Associate Professor Department of Earth and Space Sciences
Dr. Ke Gao received his Ph.D. in Rock Mechanics at the University of Toronto in 2017. After that, he spent two years (2017-2019) in the Los Alamos National Laboratory as a Post Doc in Solid Earth Geophysics, and joined in SUSTech in 2019. Dr. Gao’s research mainly focuses on the simulation and investigation of stick-slip characteristics in sheared granular fault using the combined finite-discrete element method, tensor-based stress variability and stress heterogeneity characterization in fractured rock mass, nonlinear mesoscopic elasticity in geomaterials, and dynamic fracture propagation in hydraulic fracturing. Dr. Gao has published nearly 30 papers in various journals and international conferences, and he also acted as reviewers for many Geophysics and Rock Mechanics related journals.
Personal Profile
Dr. Ke Gao received his Bachelor and Master degree in 2010 and 2012, respectively, in Geological Engineering, at the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan). In 2017, he obtained his Ph.D. in Rock Mechanics at the University of Toronto. After that, he spent two years (2017-2019) in the Los Alamos National Laboratory as a Post Doc in Solid Earth Geophysics, and joined in SUSTech in 2019. Dr. Gao’s research mainly focuses on the simulation and investigation of stick-slip characteristics in sheared granular fault using the combined finite-discrete element method, tensor-based stress variability and stress heterogeneity characterization in fractured rock mass, and nonlinear mesoscopic elasticity in geomaterials. Dr. Gao has published nearly 30 papers in various journals and international conferences, and he also acted as reviewers for many Geophysics and Rock Mechanics related journals.
Education & Working Background
2021 – present, Associate Professor, Department of Earth and Space Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
2019 – 2020, Assistant Professor, Department of Earth and Space Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
2017 – 2019, Post Doc, Solid Earth Geophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA
2012 – 2017, Ph.D., Rock Mechanics, University of Toronto, Canada
Honors and Awards
Best paper in the 7th International Symposium on In Situ Rock Stress, Finland, May 2016
Professional Services
American Rock Mechanics Association, Member
American Geophysics Union, Member
International Society for Rock Mechanics, Member
Canadian Geotechnical Society, Member
Society of American Seismology, Member
ASCE Engineering Mechanics Institute, Member
Research
1. Earthquake Geophysics: Sheared granular fault gouge simulation, Earthquake source mechanics, Earthquake rupture
2. Rock Mechanics/Physics: Nonlinear mesoscopic elasticity of geomaterials, Stress variability, Stress heterogeneity
3. Computational Mechanics: Combined finite discrete element method (FDEM), Parallel Computing
Teaching
Continuum Mechanics
Rock Physics
Rock Mechanics
Publications Read More
In Rock Mechanics, Dr. Ke Gao has proposed using tensor-based statistical approaches to characterize stress variability in fractured rock masses. These approaches have been used to investigate the limit state design in rock engineering and stress heterogeneity simulation. The results were awarded as the “Best Paper” in the 7th International Symposium on In-Situ Rock Stress. In Solid Earth Geophysics, the combined finite-discrete element (FDEM) has been the first time used by Dr. Gao to investigate the stick-slip physics in sheared granular fault systems. The research may be helpful for understanding the fundamental physics of earthquake mechanics and dynamics. The findings have been published in many journals such as Physical Review Letters.
People Read More
Join us
The studies in ESS concern the physics of the Earth, geo-space and planets in outer space. Through building up a world-leading program of research and education in Earth and Space Sciences, we strive to conduct the research that would advance our understanding on the complex natural system of Earth and Space, in order to provide science-based solutions to many of the societal challenges of our time: natural hazards, natural energy resources, space exploration, etc. In the meantime, our department offers rigorous hands-on training to students and prepares them to be future leaders in academia, government and industry.
ESS encompasses a wide range of scientific disciplines: Geophysics, Space Physics, Satellite Geodesy and Planetary Science. By the end of October 2019, ESS has thirty-one faculty members, including six professors, four associate professors, eleven assistant professors, and ten research assistant professors, including one Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, three Distinguished Young Scholars of National Nature Science Fund, one Excellent Young Scientists of National Science Fund. elcome more talents to join us and work together to build a world-class research and education center for Earth and Space Sciences.
Contact Us
Contact Address
Room E4131, College of Science, 1088 Xueyuan Avenue Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong
Office Phone
0755-88018649
gaok@sustech.edu.cn