I’m a researcher co-investigator at University College London and a visiting researcher at Imperial College London. Alongside my academic work, I’m also the co-founder of Tanuki Technologies.
My expertise lies in computational mechanics, particularly finite element (FEM) and discrete element (DEM) modelling, as well as machine learning (ML). I have been an invited speaker and session organiser at several international conferences, including WCCM, ECCOMAS, USNCCM, and ARMA.
I have extensive experience in solid and fluid mechanics, with a particular focus on Earth materials (e.g., rock and ice) and engineered materials (e.g., concrete and ceramics). My research spans a wide range of applications, from rock mechanics and fibre-reinforced concrete tunnels to the optimisation of catalyst supports for hydrogen production and simulating sea ice in the Arctic.
Farsi Computational Mechanics Lab
I lead the Farsi Lab, where we build high-performance numerical models to tackle complex problems in Earth sciences and engineering. Our research advances nonlinear solid mechanics, discrete fracture mechanics, contact processes, fluid flow in porous media, and tightly coupled multiphysics systems. We develop and deploy finite- and discrete-element methods; adjoint-based data assimilation and optimisation, also using a newly developped finite element-based operator-learning framework. Focus areas are:
- Fracture, faulting, and contact in heterogeneous solids;
- Multiphase flow and transport in porous media;
- Strongly coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes;
- Scalable algorithms and software for large-scale HPC simulation;
- Inverse modelling and data-assimilation via adjoint methods and operator learning.
If you’d like to learn more about our work in rock mechanics, watch my invited seminar for the American Rock Mechanics Association, Bridging Computational Mechanics and Machine Learning in Geomechanics below:
I’m always interested in meaningful collaborations across academia and industry. If you have an idea or project in mind, let’s talk. Exceptional students are also invited to reach out about MSc and PhD projects.
Members
Collaborators
Previous students
Publications
- [18] Aben FM, Farsi A, Brantut N, (2024) Permeability Development During Fault Growth and Slip in Granite. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. (pdf) (doi)
- [17] Bouziani N, Ham DA, Farsi A, (2024) Differentiable programming across the PDE and Machine Learning barrier. Arxiv. (pdf) (doi)
- [16] Farsi A, Xiang J, Latham JP, Carlsson M, Stitt EH, Marigo M, (2021) Packing simulations of complex-shaped rigid particles using FDEM: An application to catalyst pellets. Powder Technology. (pdf) (doi)
- [15] Farsi A, Xiang J, Latham JP, Carlsson M, Stitt EH, Marigo M, (2020) Strength and fragmentation behaviour of complex-shaped catalyst pellets: A numerical and experimental study. Chemical Engineering Science. (pdf) (doi)
- [14] Farsi A, Bedi A, Latham JP, (2019) Simulation of fracture propagation in fibre-reinforced concrete using FEMDEM: An application to tunnel linings. Computational Particle Mechanics. (pdf) (doi)
- [13] Latham JP, Xiang J, Farsi A, Joulin C, Karantzoulis N, (2019) A class of particulate problems suited to FDEM requiring accurate simulation of shape effects in packed granular structures. Computational Particle Mechanics. (pdf) (doi)
- [12] Latham JP, Farsi A, Xiang J, Clark E, Bakker RR, (2019) Numerical modelling of the influence of in-situ stress, rock strength and hole-profile geometry on the stability of Radial Water Jet Drill (RJD) boreholes. American Rock Mechanics Association. (pdf) (doi)
- [11] Latham JP, Farsi A, Xiang J, Chen B, (2019) The Horizon 2020 Project SURE: Deliverable 7.2 – Report on Laterals Stability Modelling. GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences. (pdf) (doi)
- [10] Xiang J, Chen B, Latham JP, Farsi A, (2019) The Horizon 2020 Project SURE: Deliverable 7.1 – Report on Water Jet Drilling Modelling. GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences. (pdf) (doi)
- [9] Farsi A, Xiang J, Latham JP, Pullen AD, Carlsson M, Stitt EH, Marigo M, (2017) Does shape matter? FEMDEM estimations of strength and post failure behaviour of catalyst supports. 5th International Conference on Particle-based Methods. (pdf)
