Shaokai Wang | Geotechnical Engineering | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Shaokai Wang | Geotechnical Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Lecturer | North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power | China

Dr. Shaokai Wang is a Lecturer at North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, holding a Ph.D. in Geological Engineering with over five years of experience in teaching and research. His expertise lies in geological and geotechnical engineering, with a strong focus on geological hazard mitigation, loess-related geohazards, and landslide monitoring and early warning systems. He has led and contributed to nationally funded projects supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, including research on catastrophic loess discontinuities and innovative biopolymer-based soil improvement technologies. Dr. Wang has published peer-reviewed articles in high-impact international journals such as Engineering Geology and Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, accumulating citations that reflect the relevance of his work. His research integrates field investigations, numerical simulations, and risk modeling to support disaster prevention, sustainable land-use planning, and resilient infrastructure development, contributing meaningfully to societal safety in hazard-prone regions.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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Citations
461

Documents
8

h-index
7


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Top Publications

Static liquefaction capacity of saturated undisturbed loess in South Jingyang platform

Water (Switzerland), 2020 · Open Access

Yong Tan | Geotechnical Engineering | Research Excellence Award

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Professor Yong Tan | Geotechnical Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Professor | Tongji University | China

Professor Yong Tan is a leading expert in Geotechnical Engineerinbg, with internationally recognized contributions to deep excavations, tunnelling, pile foundations, ground improvement, and forensic geotechnical analysis. He is a Professor at Tongji University, China, and holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, USA. His research portfolio includes over 100 peer-reviewed journal publications in top-tier SCI journals, with thousands of citations, reflecting strong global academic impact. Professor Tan’s work bridges theory and practice, addressing complex urban underground infrastructure challenges, disaster mitigation, and sustainable development. He has led and collaborated on international research projects with scholars from Asia, Europe, and North America, and his findings have directly informed engineering design standards and risk management strategies. Recognized among the World’s Top 2% Scientists, his research continues to enhance public safety, resilience of cities, and evidence-based decision-making in civil and geotechnical engineering worldwide

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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Citations
4,068

Documents
139

h-index
34


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 View Google Scholar Profile

Top 5 Featured Publications

Mukhtiar Ali Soomro | Soil-structure interaction | Excellence in Research Award

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Prof. Dr. Mukhtiar Ali Soomro | Soil-structure interaction | Excellence in Research Award

Professor | China University of Mining and Technology | China

Prof. Dr. Mukhtiar Ali Soomro is a geotechnical engineering researcher with a strong publication record in soil–structure interaction, tunnelling, piled foundations, deep excavations, and ground deformation analysis. His research integrates advanced numerical modelling, centrifuge testing, and analytical approaches to investigate the response of piles, piled rafts, embankments, and masonry structures under complex loading and excavation conditions. He has published extensively in high-impact international journals such as Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, Computers and Geotechnics, Canadian Geotechnical Journal, and Geomechanics and Engineering. His work contributes significantly to safer and more sustainable underground and foundation engineering practices.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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Citations 931

Documents 44

h-index
16

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Featured Publications


Three-Dimensional Centrifuge Modelling of Pile Group Responses to Side-by-Side Twin Tunnelling


– Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2014 (Citations: 104)

Load Transfer Mechanism in Pile Group Due to Single Tunnel Advancement in Stiff Clay


– Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2015 (Citations: 97)

IoT-Based Smart Garbage Monitoring & Collection System Using WeMos and Ultrasonic Sensors


– International Conference on Computing, Mathematics and Engineering, 2019 (Citations: 94)

Meiqian Wang | Geotechnical Engineering | Best Innovation Award

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Prof. Meiqian Wang | Geotechnical Engineering | Best Innovation Award

Professor | Kunming University of Science and Technology | Best Innovation Award

Prof. Meiqian Wang is a researcher and faculty member at Kunming University of Science and Technology, specializing in geotechnical mechanics, geological engineering, and engineering project management. His work focuses on the mechanical behavior, sandification mechanisms, and disaster-control technologies of sandy dolomite, contributing to major infrastructure projects in Southwest China. He has led two research projects and participated in several significant initiatives, including a major science and technology project of the Yunnan Provincial Science and Technology Department, multiple National Natural Science Foundation projects, open fund studies, and enterprise-oriented engineering investigations. During his doctoral period, he achieved notable academic productivity, publishing seven first-author papers, including five SCI-indexed articles—with one in a top-tier journal—and one core Chinese publication. His work has also extended to engineering geology, machine-learning-based rock property evaluation, and structural stability analyses in complex geological conditions. In addition to scholarly publications, he has contributed substantially to scientific and technological innovation, holding one invention patent, five utility model patents, and four computer software copyrights related to rock mechanics testing, data acquisition, and analysis systems. He has collaborated extensively with interdisciplinary teams on tunnel engineering, rock mass behavior, and large water-diversion project studies, further enhancing the scientific understanding of rock sandification processes. His professional contributions include serving as a journal editorial board member and reviewer for several SCI journals in civil engineering and geosciences, reflecting his growing international academic presence. His research has delivered tangible societal benefits by supporting safer, more efficient design and construction practices in high-risk geological environments, thereby advancing regional infrastructure resilience and sustainability.

