Geomechanics/Geotechnical Research Group

Hyunjong Cha

Ph.D. Student (Aug 2025 – Present)

Ph.D., Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, August 2025 – Present
M.S., Civil & Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, 2025
B.S., Civil Engineering, Pusan National University, 2023

Hyunjong Cha is an international student from South Korea. He achieved his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science at Pusan National University. He worked under Dr. Tae-Min Oh on a project funded by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Hyunjong’s research focus was on the particle characteristics analysis of abrasive materials in rock-drilling AWJ (abrasive waterjet), and long-term maintenance & replacement of aging water pipes in utility tunnels. After completing his master’s degree, he worked as a full-time research fellow at Pusan National University for six months. His research interests include soft ground improvement, soil behaviors, and artificial intelligence in civil engineering.

Full-Time Researcher at Pusan National University
Research and Teaching Assistant at Pusan National University
Student Assistant at Pusan National University

Student member of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association

Cha, H.J., Park, J.S., Song, K.I., Park, J.H., Oh, T.M.* (2025). Experimental investigation of cutting performance for cast iron pipe in utility tunnel. Geomechanics and Engineering, Vol.41, No. 1, 043 (https://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2025.41.1.043)
Cha, H.J., Park, J.S., Oh, T.M.* (2025). Fragmentation characteristics of abrasive particles for hard rock drilling with waterjet energy parameter. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 17, No. 6. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2024.09.037)
Cha, H.J., Song, K.I., Oh, T.M.* (2024). Optimization of cutting method for aging pipeline in utility tunnel with AHP. The 2024 World Congress on Advances in Civil, Environmental, & Materials Research.
Cha, H.J., Park, J.S., Hong, E.S., Oh, T.M.* (2024). Analysis of abrasive reusability performed with different energy parameters in rock drilling using waterjets. Geo-Congress 2024, 518-527
Cha, H.J., Park, J.S., Oh, T.M.* (2023). Analysis of abrasive crushing characteristics for waterjet rock drilling with energy parameters. Proceedings of KSCE Conference 2023, Busan, Korea
Cha, H.J., Park, J.S., Oh, T.M.* (2023). Characteristics of abrasive particle crushing for granite drilling using waterjet system. Proceedings of KTA 2023 Annual Conference, Seoul, Korea
Regional Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, 2017
Study Abroad Scholarship, 2017
Accreditation Board Scholarship, 2021
GI & LID Research Fellowship, 2023
PNU Research Assistant Scholarship, 2024
HACKERS Bridge Scholarship, 2025

email: hjcha@tamu.edu
web: sites.google.com/view/hyunjongcha/