Laila Taoufiq | Earthquake Engineering | Women Researcher Award

Laila Taoufiq | Earthquake Engineering | Women Researcher Award

Teacher Researcher | Polytechnic School of Agadir | Morocco

Laila Taoufiq is a researcher and academic specializing in materials science and civil engineering, with significant contributions to sustainable construction and structural analysis. Her work focuses on the valorization of industrial waste materials, particularly coal fly ash and bottom ash, in concrete manufacturing to promote environmental sustainability. Through her research, Laila explores mechanical performance, radiological safety, and environmental impact of alternative construction materials, exemplified in her publications on recycling coal ashes and assessing radiological aspects of wastewater treatment processes. She also studies structural failures, as highlighted in her 2025 paper analyzing reinforced concrete buildings affected by the Al Haouz earthquake in Morocco. Her research further extends to evaluating indoor air quality and exposure to natural radioactivity in buildings, addressing both environmental health and structural integrity. As a faculty member at the École Polytechnique d’Agadir, Laila teaches advanced civil engineering subjects such as reinforced and prestressed concrete, structural mechanics, and modeling of metallic and concrete structures. Her teaching integrates theoretical understanding with practical experimentation, involving structural modeling tools like Robot Structural Analysis. The combination of her academic and professional pursuits demonstrates a strong interdisciplinary approach linking materials science, civil engineering, and environmental risk assessment. Her doctoral research at the University Chouaib Doukkali centered on the technical and environmental feasibility of reusing industrial ashes in construction materials, setting a foundation for her ongoing studies in sustainable material applications. Laila’s publications in renowned journals such as Elsevier’s Structures and the Journal of Materials and Environmental Sciences underscore her impact in advancing eco-efficient construction solutions. Citation and index are provided within this research portfolio

Profile: Scopus
Fearuted Publications:

Structural failure of reinforced concrete buildings: The case of Al Haouz earthquake on 8 September 2023, Morocco. (2025). Structures.

Jibin Sun – Geotechnical Engineering – Best Researcher Award

Jibin Sun - Geotechnical Engineering - Best Researcher Award

Research Associate | Tianjin University | China

Dr. Jibin Sun has established a strong research foundation in geotechnical and civil engineering, focusing on the stability, performance, and safety of underground and foundation structures. His work addresses critical challenges in tunneling engineering, including progressive failure mechanisms, local failure impacts on adjacent structures, and the effects of contact loss under shield tunnel inverts. Through both experimental and numerical studies, he has contributed to advancing knowledge in tunnel safety, ground-structure interaction, and pile behavior under cyclic loading in dry sand. His studies integrate innovative modeling techniques such as Eulerian finite element methods and Coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian simulations, demonstrating a balance of theoretical analysis and applied engineering solutions. Jibin Sun’s research outputs, published in high-impact journals like Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, Acta Geotechnica, Géotechnique, and Engineering Failure Analysis, showcase his consistent focus on addressing complex geotechnical problems with practical relevance for infrastructure safety and resilience. Recognition through awards such as the Tianjin Science and Technology Progress Award and the Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award of Tianjin University highlights the value and influence of his contributions. Supported by prestigious funding programs, his ongoing work continues to expand the frontiers of geotechnical engineering, particularly in underground construction and failure mechanism analysis, positioning him as an impactful contributor to the field. 342 Citations by 288 documents, 20 Documents, 9 h-index View.

Profile: Scopus
Featured Publications: 
  1. Experimental study of the effects of contact loss under a shield tunnel invert. (2024). Cited by 2.

  2. Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian simulation of progressive failure in shield tunnels induced by developing contact loss. (2024). Cited by 8.

Zhiliang Wang – Geotechnical Engineering – Best Researcher Award

Prof. Zhiliang Wang | Geotechnical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Professor | Kunming University of Science and Technology | China

Prof. Zhiliang Wang has established a strong research foundation in civil and geotechnical engineering, focusing extensively on tunnel and underground engineering, soil behavior, and numerical simulation methods. His research contributions address safety evaluation of tunnels, mitigation of hazards associated with special soils, and the development of multi-field coupling models for geotechnical applications. By integrating theoretical modeling with experimental studies, Zhiliang Wang has advanced understanding of soil stabilization mechanisms, long-term settlement issues in peat soils, and fracture propagation in rock mass. His works also highlight the application of lattice Boltzmann methods for simulating fluid flow, heat transfer, and seepage in complex soil and rock structures, bridging the gap between computational approaches and practical engineering challenges. Through projects supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and industry collaborations, he has contributed innovative solutions for freezing processes in soils, shield tunneling effects, and soil-structure interaction in underground construction. His publications in high-impact journals cover a wide range of topics, from sustainable approaches such as incorporating clay and manufactured sand in soil stabilization to advanced simulations of thermal and hydraulic processes in soils. Zhiliang Wang’s research outcomes not only enhance engineering safety and efficiency but also align with sustainability goals by addressing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly practices in geotechnical engineering. His active involvement in teaching courses like tunnel engineering and numerical simulation further strengthens the link between academic research and practical application, inspiring future professionals in the field. With 366 citations by 339 documents, 65 documents, and an h-index of 11, Zhiliang Wang’s scholarly impact reflects his significant role in shaping modern research and innovations in underground engineering and soil mechanics.

Profile: Scopus
Featured Publications: 
  1. Effect of random microcracks on macroscopic crack propagation in rock. (2024). Cited by 2.

  2. A numerical simulation of high-temperature rock hydraulic fracturing based on coupled thermo-mechanical peridynamics. (2024). Cited by 1.

  3. Study on the seepage and heat transfer effect of rough fractures in hot matrix considering dynamic thermophysical properties of fluid. (2024). Cited by 2.

  4. Numerical simulation of glass panel impact damage based on peridynamics. (2024). Cited by 1.