Summary
I am a Research Associate in the Rock Mechanics group, where I develop new numerical approaches for understanding fractures in the subsurface.
I am currently funded as part of the group's Rock Mechanics Computation for Mining (ROMCOM) project.
My PhD with the Rock Mechanics group developed our capability to model the growth of fractures in rock to improve our understanding of deep networks. This is part of work package 1 of the HydroFrame project. I have worked as a post doctoral research associate on an International Centre for Advanced Materials (ICAM) project, researching hydraulic fracturing of soft sands.
Publications
Journals
Paluszny A, Thomas RN, Saceanu MC, et al., 2020, Hydro-mechanical interaction effects and channelling in three-dimensional fracture networks undergoing growth and nucleation, Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Vol:12, ISSN:1674-7755, Pages:707-719
Thomas RN, Paluszny A, Zimmerman RW, 2020, Permeability of three‐dimensional numerically grown geomechanical discrete fracture networks with evolving geometry and mechanical apertures, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Vol:125, ISSN:2169-9313
Thomas R, Paluszny A, Zimmerman RW, 2020, Growth of three-dimensional fractures, arrays, and networks in brittle rocks under tension and compression, Computers and Geotechnics, Vol:121, ISSN:0266-352X
Conference
Burtonshaw J, Thomas R, Paluszny A, et al., Effect of Viscosity and Injection Rate on the Tensile and Shear Deformation Experienced By Interacting Hydraulic and Natural Fractures, 55th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium - American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA)
Almulhim OA, Paluszny A, Thomas RN, et al., 2019, Fully-coupled three-dimensional finite element simulations of the interaction between a hydraulic fracture and a pre-existing natural fracture