The founders of Géotechnique

The first issue of Geotechnique was published in June 1948, and the story of its origins is well known. Publication followed the wide circulation of a letter in July 1947 from ‘The Geotechnical Society’ to every western European country in which the proposal for such a publication was made. Listed at the bottom of the letter were eleven ‘Founders’, four from the UK and the remainder from elsewhere in Europe. The function of the ‘Founders’ was to contribute to the early issues of the journal and to assist with identifying other contributors. This paper gives brief vignettes of all these 11 eminent geotechnical engineers, together with two others who contributed significantly to the early success of the journal. It is hoped that these vignettes will serve to inspire present and future generations of geotechnical engineers, not only in their professions, but also in their enjoyment of working with fellow enthusiasts.

[1]  J. Florentin,et al.  Remarques sur quelques marnes fortement preconsolidees , 1948 .

[2]  R. E. Gibson.  Hugh Quentin Golder 1911–90 , 1991 .

[3]  R. Haefeli,et al.  Investigation and Measurements of the Shear Strengths of Saturated Cohesive Soils , 1951 .

[4]  D. Norbury,et al.  Rudolph Glossop and the development of ‘Geotechnology’ , 2008, Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology.

[5]  R. Glossop.  A short biographical essay , 1984 .

[6]  R. Glossop.  The Rise of Geotechnology and its Influence on Engineering Practice , 1968 .

[7]  E. E. De Beer.  Donnees Concernant La Resistance Au Cisaillement Deduites Des Essais De Penetration En Profondeur , 1948 .

[8]  S. F. Brown.  The development of Géotechnique 1948–1980 The first 30 volumes , 1982 .

[9]  W. H. Ward,et al.  GEOTECHNICAL ASSESSMENT OF A SITE AT MUNDFORD, NORFOLK, FOR A LARGE PROTON ACCELERATOR. , 1968 .

[10]  W K Wallace.  PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS OF WILLIAM KELLY WALLACE. 1 NOVEMBER 1955. , 1956 .

[11]  R. E. Gibson.  Working with Skempton , 1984 .

[12]  Armin von Moos.  Engineering Geology in Switzerland A Review of the Literature , 1948 .

[13]  Laurits Bjerrum.  Fundamental Considerations On The Shear Strength Of Soil , 1951 .

[14]  H Grace,et al.  THE SETTLEMENT OF LONDON DUE TO UNDERDRAINAGE OF THE LONDON CLAY. , 1942 .

[15]  Ir E. E. De Beer.  The Cell-Test , 1950 .

[16]  Tan Tjong Kie,et al.  The Shearing Properties of Soils , 1950 .

[17]  L. Cooling,et al.  THE ANALYSIS OF THE FAILURE OF AN EARTH DAM DURING CONSTRUCTION. , 1942 .

[18]  Guthlac Wilson,et al.  THE BEARING CAPACITY OF SCREW PILES AND SCREWCRETE CYLINDERS. , 1950 .

[19]  W. H. Ward,et al.  Protection of the Ground from Thermal Effects of Industrial Plant , 1950 .

[20]  M. R. de Quervain.  Robert Haefeli, 1899-1978 , 1979 .

[21]  P Tedd,et al.  THE KIELDER EXPERIMENTAL TUNNEL: FINAL RESULTS , 1983 .

[22]  William Hallam Ward.  William Hallam Ward 1917—96 , 1996 .

[23]  S. F. Brown.  Géotechnique 1948–2008: more than just a journal , 2008 .