Researches on soil mechanics and engineering by Changjiang/Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute (CRSRI) over the last 6 decades are briefly presented in an overview on the main projects and their contributions to Yangtze River regulation and China ' s geotechnical engineering by the Department of Soil Mechanics Engineering. Research fields and achievements by the Department are introduced, and their significance to the discipline are evaluated. The research features and styles are also described.