Staff profile

Dr Zahur Ullah is an Associate Professor of Computational Mechanics in the Department of Engineering at Durham University, UK. With an academic and professional background spanning both industry and academia, his expertise lies in advanced computational modelling, particularly in the areas of solid mechanics and Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites.

He graduated from UET Peshawar, Pakistan, with a BEng in Mechanical Engineering, followed by an MSc in Mechanical Engineering (Applied Mechanics and Design) from UET Taxila, Pakistan. After five years in industry as a Design Engineer, he returned to academia as a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology (SUIT), Peshawar, Pakistan. 

In 2013, he completed his PhD in Computational Mechanics in the Department of Engineering at Durham University, where he specialised in nonlinear solid mechanics using coupled meshless and finite element methods. Following his PhD, he worked for four years (2013-2017) as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow, UK contributed to research in computational modelling of FRP composites and computational fracture mechanics. In 2017, he joined Ulster University as a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering and Design and later, he moved to the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast in 2019 as a Lecturer. He also holds a Post-graduate Certificate in Higher Education Practices (PgCHEP) from Ulster University and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), highlighting his commitment to educational excellence.

Supervision

PhD and MScR students: 

I am always looking for highly motivated PhD and MScR students interested in any of the topics listed below. Please drop me an email. 

Details about the research degrees in Engineering at Durham University are given at this link. 

Postdoctoral researchers:

I am also open to supporting exceptional postdoctoral researchers interested in developing proposals for external competitive funding.

Research

Zahur’s research expertise lies at the intersection of advanced numerical methods such as finite element and meshless and applied solid mechanics, with a particular focus on the analysis and optimisation of Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composite materials and structures.

During his PhD at Durham University, he developed coupled finite element-meshless methods for the solution of solid mechanics’ problems subjected to both material and geometrical nonlinearities. As a post-doc researcher at the University of Glasgow, he contributed to the development of advanced finite element software MOFEM (Mesh-Oriented Finite Element Method) for the prediction of long-term durability of FRP composite structures subjected to harsh hygro-thermal environmental conditions in addition to mechanical loading. As a part of this multi-university and multi-disciplinary project, he gained first-hand expertise in multi-scale and multi-physics (hygro-thermo-mechanical) modelling, elasto-plasticity, finite deformation/strain mechanics, damage mechanics, hierarchic basis functions, high-performance computing, stochastic multi-scale finite element method (SMFEM) and structural reliability. In addition, he also worked on the computational fracture mechanics to model crack propagation in nuclear reactors.

More recently, Zahur's research has focused on the computational modelling and assessing the impact damage in efoil-powered composite marine structures, and hybrid metal-composite laminates for bolted joints. He has also worked on the computational micromechanics and the application of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) in the failure prediction of composite materials. Additionally, his work on the Finite Fracture Mechanics (FFM) aims to predict free-edge delamination in both monolithic and hybrid composite-metallic laminates under static and fatigue loading. His research also extends to topology optimisation of isotropic and composite structures, and energy absorption behaviour of 3D-printed fibre-reinforced hybrid structural metamaterials.

Teaching

At Durham University, Zahur currently (2024-25) teaches 3rd year Finite Element Methods and contributes to 2nd year design projects. Over the years, he has developed and delivered a wide range of courses, including dynamics, optimisation, topology optimisation, mechanics of fibre reinforced polymer composites, mechanics of materials, and programming with MATLAB and C++. 

