Page 12 - CEGE Magazine - Fall 2021

W. DAVID LACABANNE
THE ROCK MECHANICS PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
has led to innovations in many areas, such as drilling mechanics, hydraulic fracturing, poromechanics,
and post-peak response. A faculty member who participated in many of these works but was rarely credited with authorship on papers or advising of students was Dr. W. David Lacabanne, a valued colleague and mentor to several generations of faculty and students.
Dr. Lacabanne earned his Ph.D. in 1947 from the School of Mines at the University of Minnesota. He taught courses in mining and petroleum engineering and collaborated on numerous projects. He retired
in 1972, but he continued in his role as the unofficial director of the rock mechanics laboratory where he contributed in many ways, from designing experimental apparatus to building equipment. Students benefited from his guidance and wealth of experience, as well as his training in safe laboratory practice.
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