The Grainger College of Engineering

Frank E. Richart Jr.

Frank E. Richart Jr.
Frank E. Richart Jr.
To Frank E. Richart Jr., engineering educator, researcher, and distinguished engineer, for his significant contributions to the understanding of the behavior of soils and foundations when subjected to dynamic loading.

Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • BS, Mechanical Engineering, 1940
  • MS, Civil Engineering, 1946
  • PhD, Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, 1948

After being a member of the faculty at Harvard University for four years, Professor Richart joined the University of Florida in 1952 as an associate professor of civil engineering. In 1962 he became chairman of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Michigan. He relinquished the chairmanship in 1969, but continues as the head of the geotechnical engineering group in the department.

Dr. Richart has carried on an extensive program of research in geotechnical engineering, with specialization in the area of dynamic properties of earth materials. He has many publications to his credit and his text Vibrations of Soils and Foundations, co-authored with two of his former students, is recognized as the authoritative treatment of the subject.

He has been winner or co-winner of six national awards for his technical papers in soil mechanics and foundation engineering, in addition to many other awards. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and was granted an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the University of Florida.

Current as of 1975.