Mr Alex (Abolfazl) Hashemi

My Expertise

In-situ stress measurement in hard rocks
Rock mechanics and mechanical testing
Geomechanical laboratory experiment coordination
Elasticity and stress–strain analysis
Reservoir geomechanics
Coal seam gas and well integrity

Keywords

underground geomechanics

porous media

cement

SEO tags

Mining and extraction

Oil and Gas Extraction

Biography

Abolfazl Hashemi joined the School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering at UNSW as an Associate Lecturer in 2023. He completed his PhD between 2019 and 2023 at the University of Adelaide, where he worked on a multidisciplinary project investigating the breakage of authigenic particles in porous media under fluid drag forces. His doctoral research culminated in the development of a new analytical solution to the Timoshenko Beam...view more

Before pursuing his PhD, Abolfazl spent approximately 12 years working in the industry. He earned his Master’s degree (2003–2005) from TU Delft in the Netherlands, where he gained extensive knowledge in geology and geoscience. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Hydrocarbon Exploitation) from Iran.

At UNSW, Abolfazl teaches courses such as Fundamental of Mining Engineering, Minerals Energy Resources, and Transient Flow Analysis.

My Grants

2025-2026, Investigating Cement Strength, $35,000
2023-2025, iStress, $30,000

My Qualifications

PhD in Petroleum Engineering, 2019–2023
University of Adelaide
Thesis: Advanced Theory for Colloidal Detachment of Detrital and Authigenic Fines in Rocks
Supervisor: Pavel Bedrikovetsky

Master of Science, 2003–2005
Delft University of Technology
Thesis supervised by Cor van Kruijsdijk

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Hydrocarbon Exploitation), 1998–2002

My Awards

Dean’s Commendation for Excellence, University of Adelaide – Awarded in recognition of outstanding doctoral performance.
Master’s Degree with Honours, Delft University of Technology

My Research Activities

Core-based estimation of in-situ stresses using Diametrical Core Deformation Analysis (DCDA) integrated with Acoustic Emission (AE) monitoring techniques.
Design and development of DilaStress, a novel downhole tool for in-situ stress measurement in subsurface formations.
Laboratory-based rock mechanics testing, including UCS, Triaxial, Shear, Brazilian, and nano-indentation.
Investigation of temperature–strength correlations in shotcrete materials for underground support applications.
Application of nanoparticle-based solutions to enhance clay stabilization in Coal Bed Methane (CBM) production wells.
Evaluation of sand particle injection techniques to mitigate permeability damage following well workover operations.
Construction and calibration of geological and geomechanical models for subsurface characterization.

My Research Supervision

Areas of supervision

Finite element modelling of diametrical core deformation following three-dimensional stress relief using ABAQUS.
Numerical modelling and stability assessment of bulkhead structures across varying geometrical configurations.
Development of a novel method for detaching hardened cement from steel bunkers in industrial applications.
Investigation of mitigation strategies for workover-induced permeability damage in coal seam gas reservoirs.

My Engagement

Collaborative research with mining industry partners for in-situ stress estimation in hard rocks
Collaborative research with gas industry partners for mitigating clay particle production using nano-particle solution
Development of applied technologies including a novel in-situ stress measurement tool (DilaStress) for field application purpose
Active engagement with the International Geomechanics Society (IGS), including membership on technical committees and annual presentation of research papers.
Peer-reviewers for journals