kemeny@arizona.edu

520.621.4448

Mines 227

John Kemeny's website

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John Kemeny

Emeritus Professor of Mining and Geological Engineering

Dr. John Kemeny is Professor in the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering at the University of Arizona. His specialties are geomechanics, slope stability, rock fracture mechanics, numerical simulation in rock mechanics, and developing 3D imaging and sensing technologies for geotechnical applications. Dr. Kemeny is an expert on the use of point clouds for rock engineering applications such as slope and underground stability. Dr. Kemeny is Partner and Co-Founder of Split Engineering LLC, a company that specializes in image processing software for the mining and geotechnical industries, and the company was recently acquired by Hexagon Mining. Originally developed at the University of Arizona, the Split software analyzes point clouds and digital images to determine information about rock discontinuities and fragmentation. In addition the Split-FX software has been developed specifically for rock mass characterization and slope stability. Dr. Kemeny has over 35 years of experience in rock mechanics and over 25 years of experience with using new technologies for rock engineering applications. In the past 30 years Dr. Kemeny has published over 160 papers which include 45 peer-reviewed journal papers, given over 75 invited technical talks and workshops which include many keynote talks given worldwide, and acquired over $5 million in research funding from agencies that include the National Science Foundation, NIOSH, the Department of Energy, and many others. Dr. Kemeny has been at the University of Arizona since 1989, and was Head of the Mining and Geological Engineering department from 2015 through 2019.

Courses

Intro to Mining Engineering

MNE 205 (Fall 2016)

Mineralgy+Petrolgy/Engrs

GEN 210 (Spring 2017)
GEN 210 (Spring 2016)
MNE 210 (Spring 2017)
MNE 210 (Spring 2016)

Mineral Resourc Engr Tpc

MNE 296A (Fall 2017)
MNE 296A (Fall 2016)

Directed Research/Mn E

MNE 392 (Fall 2018)
MNE 492 (Spring 2018)

Techn Trnds Min Res Engr

MNE 396A (Spring 2016)

Independent Study

GEN 599 (Summer I 2020)
MNE 399 (Spring 2017)
MNE 499 (Spring 2018)
MNE 599 (Summer I 2021)
MNE 599 (Summer I 2020)
MNE 599 (Spring 2020)
MNE 599 (Spring 2019)
MNE 599 (Fall 2018)
MNE 599 (Spring 2018)
MNE 599 (Fall 2017)
MNE 599 (Fall 2016)
MNE 599 (Spring 2016)
MNE 699 (Spring 2023)
MNE 699 (Spring 2021)
MNE 699 (Fall 2020)
MNE 699 (Fall 2019)
MNE 699 (Spring 2017)

Engr Sustainable Dev

ENGR 422 (Fall 2016)
MNE 422 (Fall 2016)
MNE 522 (Fall 2016)

Health+Safety in Mining

MNE 426 (Fall 2019)
MNE 426 (Fall 2018)
MNE 426 (Fall 2017)
MNE 426 (Fall 2016)

Geomechanics

GEN 427 (Fall 2017)
GEN 527 (Fall 2021)
GEN 527 (Fall 2020)
GEN 527 (Fall 2019)
GEN 527 (Fall 2018)
GEN 527 (Fall 2016)
MNE 427 (Fall 2023)
MNE 427 (Fall 2022)
MNE 427 (Fall 2021)
MNE 427 (Fall 2020)
MNE 427 (Fall 2019)
MNE 427 (Fall 2018)
MNE 427 (Fall 2017)
MNE 427 (Fall 2016)
MNE 527 (Fall 2023)
MNE 527 (Fall 2022)
MNE 527 (Fall 2021)
MNE 527 (Fall 2020)
MNE 527 (Fall 2019)
MNE 527 (Fall 2018)
MNE 527 (Fall 2017)
MNE 527 (Fall 2016)

Undgr Constr Geomechanic

MNE 447 (Spring 2022)
MNE 447 (Spring 2021)
MNE 447 (Spring 2019)
MNE 447 (Spring 2018)
MNE 447 (Spring 2017)
MNE 447 (Spring 2016)
MNE 547 (Spring 2022)
MNE 547 (Spring 2021)
MNE 547 (Spring 2019)
MNE 547 (Spring 2018)
MNE 547 (Spring 2017)
MNE 547 (Spring 2016)

Senior Capstone

MNE 498 (Spring 2017)
MNE 498 (Fall 2016)
MNE 498 (Spring 2016)

Health+Safety In Mining

GEN 526 (Fall 2016)
MNE 526 (Fall 2019)
MNE 526 (Fall 2018)
MNE 526 (Fall 2017)

Ore Deposits & Mine Operations

MNE 560A (Fall 2019)
MNE 560A (Fall 2018)
MNE 560A (Fall 2017)

