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Staff profile

Overview

Professor William Coombs

Professor

Affiliations
AffiliationTelephone
Professor in the Department of Engineering+44 (0) 191 33 42516

Biography

Will Coombs is a Professor of Computational Mechanics in the Department of Engineering. He graduated with a first class MEng honors degree in Civil Engineering from Durham University in 2008. Following his undergraduate studies, Will began a PhD at Durham University within the School of Engineering and Computing Sciences, which he completed in 2011. The research conducted during this time concentrated on the theoretical development and numerical implementation of finite deformation constitutive models for pressure-sensitive particulate geomaterials. In 2011 he started as a Lecturer in School of Engineering and Computing Sciences at Durham University, he was promoted to a Senior Lecturer in 2015, Associate Professor in 2017 and Full Professor in 2021.   

Research

Will's core research interests focus on: (i) material (or constitutive) models with a specific focus on elasto-plasticity, (ii) finite-deformation mechanics, (iii) non-linear finite-elements, (iv) non-mesh-based numerical methods, (v) material point methods and (vi) fracture.  He is a member of the Department of Engineering's Computational Mechanics Research Node.  He is committed to making his research as accessible as possible, including publishing research codes in a way that is accessible to early career researchers.  One example of this is the open-source AMPLE Material Point Method (MPM) code available here.

Recently Will's research has focused on applications in offshore geotechnical engineering related to offshore wind energy, such as foundation solutions and issues related to cable installation. The adopted computational tool for these investigations is the MPM that is ideally suited to model problems involving large deformation and material failure. Durham's research group has positioned itself as a leader in implicit MPMs and has solved several issues related to application of boundary conditions, avoiding spurious issues such as volumetric locking and small cuts, and appropriate ways to formulate the MPM for different problems. 

He also develops computational tools to solve challenging problems in fracture mechanics, leveraging the capabilities of discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods to automatically adapt the finite element mesh and provide highly accurate solutions to general problems.  This has included the development of discrete fracture models using configurational force mechanics and smeared fracture representations via the phase field approach.  He is currently applying these techniques to understand ice fracture and calving processes.     

Active grants and research projects

Offshore Cable Burial: How deep is deep enough? Will leads this Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)-funded research project (grant reference EP/W000970/1) is a collaboration between Durham University, the University of Dundee and the British Geological Survey. The project focused on providing the offshore renewable energy industry with more guidance on appropriate burial depths of offshore power transmission cables to protect them for drag anchors within the Carbon Trust's Cable Burial Risk Assessment (CBRA) process.  Numerical modelling is of the highly non-linear soil-structure anchor penetration process is achieved through the Material Point Method. 

Braced Excavations: What about the corners? This Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)-funded research project (grant reference EP/X024849/1) is a collaboration between Durham University and the University of Dundee. The project is led by Professor Charles Augarde at Durham University. The aim of this project is to develop new and more accurate ways to predict ground movements and prop loads for large braced excavations as regularly used around the world for the construction of new underground transportation infrastructure. The project adopts the finite element method for the numerical analysis, and combines this with Reduced Order Models (ROMs) to explore the problem at high efficiency. 

Aura Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Offshore Wind Energy. Will leads Durham's involvement in two CDTs that focus on all aspects of offshore wind energy.  Combined the programmes will train 130+ PhD students across the partner institutions, providing full funding (tuition fees and stipend) for 4 years to each student.  The CDTs are led by the University of Hull.  See here for details on the research supported by the CDT.     

Research students

Will currently supervises the following research students:

  • Ted O'Hare is focused on combining non-linear micropolar continuum theory with the material point method to model large deformation strain localisation problems in geotechnical engineering. 
  • Will Burton, based in the Department of Geography, is focused on how the pledged expansion of offshore wind in The North Sea may affect other parts of its Socio-Ecological System. Funded by the Aura CDT. 
  • Sam Sutcliffe is using the material point method to study glaciers, utilising its robustness to large deformation and power in modelling history dependent constitutive models to better capture the calving process.
  • Bradley Sims is applying adaptive discontinuous Galerkin finite element phase field modelling to study fracture processes in ice, with a focus on the appropriate application of boundary conditions and loading. 
  • Soheil Navvabi is developing new computational models for the optimisation of the internal structure of composite materials with a focused on offshore wind turbine blades. Funded by the Aura CDT. 
  • Bayan Mohammad is researching into innovative decommissioning methods for offshore foundation systems. Funded by the Aura CDT. 
  • Pranavkumar Shivakumar is using XRCT imaging and discrete element modelling to understand the role of fabric anisotropy on cyclic loading of offshore soils. Funded by the Aura CDT. 

