Kaiwen Xia - Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering

Associate Professor

Background

Professor Kaiwen Xia is seeking to advance the understanding of the fracturing of rocks through dynamic testing using a variety of innovative approaches. This includes extensive development and application of the split-Hopkinson bar apparatus. Improved understanding of fractures, cracks and micro cracks is providing new insights into the formation of earthquakes, and leading to better methods for predicting stability of rock masses for application in mining, tunnelling, hydrocarbon reservoir production, and rock slope stability.

Education and Designations

B.S. & M.S. (Mech. Eng., U. of Sci. & Tech. China)
M.S. (Geophysics, Caltech)
Ph.D. (Mech. Eng, Caltech)

Research Interests

Dynamic fracture mechanics

Earthquake physics

Dynamic friction

Dynamic response of rock materials

Impact damage, and sensor technology

Publications

Peer-Refereed Journal Articles

Books and Book Chapters

Xia, K., F. Dai and R. Chen, “Advancements in Hopkinson pressure bar techniques and applications to rock strength and fracture”, in Advances in Rock Dynamics and Applications, edited by Y. Zhou and J. Zhao, Taylor & Francis, 2011.
Wang, Y., K. Xia and Q. Shen, 2008 International Conference on Construction and Real Estate Management – Construction for a sustainable future, Chinese Construction Industry Press, Bejing, 2008.
Rosakis, A. J., K. Xia, G. Lykotrafitis and H. Kanamori, “Dynamic shear rupture in frictional interfaces: speeds, directionality and modes”, in Treatise on Geophysics, Vol. 4, edited by H. Kanamori, Elsevier, 2007.
Rosakis, A.J., H. Kanamori and K. Xia, “Laboratory earthquakes”, in Advances in Fracture Research, edited by A. Carpinteri, Y.W. Mai and R.O. Ritchie, Springer, 2006.

Books and Book Chapters

Xia, K., F. Dai and R. Chen, “Advancements in Hopkinson pressure bar techniques and applications to rock strength and fracture”, in Advances in Rock Dynamics and Applications, edited by Y. Zhou and J. Zhao, Taylor & Francis, 2011.
Wang, Y., K. Xia and Q. Shen, 2008 International Conference on Construction and Real Estate Management – Construction for a sustainable future, Chinese Construction Industry Press, Bejing, 2008.
Rosakis, A. J., K. Xia, G. Lykotrafitis and H. Kanamori, “Dynamic shear rupture in frictional interfaces: speeds, directionality and modes”, in Treatise on Geophysics, Vol. 4, edited by H. Kanamori, Elsevier, 2007.
Rosakis, A.J., H. Kanamori and K. Xia, “Laboratory earthquakes”, in Advances in Fracture Research, edited by A. Carpinteri, Y.W. Mai and R.O. Ritchie, Springer, 2006.

Teaching

Course Code	Title & Description	Session	Day(s)	Start Time	End	Section
CIV521H	Rock Mechanics Rock Mechanics This course provides general analytical tools and experimental methods that are used in rock mechanics. The lectures are complemented with laboratory experiments. Theoretical topics include: stress and strain, linear elasticity, failure modes and models of rocks, fracture of rocks, inelastic behavior of rock, seismic waves in rocks. Experiments include: preparation of rock samples, uniaxial compressive strength measurements, Brazilian disc tests for rock tensile strength, fracture toughness measurements with core-based rock samples. Prerequisite: CIV210H1/CME210H1. View full course description in the Engineering Undergrad Academic Calendar.		Scheduled by the Office of the Faculty Registrar.
CIV1422H	Dynamic Response of Engineering Materials Dynamic Response of Engineering Materials Fundamental theories and applications of response and failure of engineering materials (e.g. rocks, concretes, steels, polymers and glass) under highly dynamic loading. Topics include elastic and plastic stress wave propagation, failure and fracture theory under rapidly varying loads, dynamic fracture toughness, nucleation and propagation of damage in materials and their theoretical and experimental quantification. Lectures will be supplemented by selected laboratory exercises involving the newly built state-of-the-art Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar facilities, to illustrate the physics of dynamic loading, strain-rate effects, and high velocity fracture in engineering materials.	Summer 2021 Monday, May 31 to Friday, June 11 Add Deadline: Tuesday June 1st Drop	Monday to Friday (every weekday)	9:00	12:00

Contact

Kaiwen Xia
Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering
University of Toronto
35 St. George St.
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M5S 1A4

Office: GB130D

Tel: 416-978-5942
Fax: 416-978-6813

kaiwen@ecf.utoronto.ca