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.
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.
About 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.
Design Challenges, Disasters and Lessons in Rock Engineering
The Development of Rock Engineering
The Art of Tunneling in Rock
Intact Rock Sampling and Testing
Rock Mass Properties
Rock Slope Engineering
Large Underground Excavated Caverns
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.
Publications
Discover significant published papers and lectures from Dr. Hoek.
A note from Dr. Evert Hoek:
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 & Keynote Addresses
In his decades as a leading expert on rock mechanics, Dr. Evert Hoek has given keynote addresses at conferences around the world. Here, explore the geotechnical papers that accompanied some of Dr. Hoek's most notable talks.