Swelling Soil Publication Wins Another National Award

CGS Special Publication 43, SP-43 A Guide to Swelling Soils for Colorado Homebuyers and Homeowners, by Dave Noe, William “Pat” Rogers, and Candace Jochim, is the winner of the 2001 Edward B. Burwell, Jr. Award by the Geological Society of America, Engineering Geology Division.

This prestigious award is made to the author(s) of a published paper of distinction that advances the principles or practices of Engineering Geology. Many of the previous award-winning publications have become hallmark references for the Engineering Geology and Geotechnical Engineering professions. Edward B. Burwell, Jr. was one of the founders of the GSA Engineering Geology Division, and was the first chief geologist of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The 76-page book is geared toward helping home buyers and homeowners reduce damages from swelling soils and has become a favorite of the home-building industry. It is distributed to buyers of new homes for disclosure purposes. Over 200,000 copies have been sold since its original (first edition) publication in 1997.

The award was presented at the Engineering Geology Division’s Award Luncheon at the 2001 GSA Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.

The publication also received the John C. Frye Memorial Award in Environmental Geology from GSA in October 1998.