Luyao Xu
Ph.D., P.Eng.
Principal Engineer specializing in pipeline integrity, FEA modeling, and hydrogen technologies.
I'm a Principal Engineer and APEGA/PEO licensed professional engineer in the Hydrogen and Modeling Services group at DNV. With over 15 years of research and industry experience in pipeline integrity, I specialize in fracture mechanics, materials, and FEA modeling.
Before joining DNV, I was awarded an NSERC research fellowship and worked as a research scientist at CANMET focused on pipeline SCC and FEA. I then served as a Pipeline Integrity Engineer and Technical Leader at Stantec, leading the development of pipeline integrity assessment models, procedures, and guidelines.
My expertise encompasses the integrity assessment of hydrogen pipelines. I've developed advanced FEA models to study hydrogen embrittlement risk at pipeline defects, and engineering assessment software tools to evaluate failure pressure, fatigue life, and brittle fracture risk. I currently serve as an editorial board member of the Journal of Pipeline Science and Engineering and have published over 35 research papers.
About
Experience
Principal Engineer · DNV
Technical leader of the DNV modeling team developing numerical modeling approaches for pipeline integrity projects. Providing modeling support in fracture mechanics, corrosion, and hydrogen projects including hydrogen embrittlement, crack growth, and hydrogen diffusion.
- ·Lead advanced FEA methods for pipeline dent/wrinkle/buckling ECA
- ·Develop hydrogen pipeline defect integrity assessment approaches
- ·Create engineering procedures for hydrogen embrittlement impact evaluation
- ·Collaborate with Labs providing modeling support across projects
Integrity Engineer · Stantec
Technical leader of pipeline deformation and crack assessment. Led hydrotest/spike test engineering assessments including failure pressure analysis, fatigue growth, and remaining life predictions.
- ·Technical leader of pipeline deformation assessment (dent, ovality, ripple/wrinkle)
- ·Led pipeline crack assessment and hydrotest/spike test engineering assessment
- ·Created Level 3 FEA assessment models for crack, corrosion, dent interactions
- ·Stamping engineer reviewing engineering work and providing SME inputs
Research Associate · University of Calgary
Supervised PhD students on hydrogen blending pipeline integrity assessment projects. Provided FEA modeling and experimental planning support for multiphysical field coupling on hydrogen diffusion.
- ·Supervised 4 PhD students on hydrogen blending projects
- ·Studied hydrogen diffusion and accumulation at pipe defects
- ·Investigated metallurgical factors (hydrogen traps)
Postdoctoral Fellow · CanmetMaterials
NSERC Visiting Fellowship recipient. Participated in pipeline SCC and coating projects funded by Canadian Federal Interdepartmental Program of Energy R&D.
- ·Studied mechanism of cathodic protection on SCC crack initiation and growth
- ·Investigated FBE coating failure modes under various CP levels
- ·Reviewer of Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project
Postdoctoral Fellow · University of Calgary
Developed multiphysics numerical model for internal corrosion of pipelines in flowing fluid. Studied parametric effects on corrosion rate including flow rate, CO2 partial pressure, pH, and temperature.
- ·Developed numerical model for internal corrosion in CO2 environments
- ·Model capable of predicting corrosion rate under extreme conditions
Research Assistant (PhD) · University of Calgary
Developed the first numerical model in the world to predict long-term corrosion rate and remaining life of steel structures. This model has been highlighted by COMSOL as an official tutorial model.
- ·World 1st mechano-electrochemical stress-corrosion model
- ·Model included in COMSOL library as official tutorial
- ·Developed empirical equations to assess CP effectiveness inside defects
Highlights
Extensive FEA Expertise
Over 15 years of experience in FEA modeling with solid proficiency in ABAQUS, COMSOL, SolidWorks, and LabVIEW.
Pipeline Integrity Specialist
Comprehensive experience in fracture mechanics, elastic-plastic mechanics, electrochemistry, corrosion, and pipeline integrity assessment.
Interdisciplinary Research
Proven ability to conduct interdisciplinary research and collaborate with various worldwide laboratories on complex engineering challenges.
COMSOL Model Pioneer
Pioneered numerical modeling methods for corrosion behavior analysis. Developed a stress-corrosion model included in the COMSOL library as an official tutorial.
View COMSOL ModelSoftware Development
Developed over ten software applications for pipeline crack assessment, AC corrosion measurement, pipeline dent visualization, ML-based dent FEA assessment, and AI-powered object detection.
Editorial Board Member
Serving as an editorial board member of the Journal of Pipeline Science and Engineering, contributing to the advancement of pipeline research.
Selected Publications
View all on Google ScholarComprehensive Engineering Assessment of Crack-Like Features in Hydrogen Pipelines
Luyao Xu, Shane Finneran
PVP2026-182999
Comparative Evaluation of Fatigue Crack Growth Models for Fitness-For-Service Assessment of Hydrogen Pipelines
Luyao Xu, Shane Finneran
AMPP Alberta Conference 2026, AC2026-00068
Engineering assessment of hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility at defects in hydrogen pipelines by numerical modeling
Luyao Xu, Shane Finneran
14th International Pipeline Conference, IPC2024-133907
Development of an advanced 3D profile matching approach for pipeline dent FEA assessment
Luyao Xu, Alexander Brust, David Kemp, et al.
14th International Pipeline Conference, IPC2024-133117
Finite element modeling of hydrogen atom diffusion and distribution at corrosion defect on aged pipelines transporting hydrogen
Shiwen Guo, Luyao Xu, Shaohuadong, Y. Frank Cheng
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 36 (2023) 13566-13577
Mechano-electrochemical interaction for pipeline corrosion: A review
Y Wang, L Xu, J Sun, YF Cheng
Journal of Pipeline Science and Engineering 1 (2021), 1-16
Education
Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering
University of Calgary
Canada
Research focused on corrosion modeling, mechano-electrochemical effects, and developing numerical models for pipeline integrity assessment.
M.Sc., Mechanical Engineering
University of Calgary
Canada
Research on erosion-corrosion of pipeline steels and CFD modeling methods for corrosion research.
B.Sc., Materials Engineering
China University of Petroleum - Beijing
China
Excellent Bachelor Research Thesis recipient. Foundation in materials science and engineering.
Awards & Honors
Canada NSERC Visiting Fellowship
Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Students Abroad
PhD Graduate Scholarship, University of Calgary
MSc Graduate Scholarship, University of Calgary
1st-class China National Scholarship
Excellent Bachelor Research Thesis