Curriculum Vitae

Academic and professional record of Professor Ralph B. Peck

Born: Winnipeg, Canada, 23 June 1912
Citizenship: USA

Education

  • C.E., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1934
  • D.C.E., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1937
  • Harvard University, Graduate School of Engineering, April 1938 to January 1939

Registration

  • Structural Engineer, Illinois
  • Member, Illinois Structural Engineering Examining Board, 1959–1969
  • Professional Engineer, Illinois
  • Civil Engineer, California

Professional Experience

Jun 1937 – Apr 1938
Structural Detailer
American Bridge Company, Ambridge, Pennsylvania
Apr 1938 – Jan 1939
Laboratory Assistant
Arthur Casagrande, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Jan 1939 – May 1942
Representative of Karl Terzaghi
Chicago Subway Project
May 1942 – Dec 1942
Chief Engineer – Testing
Scioto Ordnance Plant, Holabird, Root & Burgee, Marion, Ohio
Dec 1942 – May 1974
Research Assistant Professor → Associate Professor → Professor of Foundation Engineering
University of Illinois, Urbana
May 1974 – 2008
Professor of Foundation Engineering, Emeritus
University of Illinois
1942 – 2004
Consultant

Professional Societies

Honorary Member
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
    Board of Direction 1962–65; Executive Committee Soil Mechanics & Foundation Division 1954–59; Chairman 1957; President Central Illinois Section 1956
  • Mexican National Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering
  • Southeast Asian Geotechnical Society
Fellow
  • Geological Society of America
Member
  • International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering
    President 1969–73
  • American Railway Engineering Association
  • U.S. Committee on Large Dams
  • U.S. National Committee on Tunneling Technology
    Chairman 1976
  • Canadian Geotechnical Society

Honors

Member
National Academy of Engineering (1965) American Academy of Arts and Sciences Sigma Xi Tau Beta Pi Phi Kappa Phi Chi Epsilon (National Honor Member)
Awards & Prizes
1944
Norman Medal · ASCE
1965
Wellington Prize · ASCE
1969
Karl Terzaghi Award · ASCE
1972
National Society of Professional Engineers Award
1973
The Moles Non-Member Award
1973
Outstanding Civilian Service Medal · U.S. Army
1975
National Medal of Science · Awarded by President Gerald R. Ford
1975
Top U.S. Construction Men of the Past 50 Years · ASCE
1976
Washington Award · Western Society of Engineers
1978
University of Illinois Alumni Award
1983
Golden Beaver Award
1984
Distinguished Service Award · Deep Foundations Institute
1986
President's Award · ASCE
1988
Rickey Medal · ASCE
1988
The John Fritz Medal · ASCE, ASME, AIMME, AIChE, IEEE
1988
Award of Merit · Consulting Engineers Council
1999
Alumni Hall of Fame · Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
2000
Gala Celebration of the Life and Times of Professor Ralph B. Peck · Geo-Institute of ASCE
2001
OPAL Award — Outstanding Lifetime Achievement in Education · ASCE
2002
Special Award — Rich Influence on the Geotechnical Profession in Canada · Canadian Geotechnical Society
2004
John F. Parmer Award · Structural Engineers Association of Illinois
Honorary Degrees
1974
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.)
1987
Laval University · Doctor of Science (D.Sc.)
Named Lectures
1963
First Karl Terzaghi Lecture · ASCE
1969
Ninth Rankine Lecture · British Geotechnical Society
1974
Second Nabor Carrillo Lecture · Mexican National Society of Soil Mechanics
1975
First Martin S. Kapp Memorial Lecture · Metropolitan Section ASCE
1978
First G. Brooks Earnest Lecture Award · Cleveland Section ASCE
1980
Laurits Bjerrum Memorial Lecture · Oslo, Norway
1987
Third Arthur Casagrande Lecture · Boston Society C.E.