Associate Professor Wenhua Zhao
ARC Future Fellow
School of Civil Engineering
+61 7 336 53896
Researcher biography
Wenhua Zhao is an Associate Professor at The University of Queensland and a globally recognized expert in offshore hydrodynamics and renewable energy technologies.
He is the recipient of the prestigious ARC Future Fellowship (2024-2028) and DECRA Fellowship (2019-2022), with over 110 publications and six awards influencing both industry and academia. He has helped secure over AUD30 million research funding from both Australian Research Council and industry, contributing to transformative engineering practices in renewable energy sectors and oil & gas industry.
His research focuses on wave-structure interactions, spanning groundbreaking fundamental studies -- showcased by his multiple publications in Journal of Fluid Mechanics -- to industry-focused applications, a rare integration of theoretical research with practical implementation. He pioneers innovations in floating wind energy, floating solar, offshore aquaculture, and green hydrogen, leveraging artificial intelligence to transform offshore renewable energies.
Wenhua has been a Deputy Editor for Ocean Engineering (No. 1 in marine engineering, ISI web), Associate Editor for the renowned ASME's Journal of OMAE, and editorial board member for the Q1 journal Applied Ocean Research. His teaching, particularly the "Design of Offshore Energy Systems" course, has prepared hundreds of students for impactful careers in coastal and ocean engineering.
Journal Articles
Ma, Yuxiang, Zhao, Rubo, Zhao, Wenhua, Tai, Bing and Dong, Guohai (2025). Dynamic analysis to reduce the cost for fixed offshore wind energy turbines. Applied Energy, 378 (Part A) 124804. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124804
Zhang, Tongzheng, Zhao, Wenhua, Zhou, Cheng, Zhao, Fenfang and Wan, Rong (2024). Design and modeling of an eco-friendly anchored fish aggregating device with artificial reef subjected to wave and current. Ocean Engineering, 313 119599, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.119599
Zhao, Rubo, Zhao, Wenhua, Ma, Yuxiang, Tai, Bing and Dong, Guohai (2024). Hydrodynamic performance of a monopile offshore wind turbine in extreme wave groups. Ocean Engineering, 312 119328, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.119328
Chen, Qihang, Yang, Jianmin, Zhao, Wenhua, Tao, Longbin, Mao, Jinghang and Lu, Changyu (2024). AI-based dynamic avoidance in deep-sea mining. Ocean Engineering, 311 118945, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.118945
Zhou, Binzhen, Lin, Chusen, Huang, Xu, Zhang, Hengming, Zhao, Wenhua, Zhu, Songye and Jin, Peng (2024). Experimental study on the hydrodynamic performance of a multi-DOF WEC-type floating breakwater. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 202 114694, 114694-202. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2024.114694
Chen, Jialun, Hlophe, Thobani, Gunawan, David, Taylor, Paul H., Milne, Ian A. and Zhao, Wenhua (2024). Phase-resolved wave prediction with varying buoy positions in the field using machine learning-based methods. Ocean Engineering, 307 118107, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.118107
Chen, Jialun, Milne, Ian A., Gunawan, David, Taylor, Paul H. and Zhao, Wenhua (2024). Weakly nonlinear surface wave prediction using a data-driven method with the help of physical understanding. Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, 146 (4) 041201, 4. doi: 10.1115/1.4064109
Ma, Yueyuan, Deng, Shi, Wang, Shuaishuai, Chen, Peng, Zhao, Wenhua and Cheng, Zhengshun (2024). An experimental study on global motions and structural internal loads of a 5 MW floating wind turbine supported on a multi-segment semi-submersible hull in shallow water. Marine Structures, 95 103582, 95. doi: 10.1016/j.marstruc.2024.103582
Chen, Qihang, Yang, Jianmin, Zhao, Wenhua, Tao, Longbin, Mao, Jinghang and Li, Zhiyuan (2024). Algorithms for dynamic control of a deep-sea mining vehicle based on deep reinforcement learning. Ocean Engineering, 298 117199, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.117199
Ding, Yue, Taylor, Paul H., Zhao, Wenhua and Dory, Jean-Noel (2024). What a wave buoy actually measures in 3D: analysis of a mild sea state. Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, 146 (2) 021203, 2. doi: 10.1115/1.4064110
Zou, Meiyan, Chen, Mingsheng, Zhu, Ling, Yun, Qihao, Zhao, Wenhua, Liang, Qiyu and Zhao, Yanjie (2024). Experimental and numerical investigation of gap resonances between side-by-side fixed barges under beam sea excitation. Ocean Engineering, 297 117150, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.117150
