Citation, Dr. Zdenek P. Bazant, M. A. Biot Medal, 2011

For ground breaking contributions to the mechanics of concrete as nano-porous material, particularly the creep and diffusion processes, thermodynamics of nano-pore water and high temperature effects, with numerical algorithms and consequences for structural design.

ASCE News Release

Dr. Bazant is a rare engineering scientist who has greatly enriched engineering research and education. His enthusiasm and inquisitive mind has inspired generations of students and co-workers and stimulated many engineers with his push for more science and fundamentals in engineering. Over 40 years, Dr. Bazant has developed a worldwide reputation with a knack for novel solutions in engineering practice, which include fracture of quasi-brittle materials and stability of structures, aging creep and drying shrinkage under high temperatures, to name a few. His prominent contributions to the fields of "Creep and Fracture" and to "Microplane Modeling" of the triaxial response behavior of cohesive-frictional materials have received truly world-wide attention. His early work includes ground-breaking theoretical developments of Drying Creep and Shrinkage Effect in concrete materials which are closely related to the research of Maurice Biot in the field of poromechanics. In fact it is this area which is most exciting because of its potential impact on current safety concepts of nuclear power plants and aging infrastructures.

Dr. Bazant has an impressive publication record with over 400 reviewed articles and five textbooks that have been well received. Clearly, they are the signature of a very diverse and innovative mind. His contributions span an impressive spectrum of research activities that have been recognized in the form of membership in prestigious Academies, Honorary Doctorates and prizes, and numerous invitations to present Keynote and Plenary Lectures at national and international conferences. He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering and the US National Academy of Science.