Karmalsky, Vladimir P. (1897 - 1973)

Summary

Vladimir Karmalsky was a highly respected structural engineer who worked for the Department of Main Roads, New South Wales for most of his working life, and designed many of the major highway bridges. In the late 1920s and the 1930s, when reinforced concrete became a favoured construction material for raod bridges, Karmalsky with other engineers pioneered its use. In particular, using the bowstring principle in reinforced concrete. Their theories were implemented first in the Shark Creek Bridge near Maclean in 1935, and then in the Hillas Creek Bridge near Tumblong, built in 1938.

Details

Published Technical Papers:

* 1932. Karmalsky, V., Britton, A.T. "Calculation of 112ft. Span Bowstring Arch with Temporary Eccentric Hinge", Journal of the Institution of Engineers Australia, Vol.4, 1932, p.333-.
* 1935. Britton, A.T., Karmalsky, V. "Bowstring Arch with Temporary Hinge", Journal of the Institution of Engineers Australia, Vol.7, 1935, p.193-.
* 1937. Karmalsky, V., Linton, G.H. "Electric Welding of Steel Bridges. Experience of the Department of Main Roads, N.S.W.", Journal of the Institution of Engineers Australia, Vol.9, 1937, p.173-.
* 1937. Karmalsky, V., Britton, A.T. "Three Span Light Suspension Bridge over Hastings River at Kindee Crossing", Journal of the Institution of Engineers Australia, Vol.9, 1937, p.463-.
* 1945. Karmalsky, V. "438 ft. Span Welded Truss for Hawkesbury River Road Bridge", Journal of the Institution of Engineers Australia, Vol.17, 1945, p.41-. Discussion: p.225.
*1960. Karmalsky, V., Robertson, S.C. "New Bascule Span Bridge over Middle Harbour at The Spit", Journal of the Institution of Engineers Australia, Vol.21, 1960, p.75-.

Chronology

1919

Education - Bachelor of Civil Engineering (BCE), Tomsk State University, Siberia, Russia

c. 1920 -

Career position - Divisional Engineer, Siberian Railway

c. 1921 -

Career position - Supervising Engineer, Moscow Agricultural Exhibition

c. 1923 -

Career position - Chief of Construction Staff, Civil Engineering, Batum Hydro-electric Scheme

c. 1926 - 1927

Career position - Supervising Engineer, "Giors" Reinforced Concrete Company, Marseilles, France

1927

Career position - Assistant Engineer, Department of Main Roads, New South Wales

1927

Life event - Migrated to Sydney, Australia

1932

Life event - Naturalised as an Australian citizen

1932

Career event - Associate Member (AMIEAust), Institution of Engineers Australia

1937

Award - R W Chapman Medal, Institution of Engineers Australia

1945

Award - R W Chapman Medal, Institution of Engineers Australia

1948

Career position - Engineer, Bridge Section, Department of Main Roads, New South Wales

1968

Career event - Member (MIEAust), Institution of Engineers Australia [Former Associate Members were designated Members on this date.]

Related entries

Published resources

Journal Articles

• Institution of Engineers Australia, 'Twenty-third Annual Report [1942]', Journal of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, 15 (1943), 35-51. 'Prizes - R. W. Chapman Medal: (1937 Award) to Mr V Karmalsky, BCE AMIEAust, and Mr A T Britton, BSc BE AMIEAust, Sydney Division, for their paper "Three Span Light Suspension Bridge over Hastings River at Kindee Crossing, N.S.W"', p.37. Details
• Institution of Engineers Australia, 'R. W. Chapman Medal - 1945 Award [V. Karmalsky, BCE AMIEAust]', Journal of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, 20 (1948), 203. Includes Biography. Details
• Institution of Engineers Australia, 'Twenty-ninth Annual Report [1948]', Journal of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, 21 (1949), 10-23. 'Prizes - R. W. Chapman Medal (1945 Award), to Mr Vladimir Karmalsky, BCE(Tomsk) AMIEAust, Sydney Division, for his paper "438ft. Span Welded Truss for Hawkesbury River Road Bridge"', p.12. Details