Robert Gracie
Biography
Dr. Robert Gracie is an Associate Professor in the Department of the Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ (UW) and is an expert in Computational Engineering. His expertise is applied the development of novel simulation technologies/software and the deployment of commercial analysis software to complete problems.
At UW, he carries out research on the development of simulation technologies with an emphasis on multi-physics problems, including fracture and deformations, heat transfer, and multi-constituent fluid flow. Research focuses on the development of novel numerical methods to simulate problems which cannot be readily simulated using exiting commercial software. Recent applications include carbon sequestration, enhanced geothermal systems, hydraulic fracturing, and dissolution solution mining. Past applications include: impact analysis, fracture and fragmentation processes and multiscale analysis.
Research Interests
Simulation & Modelling of Multiphysics Problems
Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Data Driven Models
Jet Bore Mining, Dissolution Mining,
Geothermal Energy
Hydraulic Fracturing
Solid and Fracture Mechanics
Plasticity
Geomechanics
Heat Transfer and Thermodynamics
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Molecular Dynamics
Computational Mechanics
Numerical Methods
Finite Element Analysis
Verification and Validation of Simulators
Parameter Estimations and Uncertainty
Scholarly Research
Industrial Research
Research Engineer: 2002-2004
Natural Resources Canada, Government of Canada
Ottawa, ON.
-Development of explicit Eulerian Finite Element models to analyze the effect of ice scours on buried offshore artic pipelines, and of implicit/explicit models to analyze the effect of the impact of objects on pressurized concrete encased pipelines.
-Developed an object oriented Finite Element framework.
-Supervised the work of several co-op students
Education
2009, Doctorate Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, United States of America
2002, Bachelor's Mechanical Engineering, University of Ottawa, Canada
2002, Bachelor's Computing Technologies, University of Ottawa, Canada
Awards
2001 Gold Medal Canadian Society of Mechanical Engineers
2000 Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) Scholarship
2001 Earl Dudgeon Memorial Scholarship
2004 Walter P. Murphy Scholarship - Northwestern University
2005 Canada Graduate Scholarship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
2005 Best Paper Award at Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering 2005
2006 Canada Graduate Scholarship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
2008 Canada Graduate Scholarship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
2009 1st Place, Robert J. Melosh Medal Competition - Best Student Paper Competition
Service
2019-2022 Associate Chair Graduate Studies, Dept. Civil and Environmental Engineering
Professional Associations
2025-present Vice-President of the Canadian Association for Computational Science and Engineering
2023-2025 Treasurer of the Canadian Association for Computational Science and Engineering
Affiliations and Volunteer Work
Canadian Association for Computational Science and Engineering (CACSE)
Americal Association of Rock Mechanics (ARMA)
À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ Institue for Sustainable Energy (WISE)
Teaching*
- CIVE 303 - Structural Analysis
- Taught in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- CIVE 422 - Finite Element Analysis
- Taught in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- CIVE 611 - Finite Element Analysis
- Taught in 2020, 2022
- CIVE 622 - Finite Element Analysis
- Taught in 2023, 2024, 2025
- CIVE 722 - Intermediate Finite Element Analysis
- Taught in 2022
* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.
Graduate studies
- Currently considering applications from graduate students. A completed online application is required for admission; start the application process now.