ME Seminar - Multiphysics modelling of fluid flow, mass transfer, and reactive transport in deformed porous media

Guest Speaker: Prof. ZHANG Lihai

Department of Infrastructure Engineering
The University of Melbourne

Lihai ZHANG is Professor of Infrastructure Protection & Management at The University of Melbourne. He is best known for his expertise in numerically modelling of fluid flow, mass transfer and reactive transport in deformed porous media as well as engineering reliability analysis. Prof. ZHANG received his Master of Engineering degree from the National University of Singapore. Following a successful ten-year career in industry, he obtained his PhD from the University of Melbourne in 2009. His research work focuses primarily on reliability-based life-cycle assessment of built infrastructure. Notably, his expertise in interdisciplinary research gives him a leading advantage and a unique perspective in solving complex problems in Biomedical Engineering, particularly in Orthopaedic Biomechanics & Mechano-Biology. Prof. ZHANG is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University.

Prof. ZHANG has published two books, 14 book chapters, two special issues as the Chief Guest Editor, and over SCI 240 journal articles. He has been awarded more than 30 national and international competitive grants and research contracts, with over 90% being industry related (Lead CI in 20 of them). He was awarded the International Computational Award, and the Outstanding Engineering Reliability Award at leading international conferences. Currently, Prof. ZHANG is an Editorial Board Member of Engineering Structures and the International Journal of Applied Mechanics. He is also a Fellow and Chartered Professional Engineer of Engineers Australia. Prof. ZHANG has successfully supervised around 30 PhD students to completion.

Many construction materials (e.g., concrete and composite) and biological issues (e.g., cartilage bone) are porous media in nature. In civil engineering, modelling porous media is critical for understanding material degradation processes such as corrosion, impact resistance and optimizing fire protection systems. In biomedical engineering, these models are applied to biological tissues, where the porous nature of cartilage and bone underpins their mechanical performance and healing dynamics. This presentation delves into advanced multiphysics modelling techniques for simulating fluid flow, mass transfer, and reactive transport within deformed porous media, offering insights across both disciplines. Recent advances in this research will be highlighted, demonstrating how our work can contribute to more resilient infrastructure and the development of bioinspired materials, ultimately supporting a sustainable future.