Dr Ma obtained his PhD from Tongji Univeristy in 2008, and then came to HKUST as a post-doctoral fellow under Prof. Ng.

After his post-doc, he became a professor of geotechnical engineering at Guangxi University. There, he is also head of the department of Geotechnical and Underground Engineering and secretary general of the Guangxi society for rock mechanics and engineering. He may currently be found at the University of Newcastle in Australia where he is a visiting professor.

In recent years, Dr Ma has studied the effects of tunneling on existing loaded pile in expansive soils, construction safety technology and long-term stability measurements of highway tunnel in southern mountainous areas of China. Furthermore, he has explored the interactions between expansive soil and subway structures, pipelines adjacent to tunnels in expansive soils, as well as disaster-causing mechanisms of tunnelling in round gravel strata during construction and operation periods.

Contact details

100 Daxue Road
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture,
Guangxi University,
Nanning 530004, P. R. China

Phone: (+86)13471031572

Email: click here

Publications & major research grants
  1. Shaokun Ma, Ying Liu, Yu Shao, Zhibo Duan, Haibo LÜ.(2017). Effects of twin shield tunneling with different construction sequences and different relative location on adjacent pipelines. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering. (in Chinese)
  2. Shaokun Ma, Yu Shao, Ying Liu, Ye Feng, Chaohua Wei. (2017). Effects of the construction sequences of twin tunnelling at different depths on the adjacent pipeline. Rock and Soil Mechanics. 7.18，(09)：2487~2495 (in Chinese)
  3. Shaokun Ma, Ying Liu, Xilin Lv, Yu Shao, Ye Feng. Settlement and load transfer mechanism of pipeline due to twin stacked tunneling with different construction sequences. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering.(Received)
  4. Shaokun Ma，Yu Shao，Ying Liu，Jie Jiang，XiaoLing Fan. (2017)Responses of pipeline to side-by-side twin tunnelling at different depths: 3D centrifuge tests and numerical modelling，Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology. 6,66：157~173.
  5. Shao-kun Ma, Yu Shao, Ying Liu, Junyu Chen, Jie Jiang(2016).Three-dimensional centrifuge and numerical modeling of pile group due to twin tunnelling in different depth[C].2016 International Conference on Civil, Architecture and Environment Engineering.
  6. Shao-Kun Ma, Yu Shao, LÜ Hu , WONG K S, NG C W W et al. (2016). A study of the long-term influence of twin tunneling on the existing pile group under cyclic variation of groundwater level[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics 34(11): 3055-3060. (in Chinese)
  7. Shao-Kun Ma, Bo-Yu Pan, Jian-Xing He, Nai-Feng Zhao et al.(2015). Super-subloading surface model with improved state variables in 3D stress space and its numerical implementation[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering 37(12): 2272-2279. (in Chinese)
  8. Shao-Kun Ma, Xin chen, LÜ Hu, NG C W W et al. (2015). Centrifuge modelling test of effects of tunnelling with different depth on pile group[J]. China Journal of Highway and Transport, 08:67-73. (in Chinese)
  9. Shao-Kun Ma, Nai-Feng Zhao, Bo-Yu Pan, Zhou Dong et al. (2015). Numerical implementation and applications on subloading surface model with improve overconsolidation state variable[J]. Journal of Civil, Arichitectural & Environmental Engineering, 37(02):16-22. (in Chinese)
  10. Yu Shao, Jie Jiang, Shao-Kun Ma, Hai-Bo LÜ, Jian-Xing He et al.(2015). Deformation of deep foundation pits due to excavation and dewatering considering the change of void ratio and permeability coefficient with current stress of soil[J]. Journal of Civil, Arichitectural & Environmental Engineering, 37(02):92-100. (in Chinese)
  11. Shao-Kun Ma, Yan-Zhen Huang, Xiao-Bing Zhou et al.(2014). Influence of tunneling on adjacent piles with different horizontal loadings[J]. Building Science.(in Chinese)
  12. Wu-Xiang Liu, Shao-Kun Ma(2013). Three-dimensional analysis of a functionally graded piezoelectric plate with arbitrarily distributed material properties[J]. Journal of Wuhan University of Technology materials science. 2014, 29(4): 712-720.
