Arthur Penman and his contributions to embankment dam engineering

Abstract

Throughout six decades Arthur Penman made a major contribution to embankment dam engineering as it developed from a largely empirically based activity into a science-based discipline where modern developments in geotechnical engineering have a major role. His pioneering development of practical and reliable field instrumentation facilitated the monitoring of embankment performance which alone could validate the increasing use of numerical analysis. A great enthusiasm for embankment dams continued into the final years of his life.