Professor Benjamin Isaac George Barr

Emeritus Professor of Civil Engineering

Formerly Carillion Professor of the Built Environment, Cardiff School of Engineering

Head, Division of Civil Engineering: 1989 – 2001

The University and his colleagues at the School of Engineering were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Professor Ben Barr who died overnight on 28th September after a typically courageous fight with cancer.

Ben graduated from University College, Cardiff in 1964 with a 1st Class Honours degree in Civil Engineering. This was followed by brief spells with the Civil Engineering contractors Taylor Woodrow Construction Ltd. and consultants Freeman Fox and Partners before returning to University College to undertake a PhD in Fracture Mechanics with Prof Gurney, with which he graduated in 1968. He then worked as an Engineer for a short period with Glamorgan County Council before becoming first a Senior Lecturer and then Principal Lecturer in Civil Engineering at The Polytechnic of Wales (now the University of Glamorgan). During this period he also spent five months as a visiting academic in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, USA.

Ben returned to University College, Cardiff in 1980 where his primary research interests were the application of experimental strain analysis methods and numerical techniques in Fracture Mechanics, developing fracture tests for concrete in the various fracture modes including mixed-mode fracture, fibre reinforced concrete, high performance concretes and the toughness of concrete and FRC. Ben also had an interest in novel construction methods (soil nailing and artificial islands), polymer concrete and the use of waste materials in concrete and perhaps above all, a passion for bridges and the history of bridge building, particularly in Wales.

Ben retired from the University in 2005, although continued his work with the Institution of Civil Engineers right through to 2009. Known both locally and nationally he worked tirelessly for his profession. He represented the South Wales Association and subsequently ICE Wales, Cymru first as Honorary Secretary, as Chairman in the 1988/89 session and as their Council Member from 1999 to 2002. He was a member of the Joint Board of Moderators from 1999 to 2008, the Chairman of its International Sub-Committee from 2002 to 2007 and an ICE representative on the Quality Assurance and overseas accrediting committees of the Engineering Council between 2002 and 2008. At all times Ben conducted himself with conviction, good humour and with a particularly good eye for detail. Always eager to highlight the positive, he was a gifted and talented communicator, reinforced by his love of poetry from which he would always find a discerning and often amusing quote to illustrate his point.

Ben was also passionate about his rugby and his tales of the exploits of 'The Sombreros', as they followed his beloved Wales home and away, could keep an audience entertained whatever the outcome of the match. Indeed it often seemed that he saw life like a Rugby match; hard fought on the pitch but at the end of the match you shake hands and have a pint together.

Ben was fair and considerate in all his dealings and a great leader who would support and defend his team at all times. Everyone who worked with him knew they could (and did) let off steam with Ben and he would never bear a grudge. It is no coincidence that it was during his tenure as the Head of the Civil Engineering Division at Cardiff that it became recognised as the academic success story of the University. He cared passionately about all aspects of his work, a passion that was founded and supported by his unerring belief in the importance of family and family values. At home he was the faithful partner and best friend of Sarah, loving and supportive Dadi of Sybil and James, devoted Dacu to Oliver, Gwen, Sam, Megan and Daisy and dear friend of Siân, all of whom he was immensely proud of and to whom we send our sincere condolences. Colleagues across the Civil Engineering Profession as a whole will greatly miss him. He will be remembered as a good, kind and extremely caring individual to whom, as he would always remind us, "these are the good old days".