Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou Campus) Soft Ground Improvement Project

Project Overview

Project Name: Guangzhou Nansha Qingsheng Hub Area Development – HKUST (Guangzhou) Soft Ground Improvement Project
Project Location: Near Qingsheng High-Speed Railway Station, Nansha District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
Project Area: Approximately 1.13 square kilometers
Construction Method: Plastic Vertical Drain (PVD) + Vacuum Preloading
Contractor: Guangzhou Shengzhou Ground Foundation Engineering Co., Ltd.
Construction Period: July 2020 – November 2020

Project Background

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou Campus) is located in the northwestern section of the Nansha Qingsheng Hub Area, a key education and research project in the Greater Bay Area.
It plays a crucial role in cultivating multidisciplinary talents from Hong Kong, Macau, and nine cities across Guangdong Province, promoting the deep integration of education, research, and industry, and driving coordinated regional development.

The campus includes classrooms, laboratories, libraries, administrative buildings, sports facilities, auditoriums, student dormitories, and cafeterias, covering 12 functional zones.
The project aims to create an international first-class higher education hub with a solid and stable foundation.

Construction Method: Plastic Vertical Drain (PVD) + Vacuum Preloading

After comprehensive technical evaluation, the project adopted a combined Plastic Vertical Drain (PVD) and Vacuum Preloading method to reinforce the soft foundation.
This technique accelerates the consolidation of saturated clay under negative pressure, improving soil strength and stability — a proven, efficient method for soft ground improvement in coastal regions.

1. PVD Installation

Drain spacing: 100 cm × 100 cm
Drain dimensions: 100 × 4.5 mm
Installation pattern: Equilateral triangle, design depth 20.0–20.4 m
Purpose: Rapid pore water discharge, accelerated consolidation, and improved bearing capacity.

2. Horizontal Drainage Pipe Layout

Connected to vertical drains to uniformly discharge pore water and enhance drainage efficiency.

3. Sealing Membrane and Clay Wall Construction

A geomembrane was applied to seal the surface, and clay walls were built along the perimeter;
Ensured airtightness and system stability during vacuum pumping.

4. Vacuum Preloading Operation

Vacuum pumps created a negative pressure environment to extract pore water from the soil;
Combined with surcharge loading to accelerate consolidation and control settlement.

5. Construction Monitoring

Installed settlement gauges and piezometers to monitor pore water pressure and deformation;
Real-time tracking and dynamic pressure adjustment ensured safety and quality throughout construction.

Technical Highlights

Upgraded Vacuum Preloading Technology: Shengzhou’s patented Water-Air Separation Vacuum Preloading System significantly enhances vacuum efficiency and stability.
Intelligent Monitoring: Real-time automation tracks vacuum levels, settlement, and pore pressure variations for precise control.
Green and Sustainable: Low energy consumption, zero emissions, and environmentally friendly operation.
High Efficiency: Construction time shortened by 30%, with stable and uniform consolidation results.

Project Significance

This soft ground improvement project ensured a stable and reliable foundation for the construction of HKUST (Guangzhou Campus).
It demonstrated the outstanding performance of Shengzhou’s patented water-air separation vacuum preloading system in large-scale educational and research infrastructure.

Upon completion, the project provided a solid base for the main campus buildings, supporting the Greater Bay Area’s vision of innovation, education, and industry integration.
It also showcased Shengzhou’s technical excellence and leadership in the field of vacuum preloading and foundation stabilization.

Contact Information

📞 Tel: +86-13600050009
📧 Email: lzhihong126@gmail.com
🏢 Address: No.19 Wenming Street, Xianchong, Qiaonan Subdistrict, Panyu District, Guangzhou, China

Keywords: soft ground improvement, vacuum preloading, PVD installation, geotechnical engineering, Shengzhou, foundation stabilization, water-air separation system, Guangzhou ground improvement project