Zhang Guangdou, a native of Changshu, Jiangsu Province, is an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Zhang graduated from the Civil Engineering College of Shanghai Jiaotong University in 1935 and received master's degrees from Harvard University USA and the University of California in 1936.

Zhang spent his career as a professor at Tsinghua University. For many years, his research focused on water conservancy and hydroelectric engineering. Zhang is regarded to have established the hydrotechnics in China and edited the text book "Hydrotechnical Construction" and several monographs. He also wrote the hydraulics test and research reports on Xin'anjiang Hydroplant and Fengman Hydroplant, test reports on Xianghongdian arch dam and Xiliu River arch dam, and theses on new dam types - arch-abdomen dam, geomechanics model of arch dam abutment and antiseismic research on arch dams.

 

Zhang supervised the designing of inlet gate of People Victory Dyke, Miyun Reservoir and Yuzixi Hydroplant. He also participated in the planning and designing of various water conservancy projects on the Yellow and Yangtze rivers, such as the Gezhouba project, Sanmenxia projects, Danjiangkou project, Xiaolangdi project, Ertan project and Three Gorges Project.