Dr Jeff Wang

Dr. Wang is currently an Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at City University of Hong Kong. Dr. Wang is an expert in the field of X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) characterization and discrete element method (DEM) modeling of granular soils. Dr. Wang's work has been awarded the prestigious international prizes including 2011 Geotechnical Research Medal (UK Institution of Civil Engineers) and 2010 Higher Education Institutions Outstanding Research Award - Natural Science Award (the Ministry of Education of China). He has delivered a number of keynote and invited lectures in reputable international and domestic conferences, workshops and seminars. Dr. Wang currently serves as the editorial board member of “Soils and Foundations” (The Japanese Geotechnical Society). He is also a member of TC 201 (Dikes and Levees), TC220 (Field Monitoring in Geomechanics) and TC 221 (Tailings and Mine Wastes) of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE). So far Dr. Wang has published over 70 journal articles and many conference papers.

Advanced Micromechanical Investigation of Sands Using X-ray Micro-CT, DEM Modeling and Machine Learning Methods

The presentation is divided into two parts. The first part reviews the recent progress in X-ray micro-CT characterization of sands, image processing and tracking of sand particles and DEM modeling of sands incorporating real particle morphologies. The novelty of the study stems from the synthesis of micro-CT technology, image processing and recognition techniques, spherical harmonics analysis and DEM modeling to form a cutting-edge investigation of the micromechanical behavior of sands. The second part presents perspectives and opportunities for the application of machine learning methods to the granular materials research. A framework of how the machine learning method can be developed to explore the macro-micro mechanics of granular materials is presented. Some preliminary results from the current research are also presented.