A life dedicated to science: on the occasion of the 70th birthday of Editor-in-Chief Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas.

Kacianauskas, Rimantas ; Kaklauskas, Arturas ; Skibniewski, Miroslaw J. 等

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Introduction

Born on the 12 May 1944, Professor Academician Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, celebrates his 70th birthday.

Professor E. K. Zavadskas, Member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, winner of the Lithuanian Science Award in Technical Sciences (awarded in 1996 and 2004) is a reputed scholar with many years of editorial experience. He is the founder of the Journal and has been serving in the position of the editor-in-chief from the beginning of the Journal publishing in 1995, i.e. this is his twentieth year. During this period of hard work and due to enormous efforts of the Editor-in-Chief, the Journal has achieved remarkable results: it has become abstracted/indexed by several international databases; it has obtained the Impact Factor, the number of submissions as well as publishing frequency increased, and its internationalization and visibility expanded in the international academic world.

On the occasion of Editor's jubilee, editorial staff of the Journal wants to dedicate this short overview of his biography and especially--his research activities in the field of civil engineering.

1. On the way to science heights

Born in Vilnius, Lithuania, and having been deported with his parents to Siberia during the Soviet times, E. K. Zavadskas returned to his motherland. Having suffered political exile, E. K. Zavadskas persistently aspired to obtain knowledge and education. Having overcome many political and everyday life obstacles, he finally became a civil engineer (first degree in Construction Engineering in 1967). His career started at a laboratory of Vilnius Branch of Kaunas Polytechnic Institute (now Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, VGTU) in 1968. After two years of work there, he took a postgraduate degree study course in building structures.

In 1968, E. K. Zavadskas became an assistant; in 1974--lecturer; in 1977--associate professor; and in 1988--a professor. In 1990, Professor E. K. Zavadskas became Rector of Vilnius Civil Engineering Institute (VISI). He successfully reorganized the Institute to Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) and became its Rector for the period of 1996-2002. In 2002-2011, he was Vice-Rector of VGTU.

1986-1990 and since 2001 till now, Professor E. K. Zavadskas has been Head of the Department of Construction Technology and Management, VGTU.

2. The evolution of scientific thought

2.1. Earlier activities as a young researcher

During the earlier period of research in 1969-1972, E. K. Zavadskas mainly focused on doctoral studies in the field of the actual problem of structural engineering for improving concrete and reinforced concrete and gluing of concrete elements. These research efforts resulted in his doctoral thesis, which was successfully defended in 1973.

When preparing the thesis, a young researcher proved to be a true inventor, able to mastered innovative research and data processing methods. Already at this stage, the characteristic feature of the scientist was revealed in published scientific papers. Main publications of the period comprise: Kamaitis et al. (1969, 1971, 1972), Kamaitis and Zavadskas (1970), Zavadskas and Kamaitis (1973), Zavadskas et al. (1974).

2.2. Optimization of decisions in construction

"At some point, the question has to be asked: Has the former eastern European countries anything of value to offer in this field? Are they ahead of the West? On the evidence of this book (i.e. Zavadskas et al. 1994) the answer is clearly big YES. ... Lithuania at least has made great strides. ... The spectacular developments in practice in this field as described in the book offer a golden opportunity to those in the West committed to a more participative, socially orientated approach to construction project decisions, and to which multicriteria evaluation is eminently suited" (Skitmore, Kozan 1997).

E. K. Zavadskas started working at the Building Technology Department of Vilnius Civil Engineering Institute (at present--Vilnius Gediminas Technical University) in 1973. Resuming his previous research on polymeric materials, he expanded his research field by including technology problems, closely connected with monolithic concrete. For the analysis of building construction methods, he applied modern calculation techniques and, finally, concentrated on design of automated construction technology process. This provided him with possibilities of finding essential new directions in optimization of technological decisions.