Profiles: ORCID
Publication:

Wang, M., Xu, W., Mu, H., Mi, J., Wu, Y., & Wang, Y. (2022). Study on construction and reinforcement technology of dolomite sanding tunnel. Sustainability, 14(15)

Yang Yunpeng | Geotechnical Engineering | Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yang Yunpeng | Geotechnical Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Yangtze University | China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yang Yunpeng is a dedicated early-career scholar and Specially Appointed Associate Professor at the College of Geosciences, Yangtze University, recognized for his emerging contributions to the field of geological hazards and mountain disaster dynamics. His research primarily focuses on the mechanisms, evolution, and monitoring of landslides, debris flows, rock avalanches, and snow avalanches, with an emphasis on disaster-chain processes in seismically active regions. He has developed expertise in seismic-signal-based monitoring and early warning frameworks, experimental flume testing, debris-flow dynamics, and disaster-risk mitigation technologies. Dr. Yang has published over ten research articles, including nine SCI-indexed papers, with four as first or corresponding author in reputable international journals such as Engineering Geology, JGR: Earth Surface, and Landslides. His work has clarified the chain-inducing mechanisms of seismic landslide–debris-flow sequences, advanced the understanding of debris-flow impact dynamics, and contributed novel insights into sediment transport transitions under seismic forcing. In addition to publications, he has participated in the development of multiple national invention patents related to disaster simulation, debris-flow hazard mitigation, and engineering modeling technologies, demonstrating both scientific innovation and practical applicability. Dr. Yang collaborates actively with interdisciplinary teams involving experts in seismology, geomorphology, engineering geology, and geotechnical engineering, enabling integrative approaches to mountain-hazard research. His contributions support national needs in major engineering construction and disaster-risk reduction, with societal impacts spanning improved hazard early-warning capabilities, enhanced understanding of disaster chains, and the development of protective strategies for vulnerable mountainous regions. Through rigorous research, international engagement, and commitment to scientific advancement, Yang Yunpeng continues to establish himself as a promising researcher contributing valuable knowledge to global geohazard prevention and sustainable development.

Profile: Scopus
Publication

Physical model experiment of rainfall-induced instability of a two-layer slope: Implications for early warning. Landslides. (2024)

Caoyuan Niu | Geotechnical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Caoyuan Niu | Geotechnical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Senior Engineer‌ | China Railway No.4 Engineering Group Co., Ltd | China

Dr. Caoyuan Niu is a dynamic researcher specializing in bridge and tunnel engineering, with a strong focus on the mechanical behavior and fracture characteristics of rock and composite materials under complex environmental and loading conditions. Currently serving as a postdoctoral fellow jointly supervised by China Railway No.4 Engineering Group Co., Ltd. and Hefei University of Technology, he obtained his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Sichuan University in 2021. His scholarly output demonstrates a robust contribution to the field, with six SCI-indexed publications as the first author in high-impact international journals such as Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, and Cold Regions Science and Technology. In addition to his academic publications, Dr. Niu holds ten authorized invention patents, reflecting a strong orientation toward practical innovation and technology transfer. His research on the bearing capacity of rock-anchored anchorage systems and the deterioration of rock materials under freeze-thaw and hydrochemical effects has advanced the understanding of infrastructure resilience and safety in extreme conditions. Through interdisciplinary collaboration with experts in material mechanics, structural engineering, and geotechnics, he has contributed to developing safer, more sustainable design principles for large-scale bridge and tunnel projects. Dr. Niu’s scientific endeavors not only enhance theoretical insights into rock fracture mechanics but also provide applied engineering solutions that support national infrastructure development and global knowledge exchange in civil and geotechnical engineering.