Chen, Mingsheng, Zou, Meiyan, Zhu, Ling, Ouyang, MingJun, Liang, Qiyu and Zhao, Wenhua (2024). A fully coupled time domain model capturing nonlinear dynamics of float-over deck installation. Ocean Engineering, 293 116721, 1-26. doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.116721
Ding, Yue, Taylor, Paul H., Zhao, Wenhua, Dory, Jean-Noel, Hlophe, Thobani and Draper, Scott (2023). Oceanographic wave buoy motion as a 3D-vector field: Spectra, linear components and bound harmonics. Applied Ocean Research, 141 103777, 141. doi: 10.1016/j.apor.2023.103777
Hansen, Christine Lynggard, Wolgamot, Hugh, Taylor, Paul H., Zhao, Wenhua, Orszaghova, Jana and Bredmose, Henrik (2023). Effect of tertiary interactions on free-surface motion of a fixed box in realistic irregular sea states. Applied Ocean Research, 140 103725, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.apor.2023.103725
Chen, Jialun, Taylor, Paul H., Milne, Ian A., Gunawan, David and Zhao, Wenhua (2023). Wave-by-wave prediction for spread seas using a machine learning model with physical understanding. Ocean Engineering, 285 115450, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2023.115450
Chen, Jialun, Milne, Ian, Taylor, Paul H., Gunawan, David and Zhao, Wenhua (2023). Forward prediction of surface wave elevations and motions of offshore floating structures using a data-driven model. Ocean Engineering, 281 114680, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2023.114680
Yang, Yuefu, Chen, Chaohe, Zhao, Wenhua and Fan, Tianhui (2023). An innovative method of assessing yield strength of floater hull for semi-submersible floating wind turbine in whole life period. Ocean Engineering, 270 113679, 270. doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2023.113679
Zou, Meiyan, Chen, Mingsheng, Zhu, Ling, Li, Lin and Zhao, Wenhua (2023). A constant parameter time domain model for dynamic modelling of multi-body system with strong hydrodynamic interactions. Ocean Engineering, 268 113376, 1-17. doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.113376
Zhao, Wenhua, Molin, B., Wang, Y., Wolgamot, H. A. and Taylor, P. H. (2022). Nonlinear harmonics of gap fluid resonance with floating body motions. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 951 A23, 1-28. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2022.834
Orszaghova, J., Lemoine, S., Santo, H., Taylor, P. H., Kurniawan, A., McGrath, N., Zhao, W. and Cuttler, M. V.W. (2022). Variability of wave power production of the M4 machine at two energetic open ocean locations: off Albany, Western Australia and at EMEC, Orkney, UK. Renewable Energy, 197, 417-431. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2022.07.053
Li, Binbin, Qiao, Dongsheng, Zhao, Wenhua, Hu, Zhenzhong and Li, Sunwei (2022). Operability analysis of SWATH as a service vessel for offshore wind turbine in the southeastern coast of China. Ocean Engineering, 251 111017, 251. doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.111017
Gao, Zhenguo and Zhao, Wenhua (2022). A data-driven approach for fatigue life of water intake risers. Marine Structures, 83 103188, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.marstruc.2022.103188
Zhao, W., Taylor, P. H., Wolgamot, H. A. and Eatock Taylor, R. (2021). Gap resonance from linear to quartic wave excitation and the structure of nonlinear transfer functions. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 926 A3, 1-21. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2021.659
Zhao, Wenhua, Taylor, P. H. and Wolgamot, H. A. (2021). Design waves and statistics of linear gap resonances in random seas. Flow, 1 E11, 1-14. doi: 10.1017/flo.2021.11
Gao, Zhenguo, Efthymiou, Mike, Cheng, Liang, Zhou, Tongming, Minguez, Matthieu and Zhao, Wenhua (2021). Towards a model of hydrodynamic damping for a circular cylinder with helical strakes at low KC. Marine Structures, 78 103025, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.marstruc.2021.103025
Gao, Zhenguo, Efthymiou, Mike, Cheng, Liang, Zhou, Tongming, Minguez, Matthieu and Zhao, Wenhua (2021). Fatigue analysis of water intake risers: hydrodynamic damping effect and a hybrid frequency-time domain method. Marine Structures, 75 102869, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.marstruc.2020.102869
Gao, Zhenguo, Efthymiou, Mike, Cheng, Liang, Zhou, Tongming, Minguez, Matthieu and Zhao, Wenhua (2020). Hydrodynamic damping of a circular cylinder at low KC: experiments and an associated model. Marine Structures, 72 102777, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.marstruc.2020.102777
