James A. Maple Memorial - Fairbanks, Alaska
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 64° 55.766 W 147° 37.727
6W E 470270 N 7200737
Memorial honoring pipeline engineer at the Trans Alaska Pipeline visitors center north of Fairbanks, Alaska.
Waymark Code: WMB8YD
Location: Alaska, United States
Date Posted: 04/20/2011
Views: 14
Text of memorial:
James A. Maple
P.E. Arctic Pipeline Pioneer
1937 - 2001
Dr. Maple was a structural engineer and principal designer of the trans-Alaska pipeline. He holds three patents for his development of innovative pipe supports that enabled the warm oil pipeline to safely traverse areas of permafrost. He pioneered the use of sophisticated structural analysis for pipelines, now used on arctic pipelines worldwide. A graduate of Purdue University, he was a major contributor not only during design and construction but also continued to provide engineering expertise for the pipeline until his death in 2001.
In recognition of his contributions to the engineering of arctic pipelines, Dr. Maple was awarded the prestigious Harold R. Peyton Award for Cold Regions Engineering by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2001. The award was named by Dr. Peyton, another key pipeline designer, who unfortunately died just before the pipeline was commissioned in 1977.
Dedicated August 1, 2002 in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the opening of the trans-Alaska Pipeline.