• Finite elements, meshless and other advanced numerical methods
• Multi-scale and multi-physics modelling of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites
• Low velocity impact (LVI) and compression after impact (CAI) modelling of FRP composites
• Hybrid composites-metallic laminates for bolted joints
• 2D/3D woven FRP Composites
• Use of artificial intelligence (AI) for failure prediction in FRP composite
• Topology optimisation of both isotropic and anisotropic materials
• Use of AI in topology optimisation
• Multi-physics simulation of additive manufacturing processes
• Damage/fracture/contact mechanics
• Stochastic finite element method and reliability analysis
• Auxetic materials
• Error estimation and adaptive analysis in both finite element and meshless methods
• Open-source computational mechanics software development
• Life cycle assessments

Chapter in book

• Millen, S. L. J., Aravand, M. A., Ullah, Z., & Falzon, B. (2023). Studies on the impact and compression-after-impact response of ‘Double-Double’carbon-fibre reinforced composite laminates. In S. W. Tsai, B. G. Falzon, & A. Aravand (Eds.), Double-double: simplifying the design and manufacture of composite laminates (161-180). (2nd ed.). Stanford University Press

Conference Paper

• Burhan, M., Scalici, T., Ullah, Z., Kazancı, Z., & Catalonotti, G. (2024, July). Finite fracture mechanics fracture criterion for free edge delamination. Presented at 21st European Conference on Composite Materials (ECCM21), Nantes, France
• Burhan, M., Sands, C., McCreight, T., & Ullah, Z. (2024, April). Effects of ply hybridisation on delamination in hybrid laminates at CorTen steel/M79LT-UD600 composite interfaces. Presented at UK Association for Computational Mechanics Conference, Durham University, UK
• Alvarez-Hostos, J. C., & Ullah, Z. (2024, April). Overlapping improved element-free Galerkin and finite element methods for the solution of non-linear transient heat conduction problems with concentrated moving heat sources. Presented at UK Association for Computational Mechanics Conference (UKACM2024), Durham, UK
• Hayat, K., Ullah, Z., Siddique, S., & Ahmad, Z. (2023, May). Exploring the Elastic Properties of Woven Fabric Composites: A Machine Learning Approach for Improved Analysis and Design. Presented at 1st International Conference on Modern Technologies in Mechanical & Materials Engineering (MTME-2023), Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Pakistan
• Millen, S. L. J., Aravand, M. A., Ullah, Z., & Falzon, B. G. (2023, July). Tsai's Modulus And Double-Double Laminates In The Design Of Advanced Composite Structures. Paper presented at Twenty-Third International Conference On Composite Materials (ICCM23), Belfast, UK
• Burhan, M., Scalici, T., Ullah, Z., Kazancı, Z., Falzon, B., & Catalanotti, G. (2023, July). A Semi-Analytical Method For Measuring The Strain Energy Release Rates Of Elliptical Cracks. Paper presented at Twenty-Third International Conference On Composite Materials (ICCM23), Belfast, UK
• Millen, S. L. J., McAleavy, E., Ullah, Z., & Falzon, B. G. (2023, July). Modelling And Assessing Impact Damage For A New Generation Of Zero-Emissions Composite Maritime Vessels. Paper presented at Twenty-Third International Conference On Composite Materials (ICCM23), Belfast, UK
• Burhan, M., Scalici, T., Ullah, Z., Kazancı, Z., Falzon, B., & Catalanotti, G. (2023, April). Three-dimensional semi-analytical investigation of interlaminar stresses in composite laminates. Presented at UK Association for Computational Mechanics Conference (UKACM2023), The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
