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Institute of Geotechnical Engineering

Editor: 熊思尘 Date: 2015-11-27 Hits: 744

The Institute of Geotechnical Engineering of Zhejiang University was formerly the Teaching and Research Office of Geotechnics founded in 1953 by Professor Zeng Guo-xi, one of the most famous geotechnical experts in China. In 1990, it was renamed as the Institute of Geotechnical Engineering of Zhejiang University. It was approved as the postdoctoral research station in 1998 by the State Science and Technology Commission, and the doctoral programs of the primary discipline of Civil Engineering in 1999 by the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council, the Distinguished professor set discipline of Chang Jiang Scholars Program in 2000 by the Ministry of Education, and the national key discipline in 2002. Geotechnical Engineering is the key construction discipline of the national "211 Project", and the science and technology innovation platform construction discipline of the national "985 project". In 2011, the MOE Key Laboratory of Soft Soils and Geoenvironmental Engineering was set up, which possesses world-class advanced geotechnical experiment instruments, including the high-gravity centrifuge of ZJU400, the large-scale ground and slope testing system, the high-speed subgrade dynamic testing system.

The Institute of Geotechnical Engineering of Zhejiang University calls for the combination of the basic theory, outdoor and indoor experiment and engineering practice. It has formed distinct features in research subjects represented by the geoenvironmental engineering, the transportation engineering, and geotechnical engineering of disaster prevention and mitigation. Significant research achievements have been achieved in aspects of the theory of wave propagation in soil, the degrading consolidation theory of the municipal solid waste (MSW), the seismic liquefaction evaluation model based on shear wave velocity. The Rayleigh wave propagation properties and engineering application won the National Scientific and Technological Progress Award (second prize) in 1996, the key technologies of structural soft soil disaster control and engineering applications won the National Scientific and Technological Progress Award (second prize) in 2009, the MSW landfills’ environmental soil mechanics and the key technologies of the disaster prevention and control and applications won the National Scientific and Technological Progress Award (second prize) in 2012.

The Institute of Geotechnical Engineering of Zhejiang University has trained large quantities of outstanding talents in geotechnical engineering, and many notable scholars have worked or studied here, such as Professor Zeng Guo-xi, Professor Qian Jia-huan, Academician Gong Xiao-nan, Academician Chen Yun-min, American Academician of Engineering Bao Yi-xing, Canadian Academician of Engineering Fredlund D. G., and so on. In recent years, by talent cultivation and import, an academic team with rational structure, distinguished features, solidarity, and international view has formed, which is the innovation team of the Ministry of Education (e.g., Soft soil and environmental geotechnical), and the key scientific and technological innovation team in Zhejiang province (e.g. civil engineering disaster prevention and mitigation). At present, there are 13 full-time teaching and scientific research teachers, among which 7 are professors and 6 are associate professors. The team incorporates a Chinese Academician of Sciences, a winner of the National Outstanding Youth Science Fund, a winner of the National Excellent Youth Science Fund, a winner of the Youth Talent Plan of the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, a winner of New Century Talent Supporting Plan of the Ministry of Education; and 3 winner of the 151 Talents Plan of Zhejiang province. Up to now, there are nearly 200 PhD students have graduated in the institute, among which two each won the National Excellent Doctorial Dissertation Award and nomination.