Dr. Wen-Chieh Cheng is a Professor of Geotechnical Engineering in the School of Civil Engineering at Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology. Previously he worked with Ove Arup (HK) to involve in and accomplish design deliverables for the Shatin to Central Link of HK MTR and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. He is a professionally registered civil engineer with a research interest in soil contamination and remediation strategies, sustainable and resilient infrastructure systems, trenchless methods, artificial intelligence and machine learning methods and applications. His work has generated several international patents and over 150 publications in refereed journals (incl. 2 ESI hot papers and 20 ESI highly cited papers) and conference proceedings. He has also given invited lectures to several reputational conferences, including GeoMEast (2019), International Conference on Exploration and Utilization of Underground Space (2019), 4th International Conference on Information Technology in Geo-Engineering (2022), and 3rd Symposium for Young Tunnellers of Asia (2022). He currently sits on the Associate Editor or Editorial Board of ICE Geotechnical Research journal (IF: 1.900), the Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (IF: 6.064), and the Frontiers in Chemistry (IF: 5.545). He also sits on the ISSMGE technical committee TC213: Scour and Erosion. Apart from that, he is selected as the World’s Top 2% Scientists of Stanford University (2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025) and is a recipient of the Overseas high-level young talent recruitment program (China).
1999-2003, Bachelor, Civil Engineering, Chunghwa University
2003-2005, MSc, Geotechnical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology
2005-2010, PhD, Geotechnical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology
2012-2013, Adjunct Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology
2013-2017, Senior Tunnel Engineer, Geotechnics, Ove Arup & Partners HK Ltd
2016-2017, Visiting Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2017-2025, Professor, School of Civil Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology
2025-present, Professor, College of Civil Engineering, Fuzhou University
Chartered Engineer (CEng), Engineering Council, UK
Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Member, International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE)
Member, International Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering (ISRM)
Member, Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3)
Member, Hong Kong Institution of Highways and Transportation (HKIHT)
Overseas Member, Hong Kong Institute of Engineers (HKIE)
July 2016, Best Paper Award for GeoChina 2016 International Conference
October 2017, Outstanding Reviewer for Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology
November 2017, Outstanding Young Talents in Colleges and Universities of Shaanxi Province
February 2019, Overseas high-level young talent recruitment program (China)
March 2019, Outstanding Reviewer for International Journal of Geomechanics
October 2022, World’s Top 2% Scientists of Stanford University
October 2023, World’s Top 2% Scientists of Stanford University
October 2024, World’s Top 2% Scientists of Stanford University
October 2025, World’s Top 2% Scientists of Stanford University
Journal of Cleaner Production, Elsevier
Journal of Hazardous Materials, Elsevier
Journal of Environmental Management, Elsevier
Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, Elsevier
Environmental Research, Elsevier
Environmental Pollution, Elsevier
Engineering Geology, Elsevier
Acta Geotechnica, Springer
Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Canadian Science Publishing
International Journal of Geomechanics, ASCE
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, Springer
Geotechnical Research, ICE
European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Taylor and Francis
Session Chair and Proceeding Editor, International GeoChina 2016 Conference, July 25-27, 2016, Shandong, China
Session Chair and Proceeding Editor, International GeoChina 2018 Conference, July 23-25, 2018, Hangzhou, China
Steering Committee, 7th China-Japan Geotechnical Symposium, March 16-18, 2018, Sanya, China
Scientific Committee, 2nd Conference of Arabian Journal of Geosciences (CAJG), November 25-28, 2019, Sousse, Tunisia
Steering Committee, International Conference on Construction Technology in Tunnelling and Underground (CTTU), January 16-17, 2020, Melbourne, Australia
Associate Editor, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Frontiers SA
Associate Editor, Frontiers in Chemistry, Frontiers SA
Associate Editor, Geotechnical Research, ICE
Guest Editor, International Journal of Geomechanics, ASCE
Theories and New Technologies for Contaminated Site Remediation
Lin Wang, Wen-Chieh Cheng*, Zhong-Fei Xue, Yi-Xin Xie, Xin-Jiang Lv, 2023. Feasibility study of applying electrokinetic technology coupled with enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation treatment to Cu- and Pb-contaminated loess remediation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 401, 136734. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136734. Impact factor: 11.072
Shaojie Wen, Wen-Chieh Cheng*, Wenle Hu, 2023. Mitigating hazardous gas emission of landfills in loess region: insights from gas breakthrough pressure and permeability assessments of loess cover. Journal of Environmental Management, 336, 117617. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117617.
Yi-Xin Xie, Wen-Chieh Cheng*, Zhong-Fei Xue, Md Mizanur Rahman, Lin Wang, 2024. Deterioration phenomenon of Pb-contaminated aqueous solution remediation and enhancement mechanism of nano-hydroxyapatite-assisted biomineralization. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 470, 134210. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134210. Impact factor: 14.224
Zhong-Fei Xue, Wen-Chieh Cheng*, Lin Wang, Wenle Hu, 2022. Effects of bacterial inoculation and calcium source on microbial-induced carbonate precipitation for lead remediation. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 426, 128090. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.128090. Impact factor: 14.224
Underground Space Development and Utilization
Xue-Dong Bai, Wen-Chieh Cheng*, Ge Li, 2021. A comparative study of different machine learning algorithms in predicting EPB shield behaviour: A case study at the Xi'an metro, China. Acta Geotechnica, 16, 4061-4080. doi: 10.1007/s11440-021-01383-7. ESI highly cited paper
Xue-Dong Bai, Wen-Chieh Cheng*, Brian B. Sheil, Ge Li, 2021. Pipejacking clogging detection in soft alluvial deposits using machine learning algorithms. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 113, 103908. doi: 10.1016/j.tust.2021.103908.
Wen-Chieh Cheng*, Ge Li, Nina Liu, Jian Xu, Suksun Horpibulsuk, 2020. Recent massive incidents for subway construction in soft alluvial deposits of Taiwan: a review. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 96, 103178. doi: 10.1016/j.tust.2019.103178. ESI highly cited paper
Wen-Chieh Cheng*, Xue-Dong Bai, Brian B. Sheil, Ge Li, Fei Wang, 2020. Identifying characteristics of pipejacking parameters to assess geological conditions using optimisation algorithm-based support vector machines. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 106, 103592. doi: 10.1016/j.tust.2020.103592.
Research on the Formation Mechanism and Countermeasures of Geological Disasters
Wenle Hu, Wen-Chieh Cheng*, Lin Wang, Zhong-Fei Xue, 2022. Microscale structural deterioration of intact loess under acid and saline conditions and resultant macroscale mechanical properties. Soil & Tillage Research, 220, 105382. doi: 10.1016/j.still.2022.105382. ESI highly cited paper
Wenle Hu, Wen-Chieh Cheng*, Shaojie Wen, Md Mizanur Rahman, 2021. Effects of chemical contamination on microscale structural characteristics of intact loess and resultant macroscale mechanical properties. CATENA, 203, 105361. doi: 10.1016/j.catena.2021.105361. ESI hot paper
Zhao Duan, Wen-Chieh Cheng*, Jian-Bing Peng, Hao Tang, 2021. Interactions of landslide deposit with terrace sediments: perspectives from velocity of deposit movement and apparent friction angle. Engineering Geology, 280, 105913. doi: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2020.105913. ESI hot paper
