Elena Pasternak

Elena Pasternak serves as a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering department within the School of Engineering at The University of Western Australia, with additional affiliation to the International Space Centre. Her research bridges theoretical mechanics with practical engineering applications in rock and materials science.

Her expertise centers on solid mechanics with specialized focus on rock mechanics, fracture mechanics, and hydraulic fracturing. She investigates hybrid materials with engineered architectures, topologically interlocking structures, and higher-order continuum modeling for fragmented bodies under large deformations. This work has significant implications for geomechanics, rock engineering, and sustainable construction materials.

Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal consistent thematic trends across petroleum engineering, civil infrastructure, and geomechanics. Key research threads include spallation mechanics for drilling applications, hydraulic fracture scaling laws, and thermal-mechanical behavior of shale reservoirs. Her work demonstrates strong integration of theoretical modeling with experimental validation in rock engineering contexts.

Professor Pasternak has supervised 8 research students and leads multiple major research initiatives:

• Controllable spallation. Theory and applications for environmentally friendly drilling (ARC, 2025-2028)
• Thermal spallation drilling in rock engineering—experiment, modelling and applications (UWA, 2024-2026)
• Catastrophic Rock and Concrete Brittle Failures (ARC, 2021-2024)
• Constricted hydraulic fracture opening (ARC, 2019-2024)
• Smart materials, smart construction, smart structures (UWA, 2019-2020)

She maintains active collaboration networks within the International Space Centre and across international research consortia, particularly in rock mechanics and advanced materials development.