Eminent Structural Engineer: Dr techn. Olav Olsen (1913–1998)

Øyvind Steen, Norway

However, Olav proved early that he Olsen”, who freely shared his knowl- was a boy with academic talent, and at edge with others. He graduated in 1937 school it was repeatedly commented with excellent results; his average mark that he had special abilities. was “especially outstanding”. The fol- lowing year he married, a marriage Olav’s family could not afford to pay which in due course brought him four for his education. He managed how- children. Olav Olsen’s strong relational ever, and in 1933 he graduated with a abilities made him respected and loved certificate in further education from amongst his friends and colleagues. Stavanger Katedralskole. The follow- ing autumn he registered as a student Dr Ing. Andreas Aas-Jakobsen, an out- at the Norwegian University of Science standing Norwegian engineer, played and Technology (NTH) in Trondheim an important role in the professional together with 142 other students, out development of Olav Olsen. He offered of which 40 studied Civil Engineering. a young Olsen a position in his newly The Civil Engineering faculty at NTH established consultancy and gave him was at that time the logical educa- the responsibility to work on concrete tional institution for those engaged shell structures. Both worked togeth- in construction work in the nation. At er for 25 years, and from 1953 Olav Fig. 1: Dr tech. Olav Olsen NTH, he studied with several other joined as a partner in the company young men who made up an impor- Dr Ing.Aas-Jakobsen – a well respect- ed consultancy firm in the Norwegian One of the most famous Norwegian tant pre-war generation of significant capital, Oslo. Its specialty was concrete engineers of the last century was Norwegian engineers. He was a much shell structures for industrial projects Dr techn. Olav Olsen (Fig. 1). He was a respected student, known as “genius complete engineer with a unique com- bination of professional competence, an open mind to innovation, and an eye for practical implementation. Olav Olsen was an important ambassador for creative freedom and can be cred- ited for a significant number of civil engineering landmarks in Norway. Olav Olsen was a leader in the Nor- wegian construction industry. He prac- ticed for almost half a century, and contributed significantly to one of the most important eras of the con- struction history in Norway. His most famous achievement was his effort for the development and realisation of the Norwegian offshore concrete platforms after 1970. A large number of his other projects are also glowing examples of exceptional engineering practice (Fig. 2).

From a young Engineer to a Partner Olav Olsen was born in Stavanger as the third of six children. His father was a carpenter and thought perhaps Fig. 2: Significant contributions; top- Shell roof for Norcem and the Invisible Bridge; his son would also follow his footsteps. bottom-Condeep Platform and the Police Building Oslo

