Staying at Cambridge as a fellow of Emmanuel College[1] he completed his doctorate following work on soil deformation models.
[2] In 1974 he set up his own consultancy and worked from his home in Hertfordshire, writing more than 40 technical papers to supplement his income.
He was asked by the oil and gas extraction industries to advise upon offshore platforms damaged by wave fatigue and collisions.
Hambly had a keen interest in the provision of better social housing and encouraging community spirit as well as a quaker upbringing, he united these beliefs in his service as a trustee to the Bournville Village Trust between 1979 and 1988.
A prize in his honour is awarded annually by the Institution of Civil Engineers for contributions to sustainability in the industry.