Chris Saunders

Dr Chris Saunders

Internal Grant-Funded Researcher (C)

School of Agriculture, Food and Wine

College of Science

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

Available For Media Comment.

I am a Senior Research Fellow within the School of Agriculture Food & Wine, Agricultural Machinery Research Group, where my research is focused on the Engineering for Sustainable Agricultural.
 
 
Find out more about my research on the website AMRDC .

Some of my focus research areas include:

Agricultural Machinery Technologies, Agricultural Machinery Design, Agricultural Machinery Operation and Efficiency, Soil / Machine Dynamics, Sensors and sensing for Agriculture, Computers and Automation for Agriculture, Grain Harvesting & Post Havest, Discrete Element Method (DEM) for soil tillage simulations

 

Year Citation
2026 Azeem, M. M., McBeath, T., Ouzman, J., Saunders, C., & Llewellyn, R. (2026). Unearthing profits: The impact of ripping depth on cost-benefit dynamics in south-eastern Australia's sandy soils. Soil and Tillage Research, 258, 12 pages.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2025 Ucgul, M., Saunders, C., & Desbiolles, J. M. A. (2025). Pilot study into the performance of inclusion plates used in deep ripping. Soil and Tillage Research, 253(106673), 1-11.
DOI Scopus4 WoS4
2023 Khosravani, A., Desbiolles, J. M. A., Saunders, C., Ucgul, M., & Fielke, J. M. (2023). Prediction of single disc seeding system forces, using a semi-analytical and discrete element method (DEM) considering rotation effects. Agriculture (Switzerland), 13(1, article no. 202), 1-17.
DOI Scopus7 WoS6
2023 Khosravani, A., Desbiolles, J. M. A., Fielke, J. M., Ucgul, M., & Saunders, C. (2023). Prediction of single disc seeding system forces, using a semi-analytical and discrete element method (DEM). Agriculture, 13(1), 1-18.
DOI Scopus6 WoS6
2021 Saunders, C., Ucgul, M., & Godwin, R. J. (2021). Discrete element method (DEM) simulation to improve performance of a mouldboard skimmer. Soil and Tillage Research, 205(104764), 1-13.
DOI Scopus72 WoS66
2020 Ucgul, M., & Saunders, C. (2020). Simulation of tillage forces and furrow profile during soil-mouldboard plough interaction using discrete element modelling. Biosystems engineering, 190, 58-70.
DOI Scopus99 WoS77 Europe PMC3
2020 Li, P., Ucgul, M., Lee, S. H., & Saunders, C. (2020). A new approach for the automatic measurement of the angle of repose of granular materials with maximal least square using digital image processing. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 172, 1-10.
DOI Scopus42 WoS36
2019 Li, P., Ucgul, M., Lee, S. H., & Saunders, C. (2019). A new method to analyse the soil movement during tillage operations using a novel digital image processing algorithm. Computers and electronics in agriculture, 156, 43-50.
DOI Scopus10 WoS10 Europe PMC1
2018 Ucgul, M., Saunders, C., Li, P., & Lee, S. H. (2018). Analyzing the mixing performance of a rotary spader using digital image processing and discrete element modelling (DEM). Computers and electronics in agriculture, 151, 1-10.
DOI Scopus92 WoS71 Europe PMC4
2018 Ucgul, M., Saunders, C., & Fielke, J. M. (2018). Comparison of the discrete element and finite element methods to model the interaction of soil and tool cutting edge. Biosystems engineering, 169, 199-208.
DOI Scopus106 WoS79 Europe PMC8
2018 Üçgül, M., Saunders, C., & Aybek, A. (2018). A research on utilizing of discrete element method in the design of agricultural machineries. Kahramanmaraş Sütçüimam University journal of natural sciences, 21(1), 44-50.
DOI WoS1
2017 Ucgul, M., Saunders, C., & Fielke, J. M. (2017). Discrete element modelling of tillage forces and soil movement of a one-third scale mouldboard plough. Biosystems engineering, 155, 44-54.
DOI Scopus131 WoS101 Europe PMC13
2017 Ucgul, M., Chris, S., & Fielke, J. M. (2017). Discrete element modelling of top soil burial using a full scale mouldboard plough under field conditions. Biosystems engineering, 160, 140-153.
DOI Scopus115 WoS89 Europe PMC12
2017 Guzzomi, A. L., Ryan, M., Saunders, C., & Walsh, M. J. (2017). Reducing the integrated Harrington Seed Destructor power requirements through chaff fraction optimization. Applied engineering in agriculture, 33(5), 695-701.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5
2015 Ucgul, M., Fielke, J. M., & Saunders, C. (2015). Defining the effect of sweep tillage tool cutting edge geometry on tillage forces using 3D discrete element modelling. Information processing in agriculture, 2(2), 130-141.
