Baker is a strong foundation of experience, having spent 54 years at Vernon Hills, Ill.-based STS/AECOM applying soil theory, in-the-ground testing, instrumentation and careful observation to bring up the science of soils from a crying baby to a responsible adult.
When Baker left college in 1954, soil mechanics was still very young. Prior to the early 20th century, engineers relied on formulas developed in the 1700s as well as their own pseudo-scientific gut feelings to predict settlement. Mistakes and unknowns led civil engineers toward a conservatism that still prevails in many cities today. Baker isn’t afraid to question the status quo to learn more, and because of his work, building settlement doesn’t keep structural engineers awake at night.