As a result, many research papers and other scholarly works have been published in the area. In 1987, E. K. Zavadskas defended his Dr. Sc. Dissertation "Multiattribute Decision Making in Construction" (Zavadskas 1987a). The list of publications consisted of 193 sources, including a monograph, a dozen of textbooks and manuals and numerous scholarly papers.

Results achieved during his fourteen years of work were summarized in Zavadskas (1987b) and Zavadskas (1991).

Since 1987, E. K. Zavadskas continued his research in optimizing constructions, technologies and organisations. At first, a selection of decision-making solutions dominated in his research. He developed some elements of rational decisions theory. Multiple criteria decision-making methods were applied for solution of different construction tasks. These methods were used for development of decision support systems. Later, Zavadskas and his team developed new methods and software for performing multiple criteria analysis. The methods were applied in such areas as building life cycle, quality control of construction projects, sustainable development in civil engineering, etc. Many journal papers have been published.

The achievements have been summarized in a number of individual monographs or in collaboration with colleagues (Zavadskas 1991, 2000; Zavadskas et al. 1994, 1995, 1999, 2001a, 2004; Zavadskas, Kaklauskas 1996, 2007; Peldschus, Zavadskas 1997; Kaklauskas, Zavadskas 2002, 2010, 2012, 2013; Ustinovi?ius, Za vadskas 2004).

The number of textbooks for teaching purposes have also been published (Kriukelis et al. 1981; Zavadskas et al. 2000, 2001b, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009; Ustinovi?ius et al. 2006; Kaklauskas et al. 2012b).

3. Latest achievements

3.1. Published research papers

Professor E. K. Zavadskas continuously develops new and researches existing multiple criteria decision-making methods as well as their application in civil engineering. The main results in civil engineering have been published in highly ranked international journals, entering the first and the second quartile (Q1, Q2) in "Engineering, Civil" category of the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Knowledge Journal Citation Reports.

During the last ten years, the number of highly ranked publications in civil engineering, grouped according to publishers and journals, is as follows:

--Elsevier--27 papers, including:

--Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering (9 papers),

--Automation in Construction (4 papers),

--Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence (4 papers),

--Energy and Buildings (4 papers),

--Expert Systems with Applications (4 papers),

--Building and Environment (2 papers);

--Taylor & Francis--9 papers (Journal of Civil Engineering and Management);

--Vilnius Gediminas Technical University "Technika"

--5 papers (Baltic Journal of Road and Bridge Engineering);

--Willey--Blackwell (Computer Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, 1 paper),

--IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems (1 paper).

The above mentioned papers are available on the Web; detailed references for every paper in a ten years period are not provided.

Some of the most important publications in civil engineering produced during last two years deserve to be mentioned individually, i.e. Zavadskas et al. (2012a, b, 2013), Fouladgar et al. (2012), Peldschus and Zavadskas (2012); Kaklauskas et al. (2012a), Skibniewski and Zavadskas (2013), Turskis et al. (2013), Staniunas et al. (2013), Yazdani-Chamzini et al. (2013).

Scholarly papers produced by Professor Zavadskas are of great interest to the scientific community and are highly cited by other researchers. E. K. Zavadskas is placed on the preliminary list of Highly Cited Researchers (http://community.thomsonreuters.com/t5/InCitesCustomer-Forum/ Preliminary-publication-of-new-lists-of-Highly-Cited-Researchers/td-p/36685), which is established by the Centre for World-Class Universities in Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Thomson Reuters.

3.2. Supervised dissertations

Prof. Zavadskas started supervising PhD students after defending his Dr. Sc. dissertation. During the period 1987-2014, he prepared 34 Candidates of Technical Sciences (T. M. K., before 1992) or Doctors of Philosophy (PhD since 1993), including 31 in Civil Engineering, also 2 in Engineering Informatics and 1 in Social Sciences.

It should be mentioned that four of them became Full Professors. These esteemed Professors as well as some Associated Professors, formerly supervised by Prof. Zavadskas, have already had the privilege of supervising PhD students. The second level of the scientific school of Academician Professor Zavadskas consists of 27 PhDs. Still, there has been the third level of the scientific school and one PhD Thesis was defended in 2012.

