quantifying the impact of proppant embedment and reservoir stress on shale permeability evolution

7. Gas isotherm and directional sorption-induced strain measurements for different absorbing reservoir rocks

8. Mine paste rheological property measurements at various shearing controls, e.g., constant shear rate, varying shearing rate, ramping controls etc.

Availability

Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Western Australia

Works

Search Professor Zhongwei Chen’s works on UQ eSpace

160 works between 2007 and 2024

1 - 20 of 160 works

2024

Journal Article

Artificial general intelligence for the upstream geoenergy industry: a review

Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Zhang, Tiancheng, Zhu, Yiran and Chen, Zhongwei (2024). Artificial general intelligence for the upstream geoenergy industry: a review. Gas Science and Engineering 205469, 205469. doi: 10.1016/j.jgsce.2024.205469

Artificial general intelligence for the upstream geoenergy industry: a review

2024

Journal Article

Optimization of a coal mine roof characterization model using machine learning

Melville, Michael, Mondal, Sanjib, Nehring, Micah and Chen, Zhongwei (2024). Optimization of a coal mine roof characterization model using machine learning. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 181 105835, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2024.105835

Optimization of a coal mine roof characterization model using machine learning

2024

Journal Article

Experimental investigation on coal pore-fracture variation and fractal characteristics synergistically affected by solvents for improving clean gas extraction

Han, Feilin, Xue, Sheng, Zheng, Chunshan, Chen, Zhongwei, Li, Guofu and Jiang, Bingyou (2024). Experimental investigation on coal pore-fracture variation and fractal characteristics synergistically affected by solvents for improving clean gas extraction. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 34 (3), 413-425. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2024.02.004

Experimental investigation on coal pore-fracture variation and fractal characteristics synergistically affected by solvents for improving clean gas extraction

2024

Journal Article

Horizontal borehole azimuth optimization for enhanced stability and coal seam gas production

Saber, Erfan, Qu, Qingdong, Aminossadati, Saiied M., Zhu, Yiran and Chen, Zhongwei (2024). Horizontal borehole azimuth optimization for enhanced stability and coal seam gas production. Rock Mechanics Bulletin, 3 (1) 100100, 100100. doi: 10.1016/j.rockmb.2023.100100

Horizontal borehole azimuth optimization for enhanced stability and coal seam gas production

2024

Conference Publication

A strain-driven model for anisotropic permeability evolution of shale and coal incorporating creep deformation, anisotropic internal swelling/shrinkage, and gas rarefaction effects

Zeng, Jie, Guo, Jianchun, Liu, Junchen, Zhang, Tao, Zhao, Zhihong, Liu, Jishan and Chen, Zhongwei (2024). A strain-driven model for anisotropic permeability evolution of shale and coal incorporating creep deformation, anisotropic internal swelling/shrinkage, and gas rarefaction effects. SPE Conference at Oman Petroleum and Energy Show, Muscat, Oman,, 22-24 April 2024. Richardson, TX, United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/218594-MS

A strain-driven model for anisotropic permeability evolution of shale and coal incorporating creep deformation, anisotropic internal swelling/shrinkage, and gas rarefaction effects

2023

Conference Publication

Comparative Analysis of Sonic Velocities in Partially Saturated Rocks Containing H2, CH4, N2 and CO2

Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Hu, Jinghao, Zhang, Tiancheng and Chen, Zhongwei (2023). Comparative Analysis of Sonic Velocities in Partially Saturated Rocks Containing H2, CH4, N2 and CO2. Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Symposium APUR 2023, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 14–15 November 2023. Richardson, TX United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/217273-MS

Comparative Analysis of Sonic Velocities in Partially Saturated Rocks Containing H2, CH4, N2 and CO2

