Special Planning
Editorial Department of China Journal of Highway and Transport
Subgrade engineering serves as the critical load-bearing component for pavement structures, which significantly influences the stability, safety and durability of road infrastructure. To further advance the sustainability of subgrade engineering in China, propel its high-quality development toward green low-carbon, sustainability, and intelligent development, and contribute to the national strategy of building a “Transportation Power”, this study systematically synthesizes the latest advancements in scientific and technological innovation within China's subgrade engineering domain in recent years, while comprehensively delineating the priority directions for future research. The research is grounded in an analysis of the industry's current development status and evolving trends, and centers on six thematic pillars, namely, engineering properties of subgrade fillers, durable subgrade design theory, subgrade widening technology, subgrade protection and retaining structures, intelligent construction of subgrade engineering, and subgrade disaster prevention and mitigation. Specifically, it encompasses cutting-edge research areas, including the mechanical behaviors of various subgrade soils (e.g., oversized-grained soil, coarse-grained soil, fine-grained soil, and special soils), subgrade moisture evolution mechanisms and associated design methodologies, approaches for determining subgrade structural modulus, calculation and control criteria for subgrade permanent deformation, indices and standards for uneven settlement control of widened subgrade, splicing techniques for new and existing subgrade segments, waterproofing and drainage systems for reconstructed/expanded subgrade, advanced ground improvement technologies, subgrade slope stability assessment, slope protection measures, anti-slide piles and retaining wall structures, design and rehabilitation of slope anchorage systems and waterproof-drainage facilities, intelligent compaction of subgrades, intelligent detection and real-time monitoring of subgrade performance, classification of subgrade disasters, subgrade defect detection, disaster monitoring and warning systems, prevention and mitigation strategies for subgrade defects and disasters, and evaluation and enhancement of subgrade disaster resilience. For each area, this study analyzes and deliberates on the current state of academic research, prevailing challenges, targeted countermeasures, and future development prospects. This review is intended to provide strategic guidance and reference for the advancement of China's subgrade engineering discipline, while offering novel perspectives and foundational insights for researchers and practitioners in this field.