Jinci Chen

Project Title

From geo-resources to energy storage: how do underground lithologies respond to thermo-mechanical coupling?

Project Abstract

Jinci’s research focuses on experimental rock mechanics and computational modelling. His work aims to understand how porous sandstone deforms and fractures under cyclic thermo-mechanical coupling. He combines laboratory testing with discrete element method (DEM) simulations to study fracture processes. Numerical results are validated against both destructive mechanical tests and non-destructive micro-CT observations, enabling a comparison between macroscopic mechanical behaviour and microstructural damage. This research is expected to improve understanding of sandstone response in conditions relevant to subsurface geo-resource utilisation and energy storage applications.