- [8] Farsi A, (2017) Numerical and experimental investigations of particle stress and fracture for complex-shaped pellets. Imperial College London. (pdf) (doi)
- [7] Farsi A, Pullen AD, Latham JP, Bowen J, Carlsson M, Stitt EH, Marigo M, (2017) Full deflection profile calculation and Young’s modulus optimisation for engineered high performance materials. Scientific Reports. (pdf) (doi)
- [6] Farsi A, Xiang J, Latham JP, Carlsson M, Stitt EH, Marigo M, (2016) Simulation and characterisation of packed columns for cylindrical catalyst supports and other complex-shaped bodies. 7th International Conference on Discrete Element Methods. (pdf) (doi)
- [5] Farsi A, Xiang J, Latham JP, Pullen AD, Carlsson M, Stitt EH, Marigo M, (2015) An application of the finite-discrete element method in the simulation of ceramic breakage: Methodology for a validation study for alumina specimens. 4th International Conference on Particle-based Methods. (pdf)
- [4] Latham JP, Xiang J, Farsi A, (2016) Accurate modelling of particle shape effects in packed granular structures: a class of particulate problems solved by FEMDEM. 7th International Conference on Discrete Element Methods. (pdf)
- [3] Xiang J, Latham JP, Farsi A, (2016) Algorithms and capabilities of Solidity to simulate interactions and packing of complex shapes. Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Discrete Element Methods. (pdf) (doi)
- [2] Farsi A, (2013) Inverse analysis procedures and possible applications in drilling operations. Politecnico di Milano. (doi)
- [1] Farsi A, Busnelli, S, (2010) Comparative analysis of three models of beams on elastic foundations. Politecnico di Milano.
Talks
- 2025
- [33] Upcoming: Multi-Physics Simulations on the GPU in the Age of AI. Centre for Advanced Research Computing, University College London, London, United Kingdom (27 October 2025). Invited speaker.
- [32] Upcoming: Global Geophysics Seminar Series. Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom (23 October 2025). Invited seminar.
- [31] Firedrake '25. School of Mathematics, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom (15-17 September 2025). Speaker and session chair.
- [30] 18th U.S. National Congress on Computational Mechanics. Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, Chicago, Illinois (20-24 July 2025). Speaker.
- [29] School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences Seminars. University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom (2 June 2025). Invited seminar.
- [28] Department of Mathematical Sciences Seminars. University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom (4 April 2025). Invited seminar.
- [27] American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA) Future Leaders. Virtual (27 March 2025). Invited seminar.
- [26] Maths Seminars. University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom (26 February 2025). Invited seminar.
- [25] Geomechanics Knowledge Meetings. Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Utrecht, Netherlands (30 January 2025). Invited seminar.
- 2024
- [24] Firedrake '24. Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom (16-18 September 2024). Speaker.
- [23] 9th European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering. Lisbon Congress Centre, Lisbon, Portugal (3-7 June 2024). Invited session organiser, chair and speaker.
- [22] European Geosciences Union General Assembly. Austria Center Vienna, Vienna, Austria (14-19 April 2024). Speaker.
- 2023
- [21] American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting. Moscone Center, San Francisco, California (11-15 December 2023). Speaker.
- [20] 17th U. S. National Congress on Computational Mechanics. Albuquerque, New Mexico (23-27 July 2023). Invited session organiser, chair and speaker.
- 2022
- [19] 15th World Congress on Computational Mechanics. Virtual Congress (Yokohama, Japan) (1-5 August 2022). Invited session organiser, chair and speaker.
- 2021
- [18] 14th World Congress on Computational Mechanics. Virtual Congress (Paris, France) (11-15 January 2021). Invited session organiser, chair and speaker.
- 2019
- [17] 8th International Conference on Discrete Element Methods. University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands (22-26 July 2019). Speaker.
- [16] European Geothermal Congress 2019. World Forum, The Hague, The Netherlands (13th June 2019). H2020 SURE meeting.