  13. Shao-Kun Ma, Mao-Song Huang, Ping Hu et al.(2013). Soil-water characteristics and shear strength in constant water content triaxial tests on Yunnan red clay[J]. Journal of Central South University, 20(05):1412-1419.
  14. Shao-Kun Ma, Yu Shao, Yan-Zhen Huang(2013). Analysis of deep pit excavation based on fluid-solid coupling considering the void ratio and permeability coefficient changing with depth[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering 35(s2): 940-944. (in Chinese)
  15. Shao-Kun Ma, WONG K S, Hu LÜ , NG C W W et al.(2013). Study of effects of tunnel construction on pile group in expansive soil[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics 34(11): 3055-3060. (in Chinese)
  16. Shao-Kun Ma, Yan-Zhen Huang, Xiao-Bing Zhou et al. (2013). Influence of tunnel excavation on adjacent rigid-flexible pile bearing horizontal loads[J]. Applied Mechanics and Materials,v 353-354, p1648-1652, Advances in Civil and Industrial Engineering.
  17. Shao-Kun Ma, Nai-Feng Zhao, Dong Zhou, et al. (2013). Characteristics study of long-term compressibility of Nanning expansive soil[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics 34(8): 2280-2286. (in Chinese)
  18. Shao-Kun Ma, Hu LÜ , WONG K S ,NG C W W et al.(2013). Three-dimensional centrifuge modelling of the effects of twin tunnelling on existing pile group in expansive clay[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering 32(07): 1337-1342. (in Chinese)
  19. Zhong-Hui Huang, Shao-Kun Ma, Xiao-Bing Zhou et al.(2012).The influence of tunneling on adjacent rigid-flexible piles[J]. Journal of Guangxi University 37(1):165-172. (in Chinese)
  20. Shao-Kun Ma, Xiao Yao, Yan-Zhen Huang et al.(2012). Application of Ground-penetrating Radar on Geophysical Prospecting for the Building Foundation in Karstic Region[J]. Applied Mechanics and Materials, Vols.204-208 pp2757-2761.
  21. Shao-Kun Ma, Nai-Feng Zhao, Ping Hu et al.(2012). Study on secondary compression behavior of Nanning expansive clay[J] .4th International Conference on Problematic Soils. (191-200)
  22. Xiao-Ping Chen, Jing-Wu Huang, Hong-Wei Wu, Shao-Kun Ma(2011). Centrifugal model tests on ancient bank landslide[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering 33(10):1496-1503. (in Chinese)
  23. Shao-Kun Ma, Xiao-Bing Zhou, Ping Hu et al.(2011). Dimensional influence of tunneling on adjacent pile foundation[J]. Applied Mechanics and Materials, v 90-93, p 639-644, Advances in Civil Engineering.
  24. Ping Hu, Mao-Song Huang, Shao-Kun Ma (2011). Strain Localization of Sand Based on a State-Dependent Critical State model[J]. Advanced Materials Research Vols. 261-263 pp 1365-1369.
  25. Ping Hu, Mao-Song Huang, Shao-Kun Ma (2011). Non-coaxial constitutive modeling of sands based on critical state model[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics 32(s1): 230-235. (in Chinese)
  26. Hui-Lai Qin, Yu-Jie Wang, Zhi-Dan Tang, Shao-Kun Ma (2011). Upper bound solutions for bearing capacity of smooth rigid strip foundations on anisotropic and non-homogeneous clay[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics 32(2): 611-616. (in Chinese)
  27. Ping Hu, Mao-Song Huang, Shao-Kun Ma (2011). True triaxial tests and strength characteristics of silty sand[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics 32(2): 465-470. (in Chinese)
  28. Qiu-Yan Fan, Shao-Kun Ma (2011).Stability of pile foundation in karst[J]. The 2nd International Conference on Multimedia Technology. 2011,7.
  29. Yi-Lin Liu, Mao-Song Huang, Zuo-Long Du, Shao-Kun Ma (2010). Centrifugal test and analysis of bearing capacity of foundation under highway subgrade[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics 31(11):3499-3504. (in Chinese)
  30. Hui-Lai Qin, Mao-Song Huang, Shao-Kun Ma (2010). Multi-block upper bound method for basal heave stability analysis of braced excavations in clay[J]. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering 29(1):73- (in Chinese)
  31. Hui-Lai Qin, Mao-Song Huang, Yu-Jie Wang, Shao-Kun Ma (2010). Calculations of Nc for anisotropic and nonhomogeneous soils[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering 32 (8):1194 -1199. (in Chinese)
  32. Shao-Kun Ma, Ping Hu, Hui-Lai Qin (2010).Bearing capacity research on unsaturated subsoil under flexible and rigid shallow foundations[J]. Journal of Guangxi University (N at Sci Ed) 35(4):649-654. (in Chinese)