The scientific school involves researchers not only from Lithuania, but also from Denmark, Germany, Belarus and the United Kingdom.

Three levels of the scientific school of Professor Zavadskas are presented in Figure 1, as the study conducted by Tamosaitiene (2014) suggests.

[FIGURE 1 OMITTED]

3.3. Honorary titles, awards

The main Honorary titles, membership of the Academies of Sciences, awards and official appreciations for research and social activities of Professor Academician Zavadskas are listed below:

--Selected into the list of Highly Cited Researchers, Thomson Reuters, 2014;

--Honorary Professor of the National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan, 2012;

--Full member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, 2011;

--Honorary doctor (Computer Science), Herzen University (St. Petersburg, Russia), 2003;

--Honorary doctor (Civil Engineering), National Aviation University (Kiev, Ukraine), 2003; Honorary doctor (Civil Engineering), Poznan Technological University, 2001;

--Foreign member (academician) of the Russian Academy of Engineering, 2001; Corresponding Member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, 1993-2011;

--Expert member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, 1991-1993;

--Foreign member of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences, 1996;

--Award of Honour of the Lithuanian Association of Civil Engineers, 2010;

--Award of Honour for the Builder of Lithuania, the Lithuanian Construction Association, 2007;

--Lithuanian Science Award for research achievements in Technical Sciences, 2004;

--Award of the Parliamentary Assembly of Lithuania and Poland, 2004;

--Lithuanian Science Award for research achievements in Technical Sciences, 1996;

--the 4 Class Medal of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas, 1996.

doi: 10.3846/13923730.2014.925276

References

Fouladgar, M. M.; Yazdani-Chamzini, A.; Zavadskas, E. K. 2012. Risk evaluation of tunnelling projects, Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering 12(1): 1-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.acme.2012.03.008

Yazdani-Chamzini, A.; Razani, M.; Yakhchali, S. H.; Zavadskas, E. K.; Turskis, Z. 2013. Developing a fuzzy model based on subtractive clustering for road header performance prediction, Automation in Construction 35: 111-120. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.04.001

Kaklauskas, A.; Rute, J.; Zavadskas, E. K.; Dani?nas, A.; Pruskus, V.; Bivainis, J.; Gudauskas, R.; Plakys, V. 2012a. Passive house model for quantitative and qualitative analyses and its intelligent system, Energy and Buildings 50: 7-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2012.03.008

Kaklauskas, A.; Zavadskas, E. K. 2002. Internet decision support. Vilnius: Technika. 292 p. (in Lithuanian).

Kaklauskas, A.; Zavadskas, E. K. 2010. Intelligent and biometric decision support. Vilnius: Technika. 372 p. (in Lithuanian).

Kaklauskas, A.; Zavadskas, E. K. 2012. Biometric and intelligent decision support. Vilnius: Technika. 343 p. (in Russian).

Kaklauskas, A.; Zavadskas, E. K. 2013. Biometric and intelligent decision support. 2nd supplemented edition. Vilnius: Technika. 411 p. (in Russian).

Kaklauskas, A.; Zavadskas, E. K.; Bradauskiene, D.; Dargis, R. 2012b. Sustainable real estate development. Vilnius: Technika. 879 p. (in Lithuanian).

Kamaitis, Z.; Kuzmickas, A.; Zavadskas, E. K. 1971. On the strength and deformability of polymer compositions on the basis LCS-1 binder at different temperature and humidity effects, Beton i Zelezobeton (Concrete Structures) 4: 107-122 (in Russian).

Kamaitis, Z.; Vaitkevicius, V.; Zavadskas, E. K. 1969. Strength and deformability of ICAS and LCS resins based polymer concrete, Beton i Zelezobeton (Concrete Structures) 2: 113-120 (in Russian).

