Chris Wensrich

Associate Professor Chris Wensrich is a faculty member in the School of Engineering at the University of Newcastle, specializing in Mechanical Engineering. He holds a PhD, Bachelor of Mathematics, and Bachelor of Engineering from the same university. His research focuses on granular mechanics, neutron diffraction, and strain tomography, with pioneering work in Bragg-edge transmission strain tomography and granular dynamics modeling.

Wensrich has held visiting appointments at Clare Hall College, Cambridge University, and the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences in the UK. He currently serves as President of the Australian Neutron Beam User Group (ANBUG) and is a member of the ACNS Program Advisory Team at ANSTO. His expertise spans applied mechanics, computational modeling (DEM), and experimental techniques involving neutron diffraction.

His research interests include granular material behavior, stress distribution measurement, and validation of computational models using neutron imaging. Notable contributions include studies on silo quaking dynamics, force chain analysis in granular assemblies, and residual stress characterization in additive manufacturing. Wensrich has supervised 11 PhD students and secured over $5.4M in grants, including ARC Discovery Projects and industry-linked initiatives.

Publications span granular mechanics, strain tomography, and material characterization, with over 60 journal articles and 38 conference papers. His work bridges theoretical, computational, and experimental methods to advance understanding of particulate systems and engineering materials.