Ying Liu, born in 1985, is an accomplished Associate Professor at Guangxi University, specializing in environmental geotechnical engineering. She holds an impressive educational background, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the Ocean University of China and a Doctorate in Geotechnical Engineering from Tongji University. In addition to her role at Guangxi University, where she also serves as Deputy Director of the Department of Geotechnical and Underground Engineering, she has been active in pioneering research on marine soil characteristics, cyclic loading properties of soil, and the interaction between soil and structures. Her research has made significant contributions to various fields of civil and environmental engineering, with a focus on metro tunnels, expansive soils, and environmental sustainability. Ying Liu has authored approximately 30 publications, with numerous high-impact articles published in SCI-indexed journals. She has also secured significant research funding, led multiple national and regional projects, and holds several patents. Her work has been recognized through multiple prestigious awards, further cementing her reputation as a leading expert in her field.
Professional Profile
Education
Ying Liu’s educational journey began with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the Ocean University of China, where she laid the foundation for her research interest in soil behavior and geotechnical engineering. Her deep academic curiosity led her to pursue a Doctorate in Geotechnical Engineering at Tongji University, one of China’s leading institutions in civil engineering. During her doctoral studies, she explored soil-structure interaction and geotechnical behavior under cyclic loading conditions, particularly in marine and expansive soils. Her pursuit of knowledge did not stop after obtaining her Ph.D., as she continued to broaden her expertise through postdoctoral research at Guangxi University from 2015 to 2017. This well-rounded education in both environmental and geotechnical engineering has enabled her to address complex issues like tunnel stability and soil reinforcement technologies in her subsequent career.
Professional Experience
Since 2018, Ying Liu has been serving as an Associate Professor at the College of Civil Engineering and Architecture at Guangxi University. In addition to her teaching role, she has made significant contributions to the university as Deputy Director of the Department of Geotechnical and Underground Engineering. She supervises Master’s and Doctoral students, shaping the next generation of engineers in the field. Before her current role, Liu had completed postdoctoral research, further enhancing her expertise in geotechnical engineering. Her professional credentials also include being a National Registered Geotechnical Engineer, underscoring her technical competence and practical experience in soil mechanics and underground engineering. Liu’s involvement in various national and international research projects, such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) projects, reflects her strong collaborative approach and leadership in addressing complex engineering challenges. She has also participated in the development of engineering standards and has held key roles in advancing research in metro tunnel technology and soil reinforcement.
Research Interests
Ying Liu’s research interests lie at the intersection of environmental engineering and geotechnical engineering. Her primary focus is on understanding and addressing the behavior of soils under cyclic loading, particularly in marine environments and expansive soil areas. Liu’s work delves into soil-structure interactions, with a particular emphasis on metro tunnels and the stability of underground structures under varying loading conditions. She has led research projects that explore the long-term behavior of pile foundations, soil consolidation, and the prediction of tunnel settlement during metro operation. Additionally, Liu investigates the ecological aspects of geotechnical engineering, focusing on low-impact development and the restoration of natural environments like canals. Her research aims to provide sustainable and effective solutions for civil engineering challenges while also contributing to environmental conservation and infrastructure safety. Liu’s work on cyclic weakening of soil, soil reinforcement technologies, and soil mechanics in the context of underground engineering has a direct impact on the development of more resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
Research Skills
Ying Liu possesses an extensive skill set in both experimental and computational research methodologies. Her skills in soil mechanics, cyclic loading testing, and soil-structure interaction allow her to conduct advanced laboratory investigations and numerical simulations of geotechnical behavior. She has expertise in designing experiments to evaluate the mechanical properties of soils, particularly under various loading conditions. Liu is proficient in using specialized software for geotechnical modeling and analysis, enhancing her ability to predict the long-term behavior of soil foundations. Her research skills also extend to environmental geotechnical engineering, where she explores the interactions between engineering projects and natural environments. In addition to her technical proficiency, Liu is adept at managing large-scale research projects, leading multidisciplinary teams, and securing competitive funding from national and regional research bodies. She has developed key technologies related to soil reinforcement, soil monitoring, and metro tunnel safety, making her an invaluable contributor to the field. Liu’s research skills are complemented by her ability to communicate complex scientific ideas through publications, patents, and presentations at international conferences.
