Founded in 1956, the Department conducts researches mainly on geotechnical related problems in embankment dams, slopes, and underground caverns. The Department consists of 3 research sections, namely: Section of Static and Dynamic Soil Mechanics, Section of Rock Mechanics and Section of Geotechnical Engineering Safety Technology.

The Department has a total staff of 41, including 1 academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11 professor-level senior engineers and 18 senior engineers. There are 17 persons with a doctoral degree and 5 with a Master's degree.

Section of Static and Dynamic Soil Mechanics

·   Static and dynamic soil tests, laboratory and in-situ monitoring techniques

·   Static and dynamic analysis of geotechnical problems and engineering application

·   Centrifuge modeling theory and test technology

·   Mechanism of earthquake liquefaction, criteria of assessment and technique of anti-seismic practice and hazard reduction measures in earthquake structures

·   Technology of strengthening for earth structure and foundation works

·   Development of related numerical software and establishment of technical standards

Section of Rock Mechanics

·   Safety assessment of large dams and large dams conjunctively with their foundations

·   Stability analysis and assessment of surrounding rocks and the supporting techniques for large scale underground caverns and chambers

·   Seepage analysis and seepage control measures for rock foundations

·   Risk assessment of slope (side slope) slide

·   Key techniques of deeply buried long tunnels in water-transfer projects

·   Development and application of new type prestressed anchor

·   Rock petrophysical property testing techniques (laboratory and in- situ)

·   Development of relevant software, system and compilation and revision of technical standards

Section of Geotechnical Engineering Safety Technology

·   Risk analysis, safety assessment and strengthening techniques of large dams

·   Geotechnical seepage analysis and seepage control technique

·   Safety monitoring of large dams, inspection techniques of hidden dangers and methods of their diagnosis and analysis

·   Key techniques of ash storage area and tailing dam in thermal power station

·   Theory of blasting and blasting techniques in water resources and hydropower projects

·   Blasting safety control for engineering projects and techniques of protection

·   Integrated development of software system for safety analysis of large scale geotechnical engineering projects

·   Testing and application of geotechnical synthetic materials

Self-developed software for safety analysis

Self-developed tools for simulation and analysis