Osterberg Memorial Lecture
The annual Osterberg Memorial Lecture and Award was established by DFI Corporate Member Loadtest, in conjunction with the DFI Educational Trust, in honor of Dr. Jorj O. Osterberg, one of the true pioneers of geotechnical engineering. The Lecture and Award recognize innovations in the deep foundations construction related to engineering design, testing or education – all aspects of Dr. Osterberg’s lifelong contributions.
Dr. Jorj O. Osterberg
Dr. Osterberg has long been recognized for his innovations in soil sampling and testing (including his inventions: the Osterberg Sampler and the Osterberg Cell). Dr. Osterberg enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a teacher and consultant; he was Professor Emeritus of civil engineering, at Northwestern University.
The lecture is presented annually at the SuperPile conference or every third year at the International Foundations Conference & Equipment Expo (IFCEE). DFI provides an annual donation to the DFI Educational Trust General Fund from the proceeds of these conferences.
Osterberg Lecturers and Award Recipients
| 2024 | |
| John Wolosick, P.E., BC.GE | Proposed Modified Davisson Criteria to Evaluate the Ultimate and Safe Service Loads for Micropiles |
| 2023 | |
| Paul W. Mayne, Ph.D., P.E. | Application of Seismic Piezocone Soundings to Bi-Directional Load Test Response |
| 2022 | |
| Harry Poulos | Foundations for Tall Buildings – Design and Risk Reduction |
| 2020-2021 | |
| Erik Loehr, Ph.D., P.E. | The Considerable Benefits of Bi-directional Loading |
| 2019 | |
| Samuel Paikowsky, Ph.D. | Capacity Testing of Deep Foundations: Successes and Pitfalls |
| 2018 | |
| John A. (Jack) Hayes, P. Eng., D.I.C. | High-Capacity Load Testing |
| 2017 | |
| Richard J. Finno, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE | Lessons (Re)Learned from Geotechnical Failures |
| 2016 | |
| David K. Crapps, Ph.D., P.E. | Lessons Learned from Dr. Jorj O. Osterberg and His Inventions |
| 2015 | |
| Frank Rausche | Load Testing of Deep Foundations: Developments, Applications, Results |
| 2014 | |
| Dr. Kyle Rollins | Deep Foundation Behavior in Liquefied Sands From Blast Liquefaction Testing |
| 2013 | |
| Jean-Louis Briaud | Impact Load Tests for Embassy Protection Against Terrorists |
| 2012 | |
| Dr. Dan Brown | Experiences with the Osterberg Cell Load Testing Method |
| 2011 | |
| Dr. John H. Schmertmann | The “TROM” Method for the Most Economical Design and Construction of Non-Redundant Pile Foundations |
| 2010 | |
| Dr. Bengt H. Fellenius | Redesign Tests Save Costs and Time: A Case History |
| 2009 | |
| Clyde Baker, Jr. | Experiences with Jorj Osterberg and How He Revolutionized the Deep Foundations Industry |