2023

Conference Publication

Impact of Surface Roughness and Liquid Salinity on Shale Wettability

Qian, Sijin, Zhu, Yiran, Shi, Zhang, Lu, Mingyuan, Shen, Luming, Li, Jimmy Xuekai and Chen, Zhongwei (2023). Impact of Surface Roughness and Liquid Salinity on Shale Wettability. Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Symposium APUR 2023, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 14–15 November 2023. Richardson, TX United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/217315-MS

Impact of Surface Roughness and Liquid Salinity on Shale Wettability

2023

Conference Publication

Characterization of Anisotropic Geomechanical Properties of Australian Bowen Basin Coals Through Nanoindentation and Upscaling Approaches

Shi, Zhang, Huang, Yixiao, Flottman, Thomas, Leonardi, Christopher, Lu, Mingyuan and Chen, Zhongwei (2023). Characterization of Anisotropic Geomechanical Properties of Australian Bowen Basin Coals Through Nanoindentation and Upscaling Approaches. Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Symposium APUR 2023, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 14–15 November 2023. Richardson, TX United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/217274-MS

Characterization of Anisotropic Geomechanical Properties of Australian Bowen Basin Coals Through Nanoindentation and Upscaling Approaches

2023

Conference Publication

A New coupled approach to simulating fault reactivation during CO2 sequestration

Saber, Erfan, Qu, Qingdong, Aminossadati, Saiied M., Li, Jimmy and Chen, Zhongwei (2023). A New coupled approach to simulating fault reactivation during CO2 sequestration. Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 14-15 November 2023. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: SPE. doi: 10.2118/217287-ms

A New coupled approach to simulating fault reactivation during CO2 sequestration

2023

Journal Article

Experimental investigation on pore-fracture variations in coal affected by carbon disulfide

Zheng, Chunshan, Li, Xing, Li, He, Jiang, Bingyou and Chen, Zhongwei (2023). Experimental investigation on pore-fracture variations in coal affected by carbon disulfide. ACS Omega, 8 (41), 38426-38440. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.3c05203

Experimental investigation on pore-fracture variations in coal affected by carbon disulfide

2023

Journal Article

Propagation of multiple hydraulic fractures in a transversely isotropic shale formation

Saber, Erfan, Qu, Qingdong, Sarmadivaleh, Mohammad, Aminossadati, Saiied M. and Chen, Zhongwei (2023). Propagation of multiple hydraulic fractures in a transversely isotropic shale formation. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 170 105510, 105510. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2023.105510

Propagation of multiple hydraulic fractures in a transversely isotropic shale formation

2023

Conference Publication

Understanding the impact of floor disruption blasting on low wall slope stability

Zhu, Y., Chen, Z., Onederra, I. and Chacon, F. (2023). Understanding the impact of floor disruption blasting on low wall slope stability. 12th EFEE World Conference on Explosives and Blasting, Dublin, Ireland, 10-12 September 2023. Wien, Austria: European Federation of Explosives Engineers.

Understanding the impact of floor disruption blasting on low wall slope stability

2023

Journal Article

Experimental and modeling investigation of dual-source iron release in water–solid–gas interaction of abandoned coal mine drainage

Zhou, Lai, Ye, Tao, Zheng, Shuangshuang, Zhu, Xueqiang, Chen, Zhongwei and Wu, Yu (2023). Experimental and modeling investigation of dual-source iron release in water–solid–gas interaction of abandoned coal mine drainage. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 45 (11), 1-17. doi: 10.1007/s10653-023-01731-4

Experimental and modeling investigation of dual-source iron release in water–solid–gas interaction of abandoned coal mine drainage

2023

Conference Publication

Predicting weathered rock properties using integrated geophysics and laboratory testing approach

Shi, Z., Flottmann, T., Millen, M., Pidgeon, B., Huang, Y. and Chen, Z. (2023). Predicting weathered rock properties using integrated geophysics and laboratory testing approach. 57th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, Atlanta, GA United States, 25–28 June 2023. Alexandria, VA United States: American Rock Mechanics Association. doi: 10.56952/ARMA-2023-0647

