About the authors Richard G. Ahlvin's career has been predominantlyin the area of research into the behavior of soils. His schoolinghas ranged from a structural civil engineering degree, through muchof a degree in mechanical engineering, to an advanced degree inhighway engineering, all from Purdue University. In addition, Mr.Ahlvin has taught elementary and advanced surveying, testingmaterials, and engineering mechanics at Purdue ... Read moreand soils fortransportation facilities at Mississippi State University Extensionat Vicksburg. He is a licensed professional engineer. Vernon AllenSmoots is a retired partner of Dames & Moore, geotechnicalconsulting engineers headquartered in Los Angeles. Associated withDames & Moore from 1946 to 1985, Mr. Smoots managed the NewYork office before becoming Managing Consultant of the Los Angelesoffice in 1954. As a consultant in soils and foundations withengineering registrations in eleven states, his projects includeflood control, water transmission, dewatering of excavations, oilrefineries, power plants, recreational facilities, and coastal and,offshore structures in the United States and overseas. He receiveda BS from the University of Kansas in 1944. Show Less