Behnam Sobhaniaragh

Dr Behnam Sobhaniaragh is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Mechanical Engineering at Teesside University, where his expertise lies in computational and mathematical modelling. He has attained the status of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (PGCLTHE). Moreover, Behnam is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), reflecting his expertise and commitment to the field of mechanical engineering.

Before joining Teesside University, he conducted groundbreaking research as a postdoctoral researcher at Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany, focusing on phase-field numerical modelling of coupled fracture and martensite phase transformation in microstructural iron-nickel alloys implemented in Finite Element Analysis Program (FEAP) open-source code. Notably, his academic journey included prestigious research roles at University of São Paulo (USP) and Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil, where he was awarded the most prestigious postdoctoral fellowship in Brazil by FAPESP. During this time, he has focused on hydrogen embrittlement and structural integrity.

He holds a Ph.D. in Electro-Mechanical Engineering from Ghent University (UGent), Belgium. Moreover, he earned a second doctorate degree (Doctorate of Science (DSc)) in Civil Engineering specialised in computational mechanics from UFRJ, Brazil, where his DSc thesis on the development of a numerical technique for modelling of multi-stage hydraulic fracturing in shale reservoirs garnered recognition as the best thesis in the Department of Civil Engineering.

Dr. Sobhaniaragh’s research lies at the intersection of computational mechanics and mathematical modelling of engineering systems, with a focus on advancing the science and technology of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and hydrogen-based energy systems. His work integrates mathematical, numerical, and multiphysics modelling to predict and optimize coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes governing CO₂ and hydrogen capture, transport, and long-term storage. This research directly supports the UK Net Zero Strategy, the vision of the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre (NZIIC), and Teesside University’s strategic commitment to industrial decarbonisation and sustainable innovation. His research interests include:

(i) Carbon Capture and Subsurface Storage Systems:

Developing predictive THM models to simulate CO₂ and hydrogen injection, migration, and storage in geological formations. The work examines thermal effects, fluid–rock interactions, and storage integrity to assess efficiency, capacity, and long-term security. It also explores structure-based capture systems, such as cellular and gyroid architectures, linking surface capture with subsurface storage within an integrated CCS framework.

(ii) Computational and Mathematical Modelling:

Using advanced finite element, multiphysics, and data-driven methods to model coupled processes in engineered systems. These frameworks connect pore- to reservoir-scale behaviour, supporting performance optimisation, risk assessment, and system design.

(iii) Sustainability and Net Zero Engineering:

Integrating sustainability into computational modelling and materials design, focusing on life-cycle efficiency, environmental resilience, and circular energy systems. This aligns with Teesside University and NZIIC’s vision to advance the UK’s Net Zero transition through carbon and hydrogen technologies.

Latest Publications

ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3580-9577

• Sobhaniaragh, B., CO2 Injection-Induced Fracturing and Fracture Interactions for Geological Carbon Storage. International Symposium on Smart Energy, Materials, Manufacturing and Digital Technologies (ISSMART 2025) Teesside University, UK, 2025.
• Borzabadi Farahani, E, Sobhaniaragh, B., Sarhadi, A., & Juhre, D., A framework to model thermomechanical coupled of fracture and martensite transformation in austenitic microstructures. Thin-Walled Structures, 183, 110435, 2023.
• Sobhaniaragh, B., S. H. Afzalimir, and C. Ruggieri., Hydrogen degradation effects on crack propagation in high-strength steels: A fully coupled approach. 8th International Conference on Fracture, Fatigue and Wear (FFW 2020), Belgium, 2020. 
• Borzabadi Farahani, E, Sobhaniaragh, B., Mansur, WJ., Three-dimensional finite element modelling of welding residual stresses of medium carbon steel pipes with consideration of solid-state austenite-martensite transformation and post-weld heat treatment, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part L: Journal of Materials: Design and Applications, 2019. 
• Sobhaniaragh, B.; Haddad, M; Mansur, WJ; Peters, FC., Computational modelling of multi-stage hydraulic fractures under stress shadowing and intersecting with pre-existing natural fractures. Acta Mechanica, 230 (3), 1037-1059, 2019.
• Sobhaniaragh, B.; Mansur, WJ; Peters, FC., The role of stress interference in hydraulic fracturing of horizontal wells. International journal of rock mechanics and mining sciences, v. 106, p. 153-164, 2018.
• Sobhaniaragh, B.; Trevelyan, J.; Mansur, WJ; Peters, FC., Numerical simulation of MZF design with non-planar hydraulic fracturing from multi-lateral horizontal wells. Journal of natural gas science and engineering, v. 46, p. 93-107, 2017.
• Sobhaniaragh, B.; Nguyen, VP; Mansur, WJ; Peters, FC., Pore pressure and stress coupling in closely-spaced hydraulic fracturing designs on adjacent horizontal wellbores. European journal of mechanics A-solids, v. 67, p. 18-33, 2017.

• Module leader - Machine Design (Level 7 - MEng/MSc Mechanical Engineering)
• Module leader - Continuum Mechanics (Level 7 - MEng/MSc Mechanical Engineering)
• Module Tutor - Structural Mechanics (Level 4 - BEng (Hons) Mechanical/Civil Engineering)
• Module Tutor - Applied Mathematical Methods (Level 5 - BEng (Hons) Mechanical/Energy Engineering)
• Module Tutor - Manufacturing Processes (Level 5 - BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering)
• Module Leader - Mechanics of Materials ( Level 5 Mechanical Engineering, NCWU China - TU Collaboration)
• Supervisor - MSc Research Project
• Supervisor - BEng (Hons) & BEng Tech Final Year Project
• Tutor - Professional Placement (BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering)

Membership

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), UK
• Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), UK
• EPSRC Peer Review college

Editorial Service

• Reviewer of International Journals:

International Journal of Mechanical Sciences; Engineering Fracture Mechanics; Applied Mathematical Modelling; Journal of Materials Science; Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements; Journal of Materials Research and Technology; Steel & Composite Structures; Advances in Engineering Software; Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering; Journal of Composite Materials; Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering; Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering; Meccanica; Thin-Walled Structures; Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures; Polymer Composites; Composites Part C: Open Access; Composite Structures; Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part L: Journal of Materials: Design and Applications; ACS Omega.