DOI Scopus98
2015 Ucgul, M., Fielke, J. M., & Saunders, C. (2015). Three-dimensional discrete element modelling (DEM) of tillage: accounting for soil cohesion and adhesion. Biosystems engineering, 129, 298-306.
DOI Scopus274 WoS202 Europe PMC22
2015 Berry, N., Fielke, J., & Saunders, C. (2015). A Mastercurve to predict annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) seed devitalisation when exposed to multiple single sided impacts. BioSystems engineering, 133, 56-63.
DOI Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC1
2014 Liu, H., Lee, S. H., & Saunders, C. (2014). Development of a machine vision system for weed detection during both of off-season and in-season in broadacre no-tillage cropping lands. American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, 9(2), 174-193.
DOI Scopus24
2014 Ucgul, M., Fielke, J. M., & Saunders, C. (2014). 3D DEM tillage simulation: validation of a hysteretic spring (plastic) contact model for a sweep tool operating in a cohesionless soil. Soil and tillage research, 144, 220-227.
DOI Scopus230 WoS157
2014 Berry, N. K., Fielke, J. M., & Saunders, C. (2014). Determination of impact energy to devitalise annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) seed from one impact using double and single sided impacts. Biosystems engineering, 118(1), 138-146.
DOI Scopus9 WoS8 Europe PMC2
2014 Solhjou, A., Fielke, J. M., Desbiolles, J. M. A., & Saunders, C. (2014). Soil translocation by narrow openers with various bent leg geometries. Biosystems engineering, 127(1), 41-49.
DOI Scopus47 WoS29 Europe PMC7
2014 Ucgul, M., Fielke, J. M., & Saunders, C. (2014). Three-dimensional discrete element modelling of tillage: determination of a suitable contact model and parameters for a cohesionless soil. BioSystems engineering, 121, 105-117.
DOI Scopus309 WoS220 Europe PMC29
2013 Liu, H., Saunders, C., & Lee, S. H. (2013). Development of a proximal machine vision system for off-season weed mapping in broadacre no-tillage fallows. Journal of computer science, 9(12), 1803-1821.
DOI Scopus14
2011 Kurkuri, M., Saunders, C., Collins, P., Pavic, H., & Losic, D. (2011). Combining micro and nanoscale structures: Emerging applications of Diatoms. Micro and Nanosystems, 3(4), 277-283.
DOI Scopus6
2011 Banhazi, T. M., Saunders, C., Nieuwe, N., Lu, V., & Banhazi, A. (2011). Oil Spraying as an air quality improvement technique in livestock building: development and utilisation of a testing device. Australian Journal of Multi-disciplinary Engineering, 8(2), 169-179.
2011 Banhazi, T., Tscharke, M., Ferdous, W., Saunders, C., & Lee, S. (2011). Improved image analysis based system to reliably predict the live weight of pigs on farm: preliminary results. Australian journal of multi-disciplinary engineering, 8(2), 107-117.
2010 Shahgoli, G., Fielke, J., Saunders, C., & Desbiolles, J. (2010). Simulation of the dynamic behaviour of a tractor-oscillating subsoiler system. Biosystems engineering, 106(2), 147-155.
DOI Scopus42 WoS26 Europe PMC2
2009 Shahgoli, G., Saunders, C., Desbiolles, J., & Fielke, J. (2009). The effect of oscillation angle on the performance of oscillatory tillage. Soil and tillage research, 104(1), 97-105.
DOI Scopus46 WoS31
2009 Shahgoli, G., Fielke, J., Desbiolles, J., & Saunders, C. (2009). Optimising oscillation frequency in oscillatory tillage. Soil and tillage research, 106(2), 202-210.
DOI Scopus90 WoS48
2009 Shahgoly, G., Saunders, C., & Fielke, J. M. (2009). Application of power spectral density to recognize the important factors creating tractor-subsoiler vibrations. Australian Journal of Multi-disciplinary Engineering, 7(1), 39-46.
DOI
2009 Saunders, C. (2009). MAKING EMPIRE Colonial encounters and the creation of imperial rule in nineteenth-century Africa. TLS-THE TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT, (5555), 11.
2007 Busato, P., Berruto, R., & Saunders, C. (2007). Optimal field-bin locations and harvest patterns to improve the combine field capacity: study with a dynamic simulation model. Agricultural Engineering International: the CIGR e-journal.
2007 Godwin, R., O'Dogherty, M., Saunders, C., & Balafoutis, A. (2007). A force prediction model for mouldboard ploughs incorporating the effects of soil characteristic properties, plough geometric factors and ploughing speed. BioSystems engineering, 97(1), 117-129.
DOI Scopus98 WoS79 Europe PMC13

