CUTV News Radio Spotlights Leslie Youd

Orem, UT - What occurs in soil during earthquakes that makes the ground liquefy and loose strength? One engineer has effectively studied the reasons earthquakes have resulted in the tragic loss of life and massive destruction.

T. Leslie “Les” Youd is a highly regarded Geotechnical and earthquake engineer and one of the most distinguished expert researchers on soil liquefaction.

“With proper preparation most of the population can categorically survive an earthquake,” says Les.

During his childhood Les’ father was a farmer so having the opportunity to grow up around irrigation Leslie developed a fascination for engineering. He attended Brigham Young University and Iowa State University where he received his BS and PhD in civil engineering respectively in 1964 and 1967. Once he learned about geotechnical engineering, the use of the ground as an engineering material, he pursued geotechnical engineering.

“In 1971 I was assigned by USGS to study the San Fernando Valley Earthquake which caused occurrences of liquefaction that damaged buildings, dams, roads and pipelines, which triggered my interest in liquefaction,” says Les.

Over time Les developed a world-wide reputation for his studies of liquefaction-induces ground effects, which led to further opportunities to share my discoveries through publications and workshops.

“The future is certainly bright and promising,” says Les.  “With computers, engineers are developing enhanced and superior methods for construction of new buildings and infrastructure.  If bridges and buildings are designed to resist earthquakes and other natural hazards our society will be more secure.”