Will is accepting new PhD students linked to his research interests and background.  

Teaching

Will is on Research Leave for the 2024/25 academic year, which means he is not delivering any taught courses during this period. Over the last five years he has delivered courses in the following areas: finite-element method, non-linear mechanics (large deformation mechanics and plasticity), contact mechanics and aircraft structures. In the past he has also taught courses on plasticity for metal forming, structural analysis, land surveying and Critical State soil mechanics as well as coursework in the areas of finite-element analysis, plasticity, contact and geometric non-linearity. 

Research interests

  • elasto-plasticity
  • finite deformation mechanics
  • finite-elements (continuous and discontinuous Galerkin)
  • fracture prediction
  • geomaterials
  • hyperplasticity
  • material point method
  • stress integration
  • offshore geotechnics

Publications

Chapter in book

  • Material point method: Overview and challenges ahead
    Sołowski, W., Berzins, M., Coombs, W., Guilkey, J., Moller, M., Tran, Q., Adibaskoro, T., Seyedan, S., Tielen, R., & Soga, K. (2021). Material point method: Overview and challenges ahead. In S. Bordas & D. S. Balint (Eds.), Advances in Applied Mechanics (pp. 113-204). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.aams.2020.12.002

Conference Paper

  • Gradient elasticity with the material point method
    Charlton, T., Coombs, W., & Augarde, C. (in press). Gradient elasticity with the material point method. Presented at VII European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering, ECCOMAS 2016, Crete, Greece.
  • An implicit time integration high-order material point method for small and large deformation problems: formulation and analysis within the isogeometric framework
    Ghaffari Motlagh, Y., & Coombs, W. (in press). An implicit time integration high-order material point method for small and large deformation problems: formulation and analysis within the isogeometric framework. Presented at VII European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering, ECCOMAS 2016, Crete, Greece.
  • Simulation of strain localisation with an elastoplastic micropolar material point method
    O’Hare, T. J., Gourgiotis, P. A., Coombs, W. M., & Augarde, C. E. (2024). Simulation of strain localisation with an elastoplastic micropolar material point method. In W. M. Coombs (Ed.), UKACM Proceedings 2024 (pp. 141-144). UK Association for Computational Mechanics. https://doi.org/10.62512/conf.ukacm2024.009
  • Immersed traction boundary conditions in phase field fracture modelling
    Sims, B., Bird, R. E., Coombs, W. M., & Giani, S. (2024). Immersed traction boundary conditions in phase field fracture modelling. In W. M. Coombs (Ed.), UKACM Proceedings 2024 (pp. 201-204). UK Association for Computational Mechanics. https://doi.org/10.62512/conf.ukacm2024.045
  • Consequences of Terzaghi’s effective stress decomposition in the context of finite strain poro-mechanics
    Pretti, G., Coombs, W. M., & Augarde, C. E. (2024). Consequences of Terzaghi’s effective stress decomposition in the context of finite strain poro-mechanics. In W. M. Coombs (Ed.), UKACM Proceedings 2024 (pp. 109-112). UK Association for Computational Mechanics. https://doi.org/10.62512/conf.ukacm2024.019
  • Modelling post-failure behaviour of chalk cliffs with the Material Point Method
    Sutcliffe, S. J. V., Coombs, W. M., Zhang, W., & Duddu, R. (2024). Modelling post-failure behaviour of chalk cliffs with the Material Point Method. In W. M. Coombs (Ed.), UKACM Proceedings 2024 (pp. 136-139). UK Association for Computational Mechanics. https://doi.org/10.62512/conf.ukacm2024.048
  • Dynamic three-dimensional rigid body interaction with highly deformable solids, a material point approach
    Bird, R., Pretti, G., Coombs, W., Augarde, C., Sharif, Y., Brown, M., Carter, G., Macdonald, C., & Johnson, K. (2024). Dynamic three-dimensional rigid body interaction with highly deformable solids, a material point approach. In W. Coombs (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2024 UK Association for Computational Mechanics Conference (pp. 153-156). UK Association for Computational Mechanics and Durham University. https://doi.org/10.62512/conf.ukacm2024.092
  • Characterisation of anchor penetration behaviour for Cable burial risk assessment
    Sharif, Y. U., Brown, M. J., Coombs, W. M., Augarde, C. E., Bird, R. E., Carter, G., Macdonald, C., & Johnson, K. R. (2023, September 12). Characterisation of anchor penetration behaviour for Cable burial risk assessment. Presented at 9th Int. SUT OSIG Conference “Innovative Geotechnologies for Energy Transition”, London, UK. https://doi.org/10.3723/fgqd3896
