Karl Wilhelm Ritter


Karl Wilhelm Ritter - civil engineer, professor of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, the rector of the Polytechnic Institute of Zurich.

Biography

Born in the family of the teacher Johann Friedrich and Barbara Salate on April 14, 1847.
He graduated from the Technical School in Basel with the defense of a diploma of an engineer. In 1868, railway engineer in Hungary, in 1869 assistant Carl Culmann, from 1870 - professor of engineering subjects at the Polytechnic Institute of Zurich, in 1873-82 professor of engineering in Riga, in 1882-1905 professor in Zurich.
From 1887 to 1891 he was rector of the Polytechnic Institute of Zurich.
He died in Zurich on October 22, 1906. Buried in the cemetery of Turbenthal.

Scientific activity

He worked out the questions of the statics of engineering structures, the construction of bridges and railways at the Polytechnic Institute of Zurich. Continued the teachings of Culmann as a theorist. He regarded statics as an engineering discipline and also developed kinematics.
Contributed to the theory of calculating reinforced concrete structures and writing, in addition, numerous conclusions about the state of real structures. Participated in the work of the Construction Commission of Zurich, the board of the Swiss Union of Engineers and Architects.
Developed the first design scheme for tunnels lining on the effects of loads from the collapse rock.

Awards, recognition

Wife - Magdalena Jacobi, an American.
His younger brother Herman Ritter was an architect, as was K.W. Ritter's son Woldemar. K.W. Ritter personally oversaw his children's professional training.

Literature