The Author

The author, Frans Van Cauwelaert was born in Ghent, Belgium in 1932. He graduated in Civil Engineering from the University of Louvain (Belgium) and obtained a PhD n Technical Sciences from the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne (Switzerland).

Dr. Van Cauwelaert was a modern leader around the world in the field of pavement engineering and was well-known for his rigorous mathematical solutions to pavement analysis problems, as well as for his ability to put advanced pavement theories into everyday practice. He held different positions during his career including designer, consultant on the field, researcher in the laboratory, and professor. During the latter part of his career, he was the head of the Department Promotion, Research and Development of FEBELCEM, the Belgian Cement Association.

Frans can be considered as a nomad and a pioneer in the field of interest of pavement engineering, and is well known for his unique and rigorous mathematical solutions, and the ability to put advanced theory into everyday practice. He is also a kind of geographical nomad, having worked in many parts all over the world: in Western Europe, Central Africa, Middle East and the United States of America. He must be considered a technical and scientific nomad too, having worked in the field as a young engineer, in the laboratory, in design and engineering offices and in class rooms as well.

In the early seventies Frans became interested in the field of rational design of pavements and developed several design programs: for the US Corps of Engineers, for universities, research centres, contractors and consultants. Throughout the years, his passion grew for the rational design of pavements, from the analytical method and mathematical equations to the development of design software, some of which are still being used today. After his retirement, Frans found the time to write a book with his advanced theory on pavement engineering, titled “Pavement Design and Evaluation: The Required Mathematics and Applications”. Frans is also one of the three musketeers, who started the Pavers Team.

Dr. Frans Van Cauwelaert, renowned pavement engineer and Honorary Member of ISCP, passed away on May 22, 2014 at the age of 82. He will be remembered for his intelligence and research spirit, and Frans was foremost characterized by his eternal humor and the smile on his face. Besides math and science, he loved classical music, a good porto and played the flute and piano. He was adored by his five children and eleven grandchildren. Frans will be missed by his friends across the world, however, his contribution in the field of concrete pavement design & in the PAVERS-software will live on.