2026 Reese Distinguished Lecture

The UT Geotechnical group is pleased to announce that J. Carlos Santamarina, Professor and Clough Chair at the Georgia Institute of Technology, will be delivering the 2026 Lymon C. Reese Distinguished Lecture entitled “Building on Insight: The Enduring Legacy of Lymon C. Reese.”

The lecture will be preceded by a Geotechnical Industry Career Expo and followed by a reception that evening. The Reese Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on the following day.

Abstract

Building on Insight: The Enduring Legacy of Lymon C. Reese

Lymon Reese’s seminal contributions, documented through his research papers and the two classical FHWA manuals, have established a foundational body of knowledge that continues to shape geotechnical engineering practice today. This presentation revisits key aspects of his work and explores their enduring impact in our field and beyond, with a focus on: drilling muds (weight, invasion, filter cake, and sensing muds); offshore foundations (sediment properties, characterization, and observation); sediment response to repetitive loading (mechanical, thermal, and moisture cycles); load distribution and downdrag effects; non-destructive evaluation of deep foundations; corrosion; and grouting techniques, including annular and internal repair applications. Together, these topics highlight Reese’s lasting influence on both research and engineering practice.