Predicting weathered rock properties using integrated geophysics and laboratory testing approach

2023

Journal Article

Automatic coal mine roof rating calculation using machine learning

Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Tsang, Matt, Zhong, Ruizhi, Esterle, Joan, Pirona, Claire, Rajabi, Mojtaba and Chen, Zhongwei (2023). Automatic coal mine roof rating calculation using machine learning. International Journal of Coal Geology, 274 104292, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2023.104292

Automatic coal mine roof rating calculation using machine learning

2023

Journal Article

Experimental investigation on pores and permeability variation characteristics of coal treated by chemical solvents

Zheng, Chunshan, Liao, Feng, Xue, Sheng, Jiang, Bingyou, Gong, Xuanping, Han, Baiqing and Chen, Zhongwei (2023). Experimental investigation on pores and permeability variation characteristics of coal treated by chemical solvents. Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 223 211514, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.geoen.2023.211514

Experimental investigation on pores and permeability variation characteristics of coal treated by chemical solvents

2023

Conference Publication

Biaxial Loading of Brazilian Disc Samples

Serati, M., Mottaghi, R., Williams, D. J. and Chen, Z. (2023). Biaxial Loading of Brazilian Disc Samples. Rock and Fracture Mechanics in Rock Engineering and Mining, Helsinki, Finland, 11-15 September 2022. Bristol, United Kingdom: Institute of Physics. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1124/1/012017

Biaxial Loading of Brazilian Disc Samples

2022

Journal Article

Effects of chemical solvents on coal pore structural and fractal characteristics: an experimental investigation

Zheng, Chunshan, Liu, Shuaili, Xue, Sheng, Jiang, Bingyou and Chen, Zhongwei (2022). Effects of chemical solvents on coal pore structural and fractal characteristics: an experimental investigation. Fuel, 327 125246, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2022.125246

Effects of chemical solvents on coal pore structural and fractal characteristics: an experimental investigation

2022

Conference Publication

Horizontal coal seam gas well orientation optimization: the impact of stress regime

Saber, Erfan, Qu, Qingdong, Aminossadati, Saiied M. and Chen, Zhongwei (2022). Horizontal coal seam gas well orientation optimization: the impact of stress regime. SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 17-19 October 2022. Houston, TX, United States: The Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/210647-ms

Horizontal coal seam gas well orientation optimization: the impact of stress regime

2022

Journal Article

Dewatering optimization of coal seam gas production wells: a review and future perspectives

Zhu, Yiran, Shi, Zhang, Zuo, Shengjie, Qu, Qingdong, Yan, Xinlu, Kuznetsov, Dan, Nehring, Micah and Chen, Zhongwei (2022). Dewatering optimization of coal seam gas production wells: a review and future perspectives. Energy and Fuels, 36 (17), 9785-9820. doi: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.2c01575

Dewatering optimization of coal seam gas production wells: a review and future perspectives