• Wan, L., Ullah, Z., & Falzon, B. (2022, June). Failure criteria assessment of composite materials via micromechanics modelling under multiaxial loading conditions. Presented at 20th European Conference on Composite Materials (ECCM20), Lausanne, Switzerland
• Zhou, X.-Y., Gosling, P. D., Ullah, Z., Pearce, C. J., & Kaczmarczyk, Ł. (2016, May). Multi-scale finite element based durability and reliability analysis of laminated fibre reinforced composites for civil engineering applications. Presented at The International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) Conference: Bridges and Structures Sustainability-Seeking Intelligent Solutions, Guangzhou, China
• Kaczmarczyk, L., Ullah, Z., & Pearce, C. J. (2016, March). Prism solid-shell with heterogonous and hierarchical approximation basis. Presented at 24th UK Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering (ACME), University of Cardiff, Cardiff, UK
• Zhou, X.-Y., Gosling, P. D., Ullah, Z., Kaczmarczyk, L., & Pearce, C. J. (2016, March). Multi-scale finite element based time-dependent reliability analysis for laminated fibre reinforced composites. Presented at 24th UK Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering (ACME), University of Cardiff, Cardiff, UK
• Ullah, Z., Kaczmarczyk, L., & Pearce, C. J. (2016, March). Nonlinear micro-mechanical response of the fibre-reinforced polymer composites including matrix damage and fibre-matrix decohesion. Presented at 24th UK Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering (ACME), University of Cardiff, Cardiff, UK
• Ullah, Z., Kaczmarczyk, L., & Pearce, C. J. (2015, April). Multiscale computational homogenisation to predict the long-term durability of composite structures. Presented at 23rd UK Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering (ACME), University of Swansea, Swansea, UK
• Zhou, X. Y., Gosling, P. D., Ullah, Z., Kaczmarczyk, L., & Pearce, C. J. (2015, November). Reliability analysis of laminated fibre reinforced composites using stochastic multi-scale finite element method. Presented at 13th International Probabilistic Workshop (IPW2015), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
• Ullah, Z., Kaczmarczyk, Ł., Cortis, M., Pearce, C., Javadi, A., & Hussain, M. S. (2014, April). Multiscale modelling of the textile composite materials. Presented at 22nd ACME Conference on Computational Mechanics, Exeter, United Kingdom
• Ullah, Z., Augarde, C. E., & Coombs, W. M. (2013, March). Three-dimensional FE-EFGM adaptive coupling with application to nonlinear adaptive analysis. Presented at International Conference on Computational Mechanics (CM13), Durham University, Durham, UK
• Ullah, Z., Augarde, C. E., & Coombs, W. M. (2012, March). Adaptive modelling of finite strain shear band localization using the element-free Galerkin method. Presented at 20th UK Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering (ACME), University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
• Ullah, Z., Augarde, C. E., Crouch, R. S., & Coombs, W. M. (2011, April). FE-EFGM Coupling using maximum entropy shape functions and its application to small and finite deformation. Presented at 19th UK Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering (ACME), Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
• Ullah, Z., & Augarde, C. E. (2010, March). Solution of elasto-statics problems using the element-free Galerkin method with local maximum entropy shape functions. Presented at 18th UK Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering (ACME), Southampton University, Southampton, UK

