Hoek's Corner

Explore the collective library of learning resources from the world-renowned expert of rock engineering, Dr. Evert Hoek, which includes books, published research papers, and an exclusive video lecture series.

Photo Hoek

Dr. Evert Hoek

Evert Hoek was born in Zimbabwe in southern Africa in 1933 and graduated in mechanical engineering with a B.Sc and an M.Sc from the University of Cape Town in 1957. He became involved in rock mechanics in 1958 when he started working in research on problems of brittle fracture in rock associated with very deep mines in South Africa. His degrees include a Ph.D. from the University of Cape Town, a D.Sc (Engineering) from the University of London, and honorary doctorates from the Universities of Waterloo and Toronto in Canada and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Spain. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK), an International Member of the US National Academy of Engineering, and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

He spent 8 years as a research engineer in the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, 9 years as a Reader and then Professor in the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London, 12 years as a consultant with Golder Associates in Vancouver, Canada, and 6 years as an Industrial Research Professor in the University of Toronto. For the 25 years prior to his retirement in 2018, he worked as an independent consultant on review and consulting boards on civil and mining engineering projects around the world.

Video Lecture Series

Explore six exclusive video lectures covering a variety of topics in Rock Mechanics Engineering.

Practical Rock Engineering

Dr. Hoek's Practical Rock Engineering (2023 ed.) is a vital reference tool for engineers working in rock.

A free set of notes is available based on select case histories, each carefully chosen to illustrate the concepts and practical approaches used. From tunneling in South America to slope stability in Hong Kong, Practical Rock Engineering is an invaluable reference tool.

The book is available by chapter below.

Practical Rock Engineering

Publications

During recent years, I have received many requests for copies of papers that I have published. I have undertaken the compilation of as many of the most significant papers as possible into the electronic database below.

You may download the papers from this list on the understanding that their use should be personal only and that these papers will not be distributed or re-published. These restrictions are necessary in order to conform to copyright agreements with the original publishers.

- Evert Hoek

  • Intact Rock Strength
  • Laboratory Testing
  • Hoek-Brown Criterion
  • Geological Strength Index - GSI
  • Rock Mass Properties
  • Rock Mass Deformation
  • Rock Slope Engineering
  • Tunnelling And Underground Construction
  • Large Underground Caverns
  • Tunnel Boring Machines
  • Experts And Consultants
  • General
  • Lectures
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