Dr Kejie Zhai | Underground Pipelines | Best Researcher Award

Professor, Zhengzhou University, China

Professor Kejie Zhai is a distinguished academic and researcher currently serving as a professor at Zhengzhou University, China. He earned his PhD from Sun Yat-sen University under the supervision of Professor Wang Fuming, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE). He has also conducted a visiting study at Queen’s University in Canada, working closely with Professor Ian D. Moore. Professor Zhai’s primary research interest lies in underground pipelines, and he has published over 50 academic papers in this field. His work addresses both the theoretical and practical aspects of pipeline engineering, including the evaluation and reinforcement of pipeline structures. Professor Zhai’s contributions have advanced the understanding of pipe behavior under complex loading conditions and innovative reinforcement technologies.

Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Award

1. Research Expertise:
   • Kejie Zhai’s extensive research in the field of underground pipelines and related areas, such as prestressed concrete cylinder pipes and gravity flow pipe liners, makes him a leading expert in his field. His work is highly relevant to infrastructure and civil engineering applications, which has both academic and practical significance.
2. Innovative Contributions:
   • Zhai has designed novel equations and technologies for assessing and reinforcing pipeline systems. His research in the development of failure pressure prediction models, as well as bending response equations for gravity-flow pipe liners, demonstrates innovation and problem-solving in pipeline engineering.
3. Interdisciplinary Collaborations:
   • Zhai’s work with renowned scholars such as Professor Ian D. Moore from Queen’s University, and his collaboration with Hongyuan Fang, indicates a strong ability to foster international academic collaborations. Such partnerships enrich the quality and impact of his research, expanding its reach globally.
4. Impact and Citation Index:
   • Zhai has an h-index of 14 and has published over 50 academic papers in prominent journals, which is an indication of both the breadth and depth of his research contributions. His work is regularly cited, underscoring its impact in his field.
5. National Recognition:
   • Zhai is involved in multiple prestigious research projects, such as those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and postdoctoral programs, reinforcing his academic credibility and involvement in high-impact research.
6. Diverse Research Applications:
   • Zhai’s research spans a wide range of engineering problems, from the mechanical behavior of pipes to advanced analysis methods, such as the use of deep learning for cement hydration and crack detection. This diversity strengthens his profile as a researcher capable of tackling complex engineering challenges.

Areas for Improvement

1. Industry Collaboration and Consultancy:
   • Although Zhai has an impressive academic profile, there is no mention of significant involvement in industry collaborations or consultancy projects. Expanding his research impact into practical, real-world applications in the industry could strengthen his profile further, particularly if it leads to the development of technologies or solutions that are adopted outside academia.
2. Public Engagement:
   • While Zhai’s academic output is notable, increasing engagement with broader, non-academic audiences (e.g., through media, public talks, or policy recommendations) could enhance his visibility and the practical impact of his research. This may also involve presenting findings to policy-makers in infrastructure planning and development.
3. Broader Citation Impact:
   • Though his h-index of 14 is a positive indicator of academic impact, there may be room to further increase the visibility of his research. Strategies for greater citation impact, such as publishing in higher-impact journals or exploring new avenues for dissemination (e.g., interdisciplinary journals), could increase the recognition of his work.

Education

Professor Kejie Zhai holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China), where he was mentored by Professor Wang Fuming, a renowned academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE). His research interests during his doctoral studies focused on underground pipelines and the development of novel technologies for pipeline design and evaluation. Additionally, he completed a visiting study program at Queen’s University, Canada, where he worked with Professor Ian D. Moore, an expert in pipeline systems engineering. This international exposure broadened his research horizons and deepened his understanding of complex engineering problems in the pipeline field. With a solid academic foundation and global research collaborations, Professor Zhai has made significant contributions to both theoretical and applied aspects of civil and structural engineering.

Experience

Professor Kejie Zhai has over a decade of experience in the field of civil and structural engineering, focusing on underground pipeline systems. Currently, he is a Professor at Zhengzhou University, where he conducts research and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Civil Engineering. Before this, Professor Zhai earned his PhD from Sun Yat-sen University, where he developed a strong foundation in pipeline mechanics, leading to significant research outputs. He also completed a visiting research stint at Queen’s University in Canada, collaborating with Professor Ian D. Moore on several cutting-edge research projects related to pipeline systems. His career is marked by several high-impact research projects, including those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Additionally, he has been a key contributor to international collaborations, significantly advancing the field of pipeline technology, particularly in the areas of pipeline failure prediction and reinforcement methods.

Research Focus

Professor Kejie Zhai’s research primarily focuses on underground pipelines and the complex engineering challenges associated with their design, reinforcement, and performance under various environmental and operational conditions. His work spans a range of topics, including the structural integrity of concrete pipes under fatigue and traffic loads, as well as innovative reinforcement technologies for prestressed concrete cylinder pipes. A significant portion of his research addresses the mechanics of pipeline behavior under shear, rotation, and axial movement, with an emphasis on gravity flow pipe liners crossing ring fractures or joints. Professor Zhai has developed new equations and models to predict pipeline failure and optimize the design of pipeline systems. He also explores the use of advanced computational techniques such as XGBoost-PSO algorithms for stress prediction and machine learning-based methods for improving the reliability and longevity of underground infrastructure. His work is of great relevance to both academic researchers and practitioners in pipeline engineering.

Publications Top Notes

1. Limit state equation and failure pressure prediction model of pipeline with complex loading 🌍📚
2. Study on ground-penetrating radar wave field characteristics for earth dam disease considering the medium randomness 🔍📡
3. Long-term performance of concrete pipes under fatigue traffic loads 🚗🛠️
4. Bending Response and Design Equations for Gravity-Flow Pipe Liners Passing across Ring Fractures or Joints 🔩📏
5. Influence of Excavation Radius on Behavior of Circular Foundation Pits Supported by Prefabricated Recyclable Structures 🚧🏗️
6. Prediction model of maximum stress for concrete pipes based on XGBoost-PSO algorithm 🤖💡
7. Evolution of the microporous structure in cement hydration: A deep learning-based image translation method 🧠🧪
8. MFAFNet: An innovative crack intelligent segmentation method based on multi-layer feature association fusion network 💻🔍
9. Mechanical behavior and parameter sensitivity analysis of water supply steel pipes under complex service load combinations 💧🔧
10. Corrigendum to “Numerical manifold simulation and medium-parameter analysis of the polymer grouting process in three-dimensional rock fractures” 🧮🔄

Conclusion

Professor Kejie Zhai is an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award based on his innovative contributions to the field of underground pipeline engineering. His research is of high practical significance, particularly in infrastructure systems that are critical to urban lifelines. His collaborative work with global experts, the development of novel solutions for complex pipeline challenges, and his role in advanced academic research projects position him as a leader in his field. With further involvement in industry applications and greater efforts to expand his research impact, he can continue to build on his already impressive career. Overall, Professor Zhai’s strengths in research, innovation, and international collaboration make him highly deserving of this award.