Granular materials exhibit inherently complex behavior due to their discrete nature, with responses strongly influenced by particle size, shape, and surface properties. Natural granular materials are usually made up of particles with a wide range of sizes and shapes, and crushing, or breakage, can further change these features, making the accurate prediction of granular behavior even more difficult.

Our research focuses on improving the understanding of granular materials by linking particle-scale mechanisms with macroscopic behavior through an integration of experiments and numerical modeling. Using laboratory examinations, image analysis, and discrete element method (DEM) simulations, we explore how changing particle characteristics affect particle-level mechanisms such as rotation, coordination number, and contact force development, and how these factors collectively influence macroscopic behavior.

We aim to bridge micro-macro relationships through carefully designed experiments and numerical simulations, supported by advanced computing resources at the center, contributing to a deeper fundamental understanding that supports safer, more efficient geotechnical design.

• Aug. 2008-Mar. 2010 Garrison Boys High School, Lahore

• Aug. 2010-Mar. 2012 Garrison Boys High School and Intermediate College, Lahore

• Oct. 2013-Aug. 2017 Bachelor of Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore

• Jul. 2017-Sep. 2019 Research Associate, The Urban Unit, Lahore

• Sep. 2019-Sep. 2021 Master of Engineering, Yokohama National University

• Oct. 2021-Mar. 2024 PhD in Engineering, Yokohama National University

• Apr. 2024-Aug. 2024 Postdoctoral Researcher, Yokohama National University

• Sep. 2024-Mar. 2026 JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow (Standard Program), Yokohama National University

• Apr. 2026-To Date Assistant Professor, Kyoto University

• Ali, U., Kikumoto, M., Cui, Y., Ciantia, M. and Previtali, M. : Role of particle rotation in sheared granular media, Acta Geotechnica, vol. 18, 4599-4614, 2023.

• Ali, U., Kikumoto, M., Ciantia, M., Previtali, M. and Cui, Y. : Experimental micro-macromechanics: particle shape effect on the biaxial shear response of particulate systems, Geotechnique, vol. 74, issue 13, 1609-1621, 2024.

• Ali, U., Kikumoto, M., Ciantia, M., Cui, Y. and M., Previtali, M. : Systematic effect of particle roundness/angularity on macro- and microscopic behavior of granular materials, Granular Matter, vol. 25, 51, 2024.

• Ali, U., Kikumoto, M. and Ciantia, M. : Impact of particle elongation on the behavior of round and angular granular media: consequences of particle rotation and force chain development, Computers and Geotechnics, vol. 165, 105858, 2024.

• Ali, U., Kikumoto, M., Ciantia, M., Cui, Y. and M., Previtali, M. : Why modeling particle shape matters: significance of particle-scale modeling in describing global and local granular responses, Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, vol. 150, issue 9, 2024.

• Ali, U. and Kikumoto, M. : Experimental micro-macromechanics: Critical states of round/angular granular mixtures, Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, vol. 150, no. 12, 2024.

• Ali, U. and Kikumoto, M. : Role of particle shape in sheared granular media: roundness and elongation, Powder Technology, vol. 449, 120436, 2025.

• Ali, U. and Kikumoto, M. : Rolling resistance as a surrogate for angularity in DEM: Macromechanical potentials and micromechanical limitations, Computers and Geotechnics, vol. 192, 107919, 2026.

• Ali, U., Ali, U., Ali, A., Otsubo, M., Aziz, M. and Kikumoto, M. : Trapdoor configuration effects on stress-redistribution and arching of granular media through DEM, Results in Engineering, 109492, 2026.

• Ali, U., and Ali, U. : Exploring the relationship between critical state friction angle and angle of repose using the discrete element method, Powder Technology, vol. 476, 122351, 2026.

• Ali, U., and Kikumoto, M. : Crushing-induced angularity governs critical state strength in granular soils, Acta Geotechnica, June, 2026.

• Taamneh, M.O., Ali, U., Aziz, M., and Ali, U. : Sustainable improvement of highly plastic clay using magnetized water, Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, June, 2026.

• Ali, U., and Kikumoto, M. : Beyond gradation: crushing-induced roundness evolution effect on the critical states of granular media, Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2026.

• Kanjanatanaler, P., Ali, U., Cui, Y., and Kikumoto, M. : Experimental micro-macromechanics: Shear-induced fabric evolution can make denser assemblies less stiff , Geotechnique, 2026.

• Ali, U., Kikumoto, M., Ciantia, M.O. and Cui, Y. : Direct observation of particle kinematics in biaxial shearing test, Proceedings of the 18th UK Travelling Workshop - GeoMechanics: from Micro to Macro (GM3), Dundee, UK, Dec. 2021.