Mine Economics

MNE 560B (Spring 2019)
MNE 560B (Spring 2018)

Fractures Rock+Brtl Mat

GEN 580 (Spring 2023)
GEN 580 (Spring 2022)
GEN 580 (Spring 2021)
GEN 580 (Spring 2020)
MNE 580 (Spring 2023)
MNE 580 (Spring 2022)
MNE 580 (Spring 2021)
MNE 580 (Spring 2020)
MNE 580 (Spring 2019)
MNE 580 (Spring 2018)
MNE 580 (Spring 2017)

Directed Research

MNE 592 (Summer I 2022)

Internship

MNE 593 (Summer I 2023)
MNE 593 (Summer I 2022)
MNE 593 (Summer I 2020)
MNE 593 (Summer I 2019)
MNE 593 (Summer I 2018)
MNE 593 (Summer I 2017)

Mining Capstone Project

MNE 598 (Summer I 2020)
MNE 598 (Summer I 2019)
MNE 598 (Summer I 2018)

Research

MNE 900 (Summer I 2022)
MNE 900 (Fall 2020)
MNE 900 (Spring 2020)
MNE 900 (Fall 2019)
MNE 900 (Spring 2019)
MNE 900 (Fall 2018)
MNE 900 (Spring 2018)
MNE 900 (Fall 2017)
MNE 900 (Spring 2017)
MNE 900 (Fall 2016)
MNE 900 (Spring 2016)

Master's Report

MNE 909 (Spring 2017)

Thesis

MNE 910 (Spring 2021)
MNE 910 (Fall 2020)
MNE 910 (Summer I 2020)
MNE 910 (Spring 2020)
MNE 910 (Fall 2019)
MNE 910 (Summer I 2019)
MNE 910 (Spring 2019)
MNE 910 (Fall 2018)
MNE 910 (Spring 2018)
MNE 910 (Fall 2017)
MNE 910 (Summer I 2017)
MNE 910 (Spring 2017)
MNE 910 (Fall 2016)
MNE 910 (Spring 2016)

Dissertation

MNE 920 (Spring 2023)
MNE 920 (Fall 2022)
MNE 920 (Spring 2022)
MNE 920 (Fall 2021)
MNE 920 (Spring 2021)
MNE 920 (Fall 2020)
MNE 920 (Spring 2020)
MNE 920 (Fall 2019)
MNE 920 (Spring 2019)
MNE 920 (Fall 2018)
MNE 920 (Spring 2018)
MNE 920 (Fall 2017)
MNE 920 (Spring 2017)
MNE 920 (Fall 2016)
MNE 920 (Spring 2016)

Selected Publications

Journals/Publications

Wu, S., Wu, H., & Kemeny, J. M. (2018). Three-dimensional discrete element method simulation of core disking. Acta Geophysica, 66(3), 267 - 282.
Chen, N., Kemeny, J. M., Jiang, J., & Pan, Z. (2017). Automatic extraction of blocks from 3D point clouds of fractured rock. Computers and Geosciences. doi:10.1016
Wu, H., Kemeny, J. M., & Wu, S. (2017). Numerical investigation of Punch-through Shear Test for Mode II Toughness Fracture Determination. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 184, 59-74.
Kemeny, J. M., & Lyons-Baral, J. (2016). Applications of point cloud technology in geomechanical characterization, analysis and predictive modeling. Mining Engineering, 68(5), 18-25.
Kemeny, J., Ko, T. Y., & Jeon, S. (2014). Fracture characteristics of rocks under shear loading. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, 18(3), 760-764.
Kim, K., Kemeny, J. M., & Nickerson, M. (2013). Effect of Rapid Thermal Cooling on Mechanical Rock Properties. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering.
Ko, T. Y., & Kemeny, J. (2013). Determination of the subcritical crack growth parameters in rocks using the constant stress-rate test. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 59, 166-178.
Lato, M., Kemeny, J., Harrap, R. M., & Bevan, G. (2013). Rock bench: Establishing a common repository and standards for assessing rockmass characteristics using LiDAR and photogrammetry. Computers and Geosciences, 50, 106-114.
Annavarapu, S., Kemeny, J., & Dessureault, S. (2012). Joint spacing distributions from oriented core data. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 52, 40-45.
Kim, K., & Kemeny, J. M. (2012). Site Specific Blasting Model For Mine-to-Mill Optimization. SME Transactions.
Combs, J. H., & Kemeny, J. (2011). Dot study of lidar geotechnical applications in eight states. 45th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium.
Combs, J. H., Kudenov, M. W., Craven, J., & Kemeny, J. M. (2011). Evaluation of rock faces with hyperspectral imaging. 45th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium.
Kim, K. M., & Kemeny, J. (2011). Site specific blasting model for mine-to-mill optimization. SME Annual Meeting and Exhibit and CMA 113th National Western Mining Conference 2011, 619-623.
Ko, T. Y., & Kemeny, J. (2011). Subcritical crack growth in rocks under shear loading. Journal of Geophysical Research B: Solid Earth, 116(1).
Kim, K. M., & Kemeny, J. (2009). Effect of thermal shock and rapid unloading on mechanical rock properties. 43rd U.S. Rock Mechanics Symposium and 4th U.S.-Canada Rock Mechanics Symposium.