Conference Proceeding

• Athanasiadis, I., Kaczmarczyk, L., Ullah, Z., & Pearce, C. J. (2019, April). Mortar contact formulation for hierarchical basis functions using smooth active set strategy. Presented at Proceedings of the UK Association for Computational Mechanics Conference 2019, City University of London, London, UK
• Ullah, Z., Kaczmarczyk, L., & Pearce, C. J. (2017, April). Three-dimensional mortar contact formulation: an efficient and accurate numerical implementation. Presented at 25th UK Association for Computational Mechanics (UKACM) Conference on Computational Mechanics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

Doctoral Thesis

• Ullah, Z. Nonlinear solid mechanics analysis using the parallel selective element-free Galerkin method. (Thesis). Durham University. https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2859689

Journal Article

• Ullah, Z., & Burhan, M. (online). Experimental and numerical investigation of fracture characteristics in hybrid steel/composite and monolithic angle-ply laminates. Journal of Composite Materials, https://doi.org/10.1177/00219983241305620
• Burhan, M., Ullah, Z., Kazancı, Z., & Catalanotti, G. (online). A finite fracture mechanics approach to assess the fatigue life of laminates exhibiting free edge effects. Composite Structures, Article 118797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2024.118797
• Scalici, T., Dalli, D., Ullah, Z., & Catalanotti, G. (online). Extending the Modified Transverse Crack Tensile test for Mode II Fracture Toughness Characterisation of Hybrid Interfaces. Composites Part B: Engineering, Article 112063. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2024.112063
• Burhan, M., Ullah, Z., Kazancı, Z., & Catalanotti, G. (online). A critical review on free edge delamination fracture criteria. Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/15376494.2024.2424492
• Khan, I., Ullah, Z., Ullah, B., Siraj-ul-Islam, & Khan, W. (online). Stress-based topology optimization using maximum entropy basis functions-based meshless method. Engineering with Computers, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00366-024-02047-2
• Burhan, M., Scalici, T., Ullah, Z., Kazancı, Z., & Catalanotti, G. (2024). Investigating factors influencing interlaminar stresses and energy release rates of semi-elliptical cracks at free edges. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 307, Article 110274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2024.110274
• Burhan, M., Scalici, T., Ullah, Z., Kazancı, Z., & Catalanotti, G. (2024). A three-dimensional Finite Fracture Mechanics model to predict free edge delamination in angle-ply laminates. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 306, Article 110156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2024.110156
• Álvarez-Hostos, J. C., Ullah, Z., Storti, B. A., Tourn, B. A., & Zambrano-Carrillo, J. A. (2024). An overset improved element-free Galerkin-finite element method for the solution of transient heat conduction problems with concentrated moving heat sources. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 418(Part B), Article 116574. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2023.116574
• Khan, I., Ullah, B., Siraj-ul-Islam, Ullah, Z., & Khan, W. (2023). An adaptive B-spline representation of topology optimization design for Additive Manufacturing. Advances in Engineering Software, 186, Article 103552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advengsoft.2023.103552
• Athanasiadis, I., Shvarts, A. G., Ullah, Z., Lewandowski, K., Pearce, C. J., & Kaczmarczyk, Ł. (2023). A computational framework for crack propagation along contact interfaces and surfaces under load. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 414, Article 116129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2023.116129
• Wan, L., Ullah, Z., Yang, D., & Falzon, B. G. (2023). Comprehensive inter-fibre failure analysis and failure criteria comparison for composite materials using micromechanical modelling under biaxial loading. Journal of Composite Materials, 57(18), 2919-2932. https://doi.org/10.1177/00219983231176609
• Millen, S., Dahale, M., Fisher, T., Samy, A., Thompson, K., Ramaswamy, K., Ralph, C., Archer, E., McIlhagger, A., Ullah, Z., & Falzon, B. (2023). Modelling low-velocity impact damage and compression after impact of 3D woven structures considering compaction. Composite Structures, 318, Article 117104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2023.117104
• Wan, L., Ullah, Z., Yang, D., & Falzon, B. G. (2023). Probability embedded failure prediction of unidirectional composites under biaxial loadings combining machine learning and micromechanical modelling. Composite Structures, 312, Article 116837. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2023.116837
• Ullah, Z., Ullah, B., Khan, W., & Siraj-ul-Islam. (2022). Proportional topology optimisation with maximum entropy-based meshless method for minimum compliance and stress constrained problems. Engineering with Computers, 38, 5541-5561. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00366-022-01683-w
• Ullah, B., Khan, W., Siraj-ul-Islam, & Ullah, Z. (2022). A coupled meshless element-free Galerkin and radial basis functions method for level set-based topology optimization. Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering, 44, Article 89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-022-03382-5
