International Eurasian Academy of Sciences, IEAS

Fellow

Ragnar Sigbjörnsson

Profile:

Professor Ragnar Sigbjörnsson (1944–2015) , elected an Academician of the IEAS UK Centre in 2005, was a distinguished Icelandic engineer and seismologist. He served as Professor of Applied Mechanics and Earthquake Engineering at the University of Iceland, where he founded the Earthquake Engineering Research Centre (2000) and established the Icelandic Strong Motion Network (1986). His research bridged stochastic modelling of environmental loads with engineering applications, significantly advancing seismic hazard assessment and structural safety.

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Detailed Biography
Professor Sigbjörnsson earned his PhD from the Technical University of Denmark in 1974. He began his career at SINTEF / the Norwegian Institute of Technology, contributing to the development of safe offshore structures and long‑span suspension bridges. Returning to Iceland in 1979, he became a leader in engineering research, directing the Engineering Research Institute (1983–1990). His pioneering work on earthquake hazard and risk estimation included active collaboration with Professor Ambraseys at Imperial College and participation in the EU project UPStrat‑MAFA. A popular teacher and mentor, he profoundly influenced generations of engineers and researchers in Iceland and abroad. He is remembered for his intellectual openness, interdisciplinary vision, and exceptional generosity in sharing knowledge.