CGS-Geotechnical Info Net is pleased to feature the CGS 2017 Awardees. In this issue, Dr. Ming Cai is featured, winner of the 2017 John Franklin Award of the CGS Rock Mechanics Division. Established in 1993, this award honours the past President of the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM), John Franklin (1940-2012), for his outstanding contributions to the Canadian and international rock mechanics communities, and to the CGS. Dr. Cai’s citation reads:
“Professor Ming Cai, Geomechanics Research Chair at Laurentian University’s Bharti School of Engineering, is widely recognized for his outstanding contributions to the study of Canadian and international rock mechanics.
His numerous technical publications include work related to rock support in difficult ground conditions, the interpretation of acoustic emissions and micro-seismic monitoring, and proposed quantitative approaches to estimating the peak and residual rock mass strengths using the Geological Strength Index, to name but a few.
Dr. Cai seeks opportunities for new products that are simple, cost-effective and exhibit superb dynamic capacities – his development of four rockburst products and the granting of five patents illustrates his expertise in this field.
His industrial experience includes work with the Tokyo Electric Power Services Company, and serving as general manager of the Asia Business Group of the Mansour Group of Companies. In addition to his teaching at Laurentian, he includes stints at his alma mater at Beijing’s Tsinghua University, the Kunming University of Science and Technology and Zhengzhou’s North China University of Water Conservancy and Hydro-Electric Power.
For his exceptional service as a teacher, mentor, author and engineer, Professor Ming Cai is a deserving recipient of the CGS Rock Mechanics Division’s 2017 John A. Franklin Award.”