Kamaitis, Z.; Vaitkevicius, V.; Zavadskas, E. K.; Jarusevicius, K. 1972. Polymer concretes based on compositions of indene coumarone copolymer resin, Beton i Zelezobeton (Concrete Structures) 1: 25-26 (in Russian).

Kamaitis, Z.; Zavadskas, E. K. 1970. The possibility of using ICAS-1 and ICAS-3 resins for gluing of concrete, Beton i Zelezobeton (Concrete Structures) 3: 35-51 (in Russian).

Kriukelis, V.; Krusinskas, V.; Midvikis, D.; Nakas, H.; Zavadskas, E. K. 1981. Construction process technology. Vilnius: Mokslas. 447 p. (in Lithuanian).

Peldschus, F.; Zavadskas, E. K. 1997. Matrix games in construction technology and management. Vilnius: Technika. 140 p. (in Lithuanian).

Peldschus, F.; Zavadskas, E. K. 2012. Equilibrium approaches for construction processes--multi-objective decision making for construction projects, Bauingenieur 87(5): 210215.

Skibniewski, M. J.; Zavadskas, E. K. 2013. Technology development in construction: a continuum from distant past into the future, Journal of Civil Engineering and Management 19(1): 136-147. http://dx.doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2012.756060

Skitmore, M.; Kozan, E. 1997. Book reviews, Construction Management and Economics 15(2): 215-217. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01446199700000009

Staniunas, M.; Medineckiene, M.; Zavadskas, E. K.; Kalibatas, D. 2013. To modernize or not: ecological-economical assessment of multi-dwelling houses modernization, Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering 13(1): 88-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.acme.2012.11.003

Tamosaitiene, J. 2014. Scientific school of Academician of Lithuanian Academy of Sciences Prof. Dr. Habil. Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas, in A. Liekis (Ed.). Years of extraordinary days. Academician Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas. Vilnius: Technika, 19-41 (in Lithuanian).

Turskis, Z.; Zavadskas, E. K.; Kutut, V. 2013. Model based on ARAS-G and AHP methods for multiple criteria prioritizing of heritage value, International Journal of Information Technology & Decision Making 12(1): 45-73. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/S021962201350003X

Ustinovicius, L.; Migilinskas, D.; Miksta, P.; Zavadskas, E. K.; inaso icz, . 2006. Construction planning and scheduling: Course No. 2. Vilnius: Technika. 104 p. (in Lithuanian).

Ustinovicius, L.; Zavadskas, E. K. 2004. Assessment of investment profitability in construction from technological perspectives. Vilnius: Technika. 220 p. (in Lithuanian).

Zavadskas E. K.; Kaklauskas, A. 1996. Multiple criteria evaluation of buildings. Vilnius: Technika. 280 p. (in Lithuanian).

Zavadskas E. K.; Simanauskas, A.; Kaklauskas, A. 1999. Decision support systems in construction. Vilnius: Technika. 236 p. (in Lithuanian).

Zavadskas, E. K. 1987a. Multiattribute decision making in construction: Dr. Sc. Dissertation. Moscow: Institute of Civil Engineering. 720 p. (in Russian).

Zavadskas, E. K. 1987b. Complex estimation and choice of resource-saving decisions in construction. ilnius: okslas. 210 p. (in Russian).

Zavadskas, E. K. 1991. System of estimation of technological solutions in building construction. Leningrad: Stroizdat. 256 p. (in Russian).

Zavadskas, E. K. 2000. Mehrkriterielle Entscheidungen im Bauwesen. Vilnius: Technika. 207 p. (in German).

Zavadskas, E. K.; Kaklauskas, A. 2007. Mehrzielselektion fur Entscheidungen im Bauwesen. Stuttgart: IRB Verlag. 276 p. (in German).

Zavadskas, E. K.; Kaklauskas, A.; Banaitene, N. 2001a. Multiple criteria analysis of a building's life cycle. Vilnius: Technika. 335 p. (in Lithuanian).

Zavadskas, E. K.; Kamaitis, Z. 1973. Strength, durability and the creep of glued connections of concrete under compression, Beton i Zelezobeton (Concrete Structures) 5: 185-197 (in Russian).