Year Citation
2024 Rowell, W., Redfield, S., Nolan, C., Holt, J. M., Fanslow, C., Lampraki, E. M., . . . Eberle, M. (2024). PacBio HiFi WGS identifies potential causal variants not found by short read sequencing. In EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS Vol. 32 (pp. 609-610). SCOTLAND, Glasgow: SPRINGERNATURE.
2020 Moodie, M., Saunders, C., Ucgul, M., & Macdonald, L. (2020). The how's and whys for ripping deep sandy soils of the low rainfall Mallee. In 2020 Bendigo GRDC Grains Research Updates (pp. 221-230). Australia: GRDC.
2019 Ucgul, M., Saunders, C., & Desbiolles, J. (2019). The use of computer simulation as a decision-making tool to improve machinery set-up, usage and performance. In Proceedings of the 19th Australian Society of Agronomy Conference (pp. 1-4). Australia: Australian Society of Agronomy.
2019 Macdonald, L. M., McBeath, T., Fraser, M., Wilhelm, N., Davenport, D., Trengove, S., . . . Llewellyn, R. (2019). Mind the gap: targeting profile amelioration in Southern region sandy soils. In Proceedings of the 19th Australian Agronomy Conference: Cells to Satellites (pp. 1-4). Australia: Australian Society of Agronomy.
2019 Ucgul, M., Saunders, C., Desbiolles, J., Davies, S., & Parker, W. (2019). Improving the effectiveness of soil amelioration by optimising soil machine interaction. In 2019 Perth GRDC Grains Research Update (pp. 1-8). Australia: GRDC.
2019 MacDonald, L., McBeath, T., Llewellyn, R., Moodie, M., Desbiolles, J., Saunders, C., . . . Whitworth, R. (2019). Underperforming sandy soils - targeting constraints for cost effective amelioration. In Proceedings from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) (pp. 79-84). Australia: Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).
2018 Ucgul, M., Saunders, C., & Fielke, J. M. (2018). Investigating the top-down burial capability of a cultivator using discrete element method (DEM). In Papers from the ASABE Annual international meeting (pp. 1-8). US: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
DOI
2017 Ucgul, M., Saunders, C., & Fielke, J. M. (2017). Particle and geometry scaling of the hysteretic spring/linear cohesion contact model for discrete element modelling of soil-tool simulation. In 2017 ASABE Annual International Meeting (pp. 1-12). US: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
DOI Scopus8
2016 Ucgul, M., Saunders, C., & Fielke, J. (2016). The effect of discrete element particle parameters on angle of repose and soil-tool force simulation results. In 2016 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting, ASABE 2016 (pp. 1-11). US: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
DOI Scopus5
2016 Ucgul, M., Saunders, C., & Fielke, J. (2016). A method of quantifying discrete element method simulations of top soil burial from a mouldboard plough. In 2016 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting, ASABE 2016 (pp. 1-12). US: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
DOI Scopus8
2015 Desbiolles, J., Saunders, C., & Barr, J. (2015). Farm machinery research at UniSA: what's the latest?. In 2015 Member Day Publication (pp. 1-9). Australia: Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation.
2015 Liu, G., Zhu, W., Saunders, C., Gao, F., & Yu, Y. (2015). Real-Time Complex Event Processing and Analytics for Smart Grid. In C. H. Dagli (Ed.), COMPLEX ADAPTIVE SYSTEMS, 2015 Vol. 61 (pp. 113-119). CA, San Jose: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV.
DOI WoS20
2013 Liu, H., Li, P., Saunders, C., & Lee, S. H. (2013). Development of a green plant image segmentation method of machine vision system for no-tillage fallow weed detection. In 2013 Society for Engineering in Agriculture Conference : innovative agricultural technologies for a sustainable future (pp. 95-108). Barton, ACT: Engineers Australia.
2013 Coates, M. C., Saunders, C., & Fielke, J. M. (2013). Review of aeration methods used within bulk storage systems for application with almonds. In 2013 Society for Engineering in Agriculture Conference : innovative agricultural technologies for a sustainable future (pp. 326-335). Barton, ACT: Engineers Australia.
2013 Ucgul, M., Fielke, J. M., & Saunders, C. (2013). 3D discrete element modelling of the interaction of the cutting edge of a sweep tillage tool with soil. In 2013 Society for Engineering in Agriculture Conference : innovative agricultural technologies for a sustainable future (pp. 1-9). Barton, ACT: Engineers Australia.