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xx208.indd208.indd 378378 22/24/70/24/70 5:36:205:36:20 PMPM in Norway. With their different person- a strong driving force behind the devel- alities and working styles the two men oping construction industry in Norway. rather complimented each other pro- Olav Olsen experienced a strong per- fessionally which contributed to the sonal and academic growth – after the good reputation of their design work. war up to the end of 1950’s. He became Following the war, reconstruction well known due to several large projects tasks and re-establishment of Norwe- and his doctorate degree gave him even gian industry increased the work load, stronger professional authority. which concentrated on their specialty Bridge engineers were often ahead – concrete shell structures. This led to a with innovative solutions and require- number of projects for the Norwegian ments. Aas-Jakobsen became one of Army which, together with NATO, Fig. 3: Shell roof; 30 × 168 m, Norway’s leading bridge consultancies, built aircraft hangars both in Norway height – 18 m, Norway introducing several cutting edge solu- and abroad. They designed an aircraft tions. Bridges like ‘Elgesaeter Bridge’ hangar that spanned 55 m with a shell (1951) in Trondheim and ‘Tromso- thickness of only 9 cm. broen’ (1960), were pioneer projects where new ideas were introduced, such Concrete Shell Structures as the segmental cantilever construc- tion method, Figs. 5a and 5b. Fredrik Just after the Second World War, Olav Selmer, a leading post-war contrac- Olsen started his doctorate studies – in tor, commented on Elgesaeter Bridge: his own field – concrete shell struc- “There is a lot of good advertising tures. This solution was used exten- in a beautiful bridge!” Bridge build- sively before and after the war. In a ing gave Olav Olsen new challenging period of low workmen’s salaries and tasks, which had an impact when in scarcity of materials, it was important 1962, at the age of 49, he started his to concentrate on solutions that took own Engineering Consulting Compa- these factors into account. However, ny – Dr Techn. Olav Olsen. the detailed calculations of the struc- tures were complicated and only a few engineers could fully understand the The Complete Engineer methods used. In 1964, Olav Olsen established his own Olav Olsen’s doctorate treated contin- premises at Lysaker. The company grew uous concrete shell structures. He once slowly but surely. By 1972, the same said: “Continuous and fixed shell struc- year as the first “Condeep Platform” tures occur in practice just as often as was sketched, it had 13 employees. The simply supported. Continuous shell Fig. 4: Olav Olsen at the construction site offshore projects resulted in a rapid structures have normally small spans, of a shell roof expansion and within three years, the consequently average forces are small consultancy had grown to 30 employ- and a complicated calculation should ees and a turnover of approximately therefore be avoided. The calculation The importance of concrete shell struc- 10 million Norwegian Kroner. As a of continuous shell structures should tures became apparent in 1957, when result of the growing business, a new preferably be equally simple as that an international conference was held in office was built in 1982. This remains for simply supported shells” (Figs. 3 Oslo on the subject. Approximately 200 the company’s head office till today. and 4). delegates from 20 different countries The consultancy became involved in Olav Olsen completed his doctorate attended the conference. Olav Olsen all kinds of projects within: Industrial during the spring of 1951 and could was one amongst several Norwegians developments, bridges, quays, buildings henceforth use the title, “Dr techn”. speakers – one who would soon become and large shell constructions, such as

(a)(b) Fig. 5: (a) Olav Olsen with a model of the Tromso Bridge (b) Tromso Bridge

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xx208.indd208.indd 379379 22/24/70/24/70 5:36:465:36:46 PMPM the Radionette Building in Sandvika condeep platforms based on his great first Condeep platform was placed in or Toyenbadet in Oslo. knowledge of shell constructions and the North Sea until the last – Heid- statics. He played an important role run, was delivered. Without elaborat- Personally, Olav Olsen was just an or- in relation to further development of ing too much in such a short summary, dinary man in contrast to his extraor- the platforms and execution of the it should be noted that the execution dinary abilities in the engineering field. projects. These projects gave him the of the Condeep platforms was an ex- As a person he was friendly, attentive, opportunity to show all aspects of his traordinary industrial adventure. These modest and quiet. He was always there great potential as a complete engineer. projects made Norway – a world leader for others. Employees, especially the The consultancy had concrete plat- in concrete offshore technology, and younger ones, often experienced his forms as their main source of income provided excellent advertising for the helpfulness on several occasions. He until way into the 1990’s. country’s engineering and construc- never used his skills or his intelligence tion industry. New solutions and prin- to promote himself. Professionally, The concrete platforms in the North Sea ciples for foundation construction however, he was quite an extraordinary will always represent some of the great- were developed through these projects man. His intelligence and mathemati- est structures created by Norwegian and the field of concrete technology cal skills, combined with a high level engineers. Various groups of engineers grew significantly. Troll, which was the of practical understanding made him shared their experiences and skills, first condeep platform built for water a leader in this field. His innovative continuously introducing innovative depths of 300 meter, is known to be the way of thinking never left him short of and technically challenging solutions most technologically advanced struc- ideas. There was no construction that on these projects. The development ture, Figs. 7, 8. The platform was towed was ever too difficult and that he was from the first Condeep-platforms up to to the field in spring 1995. not able to solve. All these attributes the later designs of Draugen, Troll and made him the complete engineer. He Heidrun exhibits Norwegian technical was always working on safe engineer- history like no other. Challenges were ing foundations and enjoyed inventing many and complex. The structures had new solutions. Olav Olsen always had to be able to withstand great impacts high expectations for the construction from waves and wind. They also had to of his projects. He relied on the designs have enough buoyancy and stability to he developed, and defended these en- hold the deck whilst being towed out gineering grounds. However, everyone to the field. respected this quiet engineer who knew The major parts of the structures were so much. Olav Olsen was also very fond to be built while in water before the of nature. He got his inspiration as well deck was fixed on the shafts. When as new energy from nature. Work was almost complete, the platform was Olav Olsen’s greatest passion. towed out to the field and positioned Fig. 7: Troll A platform As previously mentioned, Olav Olsen with great accuracy. This process was enjoyed creating new design solutions quite challenging for a relatively small and take advantage of his shell con- Norwegian engineering community. struction skills in relation to uncon- Olav Olsen was 59 years old when he ventional solutions. A great example got engaged in the development of the is probably one of his most innova- first Condeep projects, Fig. 6. His own tive solutions, “the Invisible Bridge”, consultancy was ten years old and had located on the highway north of Oslo about ten employees in the beginning over an extremely soft boggy area. of the 1970’s. The consultancy’s involve- Olav Olsen designed this 400 m long ment in offshore activities grew exten- and 35 m wide bridge on a load bear- sively and characterized the company’s ing system consisting of concrete piles development during the following two and customized concrete shells, each decades. The consultancy was respon- measuring 8 square meters, placed on sible for the design and engineering the piles just above ground level. The of most of the concrete platform proj- advantages were many: firstly, it re- ects. Twenty years passed since the sulted in a slab which was statically de- terminate where local settlement did not have significant consequences; and secondly, it led to reduced costs. The invisible “Stubberudmyra” bridge was completed in the year 1970.