  33. Shao-Kun Ma, Ping Hu, Hui-Lai Qin (2010). A study on applied technique of soil-water characteristic curve test and fitting[J]. Highway 1:135- (in Chinese)
  34. Shao-Kun Ma, Mao-Song Huang, Qiu-Yan Fan et al. (2010). Model for Prediction of Shear Strength with Respect to Degree of Saturation. Experimental and Applied Modeling of Unsaturated Soils. No 22:10-16.ASCE.
  35. Shao-Kun Ma, Mao-Song Huang, Ping Hu (2010). Application of modified logarithmic model for suction strength to bearing capacity of subsoil[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics 31(6):1853-1857. (in Chinese)
  36. Shao-Kun Ma, Mao-Song Huang, Yi-Lin Liu (2009). Centrifugal model test and numerical simulation on bearing capacity of red clay ground[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering 31(2):276-281. (in Chinese)
  37. Shao-Kun Ma, Mao-Song Huang, Qiu-Yan Fan (2009).Unsaturated soil strength theory based on total stress strength indexes of saturated soil and its application[J]. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering 28(3):635 -640. (in Chinese)
  38. Shao-Kun Ma, Mao-Song Huang, Yi-Lin Liu et al. (2008). A study on bearing capacity of subsoil under strip foundation with Centrifugal model test technique[J].Highway 03:27-31. (in Chinese)
  39. Shao-Kun Ma, Jin Yu, Yi-Lin Liu (2008). Analysis of weightless subsoil bearing capacity under filled subgrade and bridge-culvert[J]. Chinese Journal of Underground Space and Engineering 01:143-146+156. (in Chinese)
  40. Shao-Kun Ma, Mao-Song Huang, Yi-Lin Liu (2008). Analysis of bearing capacity of subsoil under flexible and rigid shallow foundations[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics 29（12）:3375-3380. (in Chinese)
  41. Shao-Kun Ma, Jin Yu, Rong Wang (2008). Research of Weightless Subsoil Bearing Capacity under Stripe Shallow Foundation [J]. Journal of Shenyang Jianzhu University (Natural Science) 02:230-233. (in Chinese)
  42. Shao-Kun Ma, Jin Yu, Yi-Lin Liu (2007). Finite element analysis for ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundation[J]. Journal of Wuhan University of Technology 04:99-102. (in Chinese)
  43. Rong Wang, Xiu-Xiang Xu, Shao-Kun Ma et al. (2007). Security analysis of SMW retaining wall in a pit excavation[J]. Journal of Shenyang Jianzhu University (Natural Science) (04): 584-588. (in Chinese)
  44. Miao Yu, Ji-Hong Lou, Chun Li, Shao-Kun Ma (2005). Usage of compound protecting method of the soil nail and the mixed stake with the cement soil in actual engineering[J]. Journal of Guangxi University (N at Sci Ed) (03): 221-224. (in Chinese)
  45. Shao-Kun Ma, Zhong-Qing Zhang, Chang-Xiang Chen et al. (2005). Optimization design of double steel liner-reinforced concrete penstocks under sky-high water level[J]. Journal of Guangxi University (N at Sci Ed) (03): 202-206. (in Chinese)
  46. Shao-Kun Ma, Miao Yu, Hao-Dong Cui (2004). The basic principle of substructure analysis and the technique of substructure analysis with the software of ANSYS[J]. Journal of Guangxi University (N at Sci Ed) (02): 150-153.(in Chinese)

Major Research Grants

  1. “Effects of tunneling on existing loaded pile with respect to previous foundation stress history and water table change with season in expansive soils”; Funding agency: National Nature Science Foundation of China.(Principal Investigator)
  2. “Research on construction safety technology and long-term stability measurement of Highway tunnel in southern mountain area of China. Funding agency: Key Project of GuangXi Science and Technology. (Major participant)
  3. “Research on the interaction between expansive soil and subway structure”; Funding agency: Key project of science and technology for NanNing rail transit. (Major participant)
  4. “Research on the effected and disaster-causing mechanism of pipeline adjacent to tunnel in the interbedding combination expansive soil foundation”; Funding agency: National Nature Science Foundation of China. (Principal Investigator)
  5. “Research on disaster-causing mechanism of tunnelling in round gravel strata during construction and operation periods and corresponding preventive measures”; Funding agency: National Nature Science Foundation of China. (Principal Investigator)