Dr Noune Melkoumian

Research Interests

Applied Mathematics Civil Geotechnical Engineering Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Geomechanics Resources Geotechnical Engineering Sensor Technology

Dr Noune Melkoumian

Senior Lecturer

School of Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering and Information Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

  • Geomechanics
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Fracture Mechanics
  • Active Structural Health Monitoring
  • Applied Mathematics and Machine Learning (supervised and semi-supervised)
  • Behavioural based OHS

Date Position Institution name
2014 - ongoing Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide
2008 - 2013 Lecturer University of Adelaide
2008 - 2013 Lecturer University of Adelaide
2006 - 2008 Post-Doctoral Research Fellow University of Adelaide
2005 - 2006 Post-Doctoral Research Fellow University of Adelaide
2000 - 2005 Founder and CEO Solit Pty Ltd
1998 - 1999 Research Fellow University of New South Wales
1989 - 1990 Structural Engineering Yerevan-Project Design Institute

Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
2002 Award Silver Prize: Casio International Developers' Contest Casio Computers Co. Ltd. United States US$10K
1994 Award Best PhD Thesis of the Year Ministry of Science and Higher Education Armenia -
1993 Award Best Paper by a Young Scientist Academy of Sciences Armenia -

Language Competency
Armenian Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
Russian Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

Date Institution name Country Title
1995 - 1999 University of New South Wales Australia PhD (Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering: Mining)
1990 - 1994 Yerevan State University Armenia PhD (Applied Mathematics: Fracture Mechanics)
1984 - 1989 Yerevan Polytechnic State University Armenia MEng & BEng University Medallist (Civil and Structural Engineering)

Date Title Institution name Country
2009 Certificate of Teaching at University University of Adelaide Australia