Zavadskas, E. K.; Kamaitis, Z.; Kudzys, A. 1974. Study of prestress losses in composite laminated timber elements, Beton i Zelezobeton (Concrete Structures) 6: 115-124 (in Russian).

Zavadskas, E. K.; Kaplinski, O. A.; Brzezinski, J. 1995. Expert systems in construction industry. Trends, potetial and application. Vilnius: Technika. 175 p.

Zavadskas, E. K.; Karablikovas, A.; Kriukelis, V.; Nakas, H.; Sakalauskas, R.; Simkus, J. R. 2000. Buildings construction technology. Vilnius: Alma Littera. 262 p. (in Lithuanian).

Zavadskas, E. K.; Karablikovas, A.; Kriukelis, V.; Nakas, H.; Sakalauskas, . 2007. Buildings construction technology. 2nd supplemented and revised edition. Vilnius: Technika. 342 p. (in Lithuanian).

Zavadskas, E. K.; Karablikovas, A.; Malinauskas, P.; Miksta, P.; Nakas, H.; Sakalauskas, R. 2006. Construction process technology. Vilnius: Technika. 548 p. (in Lithuanian).

Zavadskas, E. K.; Karablikovas, A.; Marciukaitis, G.; Malinauskas, P.; Miksta, P.; Nakas, H.; Sakalauskas, R. 2008. Construction process technology. 2nd supplemented and revised edition. Vilnius: Technika. 573 p. (in Lithuanian).

Zavadskas, E. K.; Miksta, P.; Sakalauskas, R.; Simkus, J. R. 2001b. Construction organization. Vilnius: I? Petro ofsetas. 197 p. (in Lithuanian).

Zavadskas, E. K.; Miksta, P.; Sakalauskas, R.; Simkus, J. R.; Ustinovicius, L. 2009. Construction organization. 2nd supplemented and revised edition. Vilnius: Technika. 270 p. (in Lithuanian).

Zavadskas, E. K.; Peldschus, F.; Kaklauskas, A. 1994. Multiple criteria evaluation of projects in construction. Vilnius: Technika. 226 p.

Zavadskas, E. K.; Peldschus, F.; Ustinovicius, L.; Turskis, Z. 2004. Game theory in building technology and management. Vilnius: Technika. 196 p. (in Lithuanian).

Zavadskas, E. K.; Susinskas, S.; Daniunas, A.; Turskis, Z.; Sivilevicius, H. 2012a. Multiple criteria selection of pilecolumn construction technology, Journal of Civil Engineering and Management 18(6): 834-842. http://dx.doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2012.744537

Zavadskas, E. K.; Turskis, Z.; Volvaciovas, R.; Kildiene, S. 2013. Multi-criteria assessment model of technologies, Studies in Informatics and Control 22(4): 249-258.

Zavadskas, E. K.; Vainiunas, P.; Turskis, Z.; Tamosaitiene, J. 2012b. Multiple criteria decision support system for assessment of projects managers in construction, International Journal of Information Technology & Decision Making 11(2): 501-520. http://dx.doi.org/10T 142/S0219622012400135

Rimantas KACIANAUSKAS (a,b), Arturas KAKLAUSKAS (a,b), Miroslaw J. SKIBNIEWSKI (c), Gintaris KAKLAUSKAS (a,b), Jurgita ANTUCHEVICIENE (b), Laura TUPENAITE (b)

(a) Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, Gedimino pr. 3, 01103 Vilnius, Lithuania

(b) Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saul?tekio al. 11, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania

(c) University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-3021, USA

Corresponding author: Jurgita Antucheviciene

E-mail: jurgita.antucheviciene@vgtu.lt

Table 1. Published and cited papers in ISI Web of Science
database (assessed on the 1st of May, 2014)

Results                      All     From the category
                            items   "Engineering, Civil"

Published papers             238            141
Number of the Times Cited   3493            2098
h-index                      36              26