Awards and Honors
Ying Liu’s excellence in research and contributions to the field of geotechnical engineering have been widely recognized. She has been honored with the Guangxi Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Class) twice, in 2018 and 2021, for her innovative work in soil stability and metro tunnel safety. These awards recognize her groundbreaking research on non-saturated soil slopes and intelligent monitoring of metro tunnels, highlighting the real-world impact of her work. Liu has also been granted over 10 invention patents, showcasing her ability to translate scientific knowledge into practical applications that benefit the engineering community. Furthermore, she has contributed to the development of engineering standards, demonstrating her leadership in shaping industry practices. Ying Liu’s accomplishments have established her as a leading expert in her field, with significant recognition both at national and regional levels. Her continuous success in securing funding for major research projects, such as those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Guangxi Natural Science Foundation, further underscores her standing as a prominent figure in geotechnical and environmental engineering.
Conclusion
Ying Liu is a distinguished researcher with a robust academic background, significant contributions to geotechnical and environmental engineering, and a proven track record of leadership and innovation. Her research on soil behavior under cyclic loading and soil-structure interactions has led to advancements in metro tunnel safety and expansive soil management. With over 10 patents and numerous high-impact publications, Liu has demonstrated both technical expertise and the ability to translate research into practical, real-world applications. Her recognition through multiple prestigious awards highlights the significance of her contributions. As an Associate Professor at Guangxi University, she continues to mentor future engineers while actively leading cutting-edge research projects. Liu’s work is not only valuable to the academic community but also has a broad impact on infrastructure development, sustainability, and environmental conservation. Her ongoing work holds great promise for addressing future challenges in geotechnical engineering, making her a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
Publication Top Notes
- Experimental study on the performance of geogrid-reinforced soil (GRS) walls under monotonic footing loading
- Authors: Liu, Y., Zhang, D., Zhao, Y., Liu, T.
- Journal: European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering
- Year: 2025
- Volume: 29(2), Pages: 309–330
- Full-scale testing of the bending behaviour of UHPC gravity–grouted sleeve–prestressed anchor joints in assembled frame tunnels
- Authors: Huang, Z., Wang, K., Liu, Y., Zhang, W., Cao, C.
- Journal: Construction and Building Materials
- Year: 2024
- Volume: 457, Article: 139403
- Application of a modified mixed hardening model to cyclic degradation of saturated clay
- Authors: Liu, Y., Li, J., Liu, X.
- Journal: Sadhana – Academy Proceedings in Engineering Sciences
- Year: 2024
- Volume: 49(4), Article: 286
- Weakening characteristics of pile group foundations in clayey soil under vertical cyclic loading: Experimental and numerical investigation
- Authors: Liu, Y., Xu, P., Liu, X., Ma, S., Huang, Z.
- Journal: Ocean Engineering
- Year: 2024
- Volume: 313, Article: 119317
- Citations: 1
- Research on the protection effect and parameter optimization design of isolation pile-diaphragm wall combination support structure
- Authors: Ma, S., Zhou, Y., Liu, Y., Liu, J., Huang, S.
- Journal: Sadhana – Academy Proceedings in Engineering Sciences
- Year: 2024
- Volume: 49(1), Article: 82
- Citations: 3
- The important role of Turbidity Maximum Zone in sedimentary dynamic of estuarine mangrove swamp
- Authors: Liu, T., Liu, Y., Hu, B.
- Journal: Frontiers of Earth Science
- Year: 2024
- Volume: 18(1), Pages: 219–226
- Combining Ultrasound-Mediated Intracellular Delivery with Microfluidics in Various Applications
- Authors: Huang, G., Lin, L., Wu, S., Liu, Y., You, H.
- Journal: Biochip Journal
- Year: 2024
- Volume: 18(1), Pages: 22–44
- Citations: 3
- Effects of reconsolidation on cyclic deformation behaviours of a kaolin clay
- Authors: Liang, Z., Kong, M., Liu, Y., Huang, M., Gong, J.
- Journal: Acta Geotechnica
- Year: 2024
- Rapid mangrove expansion triggered by low river discharge episode in Nanliu river estuary, Beibu Gulf of China
- Authors: Liu, T., Huang, R., Sun, Y., Liu, Y., Song, Z.
- Journal: Frontiers in Marine Science
- Year: 2024
- Volume: 11, Article: 1285518
- A Novel Overlapping ME Peaks Decomposition Algorithm Based on Iterative Derivative Sharpening
- Authors: He, W., You, H., Lu, Z., Liu, Y., Sun, C.
- Journal: IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement
- Year: 2024
- Volume: 73, Pages: 1–13, Article: 6502413