Professor Maciej Gryczmański, PhD, DSc passed away

It is with deep regret that we inform that on 4 April 2021 Professor Maciej Gryczmański, PhD, DSc - an outstanding scientist, teacher and long-term employee of the Silesian University of Technology passed away.

Professor Maciej Gryczmański was born on 11 February 1937 in Kazimierz. In the years 1954-1960, he studied at the Faculty of General and Industrial Construction at the Silesian University of Technology. He defended his MSc thesis entitled: "Steel frame bridge with interacting reinforced concrete slab", developed under the supervision of Professor Eugeniusz Jamrozik.

In the 1960s, he worked, among others in the Engineering Design Office "Energoprojekt", and from 1965 in the Department of Soil Mechanics and Foundation. He defended his PhD thesis, entitled "Analysis of stratified ground using the finite element method", in 1973. In the years 1974-1992 he was associated with the Higher School of Engineering in Opole. In 1984 he obtained a postdoctoral degree in technical sciences. In 1989 he became the owner of the company "GEOKONSULTING".

Since the 1990s, Professor Maciej Gryczmański worked again at the Silesian University of Technology, first at the Department of Building Structures, and then at the Department of Geotechnics, which he headed from 1994 to 2006. From 1996 to 1999, he was the Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering. In 1997, he was awarded the title of Professor by the President of the Republic of Poland. In the years 2000-2006, he was the Vice-President of the Polish Committee of Geotechnics.

Professor Maciej Gryczmański combined theoretical knowledge with engineering practice during his scientific and research work. He continuously cooperated with numerous universities in Poland and abroad, as well as with many companies and design offices. He participated in many important investment projects in Silesia.

He became famous as a pioneer in the practical applications of foundation with the use of stone columns made with the dynamic exchange technique, as well as a propagator of soil strengthening methods which were applied to many buildings and linear infrastructure facilities.

He promoted, among others 12 doctors of technical sciences, he was constantly interested in the scientific development of the employees and PhD students of the Department of Geotechnics, and then of the Department of Geotechnics and Roads of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology. He was an author or co-author of numerous research and scientific, engineering and technical papers as well as an author of expert opinions and engineering studies. His achievements include numerous reviews of doctoral theses, opinions on applications for the award of a postdoctoral degree or an academic title.

He has been awarded many times. He received, among others, the awards  „Meritorious for to the Opole Region" and “Meritorious for the Silesian University of Technology", Gold Cross of Merit, Medal of the National Education Commission, Fifth Class Knight's Cross of the Rebirth of Poland, awards of the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology.

Professor Maciej Gryczmański was a valued scientist and educator, a kind, open and friendly person with a great sense of humour.

To the Family, Friends and Nearest Friends of the deceased the condolences and sorrow express the Rector, Senate and the Academic Community of the Silesian University of Technology.