Abstract
As an industry and a discipline, geotechnical investigation in China differs from that in the USA and European countries in its course of emergence and evolution. For over half a century, Chinese geotechnical investigation professionals witnessed continuous technical advances as they undertook independently almost all of China’s large-scale construction projects. Based on projects that won the “National Outstanding Engineering Investigation” Gold Medal Awards since the year 2000, this paper discusses the achievements of geotechnical investigation in the context of comprehensive technical ability, project evaluation and analysis, hi-tech applications and engineering monitoring, and analyzes several factors that have hindered the industry’s further development and alignment with international practice. Finally, some suggestions are given for future improvement.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anonymous, 1999. Definition of geotechnical engineering. Ground Engineering, 32(11):39.
Becker, D., 2001. National report on limited state design in geotechnical engineering: Canada. Geotechnical News, 19(3):47–55.
Chen, Z.Y., 2003. Some Opinions about Current Codes on Geotechnical Engineering in China. Reliability and Durability of Civil Engineering Structures, China Architecture and Building Press, Beijing, p.18 (in Chinese).
Gibbos, A.S., Fairweather, P.G., 1998. Computer-based Instruction: Design and Development. Educational Technology Publications, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Morgenstern, N.R., 2000. Common Ground. Proceedings-GeoEng2000, Melbourne, Australia, p.1–20.
Townsend, F.C., 2005. Challenges for geotechnical engineering graduate education. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 131(3):163–166. [doi:10.1061/(ASCE)1052-3928(2005)131:3(163)]
Zhang, Z.M., 2003. A Primary Discussion on the Current Situation and Development of Geotechnical Engineering. Proceedings of the National Geotechnical and Engineering Academic Congress, Beijing, China. China Communications Press, Beijing, p.13–23 (in Chinese).
Zhang, Z.M., 2005. An excellent book for soil mechanics learning and research. Geotechnical Engineering World, 8(2):17–21 (in Chinese).
Zhang, Z.M., Han, X., Zhou, H.L., 2008. The engineering background and geotechnical risk analysis of new metro lines, Beijing. Sino-Geotechnics, (116):5–14 (in Chinese).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhang, Zm. Achievements and problems of geotechnical engineering investigation in China. J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. A 12, 87–102 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.A1000433
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.A1000433