Zhao, W., Taylor, P. H., Wolgamot, H. A. and Eatock Taylor, R. (2019). Amplification of random wave run-up on the front face of a box driven by tertiary wave interactions. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 869, 706-725. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2019.229
Wang, H., Wolgamot, H. A., Draper, S., Zhao, W., Taylor, P. H. and Cheng, L. (2019). Resolving wave and laminar boundary layer scales for gap resonance problems. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 866, 759-775. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2019.115
Zhao, Wenhua, Taylor, P. H., Wolgamot, H. A., Molin, B. and Taylor, R. Eatock (2019). Group dynamics and wave resonances in a narrow gap: Modes and reduced group velocity. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 883 A22, 883. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2019.879
Zhao, W., Milne, I. A., Efthymiou, M., Wolgamot, H. A., Draper, S., Taylor, P. H. and Eatock Taylor, R. (2018). Current practice and research directions in hydrodynamics for FLNG-side-by-side offloading. Ocean Engineering, 158, 99-110. doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2018.03.076
Zhao, W., Taylor, P. H., Wolgamot, H. A. and Eatock Taylor, R. (2018). Identifying linear and nonlinear coupling between fluid sloshing in tanks, roll of a barge and external free-surface waves. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 844, 403-434. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2018.186
Zhao, W., Wolgamot, H. A., Taylor, P. H. and Eatock Taylor, R. (2017). Gap resonance and higher harmonics driven by focused transient wave groups. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 812, 905-939. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2016.824
Deng, Yanfei, Yang, Jianmin, Zhao, Wenhua, Li, Xin and Xiao, Longfei (2016). Freak wave forces on a vertical cylinder. Coastal Engineering, 114, 9-18. doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2016.03.007
Zhao, Wenhua, Yang, Jianmin, Hu, Zhiqiang, Xiao, Longfei and Tao, Longbin (2014). Hydrodynamics of a 2D vessel including internal sloshing flows. Ocean Engineering, 84, 45-53. doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2014.03.001
Zhao, Wenhua, Yang, Jianmin, Hu, Zhiqiang and Tao, Longbin (2014). Coupling between roll motions of an FLNG vessel and internal sloshing. Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, 136 (2) 021102. doi: 10.1115/1.4026586
Zhao, Wenhua, Yang, Jianmin, Hu, Zhiqiang and Tao, Longbin (2014). Coupled analysis of nonlinear sloshing and ship motions. Applied Ocean Research, 47, 85-97. doi: 10.1016/j.apor.2014.04.001
Zhao, Wenhua, Yang, Jianmin, Hu, Zhiqiang and Tao, Longbin (2014). Prediction of hydrodynamic performance of an FLNG system in side-by-side offloading operation. Journal of Fluids and Structures, 46, 89-110. doi: 10.1016/j.jfluidstructs.2013.11.021
Zhao, Wen-Hua, Yang, Jian-Min, Hu, Zhi-Qiang and Xiao, Long-Fei (2012). Experimental investigation of effects of inner-tank sloshing on hydrodynamics of an flng system. Journal of Hydrodynamics, 24 (1), 107-115. doi: 10.1016/S1001-6058(11)60224-2
Zhao, W. H., Yang, J. M., Hu, Z. Q. and Wei, Y. F. (2011). Recent developments on the hydrodynamics of floating liquid natural gas (FLNG). Ocean Engineering, 38 (14-15), 1555-1567. doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2011.07.018
Conference Papers
Chen, Jialun, Gunawan, David, Zhao, Wenhua, Taylor, Paul H., Chen, Yunzhuo and Milne, Ian A. (2024). An attention-based deep learning model for phase-resolved wave prediction. ASME 2024: 43rd International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Singapore, Singapore, 9-14 June 2024. New York, NY, United States: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). doi: 10.1115/OMAE2024-127605
Li, Binbin, Wang, Chenyu, Yang, Lei and Zhao, Wenhua (2024). Design analysis of shared mooring for floating offshore wind farm. ASME 43rd International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering (OMAE), Singapore, Singapore, 9-14 June 2024. New York, NY, United States: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
Liu, Chenxiang, Wang, Chenglong, Zhang, Xiantao and Zhao, Wenhua (2024). Hydrodynamic performance of 2D undulating fins under flow excitation near the free surface. 34th International Ocean and Polar Engineering Conference, Rhodes, Greece, 16 - 21 June 2024. Mountain View, CA, United States: International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers.
