Albert F. Shields

Albert Frank Shields (June 26, 1908 – July 1, 1974)[1] [2] was an American mechanical engineer who is best known for his derivation of the formula for determining the beginning of movement of sand and gravel in currents (incipient motion).

He then received a scholarship from the Deutschen Akademischen Austauschdienst and studied in Germany at the Preussische Versuchsanstalt für Wasserbau und Schiffbau (Prussian Research Institute for Water and Shipbuilding); PVWS).

His intention was to get his PhD there on a subject in shipbuilding (the TH Berlin was at that time leading in this area).

As Shields did not have any extra money, this was not possible (in addition, the value of his grant was significantly reduced due to the massive inflation).

The only option offered to him was to continue research into the stability of bed material in watercourses (Geschiebebewegung).

This investigation was initiated by Franz Eisner, who had committed suicide in 1933 because he had been expelled from his position by the Nazis.

Shields continued to work on the investigation that had been initiated before him by Hans Kramer and Hugh John Casey (both also American bursals in Germany).

These results are an important basis of current knowledge in the field of sediment transport.

Corrugated Paper Machinery Co., Inc.[6] in Brooklyn near New York, where he worked briefly before leaving for Germany.

[2] During his stay in Berlin, Shields also had contact with Hunter Rouse who made a trip through Europe during that period.

By 1940, the concept of bed stability of Shields was widely known in hydraulic circles in the United States.

Rouse happened to find his name at a convention (on mechanical engineering) later in 1939 and found his address.