Kenneth Stokoe

Kenneth Stokoe, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin's Cockrell School of Engineering, has devoted over 50 years to geotechnical engineering. He received his B.S. in 1966 and M.S. in 1967 from The University of Texas at Austin, and his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University of Michigan. A leading authority in seismic measurements, dynamic material properties, soil-structure interaction, soil dynamics, and geotechnical earthquake engineering, Stokoe pioneered the crosshole seismic method, now an ASTM standard, and developed the Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves (SASW) method and the combined resonant column and torsional shear (RCTS) system for dynamic properties evaluation. His innovations advanced seismic testing of pavements and geotechnical systems. Stokoe performed extensive research for the U.S. Department of Energy at nuclear facilities and directed NSF-funded initiatives, including large-scale mobile shakers T-Rex and Liquidator for dynamic loading, employed by more than 30 institutions worldwide. As principal investigator of NHERI@UTexas, he advances subsurface imaging, soil characterization, and structural evaluation to bolster infrastructure against earthquakes, hurricanes, and storms. Having supervised over 50 Ph.D. students, he retires in 2026 after profoundly influencing the field.

Stokoe's achievements include election to the National Academy of Engineering in 1997, induction into the CAEE Academy of Distinguished Alumni in 2024, ASCE Distinguished Member in 2016, the Karl Terzaghi Lecture and H. Bolton Seed Medal from ASCE, Harold Mooney Award from the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Frank Frischknecht Award from the Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society, and C.A. Hogentogler Award from ASTM. His work on soil nonlinearity, liquefaction, and resilient design continues to shape global geotechnical practices.

Professional Email: k.stokoe@mail.utexas.edu