10:22 a.m., Jan. 11, 2010----Dov Leshchinsky, professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Delaware, has been selected to receive the 2010 Martin S. Kapp Foundation Engineering Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). He will be recognized at GeoFlorida 2010, to be held in West Palm Beach, Fla., from Feb. 20-24.

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Leshchinsky was cited for his “innovative contribution to the unified method of design and analysis of earth retaining structures and slopes as well as the implementation of such technology through computer software and continuing education.”

In selecting him for the award, which is given annually to recognize outstanding achievement in geo-construction, the committee particularly noted the computer codes he has developed for the design of mechanically stabilized earth walls and steep soil slopes.

“The true award for me,” says Leshchinsky, “is the thousands of engineers worldwide who use the design methodologies and tools that I have developed. These designs are mathematically-based. To be used in practice, the designs had to be converted to tangible and transparent methodologies. This is a rewarding challenge. Tens of thousands of structures have been designed based on these methods and tools. As the result of this work, the world has become my home.”

Leshchinsky has become known worldwide not only for developing design codes but also for teaching educators and practitioners about the design and use of geosynthetic reinforced soil, a construction material composed of sheets or grids of polymeric materials. He is also frequently called as an expert witness.

“Professor Leshchinsky has long been recognized as an international leader in the field of geotechnical engineering,” says Harry (Tripp) Shenton, chairperson of UD's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “His contributions in the classroom, in the laboratory, and to the profession have been wide ranging. We are very proud of his accomplishments and congratulate him on receiving the prestigious Kapp award.”

Two years ago, Leshchinsky was invited to deliver the 33rd Annual Martin S. Kapp Lecture in Manhattan. Attended by well over 100 participants, the lecture focused on the lessons learned from three case studies where mechanically stabilized earth walls systems had failed.

The award and the lecture were established to honor Martin Kapp, who spent his entire professional career in the service of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He served as head of the soils division and later as chief engineer. Kapp was responsible for the complex and innovative design and construction of the foundation system for the Twin Towers in Manhattan.

Leshchinsky received his bachelor's and master's degrees at the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, and his doctorate at the University of Illinois. He joined the UD faculty in 1982.

Article by Diane Kukich