Dr Zhongwei Chen

Senior Lecturer

School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering
Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology
zhongwei.chen@uq.edu.au
+61 7 336 53742

Overview

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

  1. The mining geomechanics for underground mining applications, coal mining in particular. It covers roadway support design stability analysis, pillar design, strata movement and surface subsidence
  2. The reservoir geomechanics, targeting at key technical challenges associated with unconventional gas recovery. It includes borehole stability, permeability evolution, coal and shale petrophysical properties characterisation, fluid flow in fractured porous media, carbon geological sequestration, and the coupled computational modelling etc, and
  3. Machine Learning Applications in Geo-research: Explore the diverse applications of machine learning and deep learning algorithms in geomaterial strength analysis, geotechnical characterization, 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)
  2. Mine Geotechnical Engineering (MINE4120)
  3. Coal Mine Strata Control (MINE4128)

Manager of Resources Geomechanics Lab, focussing on:

  1. A suite of rock mechanics testing (NATA Accreditation Number: 21126)
  2. Rock dynamic responses to different stress conditions using non-destructive methods (Acoustic Emission and Ultrasonic Detection, e.g., P-wave and S-wave)
  3. Characterization of water-gas two-phase flow in fractured porous media under high-stress environment (up to 10,000 psi)
  4. Characterization of two-phase flow using microfluidics technique
  5. Quantifying the evolution of the absolution and relative permeability of unconventional reservoirs (e.g., coals, shales, and tight sandstones) to gas adsorption as well as the changes of contact angle with varying reservoir pressure
  6. Coupled geomechanical-hydraulic multiscale flow simulation: from nanopores to reservoir scale

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, WA

Publications

View all Publications

Supervision

View all Supervision

Available Projects

View all Available Projects

Publications

Book Chapter

  • Wei, M. Y., Chen, Z. W., Liu, J. S., Cui, G. L., Tan, Y. L. and Zhang, S. W. (2017). Multiphysics of coal-gas interactions. Rock mechanics and engineering, Volume 3: analysis, modeling and design. (pp. 483-512) edited by Xia-Ting Feng. London, United Kingdom: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/b20402

  • Wei, M. Y. , Chen, Z. W. , Liu, J. S. , Cui, G. L. , Tan, Y. L. and Zhang, S. W. (2017). Multiphysics of coal-gas interactions. Analysis, modeling and design. (pp. 481-512) Amsterdam, The Netherlands: CRC Press.

  • Chen, Zhongwei, Bai, Tianhang and Pan, Zhejun (2016). Coal reservoir characterization. Coal production and processing technology. (pp. 79-100) edited by M. R. Riazi and Rajender Gupta. Boca Raton, FL, United States: CRC Press (Taylor and Francis). doi: 10.1201/b19352-6

  • Qu, H, Liu, J.S, Zhongwei Chen, Connell, Pan and Connell, L. (2011). A fully coupled gas flow, coal deformation and thermal transport model for the injection of carbon dioxide into coal seams. CO2 storage in carboniferous formations and abandoned coal mines. (pp. 69-93) edited by Manchao He, Luis Ribeiro e Sousa, Derek Elsworth and Eurípedes Vargas. Leiden, The Netherlands: CRC Press/Balkema.

Journal Article

Conference Publication

  • 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

  • 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

  • Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Tsang, Matt, Giese, Stephen, Zhong, Ruizhi, Esterle, Joan, Pirona, Claire, Rajabi, Mojtaba and Chen, Zhongwei (2022). UCS prediction by group-based machine learning method. Resource Operators Conference, Virtual, 10-11 February 2022. Wollongong, NSW, Australia: University of Wollongong and University of Southern Queensland.

  • Mondal, Sanjib, Qian, Sijin, Nehring, Micah and Chen, Zhongwei (2021). Determining the correlation between Vicker's microhardness and Young's modulus of coal. SPE/AAPG/SEG Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Virtual, 16–18 November, 2021. Tulsa, OK, United States: Unconventional Resources Technology Conference. doi: 10.15530/ap-urtec-2021-208274

  • Leonardi, C. R., Zhong, R., Mitchell, T. R., Chen, Z., Johnson, R. L., O'Hagan, D. and Flottmann, T. (2021). Analytical and numerical assessment of the influence of bulk coal strength on drilling operations in unconventional coal seam gas wells. 55th US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, Houston, TX USA, 20-23 June 2021. Alexandria, VA USA: American Rock Mechanics Association.

  • Purser, Robert , El-Amin Mohmoud, Mutaz, Serati, Mehdi and Chen, Zhongwei (2021). Determining rock elastic parameters using a new true-triaxial-based technique. ROC2021, Brisbane, Australia, 11–12 February 2021. Wollongong, Australia: University of Wollongong/University of Southern Queensland.

  • Zhong, Ruizhi, Tsang, Matt, Makusha, Gift, Yang, Ben and Chen, Zhongwei (2021). Improving estimation of rock mechanical properties using machine learning. Resource Operators Conference, Virtual, 11-12 February 2021. Wollongong, Australia: University of Wollongong/University of Southern Queensland.

  • Morton, Claire, Chen, Zhongwei and Kizil, Mehmet S. (2021). Thin spray-on liners: a historical overview and their future potential as support in underground coal mines. 2021 Resource Operators Conference, Toowoomba, QLD Australia, Feb 2021. Wollongong, NSW Australia: Wollongong, NSW Australia.

  • Huang, Yixiao, Shi, Zhang, Flottmann, Thomas, Kuznetsov, Dan, Rudolph, Victor, Leonardi, Christopher and Chen, Zhongwei (2021). Experimental Study of Coal Directional Sorption-Induced Strain Under Different Temperatures. SPE/AAPG/SEG Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Online, 16–18 November 2021. Tulsa, OK United States: Unconventional Resources Technology Conference. doi: 10.15530/ap-urtec-2021-208345

  • Zhu, Yiran, Shi, Zhang, Xing, Huilin, Gao, Shuai and Chen, Zhongwei (2021). Quantifying capillary trapping on ultimate coal seam gas recovery: a laboratory study. SPE/AAPG/SEG Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Virtual, 16-18 November 2021. Tulsa, OK, United States: Unconventional Resources Technology Conference. doi: 10.15530/ap-urtec-2021-208336

  • Shi, Zhang, Huang, Yixiao, Zhu, Yiran, Gan, Yixiang and Chen, Zhongwei (2021). Stress-dependent two-phase flow in coal cleats. SPE/AAPG/SEG Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Technology Conference,, Virtual, 16-18 November 2021. Tulsa, OK, United States: Unconventional Resources Technology Conference. doi: 10.15530/ap-urtec-2021-208331

  • Zhong, Ruizhi, Johnson Jr, Ray L. and Chen, Zhongwei (2021). Using machine learning for geosteering during in-seam drilling. SPE/AAPG/SEG Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Virtual, 16–18 November, 2021. Tulsa, OK, United States: Unconventional Resources Technology Conference. doi: 10.15530/ap-urtec-2021-208298

  • Chen, Zhongwei, Serati, Mehdi and Mohmoud, Mutaz El-Amin (2020). Determining coal directional mechanical properties using true triaxial testing facility. Coal Operators’ Conference 2020, University of Wollongong, 12-14 February 2020. Wollongong, NSW Australia: University of Wollongong.

  • Salehi, Cyrus, Zhong, Ruizhi, Ganpule, Sameer, Dewar, Steven, Johnson, Raymond and Chen, Zhongwei (2020). Estimating Coal Permeability Using Machine Learning Methods. SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition, Online, 17-19 November 2020. Richardson, TX United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/202271-ms

  • Raza, Syed Shabbar, Rudolph, Victor, Rufford, Tom and Chen, Zhongwei (2019). A stochastic anisotropic coal permeability model using mercury intrusion porosimetry, MIP and stress-strain measurements. SPE/AAPG/SEG Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 18-19 November 2019. Tulsa, OK, United States: Unconventional Resources Technology Conference. doi: 10.15530/ap-urtec-2019-198260

  • Chawarwan, Khan, Dan, Kuznetsov, Thomas Rufford, Victor, Rudolph and Zhongwei, Chen (2019). Optimisation of dewatering rates to maximise coal seam gas production. SPE/AAPG/SEG Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 18-19 November 2019. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Unconventional Resources Technology Conference. doi: 10.15530/AP-URTEC-2019-198210

  • Zhong, Ruizhi, Johnson Jr., Raymond L. and Chen, Zhongwei (2019). Using machine learning methods to identify coals from drilling and logging-while-drilling LWD data. SPE/AAPG/SEG Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 18-19 November 2019. Tulsa, OK, United States: Unconventional Resources Technology Conference. doi: 10.15530/ap-urtec-2019-198288

  • Yang, Ben, Aminossadati, Saiied M., Chen, Zhongwei, Kizil, Mehmet S., Gong, Hongkui and Kennedy, Gareth (2018). Experimental investigation of slope tension crack monitoring using fibre optic sensing. XIV Congress International de Energia y Resources Minerales, Seville, Spain, 10-13 April 2018. Seville, Spain: Bco Congresos.

