Prof. Qian Zhai | Geotechnics | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Qian Zhai is a prominent researcher in geotechnical engineering, specializing in unsaturated soil mechanics, soil–water characteristic curves, and hydraulic conductivity modeling. He has authored 68 peer-reviewed publications, accumulating over 1,611 citations and achieving an h-index of 21, reflecting strong academic influence. His research focuses on developing advanced mathematical and computational models to analyze soil behavior under environmental factors such as rainfall and wetting processes. Notable contributions include innovative modeling techniques for bimodal soil-water characteristic curves, prediction of wetting-induced settlement in loess soils, and slope stability assessment. With collaborations involving more than 100 co-authors, Prof. Zhai maintains active engagement in international research networks. His work has significant practical relevance, contributing to improved foundation design, infrastructure resilience, and geotechnical risk mitigation, particularly in climate-sensitive regions, thereby demonstrating meaningful societal and engineering impact.