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Impact of Dewatering and Reservoir Pressure on Coal Triaxial Strength
    Origin Energy Upstream Operator
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Evaluating Mechanical Properties of Thin Spray-on Liners Through Laboratory Testing
    Normet Asia Pacific Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Leading Practice in Hard Rock Preconditioning
    Technological Resources Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Project C35022 Quantifying the Hoek-Brown Disturbance factor for coal measures through an integrated laboratory and numerical modelling approach
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Effects of Rock Weathering on Life-of-mine Roadway Stability
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Horizontal Coal Seam Gas Well Drilling Optimisation: The Role of Coal Mechanical Properties
    Santos Limited
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024
    Value-adding Approach for Resource Recovery from Boree Salt
    Origin Energy Future Fuels Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Impact of Depletion, Moisture Content and Fracture Network Distribution on Coal Strength
    Origin Energy Upstream Operator
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Understanding Grout Durability in an Elevated Temperature and Low pH Environment
    Lihir Gold Limited
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Geomechanical modelling of CO2 geological storage
    SEALENERGY
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Advanced Blast Modelling and Geotechnical Analysis Tools
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2022
    Determination and Classification of Bedrock Weathering
    Origin Energy Upstream Operator
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Quantifying the Variation of Rock UCS and Triaxial Shear Strength with Lithology
    Origin Energy Upstream Operator
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Quantification and Qualification of the Mechanical Properties of Thin Spray-on Liners Through Laboratory (Small) Scale Testing
    NewCrest Mining Limited
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Predicting Roof Displacement in Underground Coal Mining Operations using Machine Learning
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Reducing the Subjectivity of CMRR Calculation Using Machine Learning
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    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 - 2021
    True triaxial testing of thermally damaged rocks
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Multiscale modelling of multiphase interactions in shale gas reservoirs (ARC Discovery Project administered by University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Quantifying the influence of anisotropy on the mechanical properties of depleted coals
    Origin Energy Upstream Operator
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Selective wellbore coatings to control fines damage in coal seam gas wells
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Establishing the in situ rock bolt behaviour underground in order to model and design improved rock bolt support systems.
    CMTE Development Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Optimisation of Devatering Rates to Maximise CSG Production
    Arrow Energy Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Development of Rock Properties (RP) using existing field data and real-time drilling data
    Santos Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Rock Characteristics for Underground Hard Rock Mines in Australia and Asia Pacific
    Caterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Understanding flow in tight gas reservoirs using lab-on-a-chip method
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2022
    Surface movement and shallow processes
    QGC Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Optimization of cemented paste backfill (CPB) using various fly ash additives to reduce CPB cost
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Optimization of cemented paste backfill (CPB) using various fly ash additives to reduce CPB cost.
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2016
    A new model for calculating the Critical Stress-Intensity Factor (CSIF) for fracturing using gases
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Gas transport in tight coal matrix
    QGC Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Mudstones as methane sources: gas production from coal seam interburden
    ARC Discovery Projects
    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
  • 2014
    True triaxial cell for advanced testing of porous media
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen is:
Available for supervision

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

Available projects

  • Impact of CO2 geosequestration on surface movement

  • Assessing Stability of Cleated Coal Seam Gas Wells- An Integrated Experimental and Numerical Modelling Approach

  • Energy Storage in Depleted Gas Reservoirs

  • Assessing the impact of underground hydrogen storage on surface movement and fault reactivation risk

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Modeling of the fault slippage mechanisms during gas extraction

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati

  • Master Philosophy

    Understanding the mechanism of instability in underground longwall mines using microseismic monitoring

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Micah Nehring

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Impact of CO2-water wettability on CO2 migration and long-term fate in deep saline aquifers

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Impact of Weathering on the Long-term Stability of Abandoned Mine Slopes

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Longbin Huang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding Rock-Fluids Interaction in Shale Gas Reservoirs

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Mingyuan Lu

  • Master Philosophy

    Influence of the nitrate type on the critical diameter of emulsion explosives

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Italo Onederra

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Rock mass preconditioning methodology for block caving based on Petroleum state of the art methods

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ray Johnson, Professor Peter Knights

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Reservoir properties of the Toolebuc Formation, Eromanga Basin, Australia

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Joan Esterle, Emeritus Professor Sue Golding

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Use of Thin Spray Liners in Underground Coal Mines: Mechanism, Testing and Design Methodology Development

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Christopher Leonardi, Professor Ray Johnson

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Thermo-mechanical Damage Behaviour in Hydraulic Fracturing of Brittle Rocks Under Polyaxial Stresses

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Mehdi Serati

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Quantifying the impact of both stress and gas loading on preconditioning by confined blasting

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Italo Onederra

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating the Crack Growth and Failure Mechanisms in Sprayed Concrete (Shotcrete) under Cyclic Loading

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor David Williams, Dr Mehdi Serati

Completed supervision

Media

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