  • Zhiyong, Zhou, Kizil, Mehmet, Zhongwei, Chen and Jianhong, Chen (2018). Selecting the best development face ventilation scheme using G1-coefficient of variation method. 11th International Mine Ventilation Congress, Xi’an China, September 14-20, 2018 . Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-13-1420-9_9

  • Gong, Hongkui, Kizil, Mehmet S., Chen, Zhongwei and Aminossadati, Saiied M. (2017). Validation of bare FBG sensors in monitoring compressive rock mass deformation. 2nd International Conference of Fibre-optic and Photonic Sensors for Industrial and Safety Applications, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 8 - 10 January 2017. Piscataway, NJ United States: Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers. doi: 10.1109/OFSIS.2017.20

  • Bai, Tianhang, Chen, Zhongwei, Aminossadati, Saiied M. and Rufford, Thomas (2017). Experimental study of impact of dewatering induced coal fines on coal permeability. 6th Biot Conference on Poromechanics, Paris, France, 9-13 July 2017. Reston, VA, United States: American Society of Civil Engineers. doi: 10.1061/9780784480779.141

  • Yang, Ben, Aminossadati, Saiied M., Zhongwei, Chen and Kizil, Mehmet S. (2017). Fibre optic sensing based slope tension crack monitoring system for surface mines. 2nd International Conference on Fibre-Optic and Photonic Sensors for Industrial and Safety Applications, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 8 - 10 January 2017. Piscataway, NJ United States: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. doi: 10.1109/OFSIS.2017.21

  • Chunshan Zheng, Kizil, Mehmet S., Zhongwei Chen and Aminossadati, Saiied M. (2016). Effects of coal damage on permeability and gas drainage performance. The 9th International Symposium on Green Mining, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 27-30 Nov 2016.

  • Danesh, Nima Noraei, Chen, Zhongwei, Pan, Zhejun, Connell, Luke, Aminossadati, Saiied, Bai, Tianhang and Kizil, Mehmet (2016). Experimental study of impact of creep on coal permeability. 50th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium, Houston, TX, United States, 26-29 June 2016. Alexandria, VA, United States: American Rock Mechanics Association.

  • Bai, Tianhang, Chen, Zhongwei, Aminossadati, Saiied M., Danesh, Nima, Pan, Zhejun, Liu, Jishan and Li, Ling (2016). Impact of flow regimes on coal fines generation during coal seam gas production process. 50th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium, Houston, TX, United States, 26-29 June 2016. Alexandria, VA, United States: American Rock Mechanics Association.

  • Tian, Chengyu, Pan, Zhejun, Chen, Zhongwei, Connell, Luke D. and Zhang, Xi (2016). Modelling of supercritical gas hydraulic fracturing: Using the PKN model as an example. International Conference on Geomechanics, Geo-energy and Geo-resources, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, 28-29 September 2016. IC3G.

  • Azadi, Mohsen, Aminossadati, Saiied Mostafa and Chen, Zhongwei (2016). Numerical simulation of integrated reservoir-borehole flow for pre-mining drainage. 2016 Coal Operators' Conference, Wollongong, Australia, 10-12 Feb 2016. Wollongong, Australia: The University of Wollongong Printery.

  • Chen, Zhongwei, Bai, Tianhang and Aminossadati, Saiied M. (2015). Characterization of coal fines generation: importance of flow condition. 7th International Conference on Mining Science and Technology, Xuzhou, China, April 26-29, 2015.

  • Danesh, N. N., Chen, Z., Aminossadati, S. M., Kizil, M., Pan, Z. and Connell, L. D. (2015). Creep, a neglected phenomenon in coal permeability evolution and coalbed methane production. SPE Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Conference and Exhibition, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 9-11 November 2015. Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/176980-MS

  • Bai, Tianhang, Chen, Zhongwei, Aminossadati, Saiied M., Pan, Zhejun and Liu, Jishan (2015). Prediction of mobility and settlement position of coal fines during dewatering. China Shale Gas 2015, Wuhan, China, 6-8 September 2015.

