The Rock Mechanics Award

The Rock Mechanics Award is awarded to recognize distinguished contributions toward the advancement of rock mechanics. This award shall be given for distinguished contributions to the advancement of the field of rock mechanics and is open to all regardless of age, nationality, SME membership, or professional field. The award shall consist of a suitable plaque containing a citation of the service or achievement upon which the award is based.

Not more than one award shall be made each year. An achievement in rock mechanics by a team of two or more may be recognized in manner designated by the Award Committee. If in any year the Committee of award shall not find a nominee whose contribution merits the award, or if the available funds are not sufficient to merit the costs of an award, it may recommend that no award be made.

  • 2023 - Matthew E. Pierce
  • 2022 - Zacharias G. Agioutantis
  • 2021 - Peter K. Kaiser
  • 2020 - Keith A. Heasley
  • 2019 - Erik C. Westman
  • 2018 - Gabriel S. Esterhuizen
  • 2017 - Bruce K Hebblewhite
  • 2016 - Loren J. Lorig
  • 2015 - Ian Farmer
  • 2014 - Dr. Hamid N. Maleki
  • 2013 - Not given
  • 2012 - Mark Board
  • 2011 - Madan Singh
  • 2010 - Not given
  • 2009 - Edwin T. (Ted) Brown
  • 2008 - Yoginder P. Chugh
  • 2007 - John G. Abel, Jr.
  • 2006 - Peter Stacey
  • 2005 - Francis S. Kendorski
  • 2004 - Frank L. Gaddy
  • 2003 - Christopher Mark
  • 2002 - Peter A. Cundall
  • 2001 - Louis A. Panek
  • 2000 - Christopher Haycocks
  • 1999 - Not given
  • 1998 - Not given
  • 1997 - John J. Reed
  • 1996 - Bezalel C. Haimson
  • 1995 - Brian T. Brady
  • 1994 - Michael Karmis
  • 1993 - David A. Summers
  • 1992 - J. F. T. Agapito
  • 1991 - Steven L. Crouch
  • 1990 - William G. Pariseau
  • 1989 - Don U. Deere
  • 1988 - Arthur H. Wilson
  • 1987 - Syd S. Peng
  • 1986 - Fred D. Wright
  • 1985 - H. Douglas Dahl
  • 1984 - Z. T. Bieniawski
  • 1983 - M. D. G. Salamon
  • 1982 - James J. Scott
  • 1981 - Jack Parker
  • 1980 - Charles T. Holland
  • 1979 - Thomas A. Lang
  • 1978 - Donald F. Coates
  • 1977 - Walter Wittke
  • 1976 - Richard E. Goodman
  • 1975 - Evert Hoek
  • 1974 - Manuel Rocha
  • 1973 - William F. Brace
  • 1972 - Charles Fairhurst
  • 1971 - Leopold Muller
  • 1970 - John W. Handin
  • 1969 - Neville G. W. Cook
  • 1969 - John C. Jeager
  • 1968 - Wilbur I. Duvall
  • 1968 - Leonard Obert

For more information, please contact SME at awards@smenet.org.