R E S E A R C H @ H K U S T
25
mitigation. In the past 10 years,
he has focused on geotechnical
multi-risk assessment. This builds out
from traditional risk assessment and
management to explore sequential or
concurrent hazards and their interactions,
issues not previously addressed in
Hong Kong or around the world. Often
working together with Prof Charles Ng
on slope stability projects, Prof Zhang
seeks to improve rational engineering
decisions and management in relation
to landslides and debris flows and in
line with the needs of Hong Kong and
MainlandChina. Apersonal motivation to
drive forward the field was fueled by the
aforementioned earthquake in Sichuan,
where he had previously lived and had
relatives involved in the disaster.
Novel Analytical Framework
The work of Prof Zhang’s research
team encompasses full-process multi-
hazard numerical modeling, centrifuge
modeling, remote sensing, data analytics
utilizing
Bayesian
networks
and
Monte Carlo risk analysis simulations,
development of risk management
engineering frameworks, and the
application of mitigation measures to
different geotechnical and structural
engineering scenarios.
To advance knowledge and practice,
Prof Zhang and his team have established
a novel multi-hazard risk analysis
framework known as the HKUST five-
step method: definition of scale and
initiating events; identification of the
multi-hazards and their interactions;
interactions of elements at risk
(human, property); multi-vulnerability
assessment; and multi-risk
assessment.
Hazard Mitigation
in Action
In a particularly significant
project for Prof Zhang, the
HKUST method was successfully
utilized to provide a landslide risk
assessment and risk-based design for
rebuilding a major highway near the
epicenter of the Sichuan earthquake.
A landslide warning system was also
installed to reduce risk once the highway
began operating.
Po Shan Road,
Mid-Levels, Hong Kong,
18 June 1972.
Western Hong Kong Island suffered 1,600
landslides between 1924 and 2009.
Advancing Culture of Living with
Landslides, 2, 17-32 (2017)
Locally, Prof Zhang and his team
are investigating the potential impact of
cascading landslide hazards on Hong Kong
Island under extreme storms brought
about by climate change. Supported
by the Hong Kong Research Grants
Council, the Collaborative Research Fund
project seeks to develop a unique stress-
testing framework to assess slope safety
and system response, improvements
and management strategies. Project
collaborators include the Hong Kong
JULY 2013
SEPTEMBER 2008
JUNE 2008
Old town ruins of Beichuan flooded due to
rising riverbed; long-term evolution of
hazards; future hazards
EPISODE 4
Debris flow from landslides in
Beichuan County
EPISODE 5
Change of river course; river scour
EPISODE 3
Flood frombreaching of Tangjiashan Landslide Dam
