30
Geotechnical News • September 2018
THE GROUT LINE
Paolo Gazzarrini
Overture
51st episode of the Grout Line after
missing the June issue due to
technical/space problems.
To catch up, the first news is a sad
news, as Don W. Deere (son of Don
U. Deere-
)
wrote to me.
Dr. Don U. Deere passed away early
this year at the age of 95. Don was
world-renowned in the fields of engi-
neering geology and rock mechanics.
As a professor at the University of Illi-
nois from 1955 to 1972, he developed
the Rock Quality Designation (RQD),
a common standard used in rock core
logging.
He became a full- time international
consultant in tunnels and dam foun-
dations in 1973 where his interest in
grouting peaked. He served on mul-
tiple Board of Consultants throughout
South America with the majority of
the projects in Brazil which was build-
ing numerous hydroelectric projects in
the 1970s through the 1990s. He met
Dr. Giovanni Lombardi of Switzerland
during this period and they became
close friends and colleagues. It was
during their collaboration together
on various Board of Consultants
assignments that the Grout Intensity
Number or GIN grouting method was
developed and successfully applied on
many projects.
Dr. Deere will be missed for his inno-
vative thinking, his ability to combine
the disciplines of geology and civil
engineering to solve construction
problems, and his unbridled enthusi-
asm to teach and pass his experience
and knowledge on to all he worked
with.
Over the period of less than 1 year, the
two designers of the GIN (Grouting
Intensity Number) method of grouting,
left us. If we believe in this grouting
method it will be our duty to try to
continue their legacy.
For anyone interested in a complete
biography of Dr. Don U. Deere, here
is a link
The second news is related to the
annual Grouting Fundamentals
Course (the original) held in Febru-
ary. A short summary prepared by
Prof. Scott Kieffer, course director.
The 39th annual short course on
Grouting Fundamentals & Current
Practice
was hosted by The Uni-
versity of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell
School of Engineering from February
12-16, 2018. The event was attended
by professionals worldwide to learn
the latest and best in the field of
geotechnical grouting. Since 1979 this
unique course on grouting materials,
methods and applications has educated
over 2,000 professionals and filled a
wide gap in traditional university edu-
cation. Although theory and calcula-
tions are an integral part of competent
grouting work, practical field experi-
ence is essential for the success of any
grouting job. An incredible breadth
and depth of subject matter was cov-
ered by a renowned course faculty that
included experts from seven countries.
The 2018 course included 70 delegates
representing engineering design firms,
specialty geotechnical contractors,
hyropower facility owners, equipment
manufacturers and material suppliers.
As is common, the majority of del-
egates were from throughout the US
and Canada, with significant overseas
attendance based on major upcoming
geotechnical construction works. The
recent course included such delegates
from Australia, Albania, Bolivia,
Uganda, and throughout Europe.
Dr. Don U. Deere at his 90th
birthday.
Dr. Don U. Deere in the field.
Dr. Don U. Deere in the field.
