Yupeng Zhang
Dr. Zhang's research combines solid mechanics, data-driven methods, machine learning, and experiments to understand and predict inelastic deformation and failure in materials and structures. He received his PhD from Texas A&M University and held postdoctoral positions at Northwestern, Caltech, and UCLA.
His group, Lab811, develops operator learning and multiscale models for history-dependent materials and designs architected structures, fabricated by metal additive manufacturing and validated through mechanical testing.
Education
- Ph.D., Texas A&M University, 2021
- B.Eng., Dalian University of Technology, 2015
Appointments
- Lecturer and Postdoc, University of California, Los Angeles, Jan 2025 – Aug 2026
- Postdoc, California Institute of Technology, Jan 2023 – Dec 2024
- Postdoc, Northwestern University, Jan – Dec 2022
Research Interests
- Computational and experimental solid mechanics
- Operator learning and multiscale modeling of history-dependent systems
- Inelastic deformation and failure, including plasticity, viscoplasticity, creep, damage, and fracture
- Materials characterization using inverse problems and uncertainty quantification
- Modeling and design of architected materials with experimental validation and metal additive manufacturing
Selected Awards & Honors
- Future Faculty Symposium Travel Award | Society of Engineering Science, 2023
- Clearfield Materials Fellowship | Texas A&M University, 2015-2020
- Mitacs Globalink Research Award | Mitacs Canada, 2014
- CIRTL Associate - Senior Fellow | Texas A&M University, 2020
- MSEN Best Paper Award | Texas A&M University, 2019
- Outstanding Graduate | Dalian University of Technology, 2015
- Outstanding Student | Dalian University of Technology, 2013, 2014
- National Scholarship | Ministry of Education, 2013
- Qian Lingxi Mechanics Scholarship | Qian Lingxi Mechanics Award Foundation, 2013
Selected Publications
Yupeng Zhang, Adam Alon, M. Khalid Jawed. Emergent morphogenesis via planar fabrication enabled by a reduced model of composites. Advanced Materials Technologies, e01835 (2026).
Yupeng Zhang and Kaushik Bhattacharya. Iterated learning and multiscale modeling of history-dependent architectured metamaterials. Mechanics of Materials, 197, 105090 (2024).
Houlin Xu, J Vievering, H Nguyen, Yupeng Zhang, Jia-Liang Le and Zdenek P. Bazant. Asymptotically Matched Extrapolation of Fishnet Failure Probability to Continuum Scale. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 182, 105479 (2024).
Yupeng Zhang and Zdenek P. Bazant. Smooth Crack Band Model - A Computational Paragon Based on Unorthodox Continuum Homogenization. Journal of Applied Mechanics ASME, 90, 041007 (2023).
Yupeng Zhang and Jeffrey D. Hart. The Effect of Prior Parameters in a Bayesian Approach to Inferring Material Properties from Experimental Measurements. Journal of Engineering Mechanics ASCE, 149, 04023007 (2023).
Yupeng Zhang and Alan Needleman. Characterization of plastically compressible solids via spherical indentation. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 148, 104283 (2021).
Yupeng Zhang and Alan Needleman. On the identification of power-law creep parameters from conical indentation. Proceedings of the Royal Society A, 477, 20210233 (2021).
Yupeng Zhang and Alan Needleman. Influence of Assumed Strain Hardening Relation on Plastic Stress-Strain Response Identification from Conical Indentation. Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology ASME, 142, 031002 (2020).
Yupeng Zhang, Jeffrey D. Hart, and Alan Needleman. Identification of Plastic Properties from Conical Indentation using a Bayesian-Type Statistical Approach. Journal of Applied Mechanics ASME, 86, 011002 (2019).