Dr Xuanchi “Tom” Liu
Geotechnical / Tailings Engineer · PhD · Numerical Modelling · Melbourne, Australia
A downloadable PDF version can be provided on request — see Contact.
Professional Summary
Geotechnical / tailings engineer with a PhD in Civil Engineering and strong capability in numerical modelling, finite element analysis and geotechnical design across transport, tunnelling, water, tailings, mining-adjacent and major infrastructure projects. Experienced in PLAXIS 2D/3D, GeoStudio, WALLAP, L-Pile and RocScience for settlement, deformation, excavation stability, slope stability, seepage and tunnel behaviour assessment. Combines strong soil and rock mechanics knowledge with practical site and construction experience, enabling robust, defensible and client-ready engineering outcomes. Also has PhD-level research experience in computational modelling and has passed all three levels of the CFA Program.
Core Technical Skills
Numerical Modelling & Advanced Analysis
- Finite element modelling for geotechnical applications
- PLAXIS 2D/3D modelling
- Settlement and deformation assessment
- Excavation stability and tunnel behaviour assessment
- Ground-structure interaction
- Slope stability and seepage analysis
- Embankment and retaining structure analysis
- Interpretation of modelling outputs
- Sensitivity analysis and model validation
- Automation and data analysis
Geotechnical Design, Soil & Rock Mechanics
- Piled foundations, retaining walls, embankments, pavements
- Underground structures
- Soil and rock mechanics interpretation
- Infrastructure, tunnelling, water and mining-adjacent projects
- Design verification and constructability review
- Response to unforeseen ground conditions
- Australian Standards, including AS1726 and AS2159
Project Delivery, Communication & Site Verification
- Technical memoranda and design reports
- Client-ready documentation
- Coordination with structural, civil, environmental and construction teams
- Site inspections and construction-phase verification
- Ground condition validation
- Mentoring and support for junior engineers
Research & Computational Skills
- Computational modelling and finite element analysis
- Porous media theory and material behaviour
- Solid mechanics and biomechanics
- Mechanical characterisation
- Model formulation and parameter interpretation
- Data interpretation
- Peer-reviewed research writing
- Student supervision
Commercial & Risk Capabilities
- Passed all three levels of the CFA Program
- Financial analysis training
- Risk-return thinking and asset value awareness
- Infrastructure risk awareness
- Cost-risk-constructability consideration
- Long-term value assessment
Software
Professional Experience
REC
Apr 2026 – PresentSupporting tailings, dams and mining infrastructure projects, with exposure to seepage, slope stability, water balance and dam safety review tasks. Applying numerical modelling and geotechnical design experience to support modelling-informed risk assessment and design decision-making for tailings and water management infrastructure.
Stantec
Apr 2024 – Apr 2026Delivered geotechnical analysis and design inputs for foundations, retaining structures, pavements, underground works and sensitive infrastructure, with a strong focus on numerical modelling, deformation assessment and ground-structure interaction. Built, reviewed and interpreted PLAXIS 2D/3D and WALLAP models to assess settlement, excavation stability, tunnel behaviour and construction-induced ground movements. Translated complex modelling results into design memoranda, technical reports and client-ready advice.
Selected projects:
- North East Link Project, Victoria — Bridge Abutments & Retaining Structures
- M4 Watermain Project, Melbourne — Settlement & Deformation Assessment
- Rawdon Pumped Hydropower Tunnel Project, Queensland — Tunnel Design
- Gisborne District Council Cyclone Landslip Remediation, New Zealand
CMW Geosciences
Jun 2022 – Apr 2024Delivered geotechnical investigations, design inputs and construction support for transport, pavement, earthworks, quarry and infrastructure projects across Victoria, including Tier-1 alliance works. Prepared pavement, hardstand and earthworks designs with a focus on ground model interpretation, constructability and lifecycle performance. Conducted piling inspections, pile integrity testing and construction compliance verification.
Selected projects:
- North East Link Project, Victoria — Pavements, Hardstands & Piling
- Cardinia Shire Council Road Upgrade Projects
- Langwarrin Quarry & Boral Quarry Projects, Victoria
University of Melbourne
Jul 2021 – PresentConducted computational and numerical modelling research on porous media, material behaviour and deformation mechanisms. Developed capability in model formulation, parameter interpretation, mechanics-based problem solving, programming and data interpretation. Published peer-reviewed research and technical reports. Supervised undergraduate and postgraduate students. This research and computational modelling capability underpins the numerical modelling methods applied in subsequent geotechnical engineering practice.
Country Garden Properties Ltd
Jul 2016 – May 2017Supervised construction of a 15-storey residential apartment project, including coordination with subcontractors and consultants, quality control, safety checks and resolution of construction issues.
Selected Projects
Full anonymised case studies, including problem framing, methods, tools and engineering judgement, are presented on the Projects page.
Research Experience
PhD and postdoctoral research at the University of Melbourne focused on computational and numerical modelling of porous media, material behaviour and deformation mechanisms, applying finite element analysis and mechanics-based methods to problems in biomedical engineering. This research built direct capability in model formulation, parameter interpretation, sensitivity analysis, model validation against experimental data, and peer-reviewed technical writing — methods that transfer directly to geotechnical numerical modelling. Further detail is presented on the Research & Computational Modelling page.
Education
| Qualification | Institution | Period |
|---|---|---|
| PhD of Engineering, Civil Engineering |
University of Melbourne | Aug 2019 – Jan 2023 |
| Master of Information Technology (Part-time) |
University of Melbourne | Jul 2025 – Jul 2029 |
| Master of Engineering, Civil Engineering (with Distinction) |
University of Melbourne | Jul 2017 – Jun 2019 |
| Bachelor of Engineering, Structural Engineering |
Harbin Institute of Technology | Sep 2012 – Jun 2016 |
Professional Memberships
- Member, Engineers Australia
- Member, Australian Geomechanics Society
- Member, CFA Institute
- Member, CFA Society Australia
Certifications
- General Construction Induction Card
- Rail Industry Workers Card
- Passed Level I, II and III of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program, as a top 10% candidate globally
Additional Qualifications
- Postgraduate study in information technology, extending programming and data-analytics capability alongside engineering practice
- Proficiency across geotechnical, finite element and general-purpose computational software (see Software, above)
- Experience supervising and mentoring undergraduate and postgraduate students in a research setting
Selected Publications
Peer-reviewed publications from doctoral and postdoctoral research in computational modelling, porous media and biomechanics. A current publication list is maintained on Google Scholar and ResearchGate. See also Research & Computational Modelling for a summary of research themes and their transferability to geotechnical engineering.