Year Citation
2025 Tan, J., Melkoumian, N., Harvey, D., & Akmeliawati, R. (2025). Nature-Inspired Solutions for Sustainable Mining: Applications of NIAs, Swarm Robotics, and Other Biomimicry-Based Technologies. Biomimetics, 10(3), 29 pages.
DOI Scopus3 WoS2 Europe PMC1
2025 Battsengel, G. E., Melkoumian, N., Harvey, D., & Akmeliawati, R. (2025). Bioinspired Drilling for Extraterrestrial Applications. Biomimetics, 10(11), 25 pages.
DOI
2025 Riani, U., Melkoumian, N., Harvey, D., & Akmeliawati, R. (2025). Learning from Nature: Bio-Inspired Designs and Strategies for Efficient On-Earth and Off-Earth Ventilation Systems. Biomimetics, 10(11), 55 pages.
DOI
2024 Bai, T., Hashemi, S., Melkoumian, N., Badalyan, A., & Zeinijahromi, A. (2024). Permeability Evolution of Shale during High-Ionic-Strength Water Sequential Imbibition. Energies, 17(14), 3598.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2
2024 Tan, J., Melkoumian, N., Harvey, D., & Akmeliawati, R. (2024). Evaluating Swarm Robotics for Mining Environments: Insights into Model Performance and Application. Applied Sciences, 14(19), 8876-1-8876-28.
DOI Scopus5 WoS2
2024 Tan, J., Melkoumian, N., Harvey, D., & Akmeliawati, R. (2024). Lunarminer Framework for Nature-Inspired Swarm Robotics in Lunar Water Ice Extraction. Biomimetics, 9(11), 680-1-680-23.
DOI
2022 Heo, J. H., Melkoumian, N., & Hashemi, S. S. (2022). Evaluating the Effect of Different Stress Path Regimes on Borehole Deformation Using Convergence Measuring Device. Geosciences (Switzerland), 12(9), 14 pages.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2022 Heo, J. H., Hashemi, S. S., & Melkoumian, N. (2022). Study of Micro-Parameters of DEM Model on the Laboratory Experiment Results Obtained from Poorly Cemented Sandstone. Geosciences (Switzerland), 12(10), 373.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2021 Schwartzkopff, A. K., Melkoumian, N. S., & Xu, C. (2021). Breakdown Pressure and Propagation Surface of a Hydraulically Pressurized Circular Notch Within a Rock Material. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 54(1), 191-218.
DOI Scopus10 WoS8
2021 Zarubin, M., Statsenko, L., Spiridonov, P., Zarubina, V., Melkoumian, N., & Salykova, O. (2021). A gis software module for environmental impact assessment of the open pit mining projects for small mining operators in Kazakhstan. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(12), 6971-1-6971-25.
DOI Scopus11 WoS7
2020 Gabrielian, L., Melkoumian, N. S., & Cuciureanu, M. (2020). Using Gaussian processes to study traumatic brain injury in sheep. Farmacia, 68(2), 232-241.
DOI
2017 Schwartzkopff, A., Melkoumian, N., & Xu, C. (2017). Fracture mechanics approximation to predict the breakdown pressure using the theory of critical distances. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 95, 48-61.
DOI Scopus34 WoS28
2016 Hashemi, S., & Melkoumian, N. (2016). Effect of different stress path regimes on borehole instability in poorly cemented granular formations. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 146, 30-49.
DOI Scopus7 WoS5
2016 Hashemi, S., & Melkoumian, N. (2016). A strain energy criterion based on grain dislodgment at borehole wall in poorly cemented sands. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 87, 90-103.
DOI Scopus17 WoS15
2016 Schwartzkopff, A., Xu, C., & Melkoumian, N. (2016). Approximation of mixed mode propagation for an internally pressurized circular crack. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 166, 218-233.
DOI Scopus4 WoS3
2015 Hashemi, S., Melkoumian, N., Taheri, A., & Jaksa, M. (2015). The failure behaviour of poorly cemented sands at a borehole wall using laboratory tests. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 77, 348-357.
DOI Scopus11 WoS10
2015 Hashemi, S., Taheri, A., & Melkoumian, N. (2015). An experimental study on the relationship between localised zones and borehole instability in poorly cemented sands. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 135, 101-117.
DOI Scopus9 WoS9
2015 Hashemi, S., Melkoumian, N., & Taheri, A. (2015). A borehole stability study by newly designed laboratory tests on thick-walled hollow cylinders. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 7(5), 519-531.
DOI Scopus17 WoS14
2014 Hashemi, S., Taheri, A., & Melkoumian, N. (2014). Shear failure analysis of a shallow depth unsupported borehole drilled through poorly cemented granular rock. Engineering Geology, 183, 39-52.
DOI Scopus38 WoS27
2014 Hashemi, S., Momeni, A., & Melkoumian, N. (2014). Investigation of borehole stability in poorly cemented granular formations by discrete element method. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 113, 23-35.
DOI Scopus33 WoS26
2012 Schwartzkopff, A. K., Priest, S., Melkoumian, N., & Egudo, J. A. (2012). Design and fabrication of a low cost true triaxial cell for testing multiple size specimens. Unknown Journal, 83-95.
DOI Scopus6
2011 Melkoumian, N. S., Bezhanyan, V., Chlingaryan, A., & Sargsyan, S. (2011). Extension of Bleustein-Gulyaev surface waves on the case of two electrodes.. Journal of Proceedings of Yerevan State University of Architecture and Construction.
2009 Melkoumian, N., Priest, S., & Hunt, S. (2009). Further development of the three-dimensional Hoek-Brown yield criterion. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 42(6), 835-847.
DOI Scopus63 WoS51
2009 Lawrence, S., Willis, C., Melkoumian, N., & Griffith, M. (2009). Earthquake design of unreinforced masonry residential buildings up to 15 metres in height. Australian Journal of Structural Engineering, 10(1), 85-99.
DOI Scopus1 WoS2
2009 Bezhanyan, V., Melkoumian, N., & Sarkisyan, S. (2009). Effect of a thin and plastic adhesive layer on the stress singularities in bonded dissimilar isotropic elastic materials. Journal of Proceedings of the Yerevan State University, 2(35), 202-213.
2006 Kahler, W., Kotooussov, A., & Melkoumian, N. (2006). On material choice and fracture susceptibility of restored teeth: an asymptotic stress analysis approach. Dental Materials, 22(12), 1109-1114.
DOI Scopus14 WoS15 Europe PMC9
2001 Mkhitaryan, S., Melkoumian, N., & Lin, B. (2001). Stress-strain state of a cracked elastic wedge under anti-plane deformation with mixed boundary conditions on its faces. International Journal of Fracture, 108(4), 291-315.
DOI Scopus8

Year Citation
1999 Melkoumian, N. (1999). Floor Fracturing and Sudden Gas Release in Underground Coal Mines.