  • Cone penetration tests (CPTs) in bi-phase soils: A material point approach with rigid body interaction
    Bird, R., Pretti, G., Coombs, W. M., Augarde, C. E., Sharif, Y., Brown, M., Carter, G., & Johnson, K. (2023, April 19 – 2023, April 21). Cone penetration tests (CPTs) in bi-phase soils: A material point approach with rigid body interaction [Conference paper]. Presented at UK Association for Computational Mechanics 2023 (UKACM 2023), University of Warwick, UK.
  • A geometrically-exact Finite Element Method for micropolar continua with finite deformations
    O’Hare, T. J., Gourgiotis, P. A., Coombs, W. M., & Augarde, C. E. (2023, April 19 – 2023, April 21). A geometrically-exact Finite Element Method for micropolar continua with finite deformations [Conference paper]. Presented at UKACM 2023, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
  • Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs) in layered soils: a Material Point approach
    Bird, R., Coombs, W., Augarde, C., Brown, M., Sharif, Y., Carter, G., Johnson, K., & Macdonald, C. (2023). Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs) in layered soils: a Material Point approach (L. Zdravkovic, S. Kontoe, D. . M. . G. Taborda, & A. Tsiampousi, Eds.). International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. https://doi.org/10.53243/numge2023-743
  • An investigation into the methods for modelling pre-existing cracks in phase field problems
    Sims, B., Bird, R., Giani, S., & Coombs, W. (2023). An investigation into the methods for modelling pre-existing cracks in phase field problems. Presented at UKACM 2023, Warwick, UK.
  • Depth of lowering and layered soils; a case study from across the North Sea
    Macdonald, C., Carter, G. D. O., Johnson, K. R., Augarde, C. E., Coombs, W. M., Bird, R. E., Brown, M. J., & Sharif, Y. U. (2023, January 1). Depth of lowering and layered soils; a case study from across the North Sea. Presented at 9th Int. SUT OSIG Conference “Innovative Geotechnologies for Energy Transition”, London, UK. https://doi.org/10.3723/agpn3616
  • A ghost-stabilised material point method for large deformation geotechnical analysis
    Coombs, W. (2023). A ghost-stabilised material point method for large deformation geotechnical analysis (L. Zdravkovic, S. Konte, D. Taborda, & A. Tsiampousi, Eds.). International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. https://doi.org/10.53243/numge2023-57
  • On the development of a material point method compatible arc length solver for large deformation solid mechanics
    Gavin, N., Coombs, W., Brigham, J., & Augarde, C. (2023). On the development of a material point method compatible arc length solver for large deformation solid mechanics. Presented at UKACM 2023, Coventry, UK.
  • An open-source Julia code for geotechnical MPM
    Gavin, N., Bird, R. E., Coombs, W. M., & Augarde, C. E. (2023). An open-source Julia code for geotechnical MPM (L. Zdravkovic, S. Kontoe, D. M. G. Taborda, & A. Tsiampousi, Eds.). International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. https://doi.org/10.53243/numge2023-35
  • A review of drag anchor penetration models to inform cable burial risk assessment
    Pretti, G., Coombs, W., Augarde, C., Puigvert, M., Gutierrez, J., & Cross, L. (2022, August 28 – 2022, August 31). A review of drag anchor penetration models to inform cable burial risk assessment [Conference paper]. Presented at 4th International Symposium on Frontiers in Offshore Geotechnics (ISFOG), Austin, Texas.
  • MRI to MPM: Developing a Patient-specific Material Point Method Model of the Human Heart
    Gavin, N., Coombs, W., Brigham, J., & Augarde, C. (2022, April 20 – 2022, April 22). MRI to MPM: Developing a Patient-specific Material Point Method Model of the Human Heart [Conference paper]. Presented at UKACM 2022, Nottingham, UK.
  • A comparison of approaches for modelling poro-mechanics in the Material Point Method
    Pretti, G., Coombs, W., & Augarde, C. (2022, April 20 – 2022, April 22). A comparison of approaches for modelling poro-mechanics in the Material Point Method [Conference paper]. Presented at UKACM 2022, Nottingham, UK.
  • Overcoming Volumetric Locking in Three-Dimensional Material Point Analysis
    Coombs, W., Wang, L., & Augarde, C. (2021). Overcoming Volumetric Locking in Three-Dimensional Material Point Analysis. In M. Barla, A. Di Donna, & D. Sterpi (Eds.), Challenges and Innovations in Geomechanics. IACMAG 2021. (pp. 772-778). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64514-4_82
