Research Team led by Prof. Charles Ng receives the HKIE Geotechnical Paper Award 2022

Prof. Charles Wang Wai Ng, CLP Holdings Professor of Sustainability and Chair Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, together with Prof Clarence Edwards Choi of the University of Hong Kong, Dr Julian Kwan of Geotechnical Engineering Office of HKSAR Government and his research students Dr. Haiming Liu and Sunil Poudyal, have received the HKIE Geotechnical Paper Award 2022 from the Geotechnical Division of HKIE (HKIEGD). The award was presented in a ceremony held at the 42nd Annual Seminar of HKIEGD on 13th May 2022.

The HKIE Geotechnical Paper Award is a biennial award organized by the HKIE Geotechnical Division to encourage high quality geotechnical publications that targeted practicing geotechnical engineers in Hong Kong.

The paper, titled “Design Recommendations for Single and Dual Debris Flow Barriers with and without Basal Clearance”, provides details of a new analytical framework for assessing the runup, overflow, and landing of granular debris intercepted by multiple rigid barriers. The framework is evaluated by using flume model tests, which simulate dry sand, water, and typical debris flow materials. Related studies using flume model tests to investigate the impact dynamics of debris flow on a rigid barrier with a basal clearance and flexible barrier is also reported. Based on the findings, design recommendations for single and dual debris flow barriers are described and explained. These include optimised design impact coefficients to predict the impact force for: (i) single rigid barriers with and without basal clearance; (ii) single flexible barrier; and (iii) dual rigid barriers. The recommendations can be used for the design of safe and cost-effective barrier systems to protect human lives and infrastructure against debris flow hazards in mountainous regions globally.

Congratulations to the Team!

Related link:
HKIE Geotechnical Paper Award 2022

The 42nd Annual Seminar of HKIEGD

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