Yang, Yuhang, Zhao, Wenhua, Draper, Scott and Wolgamot, Hugh (2024). Development of an experimental system to investigate viscous damping of oscillatory flow between two vessels. ASME 2024: 43rd International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Singapore, Singapore, 9–14 June 2024. New York, NY, United States: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). doi: 10.1115/OMAE2024-128004
Ding, Yue, Taylor, Paul H., Hlophe, Thobani and Zhao, Wenhua (2024). Comparison of two types of wave buoys: linear and second-order motion. ASME 2024: 43rd International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Singapore, Singapore, 9-14 June 2024. New York, NY, United States: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). doi: 10.1115/OMAE2024-127016
Ma, Yueyuan, Cheng, Zhengshun, Zhao, Wenhua, Wang, Shuaishuai, Xiao, Longfei and Peng, Tao (2024). Linear and nonlinear pitch response of a floating wind turbine. ASME 2024: 43rd International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Singapore, Singapore, 9-14 June 2024. New York, NY, United States: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). doi: 10.1115/OMAE2024-125619
Wang, Yutao, Wolgamot, Hugh, Zhao, Wenhua, Draper, Scott and Watson, Phillip (2024). Vessel motion during side-by-side offloading: comparison of field data and numerical model. ASME 2024: 43rd International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Singapore, Singapore, 9-14 June 2024. New York, NY, United States: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). doi: 10.1115/OMAE2024-128336
Chen, Jialun, Zhao, Wenhua, Milne, Ian A., Gunawan, David and Taylor, Paul H. (2023). Weakly nonlinear surface wave prediction using a data-driven method with the help of physical understanding. ASME 2023: 42nd International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 11 - 16 June 2023. New York, NY, United States: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). doi: 10.1115/OMAE2023-102780
Chen, Jialun, Hlophe, Thobani, Zhao, Wenhua, Milne, Ian A., Gunawan, David, Kurniawan, Adi, Wolgamot, Hugh, Taylor, Paul H. and Orszaghova, Jana (2023). Comparison of physics-based and machine learning methods for phase-resolved prediction of waves measured in the field. European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference, Bilbao, Spain, 3-7 September 2023. European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference Series. doi: 10.36688/ewtec-2023-488
Ekerhovd, Ivan, Ong, Muk Chen and Zhao, Wenhua (2022). Influence of gap width and artificial damping on gap resonance. ASME 2022: 41st International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Hamburg, Germany, 5–10 June 2022. New York, NY, United States: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). doi: 10.1115/OMAE2022-80758
Wang, Yutao, Wolgamot, Hugh, Watson, Phillip, Zhao, Wenhua, Milne, Ian and Gaudin, Christophe (2022). Preliminary investigation of a shared mooring arrangement for a floating offshore wind turbine farm in deep water. ASME 2022: 41st International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Hamburg, Germany, 5-10 June 2022. New York, NY, United States: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). doi: 10.1115/OMAE2022-81245
Wang, Yutao, Wolgamot, Hugh, Zhao, Wenhua, Draper, Scott and Milne, Ian (2022). Validation of a simplified numerical flng-carrier side-by-side offloading model with experiment. ASME 2022: 41st International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Hamburg, German, 5-10 June 2022. New York, NY, United States: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). doi: 10.1115/OMAE2022-79449
Chen, Jialun, Zhao, Wenhua, Milne, Ian and Draper, Scott (2022). Short-term forecasting of surface wave elevation based on an autoregressive model. ASME 2022: 41st International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Hamburg, Germany, 5-10 June 2022. New York, NY, United States: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). doi: 10.1115/OMAE2022-81298
Stanisic, Dunja, Efthymiou, Michalakis, Kimiaei, Mehrdad and Zhao, Wenhua (2017). EVALUATION OF CONVENTIONAL METHODS OF ESTABLISHING EXTREME MOORING DESIGN LOADS. 36th ASME International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Trondheim Norway, Jun 25-30, 2017. NEW YORK: AMER SOC MECHANICAL ENGINEERS.