Robert H. Scanlan

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Robert H. Scanlan
Born1914
Chicago
DiedMay 27, 2001
Lawrenceville, New Jersey
NationalityAmerican
EducationBachelor's and Master's Degrees in Mathematics (University of Chicago) Doctorate in Mathematics and Physics (MIT), Doctorate in Mechanics (Sorbonne)
OccupationEngineer
SpouseElizabeth Scanlan
ChildrenKate, Jean, Robert, Glenn
Engineering career
DisciplineAeronautical and Civil Engineering
InstitutionsAmerican Society of Civil Engineers, American Academy of Mechanics, National Academy of Engineering
Significant advanceAnalysis of bridge aerodynamics using flutter derivatives
AwardsJames Croes Medal
Nathan Newmark Medal
Theodore von Karman Medal (2000)
Wellington Prize

Robert H. Scanlan (1914-2001) was an American civil and aeronautical engineer who came to be widely recognized as a leader in the analysis of wind effects on large structures.

Case Institute of Technology, Princeton University, and Johns Hopkins University. In the course of his life, Scanlan published two textbooks, "Aircraft Vibration and Flutter" and "Wind Effects on Large Structures," which are used by engineers worldwide.[1]

Early career

Robert Scanlan was born in Chicago in 1914. He attended the

MIT, where he earned a doctorate in mathematics and physics.[3] He was hired as an aeronautical engineer for Republic Aviation in New York, where he served as Chief of Aeroelasticity during World War Two.[1] Following his wartime work, Scanlan was employed by the Federal Aviation Administration, and later became a professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. During this time, his energy was devoted to research in aeronautics and aeroelasticity, and he published "Aircraft Vibration and Flutter," which is considered to be a fundamental textbook on concepts in elasticity.[1]

Scanlan eventually travelled to France, where he studied at the

CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research) and ONERA (French National Aerospace Research Center).[1]

Later career

After his time in France, Scanlan came back to the U.S. and accepted a job at

Case Institute of Technology and Princeton University.[1] Finally, in 1984 he joined the Department of Civil Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, where he stayed until his death.[3] While at the latter two universities, Scanlan began to focus on what became known as wind engineering, and the rest of his career centered on this field. He began working on analyzing the aerodynamics and aeroelasticity of extensive structures like skyscrapers, bridges, and cooling towers. Along with former student Emil Simiu, Scanlan co-authored the book "Wind Effects on Structures," which is considered to be an essential reference concerning the dynamics of structures in response to air currents.[1]

Robert Scanlan died at the age of 86 on May 27, 2001, in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. His death was attributed to heart failure.[3]

Contributions to Bridge Aerodynamics

Some of Robert Scanlan's most important contributions in the field of engineering were in the area of bridge

Oakland Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Kap Shui Mun Bridge in Hong Kong.[1]

Awards, honors, and memberships

Scanlan was a well-respected engineer and was awarded many honors during his life. These included the James Croes Medal, the Nathan Newmark Medal, the von Karmen Medal, and the Wellington Prize of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Scanlan was active in the ASCE, of which he was an honorary member, and his other affiliations included the American Academy of Mechanics and the National Academy of Engineering.[1] As a faculty member at Johns Hopkins University, Scanlan was given the title of Homewood Professor, an honor awarded to distinguished members of the faculty who are not tenured.[3] Following his death, the ASCE established the Robert H. Scanlan Medal, which is awarded annually to a person who has made significant contributions in the field of engineering mechanics.[4]

Family

At the time of his death in 2001, Scanlan's family included his wife Elizabeth, his daughters Kate and Jean, his sons Robert and Glenn, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.[1]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Jones, Nicholas P. "Professor Robert H. Scanlan 1914-2001". Johns Hopkins University. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
  2. ^ a b Chen, Xinzhong; Kareem, Ahsan; Haan, Fred. "A Tribute to Robert H. Scanlan" (PDF). University of Notre Dame. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-12-04. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
  3. ^ a b c d Sneiderman, Phil (2001-06-11). "Obituary: Wind Engineering Expert Robert H. Scanlan Dies at 86". The Gazette Online, VOL. 30, NO. 37. Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
  4. ^ "The Robert H. Scanlan Medal". American Society of Civil Engineers. Archived from the original on 2006-03-04. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
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