Year Citation
2024 Battsengel, G. E., Melkoumian, N., Akmeliawati, R., & Harvey, D. (2024). Designing Mining Robot for Swarm Rover Fleet Carrying Out Water Extraction on the Moon. In Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering Vol. 1248 LNEE (pp. 169-178). Adelaide, South Australia: Springer Nature Singapore.
DOI Scopus1
2024 Bai, T., Melkoumian, N., Hashemi, S., Badalyan, A., & Zeinijahromi, A. (2024). Permeability evolution of fractures in shale in the presence of high salinity water. In 58th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium 2024, ARMA 2024. Golden, Colorado, USA.: American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA).
DOI Scopus1
2021 Tan, J., Melkoumian, N., Akmeliawati, R., & Harvey, D. (2021). Design and application of swarm robotics system using ABCO method for off-Earth mining. In Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Publications. AusIMM conference proceeding: AusIMM Publisher.
2018 Heo, J., Melkoumian, N., & Hashemi, S. (2018). Development and application of laboratory-scale convergence measuring device in monitoring borehole condition. In 52nd U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium (pp. 1-6). online: ARMA.
2017 Melkoumian, N. S., Timms, W. A., Chai, P., & Anderson, M. S. (2017). An aquifer becomes an aquitard: centrifuge measurement of desaturating sandstone from the constrained zone above an underground mine. In Australasian Groundwater Conference (ACSMP – Connected Waters). UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
2016 Melkoumian, N., Timms, W., Cai, P., Masoumi, H., & Heo, J. (2016). Fracture propagation in layered sandstones with varying saturation. In Proceedings of the 9th Asian Rock Mechanics SymposiumARMS9 (pp. 1-10). Online: Indonesia Rock Mechanics Society.
2013 Schwartzkopff, A., Melkoumian, N., & Woithe, S. (2013). Design improvements for a true triaxial cell to monitor initiation and propagation of damage and body cracks during testing. In Drebenstedt, C, & Singhal, R (Eds.), Proceedings of the 22nd MPES Conference, Dresden, Germany, 14th-19th October 2013 (pp. 551-560). Online: Springer.
DOI
2013 Statsenko, L., & Melkoumian, N. (2013). Modeling blending process at open-pit stockyards: A Northern Kazakhstan mining company case study. In Proceedings of the 22nd Mine Planning and Equipment Selection (MPES) Conference (pp. 1017-1027). Online: Springer.
DOI
2013 Melkoumian, N., Woithe, S., Kuo, Y., & Schwartzkopff, A. (2013). A new cost-effective active structural health monitoring technoligy for detecting shear bands in poorly cemented sands leading to exploratino borehole collapse. In Proceedings of the 22nd Mine Planning and Equipment Selection (MPES) Conference (pp. 1231-1241). Online: Springer.
2013 Statsenko, L., & Melkoumian, N. (2013). A case study on blending raw ores at open pit stockyard using decision support system for designing effective technological schemes for open pit. In SGEM2013 Conference Proceedings Vol. 1 (pp. 297-304). Bulgaria: International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference & EXPO SGEM.
DOI Scopus2 WoS1
2013 Schwartzkopff, A., Priest, S., Melkoumian, N., & Egudo, J. (2013). Design and fabrication of a low cost true triaxial cell for testing multiple size specimens. In Proceedings of the International Workshop on the True Testing of Rocks Vol. 4 (pp. 83-95). London: Taylor & Francis Group.
DOI WoS1
2013 Melkoumian, N. S., Hashemi, S. S., & Momeni, A. (2013). Numerical simulation of borehole breakout in poorly cemented granular sands. In The 47th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium. San Francisco, California, USA.
2012 Melkoumian, N., Xu, C., Karakus, M., Cox, P., I'Anson, R., Stojakovich, J., & Ciancio, O. (2012). Feasibility study of a deep geological repository for high level radioactive waste (HLW) in Central Australia. In Proceedings of the 13th International Symposium on Environmental Issues and Waste Management in Energy and Mineral Production, SWEMP 2012 (pp. 203-212). CD: MPES-CAMI-SWEMP.
