ASABE Awards Soil and Engineering Award to Greg Hanson

Greg Hanson, P.E., of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) was named the recipient of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) 2011 ADS/Hancor Soil and Water Engineering Award. Sponsored by ADS/Hancor, one of the largest suppliers of storm water management systems in the U.S., the ASABE award recognizes Hanson's contributions to the understanding and prediction of soil erosion by concentrated flow.

Hanson is the supervisory engineer and research leader with the USDA-ARS in the Hydraulic Engineering Research Unit (HERU). During his 26 years at ARS he has contributed to the development of fundamental erosion equations and the methods of measuring earthen material resistance to water flow. He is also responsible for the research and administrative leadership at the USDA-ARS HERU Laboratory.

“It is a pleasure to have Mr. Hanson receive this award," said Tori Durliat, director of marketing at ADS/Hancor. "He has a long, impactful devotion to the industry that includes writing or co-authoring more than 150 research papers and presenting his findings during 50 national and international symposiums.”

Hanson has three patents and initiated the development of an ASTM standard for erodibility testing. His work has contributed to the development of model components used in computer software for evaluating earthen spillways on dams and for evaluating overtopping and erosion of earthen dams. He also developed the concepts, equations, equipment and methodology for the Jet Erosion Test for characterizing erodibility of soils. His work helped investigators gain a better understanding of the erosion that occurred to New Orleans levees after Hurricane Katrina.

Called one of its most prestigious honors by ASABE, the ADS/Hancor Soil and Water Engineering Award recognizes noteworthy contributions to the advancement of soil and water engineering in teaching, research, planning, design construction, management or materials development.

Source: ADS/Hancor