Faculty
Biography
Dr. Wei-qiang Feng is an Assistant Professor and PhD supervisor at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). He earned his PhD in Geotechnical Engineering from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in September 2016 and subsequently served as a postdoctoral researcher there until joining SUSTech in June 2020. Dr. Feng extended elasto-viscoplastic theory by incorporating nonlinear loading–unloading behavior and temperature effects into the modified Cam-Clay model, and he proposed a novel analytical method to capture coupled consolidation-creep effect. His work has been applied to major embankment projects—such as the Third Runway at Hong Kong International Airport and the Tseung Kwan O reclamation—and has been adopted in the Canadian National Geotechnical Code. At the same time, he developed a range of fiber optic-based geotechnical sensors, which have been successfully applied in laboratory testing, pile-foundation monitoring, soil-nail monitoring, and retaining-wall early-warning systems. In particular, his fiber optic effective stress cell is the first instrument worldwide capable of directly measuring soil effective stress; its patent was licensed to NanZee Sensing Co., Ltd., which now produces a fiber Bragg grating–based effective-stress meter.
Before April 2025, Dr. Feng has published 73 SCI-indexed journal articles, including over 40 papers as either first author or corresponding author, all appearing in well-regarded geotechnical engineering journals such as CGJ, JGGE, CG, EG, and AG. According to the Web of Science database, his H-index stands at 23, and his work has been cited 1,529 times. He has led four competitively funded research projects (one National Natural Science Foundation of China and three provincial/municipal General Programs), four industry-commissioned research projects, and one university-level teaching reform project. In addition, he has participated in more than ten national and Hong Kong SAR funding programs. His current research interests encompass next-generation intelligent sensing geotechnical systems, submarine pipeline–soil interaction and mitigation strategies, safety assurance for submarine robots and mining vehicles, and the development of offshore energy islands.
Safety analysis of marine pipeline (from https://synthetex.com/blog/scour-protection-for-subsea-pipelines/ )
Underwater Equipment, e.g. Kunlong 500 tracked mining vehicles, Shuilong Underwater trencher
Dr. Feng’s research group is continuously recruiting postdoctoral fellows, PhD candidates, and master’s students with backgrounds in geotechnical engineering, mechanics, mechanical engineering, or resources and environmental sciences.
Interested applicants should send their materials to [email protected].
Candidate requirements:
(1) Demonstrated patriotism, strong integrity, and a proactive, self-motivated work ethic.
(2) Active engagement in sports—basketball preferred.
Educational Background
Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2011 – 2016)
M.Sc. in Geotechnical Engineering, Zhejiang University (2008 – 2011)
B.Eng. in Mining and Geotechnical Engineering, Central South University (2004 – 2008)
Work Experience
Assistant Professor, Southern University of Science and Technology (June 2020 – Present)
Postdoctoral Fellow, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (June 2016 – May 2020)
Research Assistant, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (April 2016 – June 2016)
Honors and Awards
2024 Outstanding College Advisor Award, Southern University of Science and Technology
2023 Outstanding Individual in Student Recruitment, Southern University of Science and Technology
2023 Outstanding Party Affairs Worker, Southern University of Science and Technology
2020 Category C Overseas High-Level Talent, Shenzhen Municipal Government
2016 “Ringo Yu” Annual Best Doctoral Thesis Award, Hong Kong Institution of Civil Engineers
Projects
“Physical and Numerical Modelling of Consolidation of Bentonite Slurry Accelerated by Vertical Drains under Vacuum Preloading and Heating” (RGC GRF PolyU 152130/19E, from 1/1/2020 to 31/12/2023; HK$534,500), main participant. “
Study of Super-fast Large-area Economical Marine Reclamations for Housing and Infrastructural Developments in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area” (RGC RIF R5037-18, from 30/6/2019 to 29/6/2024; HK$9,876,160), main participant.
“Development and Verification of a New Simplified Hypothesis B Method for Calculating Consolidation Settlement of Clayey Soils Exhibiting Creep” (RGC GRF PolyU 152796/16E, from 1/1/2017 to 31/12/2019; HK$675,647), main participant.
“A unique multi-functions large-scale physical model testing facility for study of the impact of debris flow on flexible barriers and geo-hazards in Hong Kong” (RGC CRF PolyU12/CRF/13E, from 30/06/2014 to 29/12/2017; HK$4,104,000), participant.
