(1898-1983) President 1961-1971 Torroja Medalist 1974
Haas was a Dutch engineer – he graduated from Delft University of Technology in 1921 – who like Torroja was an organizer, teacher, and writer. He earned his PhD from Delft in 1948 with a thesis on the calculation of mushroom floor slabs with drop panels. He was professor of concrete structures at the Delft University of Technology from 1953 until his retirement in 1968, and his publications include a two-volume set entitled Design of Thin Concrete Shells. At various times he served as the chairman of the Betonvereniging, the Centre for Civil Engineering Research and Codes (CUR), and the Reinforced Concrete Code Committee (GBV).
In addition, Haas was the second President of the IASS, serving from 1961 to 1971. In 1974, Haas was the first recipient of the IASS Eduardo Torroja Medal in recognition of his distinguished contributions to the field of shell structures and his service to the Association.
Photo credit: Bulletin of the IASS, Vol.23, n.80, 1982