  • Peng, Yan, Liu, Jishan, Pan, Zhejun, Connell, Luke and Chen, Zhongwei (2014). A fully coupled model for caprock sealing efficiency. 48th US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, Minneapolis, Minn, United States, 1-4 June 2014. Alexandria, VA, United States: American Rock Mechanics Association.

  • Chen, Zhongwei, Liu, Jishan, Kabir, Akim, Wang, Jianguo and Pan, Zhejun (2013). Impact of various parameters on the production of coalbed methane. SPE Canadian Unconventional Resources Conference, Calgary Canada, Oct 30-Nov 01, 2012. Richardson, TX, United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/162722-PA

  • Chen, Zhongwei, Liu, J., Wang, D. E. S and Wu, Y. (2013). Evolution of coal permeability under unconstrained swelling: contribution of matrix-fracture interaction. ARMA 2013: 47th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium 2013, San Francisco, CA, USA, 23-26 June, 2013. New York, NY, U.S.A.: Curran Associates.

  • Zhou, Lai, Feng, Qiyan, Chen, Zhongwei and Liu, Jishan (2011). Modeling and upscaling of binary gas coal interactions in CO2 enhanced coalbed methane recovery. 2011 International Conference on Environmental Science and Engineering (ICESE 2011), Bali, Indonesia, 1 - 3 April 2011. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.proenv.2012.01.368

  • Zhou, Lai, Feng, Qiyan, Chen, Zhongwei and Liu, Jishan (2011). Sensitivity simulation and analysis of CO2 injection for enhanced coalbed methane recovery. 2nd International Conference on Multimedia Technology, ICMT 2011, Hangzhou, China, 26-28 July 2011. Piscataway, NJ United States: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. doi: 10.1109/ICMT.2011.6002796

  • Wang, Jian-guo , Liu, Jianxin , Liu, Jishan and Chen, Zhongwei (2010). Impact of rock microstructures on the supercritical CO2 enhanced gas recovery. International Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition in China, Beijing, China, 8-10 June 2010. Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/131759-ms

  • Liu, Jishan, Chen, Zhongwei and Qu, Hongyan (2010). Multiphysics of coal-gas interactions: the scientific foundation for CBM extraction. 2010 SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 18 - 20 October 2010. Richardson, TX, United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers.

  • Chen, Zhongwei , Liu, Jishan , Pan, Zhejun , Connell, Luke and Elsworth, Derek (2010). Relations between coal permeability and directional strains and their application to San Juan Basin. 44th U.S. Rock Mechanics Symposium and 5th U.S.-Canada Rock Mechanics Symposium, Salt Lake City, UT, United States, 27-30 June 2010.

  • Wu, Yu, Liu, Jishan, Chen, Zhongwei, Elsworth, Derek, Connell, Luke and Pan, Zhejun (2009). Dual poroelastic response of coal seam to CO2 injection. 43rd U.S. Rock Mechanics Symposium and 4th U.S.-Canada Rock Mechanics Symposium, , , June 28, 2009-July 1, 2009.

  • Wu, Yu , Liu, Jishan , Chen, Zhongwei , Connell, Luke and Pan, Zhejun (2009). Dual poroelastic response of coal seam to CO2 injection. 43rd U.S. Rock Mechanics Symposium & 4th U.S. - Canada Rock Mechanics Symposium, Asheville, NC, United States, 28 June-1 July 2009.

  • Chen, Zhongwei, Liu, Jishan, Elsworth, Derek, Connell, Luke and Pan, Zhejun (2009). Investigation of CO2 injection induced coal-gas interactions. 43rd U.S. Rock Mechanics Symposium and 4th U.S.-Canada Rock Mechanics Symposium, Asheville, NC, United States, 28 June - 1 July 2009. Alexandria, VA, United States: American Rock Mechanics Association.

  • Chen, Zhongwei, Liu, Jishan, Connell, Luke, Pan, Zhejun and Lai, Zhou (2008). Impact of effective stress and CH4-CO2 counter-diffusion on CO2 enhanced coalbed methane recovery. 2008 SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Perth, WA, Australia, 20-22 October 2008.

Grants (Administered at UQ)

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Current Supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

  • Master Philosophy — Principal Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

    Other advisors:

Completed Supervision

Possible Research Projects

Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.