Publications
Journal papers (*corresponding author)
1. Wu, Xian-Han, Qi Zhang, Wei-Qiang Feng*, Zhen-Yu Yin, and Huangcheng Fang. (2025). Enhanced THM coupling for anisotropic geomaterials and smoothed-FEM simulation. International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, 110087. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2025.110087 (Q1, IF:6.772)
2. Wei-Qiang Feng, Zohreh Mousavi, Jian-Fu Lin, Meysam Bayat, Mir Mohammad Ettefagh, and Sina Varahram. Compound damage detection using wavelet transform and deep neural network trained on healthy and single damage states: Validation on a laboratory-scale offshore jacket model. Structural Health Monitoring (2025): 14759217251313496. https://doi.org/10.1177/14759217251313496 (Q1, IF:5.7)
3. Wei-Qiang Feng, Meysam Bayat, Zohreh Mousavi, Ai-Guo Li, and Jian-Fu Lin. Shear strength enhancement at the sand-steel interface: A pioneering approach with Polyurethane Foam Adhesive (PFA). Construction and Building Materials 429 (2024): 136297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136297 (Q1, IF:7.4)
4. Wei-Qiang Feng, Kamal Al-Zaoari, and Ze-Jian Chen. Insight on molecular interactions in shrinkage of Na-montmorillonite clay by molecular dynamics simulation. Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources 10, no. 1 (2024): 109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-024-00828-z (Q2, IF:3.9)
5. Chen, Ze-Jian, Wei-Qiang Feng*, Wen-Bo Chen, and Jian-Hua Yin. (2023). A thermal elastic visco-plastic model for soft clayey soils. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 61, no. 2: 208-227. DOI: 10.1139/cgj-2022-0279 (Q2, IF:4.167)
6. Hu, Ming-Jun, Wei-Qiang Feng*, and Jun Yang. (2023). Theoretical analysis for thermal consolidation of marine sediments with depth variability subjected to time-dependent loading and heating. Ocean Engineering, 273: 113894. DOI: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2023.113894 (Q1, IF:4.372)
7. Liu, Kai-Fu, Wei-Qiang Feng*, Yong-Hao Cai, Hui Xu, and Pei-Chen Wu. 2023, Physical model study of pile type effect on long-term settlement of geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported embankment under traffic loading. Transportation Geotechnics, 38: 100923. DOI: 10.1016/j.trgeo.2022.100923 (Q1, IF:4.938)
8. WU Pei-Chen, FENG Wei-Qiang* and YIN Jian-Hua (2020). Numerical Study of Creep Effects on Settlements and Load Transfer Mechanisms of Soft Soil Improved by Deep Cement Mixed Soil Columns under Embankment Load, Geotextiles and Geomembranes, 48(3), 331-348. DOI: 10.1016/j.geotexmem.2019.12.005 (Q1, IF:5.839)
9. QIN Jie-Qiong, FENG Wei-Qiang*, Wu Pei-Chen and YIN Jian-Hua. (2020). Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of a Novel FBG-based Effective Stress Cell for Directly Measuring Effective Stress in Saturated Soils, Measurement, Vol. 155, 107491. DOI: 10.1016/j.measurement.2020.107491 (Q1, IF:5.131)
10. FENG Wei-Qiang, YIN Jian-Hua, CHEN Wen-Bo, TAN Dao-Yuan and WU Pei-Chen. (2020). A New Simplified Method for Calculating Consolidation Settlement of Multi-layer Soft Soils with Creep Under Multi-Stage Ramp Loading, Engineering Geology, Vol. 264, 105322. DOI:10.1016/j.enggeo.2019.105322 (Q1, IF:6.902)
11. FENG Wei-Qiang, LI Chao, YIN Jian-Hua, CHEN Jian and LIU Kai. (2019) Physical Model Study on the Clay-Sand Interface without and with Geotextile Separator. Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 14, 2065-2081. DOI: 10.1007/s11440-019-00763-4 (Q1, IF:5.57)
12. YIN Jian-Hua and FENG Wei-Qiang*. (2017). A New Simplified Method and Its Verification for Calculation of Consolidation Settlement of a Clayey Soil with Creep, Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Vol. 54, No. 3, 333-347. DOI: 10.1139/cgj-2015-0290 (Q2, IF:4.167)
13. FENG Wei-Qiang, Lalit B. Yin Zhen-Yu and YIN Jian-Hua. (2017). Long-term Non-linear creep and swelling behavior of Hong Kong marine deposits in oedometer condition, Computers and Geotechnics, Vol. 84, 1-15. DOI: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.11.009 (Q1, IF:5.218)
Academic and social participation
(1) Deputy Secretary-General, 8th Youth Working Committee, Guangdong Geomechanics and Engineering Society
(2) Member, Hong Kong Chapter, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
(3) Council Member, Geological and Geotechnical Engineering Monitoring Division, Chinese Society for Rock Mechanics and Engineering
(4) Reviewer for International Journal of Geomechanics, Journal of Testing and Evaluation, Computers and Geotechnics, Geotechnical Testing Journal, Construction and Building Materials, Journal of Cleaner Production, Measurement, and International Journal of Geomechanics, among others.