The Translation Award in natural sciences, from other languages into Arabic is jointly awarded to Dr. Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Muhaidib (from Saudi Arabia) for his translation, from English into Arabic, of the book: Geotechnical Engineering: Soil Mechanics for John N. Cernica which presents a detailed study of the physical properties of soil and their effects on soil resistance to loads and soil stability. The book analyzes soil mechanics in a clear style and presents a number of practical and legal applications necessary for safe constructions. It also discusses, in detail, the fundamentals of understanding soil properties.

Translating such a book into Arabic is very much needed for educational purposed; it is a basic reference for students of civil engineering and offers valuable scientific information presented by an expert the field, someone who complements scientific with practical experience. In addition, the translation of this book contributes significantly to the transfer into Arabic of considerable amount of scientific terminology in the field of civil engineering.