Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering: 46th Karl Terzaghi Lecture

It is with great pleasure that we commemorate the ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering celebration of its 60th anniversary with the publication of the 46th Karl Terzaghi lecture by our dear colleague, Dr. Robert Holtz. Terzaghi lectures represent a great contribution to our profession and as educators and practitioners we use the information frequently not only in our research and practice but also in our teaching. It is well established that being a Terzaghi lecturer is one of the highest honors that a geotechnical engineer may achieve. While delivering the lecture is an event of outstanding significance, its publication provides the means to reach a wider audience and document a lasting legacy for generations to come.

In the lecture entitled “Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil: From the Experimental to the Familiar,” Professor Holtz provides a historical overview of the developmental progress of soil reinforcement approaches including the growing research activities and the current level of maturity. The lecture segues to focus on recent developments in the areas of reinforcing walls and slopes; Professor Holtz describes major computer codes and key research activities related to walls and slopes and how these are integrated into the codified state of practice on soil reinforcement. Professor Holtz discusses challenging issues related to the design and construction of reinforced earthwork including his perspective on “things we still need to know and do.” Professor Holtz concludes the lecture with a wide-ranging and thoughtful guidance on the future prospects of the reinforced soil technology.

Robert D. Holtz, Ph.D., PE, D.GE, is Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering at the University of Washington in Seattle (UW). He has degrees in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota and Northwestern University, and he attended the Special Program in Soil Mechanics at Harvard University. Before coming to UW in 1988, he was on the faculty at Purdue University (1973–1988) and California State University, Sacramento (1964–1966). In addition to experience with the California Department of Water Resources, Swedish Geotechnical Institute, and the National Research Council Canada, he has worked as a consulting engineer in Chicago, Paris, and Milan. His research and publications are mostly on geosynthetics, foundations, soil improvement, soil properties, and instrumentation, and his research has been sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Air Force, Indiana Department of Highways, Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington Technology Center, International Association of Foundation Drilling (ADSC), U.S. Department of Energy, and several private companies.

Professor Holtz has made enormous contributions to our profession on many fronts. He is author, coauthor, or editor of 26 books and book chapters, including An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering, 2nd Edition (with W. D. Kovacs and T.C. Sheahan, 2011). He is also author or coauthor of nearly 300 technical papers, discussions, reviews, and major reports. Professor Holtz has taught numerous short courses and given many presentations at seminars and conferences, both in the United States and abroad. He was the Cross Canada and 38th Ardaman lecturers in 1999 and the 9th Spencer J. Buchanan lecturer (2001), and he held the J. S. Braun/Braun Intertec Visiting Professorship at the University of Minnesota in 2002. He gave the 8th R. L. Schiffman ‘44 Lecture (2003), the 3rd G. A. Leonards lecturer in 2005, the Stanley D. Wilson Memorial lecturer in 2007, and in 2008 he presented the H. R. Berg and the Lymon C. Reese Lectures. In 2008, he was named the Puget Sound Academic Engineer of the Year by the Puget Sound Engineering Council. In 2009, he gave the Osterberg Geomechanics Lecture, and in 2010 he was the 46th Karl Terzaghi lecturer. He also has given the Terzaghi Lecture in Brazil, China, Canada, Australia (in seven cities, sponsored by the AGS), and at many U.S. venues. He was the first Cross-USA lecturer of the Geo-Institute, 2011–2012. He has given the M. S. Kersten Lecture twice (1989 and 2012), the third Victor Milligan Lecture in 2010, the first Anwar Wissa Memorial Lecture in 2011, and the 10th Kenneth L. Lee Memorial Lecture in 2014.

Throughout his academic career, Professor Holtz has had an active consulting practice. His projects have involved various aspects of geosynthetics, soil properties, foundations and retaining structures, soil reinforcing, soil improvement, properties and containment of nuclear wastes, slope stability and landslides, investigation of failures, and acting as an expert witness. His clients have included federal, state, and local public agencies, civil and geotechnical engineering consultants and contractors, attorneys, and manufacturers, both in North America and overseas.

Professor Holtz is a Fellow, Life, and Distinguished Member of ASCE, was president of the Geo-Institute of ASCE in 2000–2001, and currently serves as international secretary for the Geo-Institute. He is a member emeritus of the Transportation Research Board Committee on Soil and Rock Properties, a past president of the North American Geosynthetics Society, and a member of several other professional and technical organizations. Professor Holtz is a registered engineer in California and Indiana, and he is a diplomate of the Academy of Geo-Professionals.