Condeep Concrete Platforms The condeep concrete platforms in the North Sea became Olav Olsen’s biggest challenge and gave him a name within the industry. He performed basic anal- Fig. 6: Onboard a Condeep platform dur- Fig. 8: Troll A platform, 150 m above water ysis and technical calculations on the ing tow out (artist’s view)

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xx208.indd208.indd 380380 22/24/70/24/70 5:37:595:37:59 PMPM Skirt piling is probably the techni- marine concrete structures was already Olav Olsen left the management of his cal solution used offshore which best established, and would be developed business to his younger colleagues, but shows Olav Olsen’s innovative ap- further into new and exciting challeng- worked actively with technical solu- proach. In cooperation with ‘Norwe- es, and not only in the North Sea. tions. He came to the office daily until gian Contractors’, the company which two weeks before his death in 1988, at has constructed most of the concrete the age of 85. In 1996, his son, Tor Ole platforms, and ‘Norges Geotekniske Prizes and Awards Olsen, became managing director of Institutt’, a foundation solution for the consultancy, which still carries the a platform on deep water with poor Olav Olsen received numerous awards name of the founder. The transition to ground conditions was developed. The throughout his career in engineering. other fields of engineering consultancy solution was based on a tall Condeep In 1980 he was the first Norwegian was challenging, but the consultancy with tall concrete skirts that penetrat- to be rewarded the international FIP successfully achieved this, and is today ed the soft soil. After extensive tests, medal (Fédération Internationale de actively engaged in offshore and on- it was first adopted on the “Gullfaks la Précontrainte), for his significant shore projects around the world. This C-platform”. The Gullfaks C-platform contribution to the development of is largely due to the culture and atti- has also been suggested as one of the offshore concrete structures. In 1988, tudes that were established by Olav world’s seven modern wonders. he became an honorary member of Olsen personally. “Norsk Betongforening” (The Norwe- The Sleipner accident in 1991 shook gian Concrete Association). In 1994, Challenging tasks, independent work, the offshore industry. This, combined he was awarded the highly prestigious diversity of ideas and innovation are with other factors, led to a change in “Gustave Magnel”– medal in gold. The essential driving forces in a company- the North Sea concrete platform mar- medal is awarded to a structure and its as well as a leader who knows how to ket. When the platforms, ‘Troll’ and designer every fifth year. So far, only create an atmosphere where no task is ‘Heidrun’, were delivered in summer one Scandinavian structure and de- ever too hard. 1995, it was the end of the Condeep pe- signer has been awarded this medal. riod for Norwegian Contractors and for The consultancy has also been award- The Author has written several books Olav Olsen consultancy. But the expe- ed “Betongtavlen” for several projects, about Norwegian construction indus- rience and competence in the areas of including “Politihuset” in Oslo. try and a book on Olav Olsen.

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