Bio:

I’m currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois. I received my B.S. in Road, Bridge and River-crossing Engineering from Chang’an University, China in 2020 and M.S. in Structural Engineering, Concentration in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) from UIUC in 2021.

My PhD work focuses on fracture mechanics using advanced numerical methods, with an emphasis on developing dynamic rupture and earthquake cycle simulation mechanisms, including the quantification of rock damage rheology, and Multiphysics coupling problem.

Internship Experience

[1] Geothermal Energy and Subsurface Systems Researcher | Idaho National Laboratory | 05/2024 -- 08/2024

I contribute to develop novel damage models in MOOSE ELK to characterize material failure due to pulse power stimulation, couple dynamic solid mechanics with porous flow, understanding energy balance and ways to enhance fracture energy during the process

[2] Advanced Scientific Computing Researcher | Idaho National Laboratory | 05/2023 -- 06/2023

I developed open-source dynamic rupture code MOOSE-FARMS https://github.com/chunhuizhao478/farms  for earthquake simulations utilizing MOOSE Framework platform.

Projects

[1] Utah Forge Project | Participants in Numerical Modeling Team | 08/2021 – Present

Development of novel computational tools using the MOOSE framework to quantify earthquake physics, off-fault damage, fluid injection-induced seismicity, and borehole breakout tests https://utahforge.com/ 

[2] QUAKEWORX Science Gateway | Main developer of science application | 01/2024 – Present

Developed the MOOSE-FARMS, DynamicCDBM application as a user-friendly tool, enabling seamless access and execution through the QUAKEWORX science gateway for earthquake simulations. https://quakeworx.org/ 

Publications

[1] Jin, W., Zhao, C., Pham, V. V., Yang, M., Egert, R., McLing, T., Moure, A., Nau-Hix, C., Fournier, A., & Villamor-Lora, R. A. (n.d.). ELK: A MOOSE framework based computational tool for modeling electric hydraulic fracturing In: Proceedings of the 59th US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium. American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA). Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA Submitted.

[2] Zhao, C., Mia, M. S., Elbanna, A., & Ben-Zion, Y. (2024). Dynamic rupture modeling in a complex fault zone with distributed and localized damage. Mechanics of Materials, 198, 105139.

[3] Abdelmeguid, M., Zhao, C., Yalcinkaya, E., Gazetas, G., Elbanna, A., & Rosakis, A. (2023). Dynamics of episodic supershear in the 2023 M7. 8 Kahramanmaraş/Pazarcik earthquake, revealed by near-field records and computational modeling. Communications Earth & Environment, 4(1), 456.

Presentations

[1] C Zhao, W Jin, Y Li, C Nau-Hix, Numerical Simulation of Pulse Power-Induced Fracturing in Saturated Rock Sample, AGU24

[2] C Zhao, AE Elbanna, Y Ben-Zion, Multiscale Dynamics of 3D Rupture Zones using a Continuum Damage Breakage Rheology, AGU24

[3] Amit Chourasia, Choonhan Youn, Fabio Silva, Bar Olsen, Chunhui Zhao, Jeena Yun, Napat Tainpakdipat, Philip J Maechling, Dave May, Ahmed E Elbanna, Alice-Agnes Gabriel, Yehuda Ben-Zion, Quakeworx: A New Science Gateway for Earthquake Simulation and Data Analysis, AGU24

[4] Ibrahim, A. A., Zhao, C., & Elbanna, A. E. (2024, 09). Fully Dynamic Rupture Modeling of Faults in Saturated porous media. Poster Presentation at 2024 SCEC Annual Meeting.

[5] Chourasia, A., Choonhan, Y., Silva, F., Oryan, B., Zhao, C., Yun, J., Tainpakdipat, N., Maechling, P. J., May, D. A., Elbanna, A. E., Gabriel, A., & Ben-Zion, Y. (2024, 09). Quakeworx: A New Science Gateway for Earthquake Simulation and Data Analysis. Poster Presentation at 2024 SCEC Annual Meeting.

[6] Zhao, C., Elbanna, A. E., & Ben-Zion, Y. (2024, 09). Multiscale Dynamics of 3D Rupture Zones using a Continuum Damage Breakage Rheology. Poster Presentation at 2024 SCEC Annual Meeting.

[7] Elbanna, A. E., Abdelmeguid, M., Mia, M., & Zhao, C. (2024, 09). On the Interplay Between Distributed Bulk Plasticity and Local Fault Slip in Evolving Fault Zone Complexity. Poster Presentation at 2024 SCEC Annual Meeting.

Teaching Experience

[1] CEE460 Steel Structure I | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | 09/2021 -- 12/2021; 09/2022 -- 12/2022