CUS-CHEC-SJ Seminar on Advanced Ground Improvement for Marine and Coastal Infrastructure
Co-Hosted By
- Centre for Urban Solutions (CUS), Nanyang Technological University
- Singapore China Harbour (Singapore) Engineering Company Pte. Ltd. (CHEC)
- Surbana Jurong Consultants Pte Ltd (SJ)
About the Seminar
With more developments along the coastal areas for either infrastructure or coastal protection, there is an increasing demand for reliable, resilient, and sustainable ground improvement solutions. This seminar, themed "Advanced Ground Improvement for Marine and Coastal Infrastructure“, brings together engineers, researchers, and policymakers to examine proven and emerging techniques for coastal soil improvement to support successful delivery of coastal projects. From deep cement mixing to biogrouting, participants will explore how technical innovation, digital QA, and sustainable practices can de-risk infrastructure development in complex marine environments.
Seminar Programme
| Time | Speaker | Title of Presentation |
| 1330 – 1335 | Professor Chu Jian Director, CUS, NTU | Welcome Address by NTU |
| 1335 – 1340 | Mr Feng Liangji Chairman, CHEC | Welcome Address by CHEC |
| 1340 – 1345 | Mr James Lam Executive Director, SJ | Welcome Address by SJ |
| 1345 – 1410 | Professor Chu Jian Director, CUS, NTU | 1. Biogrouting for Low Carbon Geotechnical Applications |
| 1410 – 1450 | Professor He Hongtao Director of Geotechnical Institute (Overseas Department), CHEC | 2. Ground Improvement using DCM Method for Marine Works |
| 1450 – 1510 | Tea Break & Networking | |
| 1510 – 1540 | Mr Ning Jinjin Chief Engineer, CHEC | 3. Recent DCM Construction Technologies for Marine projects |
| 1540 – 1600 | Dr Wang Cui Technical Director of Geotechnical Engineering, CHEC UTC | 4. Design and Construction of DCM for the IWMF Phase I Project in Hong Kong |
| 1600 – 1640 | Dr Zhang Yaodong Deputy Director (Coastal), SJ | 5. Application of Deep Cement Mixing (DCM) in Coastal Development: Design, Modelling and Quality Assurance |
| 1640 – 1700 | Q&A Session | |
| 1700 | End of Seminar | |
Speaker’s Biography
Professor Chu Jian, Chair, School of CEE; Director of CUS, NTU
Professor Chu Jian is President's Chair in Civil Engineering, Chair of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Director of Centre for Urban Solutions, Co-Director of TREASURES (an NEA-NTU Centre Towards Resource Efficiency And Sustainability for URban EnvironmentS), and Fellow of Academy of Engineering Singapore. He worked for Iowa State University, USA, from 2011 to 2014, as Professor and James M. Hoover Chair in Geotechnical Engineering.
He is Editor for a high impact journal, Acta Geotechnica, Editor-in-chief for Biogeotechnics, and Associate Editor for ASCE Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering. Prof Chu also chairs the ISSMGE Technical Committee TC217 on Land Reclamation and was a past president of Geotechnical Society of Singapore and a past Chair of ISSMGE Technical Committee TC39 on Geotechnical Engineering for Coastal Disaster Mitigation and Rehabilitation.
He has been driving the development of a low carbon construction material, biocement, and it’s geotechnical applications in recent years. He received several awards including the R. M. Quigley Award from the Canadian Geotechnical Society in 2004 and the Outstanding Geotechnical Engineer Award from the Geotechnical Society of Singapore in 2018.
Professor He Hongtao, Director of Geotechnical Institute (Overseas Department), CHEC
Professor He Hongtao is the Director of Geotechnical Institute (Overseas Department), CHEC. He has over 15 years of geotechnical engineering design & consulting, project management experience, including land formation and ground improvement, slope protection, underground engineering in maritime engineering. Particularly, as a leader geotechnical engineer, he has involved in Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (Islands and Tunnel Project), Main Reclamation Works (including DCM) of Hong Kong International Airport Three-runway System, Macau Light Rail East Line Project, Coal Terminal Project in Tsuen Wan Port Area of Huizhou Port in China.
He is also a member of the Dredging and Sediment Treatment and Utilization Committee of Chinese Hydraulic Engineering Society (CHES) and a youth committee member of the Guangdong Provincial Geotechnical Mechanics and Engineering Society. He received the China Outstanding Patent Award and the National Outstanding Engineering Survey and Design Award. He took the lead in participating in the scientific research project "Key technologies for Research on the mechanism of instability and failure of Deep Cement Mixing Method for Strengthening Revetment Slopes and Stability Control under Complex Environments and Geological Conditions".
He participated in the preparation of the standard of the Ministry of Transport of China "Underwater Deep Cement Mixing Method Construction Quality Control and Testing Standards".
Mr Ning Jinjin, Chief Engineer, CHEC
Mr Ning Jinjin has dedicated a significant period to the research and construction of immersed tube tunnels, achieving remarkable success in areas such as immersed tube towing and installation, ground Improvement, rapid island formation, and tunnel risk management. He has been honored with numerous prestigious awards, including the Tianjin May 1st Labor Medal, the Ministry of Transport’s 'Most Beautiful Port and Shipping Person' award, the Tianjin Moral Model Nomination, and the National Innovation and Excellence Award.
Additionally, he has received over 10 provincial and ministerial-level accolades from organizations such as the Navigation Society and the Waterway Transportation Association. His innovative work as resulted in the authorization of more than 50 national patents, including 20 invention patents. Mr Ning has also contributed to the academic community, having published over 30 papers in core domestic and international journals and serving as the chief editor for four group standards.
Dr Wang Cui, Technical Director of Geotechnical Engineering, CHEC UTC
Dr Wang Cui serves as the Technical Director of Geotechnical Engineering at CHEC Headquarters Center of Technology Utilization. With 17 years of dedicated practice in geotechnical engineering, she has extensive experience in ground improvement, foundation pit engineering, slope engineering, and other related domains. She has acted as a key technical contributor in many land reclamation and marine engineering projects, including the Dalian Airport Artificial Island Project, Hong Kong Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase I (IWMF Phase I), Annaba Mining Port Expansion Project, and Macau International Airport Expansion Project.
As a registered geotechnical engineer in Chinese Mainland, Dr Wang has published a number of papers in professional journals. She has been honored with multiple provincial and ministerial-level scientific and technological awards and has also participated in the compilation and formulation of the Technical Specification for Static-Dynamic Drainage Consolidation of Hydraulic Fill.
Dr Zhang Yaodong, Deputy Director (Coastal), Surbana Jurong
Dr Zhang Yaodong is a deputy director of Coastal Engineering and Management of Surbana Jurong and the head of Center of Excellence of the Coastal sub-sector in SJ group. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy from National University of Singapore in Geotechnical Engineering. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering and Specialist PE in Geotechnical Engineering in Singapore.
He has more than 20 years of practical experience in planning, design, construction and management for projects in Geotechnical and Coastal Engineering and provided consultancy services for many private and public projects involving the deep excavation, earth retaining structures, soil improvement, deep foundation and land reclamation. He has been also working on coastal protection projects to address the impact of climate change.