• Ali, U., Kikumoto, M., Ciantia, M.O. and Cui, Y. : Validation of DEM using macroscopic stress-strain behavior and microscopic particle motion in sheared granular assemblies, Proc. 15th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM-XV) and 8th Asian Pacific Congress on Computational Mechanics (APCOM-VIII), 127, Yokohama, Japan, July-Aug. 2022.

• Ali, U., Kikumoto, M., Ciantia, M.O., Cui, Y. and Previtali, M.: Micromechanical observation of kinematics of sheared circular discs, Proc. 8th Int. Sym. on Deformation Characteristics of Geomaterials, Porto, Portugal, Sep. 2023.

• Ali, U., Kikumoto, M., Ciantia, M.O., Previtali, M. and Cui, Y.: Importance of periodic boundaries or frictionless walls in simulating elementary response of angular particles, Proc. VIII Int. Conf. on Particle-Based Methods (PARTICLES 2023), Milano, Italy, Oct. 2023.

• Ali, U., Kikumoto, M., Ciantia, M. and Cui, Y. : Significance of rolling resistance: when is it required?, Proc. Int. Sym. on Geomechanics from Micro to Macro (IS-Grenoble2024), Grenoble, France, 2024.

• Ali, U., Kikumoto, M., and Ciantia, M. : Calibrating rolling resistance to imitate stress-strain response of angular particles: potential and limitations, Proc. 26th Int. Cong. of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (ICTAM2024), Daegu, Korea, 2024.

• Kikumoto, M., Sato, T., Ali, U. and Cui, Y. : Experimental investigation of deformation anisotropy in elongated granular media, Proc. 26th Int. Cong. of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (ICTAM2024), Daegu, Korea, 2024.

• Ali, U., Kikumoto, M. : Combined effect of particle roundness and aspect ratio on mechanical responses of granular soils, The 67th National Congress of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (NCTAM), Yokohama, Japan,2024.

• Sato,T., Kikumoto, M. Ali, U., and Cui, Y. : CShear tests for granular materials with different aspect ratios and orientation distributions: Stress-strain characteristics and rotation of all particles, The 67th National Congress of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (NCTAM), Yokohama, Japan,2024.

• Ali, U., Kikumoto, M. : Crushing-induced size and shape evolution effect on critical states of soils, The 10th International Conference on Discrete Element Method (DEM10), Himeji, Japan,2025.

• Effect of particle shape on micro-macromechanics of granular materials, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Jan 26, 2026.

• Influence of particle elongation and interparticle friction on the mechanical behavior of granular media, The 36th KKHTCNN Symposium on Civil Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong., Dec 3, 2025.

• Crushing-induced size and shape evolution effect on critical states of soils, The 10th International Conference on Discrete Element Methods (DEM10), Himeji, Japan, Jul 4, 2025.

• Combined effect of particle roundness and aspect ratio on mechanical responses of granular soils, The 67th National Congress of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Yokohama, Japan, Sep 3, 2024.

• Calibrating rolling resistance to imitate stress-strain response of angular particles: potential and limitations, 26th International Congress of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (ICTAM), Daegu, South Korea, Aug 29, 2024.

• Crushing-induced size and shape evolution effect on critical states of soils, Geomechanics Alliance In Asia (GAIA) - First Workshop, Atami, Japan, 2024.

• Confirming the effect of particle shape across various boundary conditions and specimen dimensions, VIII International Conference on Particle-Based Methods (PARTICLES-2023), Milan, Italy, Sep 11, 2023.

• Micromechanical observation of the kinematics of sheared circular discs, 8th International Symposium on Deformation Characteristics of Geomaterials (ISDCG), Porto, Portugal, Sep 4, 2023.

• Validation of DEM models considering complete macro- and microscopic experimental data, 15th World Congress on Computational Mechanics & 18th Asian Pacific Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM-APCOM), Yokohama, Japan, Aug 3, 2022.

• Application of particle kinematics data observed in the biaxial shear test, 18th UK Travelling Workshop - GeoMechanics: from Micro to Macro (GM3), Dundee, UK., Dec 17, 2021.

• Aug. 2017 : Gold Medal, Best Overall Academic Performance in B.Eng. Examination, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore

• Aug. 2017 : Gold Medal, Best Academic Performance in the Final Year, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore

• Sep. 2019 : MEXT Scholarship, Master of Engineering, Yokohama National University, Japan

• Oct. 2021 : MEXT Scholarship, PhD in Engineering, Yokohama National University, Japan

• Sep. 2023 : International Academic Exchange and Promotion Projects, Yokohama National University

• Mar. 2024 : Certificate of Recognition, Outstanding Academic Performance, President of Yokohama National University

• Mar. 2024 : Excellent Doctoral Student Award, Outstanding Academic Performance, Dean of the Graduate School of Urban Innovation, Yokohama National University

• May. 2024 : Support Grant Winner, Support Grant for Postdoctoral Fellow, 26th International Congress of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Daegu, South Korea

• Aug. 2024 : JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship, Standard Program, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.