  • Investigation into the effect of plough share leading geometry angle on cable plough performance
    Matsui, H., Robinson, S., Brown, M., Brennan, A., Cortis, M., Coombs, W., & Augarde, C. (2019). Investigation into the effect of plough share leading geometry angle on cable plough performance. Presented at 16th Asian Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (16 ARC), Taipei, Taiwan.
  • AMPLE: A Material Point Learning Environment
    Coombs, W., Augarde, C., Bing, Y., Charlton, T., Cortis, M., Ghaffari Motlagh, Y., & Wang, L. (2019). AMPLE: A Material Point Learning Environment [Conference paper]. Presented at Second International Conference on the Material Point Method for Modelling Soil-Water-Structure Interaction, Cambridge, UK.
  • On the issues associated with applying traditional Lagrangian mechanics to the material point method
    Coombs, W., Augarde, C., Brennan, A., Brown, M., Charlton, T., Knappett, J., Ghaffari Motlagh, Y., & Wang, L. (2019, January 1). On the issues associated with applying traditional Lagrangian mechanics to the material point method. Presented at Second International Conference on the Material Point Method for Modelling Soil-Water-Structure Interaction, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
  • On Implementation Aspects of Implicit MPM for 3D Analysis
    Wang, L., Cortis, M., Coombs, W., Augarde, C., Brown, M., Knappett, J., Brennan, A., Davidson, C., Richards, D., & Blake, A. (2019, January 1). On Implementation Aspects of Implicit MPM for 3D Analysis. Presented at Second International Conference on the Material Point Method for Modelling Soil-Water-Structure Interaction, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
  • On the Use of Advanced Material Point Methods for Problems Involving Large Rotational Deformation
    Wang, L., Coombs, W., & Augarde, C. (2018, July 22 – 2018, July 27). On the Use of Advanced Material Point Methods for Problems Involving Large Rotational Deformation [Conference paper]. Presented at 13th World Congress on Computational Mechanics / 2nd Pan American Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM 2018), New York, USA.
  • Centrifuge modelling of screw piles for offshore wind energy foundations
    Davidson, C., Al-Baghdadi, T., Brown, M., Knappett, J., Brennan, A., Augarde, C., Wang, L., Coombs, W., Richards, D., Blake, A., & Ball, J. (2018). Centrifuge modelling of screw piles for offshore wind energy foundations. In A. McNamara, S. Divall, R. Goodey, N. Taylor, S. Stallebrass, & J. Panchal (Eds.), Physical modelling in geotechnics : proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG 2018), July 17-20, 2018, London, United Kingdom. Volume 1. (pp. 695-700). CRC Press.
  • Issues with the Material Point Method for geotechnical modelling, and how to address them
    Augarde, C., Bing, Y., Charlton, T., Coombs, W., Cortis, M., Brown, M., & Brennan, A. (2018). Issues with the Material Point Method for geotechnical modelling, and how to address them. In A. . S. Cardoso, J. . L. Borges, P. . A. Costa, A. . T. Gomes, J. . C. Marques, & C. . S. Vieira (Eds.), Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering IX, Volume 1 : Proceedings of the 9th European Conference on Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering (NUMGE 2018), June 25-27, 2018, Porto, Portugal. (pp. 593-601). CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • On the use of the material point method to model problems involving large rotational deformation
    Wang, L., Coombs, W. M., Augarde, C. E., Brown, M. J., Knappett, J., Brennan, A., Davidson, C., Richards, D., & Blake, A. (2018). On the use of the material point method to model problems involving large rotational deformation. In A. S. Cardoso, J. L. Borges, P. A. Costa, A. T. Gomes, J. C. Marques, & C. S. Vieira (Eds.), Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering IX, Volume 1 : Proceedings of the 9th European Conference on Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering (NUMGE 2018), June 25-27, 2018, Porto, Portugal. (pp. 585-592). CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • On the use of NURBS plasticity for geomaterials
    Coombs, W., & Ghaffari Motlagh, Y. (2018). On the use of NURBS plasticity for geomaterials. In A. S. Cardoso, J. L. Borges, P. A. Costa, A. T. Gomes, J. C. Marques, & C. S. Vieira (Eds.), Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering IX, Volume 1 : Proceedings of the 9th European Conference on Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering (NUMGE 2018), June 25-27, 2018, Porto, Portugal. (pp. 47-52). CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • A modified CPT based installation torque prediction for large screw piles in sand
