Prof. Byrne, pictured with former UBC Civil Engineering graduate students. Top row, L – R: C. Dharmasetia 2000; S Vazinkhoo 1996; D Wallis 1979; E Naesgaard 2011; N Singh 1999; M Seid-Karbasi 2009; J McIntyre 1996. Bottom row, L – R: F Esford 2002; L Yan 1990; M Beaty 2001; Professor Byrne; U Atukorala 1989; N Denby 1994; M Kelly 1996; W Quong 1983. Photos courtesy of Ali Azizian.
Photo at right: Prof. Byrne pictured with Doug VanDine, President, Canadian Geotechnical Society.
Dr. Peter M. Byrne, Professor Emeritus of UBC Civil Engineering, was awarded the prestigious R.F. Legget Medal for 2014 by the Canadian Geotechnical Society. The R.F. Legget Medal is the society’s highest honour and is presented to an individual for “outstanding, life-long contributions to geotechnique.”
The award was presented to Dr. Byrne at a special event on February 3 hosted by the Vancouver Geotechnical Society who also took the opportunity to recognize his significant contributions to local practice. The presentation and dinner was attended by 75 friends, colleagues and former students. Five short technical presentations by former graduate students described Peter’s many contributions to geotechnical engineering and to careers of his students.
Dr. Byrne is recognized internationally for his research on “the behaviour and analyses of soil and soil structures subjected to earthquake loading, particularly in the area of soil liquefaction.” A prolific author of journal and conference papers and a sought-after consultant, Dr. Byrne supervised 35 graduate students in the Department of Civil Engineering during his over-40 year tenure. Dr. Byrne’s previous awards have included the Vancouver Geotechnical Society Award, the Geoffrey Meyerhof Award (CGS), the Gzowski Medal for best paper (CSCE), the Julian C. Smith award (EIC) “for achievement in the development of Canada”, and the R.M. Hardy Keynote Address (CGS). He is a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada.