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Generous donation by an Imperial alumnus has created a new senior academic post in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering.

The John Bray Chair in Rock Mechanics has been established, thanks to a philanthropic gift from Stan Bharti (MSc in Mining and Mineral Technology 1976). This donation supports the Chair for ten years, securing academic leadership and sustained research output in the rock mechanics field for years to come.

The post has been established in memory of the late Dr John Bray, who taught and conducted research in rock mechanics at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ for more than thirty years, before retiring as Reader in Rock Mechanics in 1984.

Honouring Dr John Bray’s legacy

Dr Bray joined Imperial as a lecturer in 1953, teaching engineering undergraduates in what was then known as the Mining Department. Passionate about rock mechanics, he introduced the subject as a research and teaching focus in the department. He served for many years as the Director of the successful MSc course in Engineering Rock Mechanics.

Dr Bray made many influential contributions to the field of rock mechanics, including most notably his co-authorship with Professor Evert Hoek of the monograph Rock Slope Engineering. Among ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ and peers within and outside of Imperial, Dr Bray was highly regarded for his original ideas and his desire to share knowledge. Many former ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, including Stan Bharti, consider him an influential and outstanding teacher and mentor.

Stan Bharti, Chair at Forbes & Manhattan, said: “There were many wonderful memories during my time at Imperial, and learning from John was one of them. He was such an inspiration, and his teaching and guidance helped me become the person I am today.

“This new Chair position will be a tribute to John’s work, and I hope it will provide an opportunity for world-class experts to continue advancing research, teaching and tackling challenges in this subject that he so deeply cared for.”

About the new John Bray Chair in Rock Mechanics

Rock mechanics – the theoretical and applied science of the mechanical behaviour of rocks and rock masses – has become increasingly important in our changing world. Its applications are key to societal progress, and have been essential in various fields, such as mining, waste disposal, natural disaster prediction and subsurface energy technologies (innovations for harnessing and managing energy resources beneath the Earth’s surface).

Professor Robert Zimmerman FREng, Professor of Rock Mechanics, has been appointed as the new John Bray Chair in Rock Mechanics. His research focuses on the hydromechanical behaviour of porous and fractured rocks, with particular emphasis on the effects of pore fluids on the deformation and failure behaviour of rocks. The applications of Professor Zimmerman’s research are wide-ranging, from petroleum engineering and underground mining to radioactive waste disposal and carbon capture and storage.

Professor Zimmerman said: “It is an honour to be appointed to this prestigious chair position, named after one of the early giants in the field of rock mechanics. At a time when society is faced with the challenge of supplying unprecedented amounts of materials and energy in a sustainable manner, I am excited to be part of Imperial’s efforts to use rock mechanics to help address these challenges.”

Professor Tina van de Flierdt, Head of the Department of Earth Science and Engineering, said: “We are grateful to Stan Bharti for his support. Seeing Stan give back to his alma mater is incredibly inspiring, and is a testament to the strength and support we have from our community.”

About the Department of Earth Science and Engineering

As one of the world’s only integrated Earth Science and Engineering departments, housed in the Royal School of Mines in South Kensington, the Department is home to more than 750 ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ and 150 staff.

Since its establishment in 2001, the Department has advanced pure science, developed applied science and pioneered engineering solutions in its quest to investigate how the Earth systems work, how to sustainably use natural resources and energy, and how our Solar System has evolved over time. Its science and engineering research, teaching and translation is deeply rooted in Imperial’s Science for Humanity strategy and convergent science approach.