Staff Profile

Dr Chao Zhang joined the School of Engineering as a Research Associate in June 2025. Before this, he was a PhD student at Newcastle University and he received his PhD degree in Civil Engineering in 2025, where he focuses on multi-phase coupling (e.g., electro-mechanical) of particulate systems for the application of sanding on Railway Industry.

Dr Zhang holds an MSc in Geotechnical Engineering from Shandong University, where he specialised in the rock-breaking mechanism of roller cutter cutting sequences and the optimisation of TBM cutterhead layout.

Research Interests

Particle Characterisation and Modelling: Advanced Energy Storage Materials, Geomaterials

Discrete Element Method: Packing and Calendering Modelling of Battery Cathode and Anode, Railway Sanding, Asphalt Mixtures

Studying interfacial processes at particle-to-particle and particle-to-geometry contacts

Multi-scale computational modelling of granular materials

• Articles

  • Zhang C, Maramizonouz S, Yang C, Milledge D, Lewis R, Nadimi S. Electro-mechanical insights into the mixing of conductive and non-conductive sands at an interface. Powder Technology 2025, 458, 120991.
  • Zhang C, O'Shaughnessy C, Maramizonouz S, Angelidakis V, Nadimi S. Controlling fragment size distribution for modelling the breakage of multi-sphere particles. Particuology 2025, 98, 105-116.
  • Nadimi S, Angelidakis V, Maramizonouz S, Zhang C. Automated dynamic image analysis for particle size and shape classification in three dimensions. Powder Technology 2025, 458, 120973.
  • Zhang C, Maramizonouz S, Milledge D, Nadimi S. An Electro-Mechanical Contact Model for Particulate Systems. Powder Technology 2024, 440, 119759.
  • Zhang C, Nadimi S, Maramizonouz S, Milledge D, Lewis R. A Discrete Element Model of High-Pressure Torsion Test to Assess the Effect of Particle Characteristics in the Interface. ASME Journal of Tribology 2024, 146(8), 081501.
  • Wang N, Zhang C, Ma T, Nadimi S, Chen F, Ding X. Mechanical insights into the behavior of cement stabilized aggregates during compaction and failure using smart aggregate: Experiments and DEM simulations. Construction and Building Materials 2023, 399, 132504.
  • Wang N, Zhang C, Ma T, Chen F, Ding X. Cross-scale study of the evolution of interparticle contact behavior using smart aggregate. Measurement 2023, 219, 113266.