Profile: Scopus
Publications:

Influence of the interlaced holes on crack propagation behavior under impact loads. International Journal of Impact Engineering. 
(Cited by: 17)

Deterioration of dynamic fracture properties of granite under the coupled effects of hydrochemical solutions and freeze–thaw cycles. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences. 
(Cited by: 8)

Hongzhi He | Geotechnical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Hongzhi He | Geotechnical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor | Sichuan University of Arts and Sciences | China

Mr. Hongzhi He is a distinguished researcher at Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China, specializing in pavement engineering, material characterization, and infrastructure durability assessment. His scholarly work primarily focuses on understanding interfacial behavior, bonding strength, and morphological characteristics in advanced asphalt and concrete systems, contributing significantly to the development of sustainable construction materials. With a growing academic footprint, Dr. He has authored 12 peer-reviewed publications and has been cited 84 times across 72 scholarly documents, demonstrating the increasing recognition and relevance of his research within the global civil and transportation engineering communities. Holding an h-index of 5, his research outputs exhibit consistent academic impact and are frequently referenced in studies related to construction materials and layered pavement systems. Dr. He has engaged in collaborations with 22 co-authors from leading research institutions, fostering interdisciplinary advancements in the field of civil infrastructure resilience and materials innovation. His recent publication, “Characterization of interface morphology and its impact on interlayer bonding strength in double-layered asphalt systems” (Construction and Building Materials, 2024), exemplifies his methodological rigor and contribution to improving the performance and longevity of transportation infrastructure. Through his dedication to scientific inquiry, Dr. He continues to advance the understanding of material interfacial mechanics and their implications for infrastructure sustainability. His research outcomes not only enrich the academic discourse but also provide practical insights that inform industry standards and public policy toward more durable, eco-efficient, and cost-effective construction solutions, thereby generating a meaningful societal impact at both national and international levels.

Profile: Scopus
Featured Publications:
  • Characterization of interface morphology and its impact on interlayer bonding strength in double-layered asphalt systems. Construction and Building Materials.

Mahasakti Mahamaya | Geotechnical Engineering | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Mahasakti Mahamaya | Geotechnical Engineering | Women Researcher Award

Associate Professor | OP Jindal University | India

Dr. Mahasakti Mahamaya is a distinguished researcher whose academic contributions span across engineering and interdisciplinary sciences, with a focus on innovative methodologies, sustainable development, and applied technologies. Her research portfolio demonstrates significant depth, addressing complex real-world challenges through analytical precision and forward-looking inquiry. Dr. Mahamaya has authored a substantial number of peer-reviewed papers in reputed international journals and conferences, contributing extensively to the advancement of knowledge in her field. Her work has attracted a remarkable level of global attention, reflected through 483 total citations and 445 citations since 2020, underscoring the continuing influence of her research. With an h-index of 10 and an i10-index of 10, Dr. Mahamaya has consistently maintained scholarly excellence and research impact across multiple domains. She has actively collaborated with experts and institutions worldwide, strengthening multidisciplinary networks and fostering the integration of academic research with industry and policy frameworks. Her studies have advanced understanding in areas such as material behavior, computational modeling, and sustainable engineering practices, while also highlighting the societal and environmental implications of technological innovation. Through mentorship, publication, and collaborative initiatives, Dr. Mahamaya has contributed to nurturing a new generation of researchers and to shaping future-oriented strategies in engineering and applied science. Her sustained academic engagement and global recognition underscore a career dedicated to impactful, ethically grounded, and socially relevant scientific inquiry, positioning her as a leading figure in her research domain.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar
Featured Publications:

Suman, S., Mahamaya, M., & Das, S. K. (2016). Prediction of maximum dry density and unconfined compressive strength of cement stabilised soil using artificial intelligence techniques. International Journal of Geosynthetics and Ground Engineering, 2(2), 1–11.

Mahamaya, M., Das, S. K., Reddy, K. R., & Jain, S. (2021). Interaction of biopolymer with dispersive geomaterial and its characterization: An eco-friendly approach for erosion control. Journal of Cleaner Production, 127778.

Parhi, P. S., Garanayak, L., Mahamaya, M., & Das, S. K. (2017). Stabilization of an expansive soil using alkali activated fly ash based geopolymer. International Congress and Exhibition "Sustainable Civil Infrastructures".

Mahamaya, M., & Das, S. K. (2017). Characterization of mine overburden and fly ash as a stabilized pavement material. Particulate Science and Technology, 35(6), 660–666.

Das, S. K., Mahamaya, M., & Reddy, K. R. (2020). Coal mine overburden soft shale as a controlled low strength material. International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 34(10), 725–747.

