Léopold Escande: outstanding hydraulician, IAHR President and great human

ABSTRACT

This article highlights the theoretical and experimental research of Léopold Escande, conducted in hydraulic engineering. He is considered one of the great European leaders in this field from 1930 to around 1970, when he retired. Numerous students have profited from his knowledge, aware of a person treating them like their father. A number of these students and later collaborators are presented in this historical work. The main topics of Escande's research are discussed to allow a current examination of his results. His input into the IAHR as its President is also described. In addition, his extensive bibliography is presented along with comments on his method of work. A short biography of Escande evidences his excellent connection to the national and international hydraulics community, and sheds light on his successes both in his professional and in his private life.

Keywords:

• Biography
• history of hydraulics
• hydraulic structures
• IAHR
• Société Hydrotechnique de France SHF
• Toulouse University

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Mrs Muriel Sabater, IMFT, for having provided him with material relating to the life and work of Prof. Escande. He would like to express his gratitude also for the input offered by Dr Pierre Crausse, Dr Jean-François Dat, and Dr Jean Piquemal.