2012 Mirahmadizoghi, A., Melkoumian, N., Priest, S., & Schwartzkopff, A. (2012). Comparison and validation of a number of three dimensional rock failure criteria through true triaxial tests on Kanmantoo bluestone. In Proceedings of the 21st International Symposium on Mine Planning and Equipment Selection, MPES 2012 (pp. 447-458). CD: The Reading Matrix.
2012 Schwartzkopff, A., Mirahmadizoghi, A., Melkoumian, N., & Priest, S. (2012). Recommendations on further development of a true triaxial cell for testing rock specimens of different sizes. In Proceedings of the 21st International Symposium on Mine Planning and Equipment Selection, MPES 2012 (pp. 727-738). CD: The Reading Matrix.
2012 Hashemi, S., Melkoumian, N., & Xu, C. (2012). Effect of grain bonding on the stability of a borehole drilled though low cemented formations. In Proceedings of the 7th Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics, ACAM 7 (pp. 884-894). CDROM / DVDROM: Engineers Australia.
Scopus2
2011 Melkoumian, N., Milnes, P., & Mather, D. (2011). The Effects of extreme events on attitudes to Occupational Health and Safety. In A. Zharmenov, R. Singhal, & S. Yefremova (Eds.), Proceedings of the Twentieth International Symposium on Mine Planning and Equipment Selection (MPES 2011) (pp. 1429-1441). CD: National Centre on Complex Processing of Mineral Raw Materials, RSE..
2011 Milnes, P., Melkoumian, N., & Mather, D. (2011). Identifying and clearing cultural blockages to occupational health and safety. In A. Zharmenov, R. Singhal, & S. Yefremova (Eds.), Proceedings of the Twentieth International Symposium on Mine Planning and Equipment Selection (MPES 2011) (pp. 1442-1453). CD: National Centre on Complex Processing of Mineral Raw Materials, RSE..
2011 Xu, C., Karakus, M., Melkoumian, N., Wang, C., Sui, Q., Wang, J., . . . Goodchild, D. (2011). Probabilistic slope stability assessment of fresh bulldog shale in prominent hill open pit. In Proceedings of the 35th APCOM Symposium 2011 (pp. 643-649). CD ROM: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
Scopus1
2010 Milnes, P., Melkoumian, N., Mather, D., Milnes, T., Stewart, A., & Tan, L. (2010). 'She'll be right mate' - Culture and safety. In Proceedings of Mine Planning and Equipment Selection (MPES) Conference (pp. 427-437). CD: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
2010 Maadad, N., & Melkoumian, N. (2010). Workplace experiences of international academic staff in South Australian universities. In Proceedings of Migrant Security 2010 (pp. 137-145). www: University of Southern Queensland.
2010 Melkoumian, N. (2010). Predicting stress-strain relationships in stratified rock mass by using machine learning techniques. In Proceedings of the 10th IASTED International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Applications (AIA 2010) (pp. 479-484). USA: ACTA Press.
DOI
2010 Chlingaryan, A., & Melkoumian, N. (2010). Automated monitoring of bonding materials' properties in complex structures using machine learning. In Proceedings of the 10th IASTED International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Applications (pp. 489-493). USA: ACTA Press.
DOI
2010 Duncan, J., Prest, T., Keogh, B., Frazer, J., Melkoumian, N., & Xu, C. (2010). Site selection study for conceptual design of a deep underground radioactive waste repository in Australia. In Proceedings of the 10th IASTED International conference (pp. 470-475). Zurich: ACTA Press.
DOI Scopus2
2009 Melkoumian, N., Melkumyan, A., & Wu, C. (2009). Suggestion of a method for predicting different response characteristics including major cracks induced by blast loading in concrete slabs using machine learning. In Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Shock & Impact Loads on Structures (pp. 435-441). Adelaide: University of Adelaide.
Scopus1