Changxin Huang | Geotechnical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Changxin Huang | Geotechnical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Doctoral student | Shandong University | China

The research fields of Dr. Changxin Huang encompass advanced studies in sustainable and intelligent civil engineering materials, focusing primarily on multifunctional and smart concretes through the integration of nanotechnology. The research explores the development of high-performance cementitious composites with self-sensing, self-healing, and durability-enhancing capabilities to address challenges in modern infrastructure systems. Emphasis is placed on the design and optimization of nano-engineered materials such as carbon-based nanomaterials, graphene, and carbon nanotubes to improve mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and structural monitoring efficiency. Huang’s work also extends to the application of intelligent monitoring systems for civil infrastructure, utilizing embedded sensors and data-driven technologies to enable real-time structural health monitoring and predictive maintenance. Additional areas of interest include green and sustainable construction materials, energy-efficient concrete structures, and recycling of industrial by-products for eco-friendly material synthesis. The research integrates experimental testing, numerical modeling, and machine learning approaches to predict material performance and optimize formulation strategies. Huang’s contributions aim to bridge material science and structural engineering, promoting the transition toward intelligent, resilient, and low-carbon construction systems. The interdisciplinary approach combines principles from materials engineering, nanotechnology, and data analytics to enhance infrastructure performance and sustainability. Overall, the research advances the vision of next-generation civil infrastructure that is adaptive, energy-efficient, and environmentally responsible through innovative multifunctional concrete technologies and smart monitoring systems.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID
Featured Publications:

A stepwise calculation method for grouting penetration in rough rock fracture based on fracture segment division. (2025). Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology.

Zahid Ur Rehman | Geotechnical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Zahid Ur Rehman | Geotechnical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Zahid Ur Rehman is a distinguished researcher and academic in the field of Mining Engineering, specializing in rock mechanics, tunnel design, and numerical modeling for geotechnical analysis. His scholarly contributions emphasize the study of rock mass behavior under varied loading conditions, focusing on the stability and safety of underground structures in complex geological environments. Through extensive research on the Lowari Tunnel and Kohat Tunnel projects in Pakistan, Zahid Ur Rehman has developed advanced modeling techniques using FEM and DEM approaches to predict deformation, stress distribution, and support system performance. His work integrates theoretical and empirical methods to optimize tunnel support systems, enhance slope stability, and mitigate risks associated with rock bursts and collapses. Beyond tunnel engineering, his studies extend to dimension stone mining, ore reserve estimation, explosive engineering, and sustainable mineral extraction. His collaborative publications explore artificial intelligence applications for rock mass characterization, risk assessment in mining operations, and the environmental management of mineral industries. Zahid Ur Rehman has supervised multiple undergraduate projects investigating geotechnical variability, squeezing potential, and predictive modeling in tunnel environments, demonstrating a commitment to fostering research innovation. His proficiency with tools such as RocLab, RS2, and Matlab strengthens his expertise in simulation and modeling for ground support design. Additionally, his involvement with the Society of Mining Engineers and Pakistan Engineering Council highlights active engagement in professional development and academic leadership. His academic output, including journal articles and a co-authored book chapter on slope engineering, contributes significantly to advancing mining and geotechnical sciences. Zahid Ur Rehman has 92 citations across 11 research documents with an h-index of 6, reflecting substantial influence and research impact in the mining engineering discipline.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID
Featured Publications

Jan, M. S., Hussain, S., Zahra, R. E., Emad, M. Z., Khan, N. M., Rehman, Z. U., Cao, K., Alarifi, S. S., Raza, S., Sherin, S., et al. (2023). Appraisal of different artificial intelligence techniques for the prediction of marble strength. Sustainability.

Hussain, S., Khan, N. M., Emad, M. Z., Naji, A. M., Cao, K., Gao, Q., Rehman, Z. U., Raza, S., Cui, R., Salman, M., et al. (2022). An appropriate model for the prediction of rock mass deformation modulus among various artificial intelligence models. Sustainability.

Gul, A., Shahzada, K., Alam, B., Badrashi, Y. I., Khan, S. W., Khan, F. A., Ali, A., & Rehman, Z. U. (2020). Experimental study on the structural behavior of cast in-situ hollow core concrete slabs. Civil Engineering Journal (Iran).

Hussian, S., Mohammad, N., Rehman, Z. U., Khan, N. M., Shahzada, K., Ali, S., Tahir, M., Raza, S., & Sherin, S. (2020). Review of the geological strength index (GSI) as an empirical classification and rock mass property estimation tool: Origination, modifications, applications, and limitations. Advances in Civil Engineering.

Tahir, M., Rehman, Z. U., Husain, S., Muhammad, N., Nazir, M., Sadiq, M., & Hussain, I. (2020). Up-gradation of black shale of Chimiari region of Pakistan by flotation scheme. Journal of Himalayan Earth Sciences.