    Davidson, C., Al-Baghdadi, T., Brown, M., Knappett, J., Brennan, A., Augarde, C., Coombs, W., Wang, L., Richards, D., Blake, A., & Ball, J. (2018). A modified CPT based installation torque prediction for large screw piles in sand. In M. A. Hicks, F. Pisanò, & J. Peuchen (Eds.), Cone Penetration Testing IV 2018 : proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Cone Penetration Testing (CPT’18), 21-22 June, 2018, Delft, The Netherlands. (pp. 255-261). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429505980
  • On the use of advanced material point methods for problems involving large rotational deformation
    Wang, L., Coombs, W., & Augarde, C. (2018, June 11 – 2018, June 15). On the use of advanced material point methods for problems involving large rotational deformation [Conference paper]. Presented at 6th European Conference on Computational Mechanics and 7th European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics, Glasgow, UK.
  • Comparison of implicit and explicit methods for non-ordinary state-based peridynamics for quasi-static problems
    Hashim, A., Coombs, W., Hattori, G., & Augarde, C. (2018, January 1). Comparison of implicit and explicit methods for non-ordinary state-based peridynamics for quasi-static problems. Presented at 28th International Workshop on Computational Mechanics of Materials (IWCMM28), Glasgow, UK.
  • CPT-based design procedure for installation torque prediction for screw piles installed in sand
    Al-Baghdadi, T., Brown, M., Davidson, C., Knappett, J., Brennan, A., Wang, L., Coombs, W., Augarde, C., Richards, D., & Blake, A. (2017). CPT-based design procedure for installation torque prediction for screw piles installed in sand. In Offshore site investigation and geotechnics : integrated geotechnologies - present and future : proceedings of the 8th international conference, held 12–14 September 2017 at the Royal Geographical Society, London. (pp. 346-353). Society for Underwater Technology.
  • Improvement of seabed cable plough tow force prediction models
    Robinson, S., Brown, M., Brennan, A., Cortis, M., Augarde, C., & Coombs, W. (2017). Improvement of seabed cable plough tow force prediction models. In Offshore site investigation and geotechnics : integrated geotechnologies - present and future. Proceedings of the 8th international conference, held 12–14 September 2017 at the Royal Geographical Society, London. (pp. 914-921). Society for Underwater Technology.
  • Hardening and non-associated flow NURBS plasticity
    Coombs, W. (2017). Hardening and non-associated flow NURBS plasticity. In E. Oñate, D. R. J. Owen, D. Peric, & M. Chiumenti (Eds.), Proceedings of the XIV International Conference on Computational Plasticity. Fundamentals and Applications (COMPLAS 2017), 5-7 September 2017, Barcelona, Spain. (pp. 363-372). International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE).
  • An implicit implementation of non-ordinary state-based peridynamics
    Hashim, N., Coombs, W., Hattori, G., & Augarde, C. (2017). An implicit implementation of non-ordinary state-based peridynamics. In A. Faramarzi & S. Dirar (Eds.), Proceedings of the 25th Conference on Computational Mechanics (UKACM 2017) : 11th – 13th April 2017, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. (pp. 134-137). University of Birmingham.
  • The modelling of soil-tool interaction using the material point method
    Cortis, M., Coombs, W. M., Augarde, C. E., Robinson, S., Brennan, A., & Brown, M. (2017). The modelling of soil-tool interaction using the material point method. In A. Faramarzi & S. Dirar (Eds.), Proceedings of the 25th Conference on Computational Mechanics (UKACM 2017) : 11th – 13th April 2017, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. (pp. 211-214). University of Birmingham.
  • Level set based topology optimisation using high-order reinitialisation methods and the discontinuous Galerkin method
    Adams, T., Giani, S., & Coombs, W. (2017). Level set based topology optimisation using high-order reinitialisation methods and the discontinuous Galerkin method. In A. Faramarzi & S. Dirar (Eds.), Proceedings of the 25th Conference on Computational Mechanics (UKACM 2017) : 11th – 13th April 2017, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. (pp. 18-21). University of Birmingham.
  • Energy dissipation in granular materials in triaxial tests
    Mukwiri, R., Ghaffari Motlagh, Y., Coombs, W., & Augarde, C. (2017). Energy dissipation in granular materials in triaxial tests. In A. Faramarzi & S. Dirar (Eds.), Proceedings of the 25th Conference on Computational Mechanics (UKACM 2017) : 11th – 13th April 2017, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. (pp. 191-194). University of Birmingham.
  • Implicit MPM with second-order convected particle domain interpolation
    Wang, L., Coombs, W., Augarde, C., & Brown, M. (2017). Implicit MPM with second-order convected particle domain interpolation. In A. Faramarzi & S. Dirar (Eds.), Proceedings of the 25th Conference on Computational Mechanics (UKACM 2017) : 11th – 13th April 2017, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. (pp. 264-267). University of Birmingham.
  • On the implementation of gradient plasticity with the material point method
    Charlton, T. J., Coombs, W. M., & Augarde, C. E. (2017). On the implementation of gradient plasticity with the material point method. In A. Faramarzi & S. Dirar (Eds.), Proceedings of the 25th Conference on Computational Mechanics (UKACM 2017) : 11th – 13th April 2017, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. (pp. 240-243). University of Birmingham.
  • An implicit high-order material point method
    Ghaffari Motlagh, Y., & Coombs, W. (2017). An implicit high-order material point method. Procedia Engineering, 175, 8-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.01.003
  • Modelling screwpile installation using the MPM
    Wang, L., Coombs, W., Augarde, C., Brown, M., Knappett, J., Brennan, A., Richards, D., & Blake, A. (2017). Modelling screwpile installation using the MPM. Procedia Engineering, 175, 124-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.01.040
  • Modelling seabed ploughing using the material point method
    Cortis, M., Coombs, W., Augarde, C., Robinson, S., Brown, M., & Brennan, A. (2017). Modelling seabed ploughing using the material point method (A. Rohe, K. Soga, H. Teunissen, & B. Z. Coelho, Eds.). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.01.002
  • Gradient elasto-plasticity with the generalised interpolation material point method
    Charlton, T., Coombs, W., & Augarde, C. (2017). Gradient elasto-plasticity with the generalised interpolation material point method. Procedia Engineering, 175, 110-115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.01.036
  • The point collocation method with a local maximum entropy approach
    Fan, L., Augarde, C. E., & Coombs, W. M. (2017). The point collocation method with a local maximum entropy approach (A. Faramarzi & S. Dirar, Eds.). University of Birmingham.
  • Boundary representation and boundary condition imposition in the material point method
    Bing, Y., Cortis, M., Charlton, T., Coombs, W., & Augarde, C. (2017). Boundary representation and boundary condition imposition in the material point method (A. Faramarzi & S. Dirar, Eds.). University of Birmingham.
  • A discontinuous Galerkin hp-adaptive finite element method for brittlecrack propagation
    Bird, R., Coombs, W., & Giani, S. (2017). A discontinuous Galerkin hp-adaptive finite element method for brittlecrack propagation. In A. Faramarzi & S. Dirar (Eds.), Proceedings of the 25th Conference on Computational Mechanics (UKACM 2017): 11th – 13th April 2017, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. (pp. 138-141). University of Birmingham.
  • Improving seabed cable plough performance for offshore renewable energy
    Robinson, S., Brown, M., Brennan, A., Cortis, M., Augarde, C., & Coombs, W. (2016). Improving seabed cable plough performance for offshore renewable energy. In . Guedes Soares (Ed.), Progress in renewable energies offshore : proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Renewable Energies Offshore (RENEW2016), Lisbon, Portugal, 24-26 October 2016. (pp. 1-7). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315229256
  • On the use of Plastic Inserts in Prestressed Railway Components
    Coombs, W. (2016). On the use of Plastic Inserts in Prestressed Railway Components. In J. Pombo (Ed.), Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Railway Technology: Research, Development and Maintenance. Civil-Comp Press and Saxe-Coburg Publications. https://doi.org/10.4203/ccp.110.238
  • Gradient elasticity with the material point method
    Charlton, T., Coombs, W., & Augarde, C. (2016). Gradient elasticity with the material point method. In Proceedings of the 24th UK Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering, 31 March - 01 April 2016, Cardiff University, Cardiff. (pp. 112-115). Cardiff University.
  • Topology optimisation using level set methods and the discontinuous Galerkin method
    Adams, T., Giani, S., & Coombs, W. (2016). Topology optimisation using level set methods and the discontinuous Galerkin method. In Proceedings of the 24th UK Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering, 31 March - 01 April 2016, Cardiff University, Cardiff. (pp. 6-9). Cardiff University.
  • Two dimensional configurational-force-driven crack propagation using the discontinuous Galerkin method with rp-adaptivity
    Bird, R., Coombs, W., & Giani, S. (2016). Two dimensional configurational-force-driven crack propagation using the discontinuous Galerkin method with rp-adaptivity. In Proceedings of the 24th UK Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering, 31 March - 01 April 2016, Cardiff University, Cardiff. (pp. 137-140). Cardiff University.
  • Implicit essential boundaries in the Material Point Method
    Cortis, M., Coombs, W., & Augarde, C. (2016). Implicit essential boundaries in the Material Point Method. In Proceedings of the 24th UK Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering, 31 March - 01 April 2016, Cardiff University, Cardiff. (pp. 116-119). Cardiff University.
  • Energy dissipation in granular material under 1D compression
    Mukwiri, R., Ghaffari Motlagh, Y., Coombs, W., & Augarde, C. (2016). Energy dissipation in granular material under 1D compression. In Proceedings of the 24th UK Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering, 31 March - 01 April 2016, Cardiff University, Cardiff. (pp. 231-234). Cardiff University.
  • A high-order material point method
    Ghaffari Motlagh, Y., & Coombs, W. (2016). A high-order material point method. In Proceedings of the 24th UK Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering, 31 March - 01 April 2016, Cardiff University, Cardiff. (pp. 352-355). Cardiff University.
  • Development of low cost 3D soil surface scanning for physical modelling
    Robinson, S., Brown, M. J., Brennan, A. J., Cortis, M., Augarde, C. E., & Coombs, W. M. (2016). Development of low cost 3D soil surface scanning for physical modelling. Presented at 3rd European Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (Eurofuge 2016), Nantes, France.
  • On isogeometric yield envelopes
    Coombs, W. (2015). On isogeometric yield envelopes. In Computational Plasticity XIII proceedings of the XIII International Conference on Computational Plasticity - Fundamentals and Applications, held in Barcelona, Spain 1 - 3 September 2015.. International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE).
  • On the implicit implementation of the Generalised Interpolation Material Point method
    Charlton, T. J., Coombs, W. M., & Augarde, C. E. (2015). On the implicit implementation of the Generalised Interpolation Material Point method. In A. J. Gil & R. Sevilla (Eds.), Proceedings of the 23rd Conference on Computational Mechanics, ACME-UK 2015. (pp. 413-416). Swansea University.
  • Fabric anisotropy & DEM informed two-surface hyperplasticity: constitutive formulation, asymptotic states & experimental validation
    Coombs, W., & Crouch, R. (2014). Fabric anisotropy & DEM informed two-surface hyperplasticity: constitutive formulation, asymptotic states & experimental validation. In K. Soga, K. Kumar, G. Biscontin, & M. Kuo (Eds.), Geomechanics from micro to macro : IS-Cambridge 2014, 1-3 September, Cambridge, UK ; proceedings. (pp. 777-782). CRC Press.
  • A review of the Material Point Method and its links to other computational methods
    Charlton, T., Coombs, W., & Augarde, C. (2014). A review of the Material Point Method and its links to other computational methods. In A. Javadi & M. S. Hussain (Eds.), Proceedings of the 22nd UK National Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering, 2nd - 4th April 2014, University of Exeter, UK. (pp. 17-20). University of Exeter.
  • Unique Critical State single-surface anisotropic hyperplasticity
    Coombs, W. (2013). Unique Critical State single-surface anisotropic hyperplasticity (E. Onate, D. R. J. Owen, D. Peric, & B. Suarez, Eds.).
  • Three-dimensional FE-EFGM adaptive coupling with application to nonlinear adaptive analysis
    Ullah, Z., Augarde, C. E., & Coombs, W. M. (2013). Three-dimensional FE-EFGM adaptive coupling with application to nonlinear adaptive analysis. In International Conference on Computational Mechanics (CM13), University of Durham, Durham, UK.
  • Three-dimensional FE-EFGM adaptive coupling and its applications in the nonlinear adaptive analysis
    Ullah, Z., Augarde, C., & Coombs, W. (2013). Three-dimensional FE-EFGM adaptive coupling and its applications in the nonlinear adaptive analysis (A. Osman, I. Akkerman, C. Augarde, W. Coombs, R. Crouch, T. Koziara, & J. Trevelyan, Eds.). School of Engineering and Computing Sciences, Durham University.
