Peter Wroth
Born1929
Died1991 (aged 61–62)
Alma materEmmanuel College, Cambridge
Scientific career
InstitutionsUniversity of Cambridge
University of Oxford
Thesis The behaviour of soils and other granular media when subjected to shear  (1958)
Doctoral advisorKenneth H. Roscoe
Doctoral studentsGuy T. Houlsby, David Muir Wood

Charles Peter Wroth (1929–1991) was a British civil engineer, a world pioneer in geotechnical engineering and soil mechanics.[1][2] He led the design and construction of the Hammersmith flyover.[3]

Education

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Wroth was educated at Marlborough College and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he studied Engineering and carried out research in Soil Mechanics under Kenneth H. Roscoe, leading to the award of a PhD degree in 1958 with his thesis titled "The behaviour of soils and other granular media when subjected to shear".[4] He served as Professor at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. He also served as Master of Emmanuel College for a brief period prior to his death.

Academic recognition

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He delivered the 24th Rankine Lecture, titled "The interpretation of in situ soil tests".[5]

Sport

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Wroth played county cricket at amateur level, playing minor counties cricket for Devon from 1947–50, and later for Cambridgeshire in 1962.[6] He also played international hockey for Wales.

References

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  1. ^ "Charles Peter Wroth". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/101050707. Retrieved 2 December 2025. (Subscription, Wikipedia Library access or UK public library membership required.)
  2. ^ "List of Masters – Charles Peter Wroth". Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge. Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  3. ^ Milligan, G. (December 1991). "Charles Peter Wroth 1929–91". Géotechnique. 41 (4): 631–635. Bibcode:1991Getq...41..631M. doi:10.1680/geot.1991.41.4.631. ISSN 0016-8505.
  4. ^ "Geotechnical Group PhD Theses". University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering. University of Cambridge. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  5. ^ Wroth, C. P. (1984). "The interpretation of in situ soil tests". Géotechnique. 34 (4). ICE Publishing: 449–488. doi:10.1680/geot.1984.34.4.449.
  6. ^ "Minor Counties Championship Matches played by Peter Wroth". CricketArchive. Retrieved 24 March 2019.