Fedilberto Gonzalez
Geomechanics Specialist
Fedilberto Jose Gonzalez Arias began his academic journey at the National University of Colombia. He later pursued a master’s degree at the University of Chile, during which he published his first journal article in the International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences. His research introduced innovative methodologies to quantify rock mass response to mining and to evaluate the effectiveness of preconditioning techniques, such as hydraulic fracturing and destressing to decrease seismic hazard.
In that study, Fedilberto demonstrated that the stochastic Epidemic Type Aftershock Sequence (ETAS) model can effectively quantify seismic hazards associated with mine development in high-stress environments both with and without preconditioning. Using seismic datasets from the New Mine Level tunnels at El Teniente mine, constructed under various preconditioning strategies, he classified seismic hazard levels before, during, and after preconditioning applications.
Currently, he is finishing his Ph.D. at Queen’s University under the supervision of Dr. Mark S. Diederichs and Dr. Peter K. Kaiser. His doctoral dissertation evaluates and quantifies the mechanisms governing the evolution and magnification of kinetic energy release and associated bulking displacement demand imposed by the progressive fracturing process of hard brittle rocks. He integrates well-verified and calibrated discontinuum (PFC) and continuum (FLAC) numerical models with analytical approaches, e.g., Maugis’ equation for elliptical cavities. Furthermore, he is advancing the numerical modelling of brittle failure in continuum frameworks by reformulating the strain-based constitutive description in terms of the major vertical strain (), capturing the interplay among cohesion weakening, frictional evolution, and dilatancy mobilization.
Education
Ph.D. (Geological Engineering), to be completed in 2026
Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
M.Sc. (Mining Engineering), 2019
University of Chile, Santiago, Santiago Province, Chile
B.Sc. (Mining Engineering), 2017
National University of Colombia, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia
Awards & Recognition
Best Paper and Presentation Award, RaSiM 11, Luleå, Sweden, 2025
Winner of RockBowl Competition, Trondheim, Norway, 2025
Dr. Al Gorman Teaching Assistant Excellence Award for GEOE 313, QU, 2023
Paul and Coryn Hemsley Teaching Assistant Award for GEOE 151, QU, 2023
Dr. Al Gorman Teaching Assistant Excellence Award for GEOE 151, QU, 2021