Associate Professor Chengguo Zhang

Fields of Research (FoR)

Mining Engineering, Numerical Analysis, Geomechanics and Resources Geotechnical Engineering, Virtual Reality and Related Simulation

Biography

A/Prof Chengguo Zhang received his Ph.D. in Mining Engineering from UNSW Sydney in 2015, and B.E. in Mining Engineering from China University of Mining and Technology in 2010. He works in the discipline of mining engineering, particularly in mine geomechanics research, aiming to improve safety and sustainability in mines by conducting fundamental and applied research. Specifically, his research interest focuses on the critical areas in the mining industry, such as dynamic rock mass failures, the interaction of mining and groundwater, and data-driven visualisation. His recent research focuses on integrating data analysis and visualisation technologies into the assessment of rock mass behaviour and management of geotechnical risks in deep mining environments. His research leads to novel and unique solutions that previously have limited understanding and directly applies and translates to industry practices. A/Prof Zhang is currently the Postgraduate Research Coordinator of the School.

My Grants

Zhang, C., Canbulat, I., Munsamy, L. Developing a digital ground control management plan – Phase 2, 2023-2025, $350,000

Zhang, C., Huang, C. Development of a specific Haulage Techno-Economic modelling and assessment tool for the Containerveyor technology, 2023-2024, $100,000

Zhang, C., Canbulat, I., Liang, R. Development of Hologram graphic-based integrated visualisation system for underground mines, 2024-2026, $400,000

Zhang, C., Yao, L., Emery, J. Canbulat, I. Risk Based Model for Forecasting Longwall Face Cavity Development, ACARP, 2022-2024, $173,200

Zhang, C., Canbulat, I., Munsamy, L. Developing a digital ground control management plan – Phase 1, 2020-2023, $400,000

Zhang, C., Canbulat, I, Si, G. Ground control behaviour evaluation and its optimisation in varying geotechnical environments, 2021, $100,000

Saydam, S, Zhang, C., Oh, JM; Lamei Ramandi, H. Developing high-capacity dynamic rock reinforcement for underground mines, CRCP, 2022-2025, $4.4M

Guan Yeoh, Zhang, C., et al. ARC Research Hub for Fire Resilience Infrastructure, Assets and Safety Advancements (FRIASA) in Urban, Resources, Energy and Renewables Sectors, 2022-2026, $5M

Ladouceur, F; Silvestri, L; Zhang, C.; Chen, Y Towards better, safer mines – Optical technologies for software defined instrumentation, ACARP, 2019-2023, $704,974

Canbulat, I, Zoorabadi, M, Zhang, C., Watson, JO. Energy, burst mechanics required for coal bursts and energy release mechanisms, ACARP, 2017-2020, $357,500

Oh, JM; Lamei Ramandi, H; Saydam, S; Canbulat, I; Zhang, C. Effectiveness of Shotcrete in Underground Coal Mines, ACARP, 2020-2022, $185,000

Mostaghimi, P; Amirian, T; Armstrong, RT; Canbulat, I; Jing, Y; Si, G; Zhang, C. Direct Measurements of Effective Diffusion Coefficient of Coal, ACARP, 2020-2022, $175,000

My Awards

The Tim Shaw Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (Society of Mining Professors) – 2024

International Outstanding Young Scholar Award (International Committee for Mine Safety Science & Engineering) – 2023

UNSW Faculty of Engineering Education Excellence & Innovation Award – 2021

UNSW Faculty of Engineering Research Excellence Award – 2018

My Research Activities

Quantification of energy sources and dissipation within rock mass for various mining conditions and ground control requirements for rock burst management

Integrating AI data analytics and 3D visualisation technologies into the assessment of rock mass behaviour and management of geotechnical risks

Mine subsidence and interaction with groundwater

Coupled hydro-mechanical behaviour of rock discontinuities

See our Research Impact Story of visualising the future of mining here: https://www.unsw.edu.au/engineering/research-technology/is/visualising-the-future-of-mining

My Research Supervision

Supervision keywords

Areas of supervision

I supervise research in the field of mine geomechanics, with a particular focus on the integration of numerical modelling, data-driven visualisation, and machine learning applications in mining engineering. My research group explores the behaviour of rock masses in complex underground environments, aiming to improve safety, efficiency, and predictive capabilities in mine design and operation.

I welcome expressions of interest from prospective HDR students who are passionate about advancing computational methods and innovative technologies in mining.

Currently supervising

I am currently supervising 12 PhD students (9 as primary/joint supervisor).

I have 11 PhD completions (7 as primary/joint supervisor), and 3 of them (as primary/joint supervisor) were awarded the Dean’s Award for Outstanding PhD Theses.