ASCE Awards High Honors To Geotechnical Engineering

BLACKSBURG, Va., May 30, 2003 – Members of the geotechnical engineering program at Virginia Tech have received a prestigious best paper award from the Geo-Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Jacob Esterhuizen, a recent Ph.d. graduate now employed at CH2M Hill, George Filz, associate professor, and Mike Duncan, University Distinguished Professor will receive the 2003 Thomas A. Middlebrooks Award for their published paper entitled "Constitutive Behavior of Geosynthetic Interfaces."

The Middlebrooks award is made to the author(s) of a paper published by the society during the 12-month period ending with June of the year preceding the year of award, which is judged worthy of special commendation for its merit as a contribution to geotechnical engineering. ASCE presents only one Middlebrooks Award annually.

Duncan, a member of the National Academy of Engineering, has also received notification from the ASCE that he will receive the 2003 Karl Terzaghi Award. This award is based upon an individual's total career accomplishments and contributions to the field of geotechnical engineering. The Terzaghi Award represents the pinnacle award given by the ASCE Geotechnical Institute. Duncan will be presented with his award at the ASCE National Convention in Nashville, Tenn. in October.