As we enter another American Concrete Institute (ACI) Fall Convention, I always look back on all the previous years (evidenced by my collection of pins) and realize how far we have come. The decades I’ve been involved in the concrete industry have yielded many innovations that were once thought impossible. They were made possible by great minds and dedicated researchers passionately foraging for new frontiers in concrete development.
Professor Adam Neville, FREng was certainly one of these great achievers. I’m saddened to say, Prof. Neville passed away peacefully on October 6th.
Kari Yuers & Prof. Neville at ACI Convention in Vancouver, Canada.
The author of what is known industry wide as the ‘Concrete Bible’, Properties of Concrete, Prof. Neville provided the industry with the definitive work reference on concrete. Though updated, the original objective of the work remained completely intact: to provide reliable, comprehensive, and practical information on the properties and use of concrete, and the selection of mix proportions, all based on scientific observations and Prof. Neville’s extensive experience in engineering.
Still, to this day, after a quarter-century in the industry, Prof. Neville’s Properties of Concrete remains a vital tool for me, as well as an important training tool for new and seasoned Kryton employees. In fact, as I write this, a copy of his book sits at the corner of my desk.
The photo (right) is of Prof. Neville and I from the ACI Convention in Vancouver, Canada in 2003. As Co-Chair, it gave me great joy to have Prof. Neville join us and compliment the efforts of the ACI British Columbia organizing committee.
It was a real pleasure to know Prof. Neville. As the former Head of School of Civil Engineers at the University of Leeds, Prof. Neville was a frequent visitor to many of the ACI annual conventions in North America. Specifically, I always noticed how supportive he was of new young ACI members, acting as a great ambassador for the organization in taking the time to speak and say hello to as many as he could.
Prof. Neville has given so much in so many ways. He will truly be missed.
