ZBIGNIEW WASIUTYŃSKI (1902-1974)
He graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Warsaw University of Technology in 1926, followed by a complimentary study at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Warsaw (1927-1928) and at the Faculte des Sciences of the University of Paris (1928-1924). Since 1924, he worked at the Warsaw University of Technology, where he received a doctoral degree in 1934. Due to the outbreak of war, he published a thesis on structural durability at the underground Warsaw University of Technology in 1939, for which he received his habilitation degree in 1943. In 1939, he participated in the combats of General Franciszek Kleeberg’s armed forces. During the occupation, he was a member of the Home Army and took part in underground education.
He was the author of many bridge and other construction designs, and lecturer of mathematics, mechanics and bridge engineering. He conducted research in various fields: bridge engineering, measurement methods, construction optimisation, architecture, philosophical issues (aesthetics, praxeology), theory of communication. He authored 207 publications and 12 books. He supervised 14 doctoral students. In 1951-1968 he chaired the Faculty of Bridge Design at the Warsaw University of Technology. In 1953, he organized the Laboratory of Strength Modelling at the IPPT PAN, which he also directed until 1973. A corresponding member (1958) and member of the PAN (1966). In 1969-1971 he chaired the PAN Committee of Civil Engineering. He was a member of scientific councils of a few research institutions, adviser to the Ministry of Communication and Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Praesidium of the Scientific Council in Warsaw. He was an extraordinarily versatile and prolific academic whose posthumous publication of the selection of his works covered five volumes in seven different specializations. Professor Wasiutyński was honoured with prestigious national awards and prizes, including the First Class State Award.