- 2018
- [15] 13th World Congress on Computational Mechanics. Marriott Marquis, New York City, New York (22-27 July 2018). Speaker.
- 2017
- [14] 5th International Conference on Particle-Based Methods. University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany (26-28 September 2017). Invited presentation.
- [13] 7th International Conference on Coupled Problems in Science and Engineering. Rodos Palace International Convention Center, Rhodes, Greece (12-14 June 2017). Invited presentation.
- 2016
- [12] 7th International Conference on Discrete Element Methods. Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China (1-4 August 2016). Speaker **Best Student Paper Award**.
- [11] IFPRI Robert Pfeffer Symposium and UK Particle Technology Forum 2016. University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom (15-16 June 2016). Speaker.
- [10] Johnson Matthey Academic Conference 2016. Imago conference centre, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom (12-13 April 2016). Speaker.
- 2015
- [9] 4th International Conference on Particle-Based Methods. Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain (28-30 September 2015). Speaker.
- [8] Science Forum. Johnson Matthey Technology Centre, Belasis Technology Park, Billingham, United Kingdom (10 July 2015). Invited seminar.
- [7] Johnson Matthey Academic Conference 2015. Imago conference centre, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom (8-9 April 2015). Poster presentation.
- [6] Energy and Resources Seminars. Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, United Kingdom (31 March 2015). Invited seminar.
- 2014
- [5] 12th UK Particle Technology Forum 2014. Manchester conference centre, Manchester, United Kingdom (16-17 September 2014). Poster presentation.
- [4] HERMES 2014. Cumberland Lodge, Windsor, United Kingdom (25-28 July 2014). Poster presentation.
- [3] Robert Pfeffer Symposium. School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom (25 June 2014). Poster presentation.
- [2] Johnson Matthey Academic Conference 2014. Imago conference centre, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom (15-16 April 2014). Poster presentation.
- 2013
- [1] Applied Modelling & Computation Group (AMCG) Seminars. Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, United Kingdom (1 November 2013). Invited seminar.
Teaching
Imperial College London and University College London
I have taught a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Imperial College London and UCL, including: Maths Methods 3: Vector Calculus and Fourier Analysis; Physics for Geoscientists: Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism; Numerical Methods 1: Numerical Methods in Python; Numerical Methods for Earth Sciences: Ordinary Differential Equations (ODE), Partial Differential Equations (PDE), and Finite Differences (FD); Coastal Engineering: Coastal Structures (Design and Case Histories) and Slope Stability; Environmental and Engineering Geology: Excavation, Blasting, Geomaterials (Properties Testing and Uses), and Construction Case Histories; Engineering Geology and Slope Stability.
Industry training and workshops
I worked with Imperial Innovations to run training classes and workshops, write the manual for newly developed commercial software, and maintain industry relationships. My focus was creating training materials, tailoring and validating the software to specific industrial requirements, and showcasing its capabilities to build trust and secure funding.
Hermes Summer School
Organising committee member for an international materials-modelling summer school at Cumberland Lodge. Planned classes and activities, reviewed current methods and trends, coordinated world-class academic and industry speakers, and liaised with funders. Led partnerships with companies and charities to promote the event and secure funding, and during the school I led working groups and supervised activities.
Private teaching
I was the founder and co-director of Golden Square Tutors, a collective of top private tutors based in central London. Over the last few years I have also been working with major London-based tutoring agencies The Profs and First Tutors, mainly working with students from Russell Group universities.
About me
I was born in Monza, near Milan (Italy), and before moving to the UK I have studied at the Polytechnic University of Milan, where I have earned a Bachelor’s degree in Building Engineering and a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering.
Education
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
2013-2017
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Computational Mechanics
POLITECNICO DI MILANO
2010-2013
Master of Science (MSc), Structural (Civil) Engineering
POLITECNICO DI MILANO
2007-2010
Bachelor of Science (BSc), Building Engineering
Contacts
If you want to contact me you can send me an e-mail and I will get in touch. You can also find me on:
Imperial College London
University College London
News
If you want to stay up to date with my research, publications, talks and all the other stuff I am doing, add me on LinkedIn or just check down here: