Alec Skempton
Encyclopedia
Sir Alec Skempton FRS
(4 June 1914 – 9 August 2001) was a leader in and founding father of Soil Mechanics
. As a founding member of the Institution of Civil Engineers
' Soil Mechanics and Foundations committees he studied at City and Guilds College London
and established the Soil Mechanics course at Imperial College London
, where the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department's building is named after him.
, for which he designed an array of sand-drains to accelerate consolidation of the weak alluvial foundations, the first such in the UK. He was the chair of the civil engineers archive panel at ICE where he edited work on John Smeaton
, regarded as the founder of civil engineering.
In situ behaviour of natural clays was of great interest to Skempton, who wrote two papers published by the Geological Society
on the geological compaction of natural clays. Amongst other academic writings, he formulated concepts such as that of A and B pore water pressure
coefficient which is still widely used today.
, Founding Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
and the second president of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, following Terzaghi
. Skempton also accumulated medals from the ICE, the Geological Society, Newcomen Society
, the Terzaghi
award from the American Society of Civil Engineers
and a gold medal from the Institution of Structural Engineers
(IStructE).
of the City and Guilds College whilst at Imperial College. He delivered the 4th Rankine Lecture
titled Long-term stability of clay slopes. In recognition of his contribution to the science of Soil Mechanics
, in 2004, shortly after his death, the building where the department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Imperial College is located and which he passed most of his life was named after him: The Skempton Building
.
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
(4 June 1914 – 9 August 2001) was a leader in and founding father of Soil Mechanics
Soil mechanics
Soil mechanics is a branch of engineering mechanics that describes the behavior of soils. It differs from fluid mechanics and solid mechanics in the sense that soils consist of a heterogeneous mixture of fluids and particles but soil may also contain organic solids, liquids, and gasses and other...
. As a founding member of the Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Civil Engineers
Founded on 2 January 1818, the Institution of Civil Engineers is an independent professional association, based in central London, representing civil engineering. Like its early membership, the majority of its current members are British engineers, but it also has members in more than 150...
' Soil Mechanics and Foundations committees he studied at City and Guilds College London
City and Guilds of London Institute
The City and Guilds of London Institute is a leading United Kingdom vocational education organisation. City & Guilds offers more than 500 qualifications over the whole range of industry sectors through 8500 colleges and training providers in 81 countries worldwide...
and established the Soil Mechanics course at Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
, where the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department's building is named after him.
Research
Skempton worked on many high profile projects through his life as well as occupying important positions within the ICE; notably the back analysis of the Chingford reservoir failure and other embankment dams, including that at Chew Valley LakeChew Valley Lake
Chew Valley Lake is a large reservoir in the Chew Valley, Somerset, England, and the fifth-largest artificial lake in the United Kingdom , with an area of 1,200 acres...
, for which he designed an array of sand-drains to accelerate consolidation of the weak alluvial foundations, the first such in the UK. He was the chair of the civil engineers archive panel at ICE where he edited work on John Smeaton
John Smeaton
John Smeaton, FRS, was an English civil engineer responsible for the design of bridges, canals, harbours and lighthouses. He was also a capable mechanical engineer and an eminent physicist...
, regarded as the founder of civil engineering.
In situ behaviour of natural clays was of great interest to Skempton, who wrote two papers published by the Geological Society
Geological Society of London
The Geological Society of London is a learned society based in the United Kingdom with the aim of "investigating the mineral structure of the Earth"...
on the geological compaction of natural clays. Amongst other academic writings, he formulated concepts such as that of A and B pore water pressure
Pore water pressure
Pore water pressure refers to the pressure of groundwater held within a soil or rock, in gaps between particles . Pore water pressures in below the phreatic level are measured in piezometers...
coefficient which is still widely used today.
Awards
Other accolades to his name include Fellow of the Royal SocietyRoyal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
, Founding Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
Royal Academy of Engineering
-Overview: is the UK’s national academy of engineering. The Academy brings together the most successful and talented engineers from across the engineering sectors for a shared purpose: to advance and promote excellence in engineering....
and the second president of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, following Terzaghi
Karl von Terzaghi
Karl von Terzaghi was an Austrian civil engineer and geologist, called the father of soil mechanics.-Early life:...
. Skempton also accumulated medals from the ICE, the Geological Society, Newcomen Society
Newcomen Society
The Newcomen Society is a British learned society formed to foster the study of the history of engineering and technology. It was founded in London in 1920 and takes its name from Thomas Newcomen, one of the inventors associated with the early development of the steam engine, who is widely...
, the Terzaghi
Karl von Terzaghi
Karl von Terzaghi was an Austrian civil engineer and geologist, called the father of soil mechanics.-Early life:...
award from the American Society of Civil Engineers
American Society of Civil Engineers
The American Society of Civil Engineers is a professional body founded in 1852 to represent members of the civil engineering profession worldwide. It is the oldest national engineering society in the United States. ASCE's vision is to have engineers positioned as global leaders who strive toward...
and a gold medal from the Institution of Structural Engineers
Institution of Structural Engineers
The Institution of Structural Engineers is a professional body for structural engineering based in the United Kingdom. It has 27,000 members in 105 countries. The Institution provides professional accreditation for structural engineers...
(IStructE).
International recognition
Sir Alec Skempton was a member of the Links ClubLinks Club
The Links club is a tie club of the City and Guilds College at Imperial College, London.-Background:The Links Club is a club for students and alumni of the Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College, formerly The City and Guilds College...
of the City and Guilds College whilst at Imperial College. He delivered the 4th Rankine Lecture
Rankine Lecture
The Rankine Lecture is hosted in March each year by the British Geotechnical Association. It is widely viewed as the most prestigious of the invited lectures in Geotechnics.The lecture commemorates W. J. M...
titled Long-term stability of clay slopes. In recognition of his contribution to the science of Soil Mechanics
Soil mechanics
Soil mechanics is a branch of engineering mechanics that describes the behavior of soils. It differs from fluid mechanics and solid mechanics in the sense that soils consist of a heterogeneous mixture of fluids and particles but soil may also contain organic solids, liquids, and gasses and other...
, in 2004, shortly after his death, the building where the department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Imperial College is located and which he passed most of his life was named after him: The Skempton Building
Skempton Building
The Skempton Building houses the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Imperial College London. It is named after the British Civil Engineer Sir Alec Skempton, founder of the British Soil Mechanics...
.
External links
- Guardian Unlimited Obituary: Sir Alec Skempton
- Geological Society Obituary: Geological Sociewty – Home
- Famous Engineers – iCivilEngineer
- ICE http://www.ice.org.uk
- IStructe http://www.istructe.org.uk
- Imperial College London Biography on Sir Alec Skempton [www.cv.ic.ac.uk/.../ skempton_biography1.htm]