Exploring the Properties of Granular Materials under Varied Saturation Conditions

Date, time & venue

11 December 2024 (Wednesday), 17:00-18:00, Seminar via Zoom Meeting

Organized by

HKIE Civil Division, HKIE Geotechnical Division and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Programme Highlight

Ubiquitous granular materials in natural and engineered systems exhibit complex mechanical properties influenced by a wide range of factors. With climate change driving unpredictable rainfall patterns and intensifying storms, moisture of granular materials can fluctuate dramatically, highlighting the needs to understand their responses under variable conditions. Such insights are essential to ensure the resilience and stability of infrastructure, natural slopes, and soil-structure systems.

A comprehensive laboratory study was conducted to investigate the strength and deformation of granular materials under different loading and saturation conditions. A modularized multifunctional apparatus for unsaturated soil was developed. Then, a series of laboratory tests was carried out which involved water retention test, direct shear test, large-scale oedometer test, triaxial test, etc. The investigation focused on key properties of granular materials under saturated and unsaturated conditions, examining behaviors of water retention, shear strength, creep, small-strain stiffness, critical states, etc.

Language

English

Fee

Free of Charge

Speakers
Dr Liu obtained his Ph.D. from PolyU in 2021. He graduated with his Master’s degree from City University of Hong Kong in 2014 and earned his dual Bachelor’s degrees in Wuhan University and China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) in 2009. Dr Liu has six years of industry experience prior to joining academia. He worked in CCCC-FHDI in Guangzhou from 2009 to 2013, with a focus on site investigation and laboratory tests of soil and rock. Then he worked with WSP in Hong Kong from 2014 to 2016, where he specialized in design and consultancy. Since 2016, Dr Liu has been actively engaged in research at PolyU. His research interests mainly include advanced development of testing apparatus, mechanical behaviour of saturated and unsaturated soils, constitutive modelling of granular soils, and numerical modelling of soils and structures. He has published more than 20 research papers in reputable SCI journals.

Registration & Enquiries

Please complete the on-line registration at the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6ptiEiqdTkGpRvB2I030iQ

The number of participants is limited to 500 on a first-come-first served basis. Priority will be given to members of the Civil Division/Geotechnical Division.

Email registration will not be accepted. Successful applicants will be informed by email and provided a link to the Zoom Meeting at the designated time slot.  A CPD certificate will be issued 3 weeks after the seminar based on this membership no. and name.

For enquiries, please contact Mr. Henry Lam via email: hkieciviltechnicalmeeting@gmail.com.