Civil Engineering Departmental Seminar - Soil desiccation cracking: phenomenon and mechanism
Soil desiccation cracking: phenomenon and mechanism
The formation of desiccation cracks on soil surface due to loss of water is a common natural phenomenon, which can significantly affect the soil performance in various geotechnical, agricultural and environmental applications. In this seminar, Prof. Tang will share insights from his research on the phenomena and mechanisms behind soil desiccation cracking. The presentation will commence by outlining the experimental methods, monitoring tools, and analytical approaches employed in studying soil cracks. The subsequent segment of the presentation will explore the evolution patterns and formation mechanisms of soil cracking. The emphasis will be put on the interconnected processes of evaporation, shrinkage, and cracking, with a focus on the impact of suction and tensile strength on crack formation. The presentation will be concluded by showcasing a series of innovative technologies devised by Prof. Tang's research group for the prevention and control of soil cracking, including fiber reinforcement, eco-polymer crack curing, and microbial mineralization cracking control techniques. Prof. Tang will provide insights into the practical application and widespread utilization of these techniques in various engineering projects.
Prof. Chao-Sheng Tang is the vice dean of the School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, China. He holds the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars and Excellent Young Scholar. His research focuses on extreme climate engineering geology and environmental geotechnical engineering. He has published more than 250 peer-reviewed journal papers. Prof. Tang serves as the Secretary-General of the International Society for Environmental Geotechnology (ISEG), and associate editor or editorial board member for several journals, including Engineering Geology, Canadian Geotechnical Journal, and Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment. Prof. Tang has received several prestigious awards, including the Tan Kah Kee Young Scientist Award for Earth Science, the First Prize of State Science and Technology Progress Award by the State Council of China, the First Prize of Natural Science Award by the Ministry of Education of China, and the Huang Jiqing Youth Science and Technology Award by Geological Society of China