• Millen, S. L. J., Ullah, Z., & Falzon, B. G. (2021). On the importance of finite element mesh alignment along the fibre direction for modelling damage in fibre-reinforced polymer composite laminates. Composite Structures, 278, Article 114694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2021.114694
• Ullah, B., Siraj-ul-Islam, Ullah, Z., & Khan, W. (2021). A parametrized level set based topology optimization method for analysing thermal problems. Computers and Mathematics with Applications, 99, 99-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.camwa.2021.07.018
• Zhou, X.-Y., Ruan, X., Zhang, S., Xiong, W., & Ullah, Z. (2021). Design optimization for thermal conductivity of plain-woven textile composites. Composite Structures, 255, Article 112830. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112830
• Ullah, Z., Kaczmarczyk, Ł., Zhou, X.-Y., Falzon, B., & Pearce, C. (2020). Hierarchical finite element-based multi-scale modelling of composite laminates. Composites Part B: Engineering, 201, Article 108321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2020.108321
• Ullah, Z., Kaczmarczyk, Ł., & Pearce, C. J. (2020). A three-dimensional hierarchic finite element-based computational framework for the analysis of composite laminates. Composite Structures, 239, Article 111968. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.111968
• Siraj-ul-Islam, Khan, W., Ullah, B., & Ullah, Z. (2020). The localized radial basis functions for parameterized level set based structural optimization. Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements, 113, 296-305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enganabound.2020.01.008
• Kaczmarczyk, Ł., Ullah, Z., Lewandowski, K., Meng, X., Zhou, X.-Y., Athanasiadis, I., Nguyen, H., Chalons-Mouriesse, C.-A., Richardson, E. J., Miur, E., & others. (2020). MoFEM: An open source, parallel finite element library. The Journal of Open Source Software, 5(45), Article 1441. https://doi.org/10.21105/joss.01441
• Ullah, Z., Zhou, X.-Y., Kaczmarczyk, L., Archer, E., McIlhagger, A., & Harkin-Jones, E. (2019). A unified framework for the multi-scale computational homogenisation of 3D-textile composites. Composites Part B: Engineering, 167, 582-598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.03.027
• Kaczmarczyk, Ł., Ullah, Z., & Pearce, C. J. (2017). Energy consistent framework for continuously evolving 3D crack propagation. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 324, 54-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2017.06.001
• Zhou, X.-Y., Gosling, P. D., Ullah, Z., Kaczmarczyk, L., & Pearce, C. J. (2017). Stochastic multi-scale finite element based reliability analysis for laminated composite structures. Applied Mathematical Modelling, 45, 457-473. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2016.12.005
• Ullah, Z., Kaczmarczyk, Ł., Grammatikos, S., Evernden, M., & Pearce, C. (2017). Multi-scale computational homogenisation to predict the long-term durability of composite structures. Computers and Structures, 181, 21-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2016.11.002
• Ullah, Z., Kaczmarczyk, L., & Pearce, C. J. (2017). Three-dimensional nonlinear micro/meso-mechanical response of the fibre-reinforced polymer composites. Composite Structures, 161, 204-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2016.11.059
• Zhou, X.-Y., Gosling, P. D., Ullah, Z., Kaczmarczyk, Ł., & Pearce, C. J. (2016). Exploiting the benefits of multi-scale analysis in reliability analysis for composite structures. Composite Structures, 155, 197-212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2016.08.015
• Ullah, Z., Coombs, W. M., & Augarde, C. E. (2016). Parallel computations in nonlinear solid mechanics using adaptive finite element and meshless methods. Engineering Computations, 33(4), 1161-1191. https://doi.org/10.1108/EC-06-2015-0166
• Zhou, X.-Y., Gosling, P., Pearce, C., Kaczmarczyk, L., & Ullah, Z. (2016). Perturbation-based stochastic multi-scale computational homogenization method for the determination of the effective properties of composite materials with random properties. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 300, 84-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2015.10.020
• Zhou, X.-Y., Gosling, P. D., Pearce, C. J., Ullah, Z., & Kaczmarczyk, L. (2016). Perturbation-based stochastic multi-scale computational homogenization method for woven textile composites. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 80, 368-380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2015.09.008
• Pearce, C., Zhou, X.-Y., Kaczmarczyk, L., Ullah, Z., & Gosling, P. (2016). Perturbation-Based Stochastic Multiscale Computational Homogenization Method. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 80, 368-380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2015.09.008
• Ullah, Z., Coombs, W. M., & Augarde, C. E. (2013). An adaptive finite element/meshless coupled method based on local maximum entropy shape functions for linear and nonlinear problems. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 267, 111-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2013.07.018
• Ullah, Z., & Augarde, C. (2013). Finite deformation elasto-plastic modelling using an adaptive meshless method. Computers and Structures, 118, 39-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2012.04.001

Report

• Ullah, Z., Augarde, C. E., & Coombs, W. M. (2013). Local maximum entropy shape functions based FE-EFGM coupling. [No known commissioning body]