2013 Skelton, P. S. M., Creek, A. M., Smith, T. G., Saunders, C., & Lee, S. (2013). Review of autonomous systems and research on autonomy for agricultural vehicles. In 2013 Society for Engineering in Agriculture Conference : innovative agricultural technologies for a sustainable future (pp. 1-9). Barton, ACT: Engineers Australia.
2013 Zrna, B. N., Fielke, J. M., & Saunders, C. (2013). Investigating the use of acoustic vibrations to harvest winegrapes. In 2013 Society for Engineering in Agriculture Conference : innovative agricultural technologies for a sustainable future (pp. 320-324). Barton, ACT: Engineers Australia.
2013 Nath, N., Saunders, C., & Lee, S. H. (2013). Implementing a hybrid bug algorithm using low cost ultrasonic sensors for navigation on free range chicken farms. In 2013 Society for Engineering in Agriculture Conference: innovative agricultural technologies for a sustainable future (pp. 299-305). Barton, ACT: Engineers Australia.
2013 Fielke, J. M., Ucgul, M., & Saunders, C. (2013). Discrete element modeling of soil-implement interaction considering soil plasticity, cohesion and adhesion. In 2013 Proceedings of the Annual Meeting for the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Vol. 5 (pp. 3558-3566). US: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
DOI Scopus9
2013 Berry, N. K., Saunders, C., & Fielke, J. M. (2013). Opportunities to reduce the chaff processing requirements of a harvester weed seed destructor. In 2013 Society for Engineering in Agriculture Conference : innovative agricultural technologies for a sustainable future (pp. 371-379). Australia: Engineers Australia Pty Ltd.
2012 Ucgul, M., Fielke, J., & Saunders, C. (2012). Towards 3D tillage simulation using DEM : determination of parameters using an angle of repose and a penetration test. In Proceedings of 19th ISTRO Conference, September 2012, Montevideo, Uruguay (pp. 1-9). Netherlands: International Soil Tillage Research Organisation.
2012 Berry, N. K., Saunders, C., & Fielke, J. M. (2012). Relating the power requirement of the Harrington seed destructor to chaff throughput. In International Conference of Agricultural Engineering : CIGR-AgEng 2012 : papers list (pp. 1-6). Japan: International Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
2011 Ucgul, M., Fielke, J. M., & Saunders, C. (2011). 3D discrete element model simulation of a sinkage test. In Proceedings of the biennial conference of the Australian society for engineering in agriculture (pp. 497-505). Australia: Engineers Australia.
2011 Ferdous, W. M., Tscharke, M., Saunders, C., Lee, S. H., & Banhazi, T. M. (2011). Digital image processing methods for the identification of pigs posture during weight estimation. In Precision Livestock Farming 2011 Papers Presented at the 5th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming Ecplf 2011 (pp. 422-432).
Scopus2
2010 Kozanitis, C., Saunders, C., Kruglyak, S., Bafna, V., & Varghese, G. (2010). Compressing Genomic Sequence Fragments Using SLIMGENE. In B. Berger (Ed.), RESEARCH IN COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, PROCEEDINGS Vol. 6044 (pp. 310-+). PORTUGAL, Lisbon: SPRINGER-VERLAG BERLIN.
WoS16
2009 Banhazi, T. M., Tscharke, M., Ferdous, W. M., Saunders, C., & Lee, S. H. (2009). Using image processing and statistical modelling to achieve improved pig weight predictions. In T. Banhazi, & C. Saunders (Eds.), Agriculture Technologies in a Changing Climate (pp. 1-11). Brisbane, Queensland: Society of Engineering in Agriculture.
2009 Saunders, C., Nieuwe Weme, N., & Banhazi, T. (2009). Reducing the cncentrations of airborne partiles in bedded livestock buildings: development of a testing equipment. In T. Banhazi, & C. Saunders (Eds.), The 2009 CIGR Internaitonal Symposium of the Australian Society for Engineering in Agriculture (pp. 1-8). Brisbane, Australia: SAEG.
2009 Saunders, C., Bol, A., & Banhazi, T. (2009). Evaluating laser-scanning as a potential technology for measurement of livestock body dimensions. In T. Banhazi, & C. Saunders (Eds.), The 2009 CIGR International Symposium of the Australian Society for Engineering in Agriculture (pp. 1-8). Brisbane, Australia: SAEG.
2008 Busato, P., Berruto, R., & Saunders, C. (2008). Logistics and efficiency of Grain harvest and transport systems in a South Australian context. In Proceedings of the 2008 ASABE Annual International Meeting Vol. 9 (pp. 5336-5347). Michigan: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
Scopus4
