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)

Ramin Vafaei Poursorkhabi | Geotechnical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ramin Vafaei Poursorkhabi | Geotechnical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor | Islamic Azad University | Iran

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ramin Vafaei Poursorkhabi has built a strong research profile focusing on civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural analysis, soil improvement techniques, and the application of artificial intelligence in solving complex engineering challenges. His work spans across diverse areas such as the stabilization of soils through innovative methods like geopolymerization, evaluation of dispersive clay properties, monitoring and analysis of dam structures, and the use of metaheuristic algorithms for seismic response reduction and subsurface modeling. He has contributed significantly to advancements in hydraulic conductivity estimation, environmental optimization in road construction, and the reinforcement of geotechnical stability through geogrid applications. His studies also include offshore platform reliability, wave–structure interaction, and improvements in rubble mound breakwater resistance, showcasing an interdisciplinary approach that connects geotechnical, structural, and coastal engineering. By integrating clustering techniques, fuzzy logic, wavelet-based artificial neural networks, and hybrid optimization methods, he has introduced innovative models to enhance predictive accuracy and engineering design efficiency. Several of his publications highlight practical applications through case studies of large infrastructure projects, including dams, offshore platforms, and municipal roads, providing a blend of theoretical modeling and applied research. Additionally, his collaboration with scholars across multiple institutions has fostered a multidisciplinary approach to engineering problems, producing solutions that are both technically sound and environmentally conscious. The consistent use of computational intelligence tools demonstrates his commitment to bridging traditional engineering with modern machine learning techniques, aiming to optimize performance, reduce risk, and ensure structural safety. His publications in international journals and conference proceedings reflect not only academic contribution but also practical impact in real-world infrastructure development. This research track record establishes Ramin Vafaei Poursorkhabi as an impactful contributor in advancing the fields of geotechnical and structural engineering with strong integration of intelligent systems. 105 Citations 31 Documents 6 h-index View.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID | Research Gate 
Featured Publications:

Using the clustering method to find the final environmental parameters coefficients in road construction projects. (2025). Scientific Reports.

Experimental investigation of a special chemical additive for improving the geotechnical properties of dispersive clay soils. (2025). Results in Engineering.

Estimation of hydraulic conductivity using gradation information through Larsen fuzzy logic hybrid wavelet artificial neural network and combined artificial intelligence models. (2025). Discover Applied Sciences.

Jibin Sun – Geotechnical Engineering – Best Researcher Award

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Jibin Sun - Geotechnical Engineering - Best Researcher Award

Research Associate | Tianjin University | China

Dr. Jibin Sun has established a strong research foundation in geotechnical and civil engineering, focusing on the stability, performance, and safety of underground and foundation structures. His work addresses critical challenges in tunneling engineering, including progressive failure mechanisms, local failure impacts on adjacent structures, and the effects of contact loss under shield tunnel inverts. Through both experimental and numerical studies, he has contributed to advancing knowledge in tunnel safety, ground-structure interaction, and pile behavior under cyclic loading in dry sand. His studies integrate innovative modeling techniques such as Eulerian finite element methods and Coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian simulations, demonstrating a balance of theoretical analysis and applied engineering solutions. Jibin Sun’s research outputs, published in high-impact journals like Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, Acta Geotechnica, Géotechnique, and Engineering Failure Analysis, showcase his consistent focus on addressing complex geotechnical problems with practical relevance for infrastructure safety and resilience. Recognition through awards such as the Tianjin Science and Technology Progress Award and the Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award of Tianjin University highlights the value and influence of his contributions. Supported by prestigious funding programs, his ongoing work continues to expand the frontiers of geotechnical engineering, particularly in underground construction and failure mechanism analysis, positioning him as an impactful contributor to the field. 342 Citations by 288 documents, 20 Documents, 9 h-index View.

Profile: Scopus
Featured Publications: 

  1. Experimental study of the effects of contact loss under a shield tunnel invert. (2024). Cited by 2.

  2. Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian simulation of progressive failure in shield tunnels induced by developing contact loss. (2024). Cited by 8.