Proceedings Publications

Kemeny, J. M., & Molaei, F. (2020, June). Investigation of Thermal Conductivity in Rock using Molecular Dynamics Simulation. In American Rock Mechanics Association Annual Meeting.
Chun, P., & Kemeny, J. M. (2019, June). New Technologies for Time-Dependent Failure Monitoring of Discontinuities Containing Intact Rock Bridges. In American Rock Mechanics Association Annual Meeting.
Ko, T. Y., Kemeny, J. M., & Jeon, S. (2017, July). Loading Rate Dependency of Strength and Fracture Toughness of Rocks. In 4th ISRM Young Scholars’ Symposium on Rock Mechanics and 5th International Symposium on New Development in Rock Engineering.
Lyons-Baral, J., Michaelsen, R., & Kemeny, J. M. (2017, February). Benefits of Combining UAV Photogrammetry and Terrestrial Lidar for Highwall Inspection and Characterization. In Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Annual Meeting.
Bates, M., Kemeny, J. M., Wu, H., & Chen, N. (2016, June). Collecting Discontinuity Data at Kartchner Caverns Using LIDAR for the Purpose of Numerical Modeling. In 50th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium.
Park, J., Bates, M., Jeong, Y., Kim, K., & Kemeny, J. M. (2016, June). Creating a Digital Outcrop Model by using hyper-spectrometry and terrestrial LiDAR. In 50th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium.
Roth, K., Kemeny, J. M., & Wu, H. (2016, June). Modeling of Time-Dependent Rock Failure in Abaqus and PFC3D. In 50th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium.
Wu, J., Zhang, S., Cao, H., & Kemeny, J. M. (2016, June). The effect of pulse frequency on the acoustic emission characteristics in coal bed hydraulic fracturing. In 50th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium.
Kim, K., & Kemeny, J. M. (2011, Spring). Site Specific Blasting Model For Mine-to-Mill Optimization. In SME (Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration).
Kim, K., & Kemeny, J. M. (2011, Spring). Site Specific Blasting Model Using Schmidt Tensile Strength and Image Analysis. In ISEE (International Society of Explosives Engineer).
Kim, K., & Kemeny, J. M. (2009, Summer). Effects of Thermal Shock and Rapid Unloading on Mechanical Rock Properties. In the 43rd US Rock Mechanics Symposium (ARMA).
Kim, K., & Kemeny, J. M. (2008, Summer). Effects of Thermal Loading on the Rock Properties. In the 42nd US Rock Mechanics Symposium (ARMA).

Poster Presentations

Moreira Coutinho, P., Kemeny, J. M., & Barton, I. F. (2018, December). Constraints regarding the geomechanics of degradation. 2018 Arizona SME Conference. Tucson, AZ: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration.

Presentations

Kemeny, J. M., & Yu, X. (. (2021, March). Stress and Fracturing at the Interface Between Backfill and Rock: Results of Experiments and Numerical Modeling. SME Annual Meeting. virtual.
Galla, K. N., Kemeny, J. M., & Tenorio Gutierrez, V. O. (2020, Spring). Development of Mining-Related Coursework Based on the Gained Experience in Space Exploration. 2020 SME Annual Meeting & Expo (MineXchange 2020). Phoenix Convention Center: SME.
Kemeny, J. M., & Li, E. (2020, September). A Machine Learning Algorithm for Rock Mass Characterization and Stability from Point Clouds. Annual Meeting of the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists. Virtual: AEG.
Kemeny, J. M., & Galla, K. (2019, February). The Visibility of Space Resources for Investors and Entrepreneurs. SME Annual Meeting, Denver. Denver, CO.
Kemeny, J. M., & LaSala, B. (2019, September). Creating a High Resolution Model of the Timpanogos Cave System Using a Terabyte Scale Lidar Dataset. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting.
Moreira Coutinho, P., Kemeny, J. M., Barton, I. F., & Castro-Reino, S. (2019, February). Effects of hydrothermal alteration on the geomechanics of degradation at the Bagdad mine, Arizona. SME Annual Conference & Expo. Denver, CO: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration.