Founded in 1956, the Department conducts researches on related issues in embankment dams, slopes, tunnel and underground works, including theoretical geotechnical, engineering geotechnical, numerical and intelligent geotechnical, and termite control. It conducts basic research on soil mechanics and rock mechanics, has comprehensive and advanced numerical simulation, material testing, and physical simulation conditions, and has performance capabilities in monitoring and detection, geophysical explorin, professional system integration development, appraisal and evaluation, and technical consulting. The Department consists of 8 research sections, namely: Section of Static Soil Mechanics, Section of Soil Dynamics and Anti-seismic Techniques of Geotechnical Structures, Section of Geotechnical Centrifuge Modeling, Section of Rock Mechanics, Section of Dam Safety and Engineering Protection Technology, Section of Safety Appraisal of Engineering,Section of Eco-geotechnical Engineering and Section of Termite Control. The Department has a total staff of 54, including 1 academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 30 professor-level senior engineers and 11 senior engineers. There are 49 persons with a doctoral degree and 4 with a Master's degree.

Structural state analysis and safety evaluation of earth rock dams

 In-situ test and stress analysis of the new type prestressed lining for large-scale tunnels in water diversion projects

Section of Static Soil Mechanics

·   Material properties and testing techniques of geotechnical engineering

·   Behavior simulation and safety evaluation of geotechnical structures

·   Safety identification and assessment of hydraulic engineering

·   Information technology for operation and management of hydraulic engineering

Section of Soil Dynamics and Anti-seismic Techniques of Geotechnical Structures

·   Dynamic tests of soils and large-scaled shaking model tests of geotechnical structures

·   Dynamic analysis, anti-seismic safety evaluation and anti-seismic measures of earth-rock fill dams and their foundations

Section of Geotechnical Centrifuge Modeling

·   Centrifuge modeling theory and test technology

·   Centrifugal model test study on static/dynamic behavior of geotechnical structures

·   Centrifugal modeling study on impact and blasting effects in geotechnical structures

·   Centrifugal simulation research on construction processes and in-situ testing of geotechnical structures

450g-ton geotechnical centrifuge

1000g high-speed geotechnical centrifuge

Hyper gravity simulator for offshore wind turbine foundation behavior under complex loads

The evolutionary patterns of settlement and deformation in concrete-faced rockfill dam bodies under varying earthquake magnitudes

Section of Rock Mechanics

·   Safety assessment of large dams and large dams conjunctively with their foundations

·   Stability analysis and assessment of surrounding rocks and the supporting techniques for large scale underground caverns and chambers

·   Informatization and intelligent construction of geotechnical engineering

·   Risk assessment of slope (side slope) slide

·   Key techniques of deeply buried long tunnels in water-transfer projects

·   Development and application of new type prestressed anchor

·   Rock petrophysical property testing techniques (laboratory and in- situ)

·   Development of relevant software, system and compilation and revision of technical standards

Digital twin platform for water conservancy hub

Self-developed geotechnical engineering stability analysis software

Rock mass quality analyis system of drilling jumbo

Section of Dam Safety and Engineering Protection Technology

·   Risk analysis, safety assessment and strengthening techniques of large dams

·   Seepage analysis and control techniques in geotechnical engineering

·   Safety monitoring of large dams, Dam safety detection techniques

·   Key techniques of ash storage yard and tailings pond

·   Blasting theory, techniques and safety control in water resources and hydropower projects

·   Integrated development of software system for safety analysis of large scale geotechnical engineering projects

·   Testing and application of geosynthetics

·   Microbial modified geotechnical materials

Leakage detection of embankments and dams

Numerical simulation and analysis of reservoir leakage

Emergency assessment and disposal technology for barrier lakes

Dry and wet ash storage dam and sub dam heightening technology

Reservoir Operation and Management Matrix Platform

Section of Safety Appraisal of Engineering

·   Safety appraisal of hydropower engineering

·   Consultation on dam safety assessment

·   Technical support and third-party consulting for dam safety monitoring

Technical consultation for the entire process of hydropower engineering

Meizhou pumped storage power station in guangdong province

Laos Nam Ou River cascade hydropower station

Section of Eco-geotechnical Engineering

·   Failure mechanisms, flood analysis, and risk prevention for check dam systems

·   Ecological approaches to engineering risk control in check dams and slopes

·   Sustainable eco-engineering techniques for special soil reinforcement

·   Multi-field coupled numerical simulation and analysis for eco-geotechnical engineering projects

·   AI-driven numerical simulation and smart research in problem soils

·   Bio-inspired materials for soil stabilization and erosion control

Sustainable and ecological construction approaches for check dams

Check dam failure mechanisms and breach discharge analysis

Fundamentals of biomineralization

Section of Termite Control

·   Living environment and relocation diffusion of termites in embankments and dams

·   Feeding habits and dynamic monitor-controlling of termites in embankments and dams

·   Survival characteristics and intelligent investigations of termites in embankments and dams

·   Physical property differences and accurate detections of termite nests in embankments and dams

·   Risk assessment and integrated management of termite damage in embankments and dams

·   Investigation and treatment of seepage potential dangers in water conservancy projects

On site testing of termite nest detection technologies, April 2024, Wuhan, China

Handbook for investigation on termite damage in hydraulic engineering

Intelligent cone probing equipment for the existence verification of termite nests in embankments and dams

General investigation system for termite and other embankment-damaging animals