2007 Shahgoly, G., Saunders, C., Desbiolles, J. M. A., & Fielke, J. M. (2007). Simulation of the Dynamic Behaviour of Atractor-oscillating Subsoiler System. In Agriculture and engineering : challenge today, technology tomorrow : proceedings : the biennial conference of the Australian Society for Engineering in Agriculture, (SEAg) (pp. 179-189). Australia: Australian Society for Engineering in Agriculture.
2007 Shahgoly, G., Saunders, C., Desbiolles, J. M. A., & Fielke, J. M. (2007). An investigation into the performance of oscillatory tillage using different frequencies. In Agriculture and engineering : challenge today, technology tomorrow : proceedings : the biennial conference of the Australian Society for Engineering in Agriculture, (SEAg), 23-26 September, 2007, Adelaide, South Australia. Australia: Australian Society for Engineering in Agriculture.
2007 Shahgoli, G., Fielke, J. M., Desbiolles, J. M. A., & Saunders, C. (2007). Characterising vibratory tillage by investigating the plough pan profile. In ISTRO- International Soil and Tillage Research Organisation - Soil Dynamics Workshop. Turkey: Üniversiteliler.
2006 Desbiolles, J. M. A., & Saunders, C. (2006). Soil throw characteristics of no-till furrow openers: a pilot study. In Proceedings of the 17th triennial conference of the international soil tillage research organisation 'sustainability - its impact on soil management and environment'. Germany: ISTOR.
2004 Slattery, M. G., Desbiolles, J. M. A., & Saunders, C. (2004). Soil loosening energy - a new concept in deep tillage energy comparisons. In To Bourke and Back; an Adventure in Agricultural Engineering. Dubbo, New South Wales.
  • Sandy Soils II: Management to sustain production potential in the low to medium rainfall environments of the Southern cropping region, CSIRO Australia, 19/11/2024 - 30/06/2027
  • Increasing production on sandy soils in low and medium rainfall areas of the Southern Region - Amelioration Dem Component, Grains Research and Development Corporation, 01/07/2016 - 30/11/2023
  • Increasing production on sandy soils in low and medium rainfall areas of the Southern Region - Mitigation Trials, Grains Research and Development Corporation, 01/07/2016 - 30/11/2023
  • PIRSA New Horizons - Engineering phase (2015-19), SA Dept of Primary Industries and Regions, 01/06/2015 - 30/06/2021
  • Delivering enhanced agronomic strategies for improved crop performance on water repellent soils in Western Australia, Grains Research and Development Corporation - Agronomy, Soils and Environment, 01/07/2014 - 30/06/2019
  • Minimising the impact of soil compaction on crop yield, Grains Research and Development Corporation, 01/07/2017 - 20/06/2019
  • Advanced Processing of Almonds, Hort Innovation, 01/09/2012 - 01/06/2019
  • 2014 Farmer Evaluation of Prototype Impact Mills, Sargent Trading, 01/09/2014 - 30/06/2018

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2021 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Robust visual simultaneous localisation and mapping, and place recognition systems for autonomous field robots Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Md Rafiqul Islam
2013 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Defining and modelling the boundaries for mechanised dehydration to produce high quality almonds Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Michael Coates
2012 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Development of the algorithms and mechanism of a machine vision system for both summer and in-season weed mapping in broadacre no-till cropping lands Master of Engineering (Mechanical and Manufacturing) Master Full Time Mr Huajian Liu
2011 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Development of an efficient complete area coverage strategy for low cost mobile agricultural robots employing navigation sensors with limited angular resolution and having applications in covering large areas with small obstacles Master of Engineering (Mechanical and Manufacturing) Master Part Time Mrs Namrata Nath
2010 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Simulation of sweep tillage using discrete element modelling Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Mustafa Ucgul
2010 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Optimisation of an impact mill that processes chaff exiting a combine harvester to devitalise annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) seeds Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Nicholas Berry

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