On June 4th, at the invitation of Professor Tang Chao-Sheng of our Center, Professor Zhang Xiong of Missouri University of Science and Technology (Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering) gave an academic lecture entitled "Challenges in Unsaturated Soil Research and Possible Solutions" in Conference Room 513, Zhugongshan Building.
Professor Zhang Xiong, who is deeply engaged in the field of unsaturated soil mechanics, introduced the scientific research of unsaturated soil mechanics from the application of geotextile materials to the construction of seasonal frozen soil areas. Based on his own experience, Professor Zhang Xiong introduced the development of unsaturated soil mechanics, as well as the difficulties and challenges encountered in unsaturated soil mechanics tests. He also discussed the dive-and-conquer Approach for solving the coupling problem in geotechnical engineering, and took the consolidation drainage test as an example to analyze the problem of the correlation between stress paths and the properties of geotechnical materials.
In order to show the mechanical properties of unsaturated soil more intuitively, Professor Zhang Xiong introduced a simplified Barcelona basic model (BBM model) combined with animation. He explained the assumptions and elastoplastic characteristics of the model in detail, and the participants gained a deeper understanding of the mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils. This report by Professor Zhang Xiong not only summarized the development of unsaturated soil mechanics research, but also provided valuable ideas and methods for solving practical problems in scientific research.
After the lecture, Professor Zhang Xiong conducted in-depth exchanges and discussions with teachers and students on relevant issues. The teachers and students sought valuable advice from Professor Zhang Xiong based on their own research. Finally, Professor Zhang Xiong and Professor Tang Chao-Sheng exchanged views on further academic cooperation in the field of unsaturated soil mechanics.
This lecture not only provided new thinking and insights for the research of unsaturated soil mechanics theory of the Center, but also provided a valuable learning opportunity for the researchers of the center to exercise their scientific thinking and improve their scientific research literacy.
Dr. Zhang is currently a professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Department of Geotechnical, Architectural and Environmental Engineering) and has been teaching and researching in the field of geotechnical engineering since 1992. Research focuses include advanced laboratory techniques and rapid characterization of geological materials, the modeling of hydraulic and mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils, numerical modeling of climate-soil-structure interactions, slope stability analysis, soil stability, foundation improvement, and frozen soil engineering. Professor Zhang is currently the Chair of the Shallow Foundation Committee of the Geotechnical Engineering Institute (GI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), a voting member of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Rock Engineering (ISSMGE)TC106 Unsaturated Soil Committee (one of only two voting members in North America), Associate Editor of the ASCE Regional Engineering Journal, and editor of the Canadian Geotechnical Journal Members of the Committee.