  • Plane-strain Mohr-Coulomb inelasticity
    Coombs, W., Crouch, R., & Heaney, C. (2012). Plane-strain Mohr-Coulomb inelasticity (Z. J. Yang, Ed.).
  • Adaptive modelling of finite strain shear band localization using the element-free Galerkin method
    Ullah, Z., Augarde, C. E., & Coombs, W. M. (2012). Adaptive modelling of finite strain shear band localization using the element-free Galerkin method. In 20th UK Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering (ACME), University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (pp. 251-254).
  • Reuleaux plasticity: improving Mohr-Coulomb and Drucker-Prager
    Coombs, W., & Crouch, R. (2011). Reuleaux plasticity: improving Mohr-Coulomb and Drucker-Prager. In F. B. J. Barends, J. Breedeveld, R. B. J. Brinkgreve, M. Korff, & L. A. van Paassen (Eds.), Geotechnical engineering : new horizons, 21st European Young Geotechnical Engineers’ Conference, 2011, Rotterdam ; proceedings. (pp. 241-247). IOS Press. https://doi.org/10.3233/978-1-60750-808-3-241
  • On the f fields of inadmissible stress space
    Coombs, W. M., Crouch, R. S., & Augarde, C. E. (2011). On the f fields of inadmissible stress space. In E. Oñate, D. R. J. Owen, D. Peric, & B. Suárez (Eds.), Computational plasticity XI: fundamentals and applications. International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE).
  • Unique Critical State Hyperplasticity
    Coombs, W. M., Crouch, R. S., & Augarde, C. E. (2011). Unique Critical State Hyperplasticity. In O. Laghrouche, A. EL Kacimi, P. Woodward, & G. Medero (Eds.), Proceedings of the 19th UK National Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering : 5-6 April 2011, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. (pp. 49-52). Heriot-Watt University.
  • FE-EFGM Coupling using maximum entropy shape functions and its application to small and finite deformation
    Ullah, Z., Augarde, C. E., Crouch, R. S., & Coombs, W. M. (2011). FE-EFGM Coupling using maximum entropy shape functions and its application to small and finite deformation. In 19th UK Conference of the Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering (ACME), Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK (pp. 277-280).
  • Advances in meshless methods with application to geotechnics
    Heaney, C., Augarde, C., Deeks, A., Coombs, W., & Crouch, R. (2010). Advances in meshless methods with application to geotechnics. In T. Benz & S. Nordal (Eds.), Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering (pp. 239-244). CRC Press/Balkema.
  • 70-line 3D finite deformation elastoplastic finite-element code
    Coombs, W., Crouch, R., & Augarde, C. (2010). 70-line 3D finite deformation elastoplastic finite-element code. In B. T. & N. S. (Eds.), Numerical methods in geotechnical engineering : proceedings of the seventh european conference on numerical methods in geotechnical engineering, Trondheim, Norway, 2-4 June 2010. (pp. 151-156). Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.1201/b10551-28
  • On the use of Reuleaux plasticity for geometric non-linear analysis
    Coombs, W. M., Crouch, R. S., & Augarde, C. E. (2010). On the use of Reuleaux plasticity for geometric non-linear analysis (A. Zervos, Ed.).
  • Influence of Lode Angle Dependency on the Critical State for Rotational Plasticity
    Coombs, W., Crouch, R., & Augarde, C. (2009). Influence of Lode Angle Dependency on the Critical State for Rotational Plasticity. In E. Oñate, D. R. J. Owen, & B. Suárez (Eds.), X International Conference on Computational Plasticity (COMPLAS X).
  • On the necessity for rotational yielding in anisotropic plasticity
    Coombs, W., Crouch, R., & Augarde, C. (2009). On the necessity for rotational yielding in anisotropic plasticity. In C. Sansour (Ed.), 17th UK Conference on Computational Mechanics (ACME-UK) (pp. 345-348).

Conference Proceeding

  • UKACM Proceedings 2024
    Coombs, W. M. (Ed.). (2024). UKACM Proceedings 2024. UK Association for Computational Mechanics and Durham University. https://doi.org/10.62512/conf.ukacm2024

Doctoral Thesis

Edited book

Journal Article

Other (Print)

Report

Supervision students

Bayan Mohammad

Research Postgraduate - Computational Mechanics Node

Bradley Sims

Research Postgraduate - Computational Mechanics Node

Pranav Shivakumar

Research Postgraduate - Computational Mechanics Node

Sam Sutcliffe

Research Postgraduate - Computational Mechanics Node

Soheil Navvabi

Research Postgraduate - Computational Mechanics Node

Ted O'Hare

Research Postgraduate - Computational Mechanics Node

Will Burton

Research Postgraduate (PhD)