Dr. Honghua Zhao received Ph.D. from the University of Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology), USA. She is currently an associate professor at Department of Engineering Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, China. In her Ph.D. studies, she has studied the transparent soil modelling technique. She developed a scanning three-dimensional imaging system for the 3D deformation measurement and reconstruction in transparent soil modelling. She has published over 40 technical papers. In addition, she has co-authored three books and co-edited one conference proceedings. In 2016, she received Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellowship awards. She has presided over 3 National Natural Science Foundation projects.Dr. Gangqiang Kong received a Ph.D. degree from Dalian University of Technology, China. He is currently a professor at College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hohai University, China. Heis also a young and middle-aged academic leader of the Qinglan Project in Jiangsu University and the deputy director of the Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Geomechanics and Embankment Engineering. His research focuses on energy geotechnics. He presided over 5 National Natural Science Foundation projects and participated in the National Natural Science Foundation Major/Key Projects and 111 Project. He received the second prize of National Technical Invention (rank 4/6) and the first prize of Liaoning Province and Hubei Province scientific and technological progress (rank 3/11, 4/15, respectively). He is concurrently serving as a member of the Energy Geotechnics Committee of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (TC308), the vice chairman of the Energy Geotechnics Committee of the Chinese Society for Rock Mechanics & Engineering and the editorial board members for "Geomechanics for Energy and the Environment" and "Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering."Dr. Wanghua Sui received his Ph.D. from China University of Mining and Technology in 1993. He is currently a professor in Mine Hydrogeology and Engineering geology at School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology. His research interests include mine engineering geology, mine hydrogeology, geological hazards prevention and grouting. He has published more than 100 technical papers and six books. He received the 2001 National Teaching Achievement Award, 2008 Scientific Awards from the Ministry of Education, P. R. China, etc.