The José Entrecanales Ibarra Foundation celebrates the awarding of the VI José Entrecanales Ibarra Civil Engineering Prize to Professor Buddhima Indraratna, distinguishing him among his peers for his innovations in geotechnical engineering. This international recognition, selected by a jury composed of representatives from seven of the most prestigious civil engineering universities worldwide—including MIT in the United States, École des Ponts ParisTech in France, ETSI de Caminos at UPM in Spain, Tongji University in China, Ain Shams University in Egypt, and the University of São Paulo in Brazil—highlights Professor Indraratna’s exceptional contribution to the field.
With this award, Professor Indraratna joins an elite group of renowned engineers such as Jörg Schlaich, Giovanni Lombardi, Leslie Robertson, Shigeo Takahashi, and Javier Manterola, who have previously been recognized for their significant contributions to civil engineering. These professionals have not only set standards in the development of transformative projects but have also served as inspiration for future generations of engineers.
Professor Indraratna’s work has been fundamental in advancing the safety and sustainability of infrastructures worldwide, especially in the field of geotechnics. As the Director of the Centre for Transport Research at the University of Technology Sydney, he is known for his pioneering Track Process Simulation Apparatus (TPSA) and for innovative models for railway track design that have been adopted globally.
His achievements include the development of the Track Confinement Theory and a method to minimize particle breakage, leading to two patents and the pioneering use of recycled materials in the substructure of heavy haul railway tracks. These and other contributions have prompted significant changes in Australian standards and have had a broad impact on civil engineering practice.
With over 1000 publications, Professor Indraratna stands out as one of the most internationally cited geotechnical engineers. The José Entrecanales Ibarra Foundation, committed to promoting excellence and positive social impact in civil engineering, recognizes with this award the significance of such contributions to economic and social advancement through talent and research in the field.