Year Citation
2012 Melkoumian, N. S., Woithe, S. D., Griffith, M. C., & Cates, I. G. (2012). 2012903700, A Device, System and Software Application for Structural Monitoring (Multi-Channel Early Warning Active Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) System).. Australia.

Year Citation
1994 Melkoumian, N. S. (1994). Mixed boundary-value problems of theory of elasticity for bodies with progressing cracks.

Funding Period: 2015-2017

Funding Body : Mining Education Australia (MEA)

CIs                   : Noune Melkoumian (Lead CI), Wendy Timms

Project            : Quantifying fracture continuity and water seepage within a saturated stratified rock mass as a function of strength and degree of saturation of rocks

Project Budget: $40K

 

Funding Period: 2011-2012

Funding Body : ECMS Executive Dean's Research Grant

CIs                   : Noune Melkoumian

Project            : Development of a cost-effective active structural health monitoring system with piezoelectric transducers and its application in the studies on rock fracture mechanics and on failure prediction of civil structures

Project Budget: $10K

 

Funding Period: 2011-2014

Funding Body :  The Deep Exploration Technologies Cooperative Research Centre (DET-CRC)

CIs                   : Noune Melkoumian

Project            : Drilling and maintaining stabile boreholes in poorly cemented sandy formations

Project Budget: $145K

 

Funding Period: 2010-2011

Funding Body :  Equity and Diversity Research Grant

CIs                   : Nina Maadad (lead CI), Noune Melkoumian

Project            : Workplace experiences of international academic staff at South Australian universities.

Project Budget: $5K

 

Funding Period: 2002-2003

Funding Body :  Casio Compiuters Co. Ltd., USA

CIs                   : Noune Melkoumian (Lead CI), Narek Melkumyan, Arman Melkumyan

Project            : Development of a software package for the BE-300 Cassiopeia Pocket Manager.

Project Budget: US$10K

Course Leader, Course Coordinator and Lecturer:

  • MEA (Mining Education Australia: includes UNSW, UoA, UQ & Curtin Uni.) course leader for the following:
  • Mine Geotechnical Engineering course (2010-2014)
  • Advanced Mine Geotechnical Engineering course (2010-2014)
  • Mining in a Global Environment (2014-2016)
  • Mine Ventilation
  • Socio-Environmental Aspects of Mining
  • Engineering Modelling and Analysis IIA
  • Thermodynamics for Mine Ventilation (as part of the course Water Engineering IIA)
  • Reservoir Thermodynamics and Fluid Properties (for the Petroleum Engineering specialty)

 

Program Coordinator:

  • Masters By Research (Mining Engineering)
  • Masters by Coursework (Civil & Structural Engineering; Civil & Environmental Engineering; Mining Engineering)
  • Assessing eligibility of international and local ME Coursework applications
  • Advanced standing/academic credit assessment: international and local ME Coursework students
  • Practical Work Experience
  • Course Advice (UG & PG students)

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2021 Co-Supervisor Information Capability Project: Bioinspired robust construction by autonomous agent swarms in extreme conditions Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Gary Yung
2021 Co-Supervisor Bioinspired robust construction by autonomous agent swarms in extreme conditions Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Henry John Mellor
2021 Principal Supervisor Bioinspired Robust Ventilation System for Maintaining Optimal Temperature and Dust Control by Autonomous Agent Swarms for Structures in off-Earth Extreme Conditions Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Ulfa Riani
2021 Principal Supervisor Biomimicry for off-earth mining: investigating the applications of swarm robotics and other nature inspired designs for mining Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Gal-Erdene Battsengel

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2021 - 2025 Principal Supervisor BIOMIMICRY FOR OFF-EARTH MINING: INVESTIGATING THE APPLICATIONS OF SWARM ROBOTICS AND OTHER NATURE INSPIRED DESIGNS FOR MINING Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Joven Tan
2021 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Permeability Evolution of Shale During High-Ionic-Strength Water Sequential Imbibition and Carbon Dioxide Dry Out Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Tianhao Bai
2016 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Quantifying the Effects of Cement and Water Saturation on the behaviour of Various Types of Sandy Formations Adjacent to Excavations Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Jun Hyuk Heo
2012 - 2017 Principal Supervisor Prediction of breakdown pressures and fracture propagation surfaces in a rock material subjected to hydraulic fracturing using intact specimens and specimens with a replicated crack Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Adam Karl Schwartzkopff
2011 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Drilling and maintaining stable unsupported boreholes in poorly cemented sandy formations Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Sam Saeed Hashemi
2010 - 2012 Principal Supervisor Analysis of Rock Performance under Three-Dimensional Stress, to Predict Instability in Deep Boreholes Master of Engineering Science Master Full Time Mr Arash Mir

Date Role Membership Country
2011 - ongoing Member Australian Institute of Mining and Mettalurgy, Australia (AusIMM) Australia
1994 - ongoing Member Institute of Engineers, Australia Australia
1990 - ongoing Member Association of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Armenia Armenia
1990 - ongoing Member Association of Applied Mathematics, Armenia -

Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
2011 - ongoing Board Member International Safety Science Journal - -
2010 - ongoing Board Member International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment - -

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