Meet Robert
Robert K. Barrett
Bob was a founder and was Director of Innovation for GeoStabilization International. He was Chairman of NCHRP Project 12-59, charged with preparing Design and Construction Guidelines For Bridge Abutments on Geosynthetically Reinforced Soil. He was the first Chair of the TRB Committee on Geosynthetics, Chair of the NCHRP project that developed proper closure methods for geotechnical borings and a member of the NCHRP Panel on Facilitating the Implementation of Research Findings.
Bob was the recipient of the 1991 Colorado Governor’s Award for creativity and innovation, the IFAI International Design Award in 1997 for design and construction of a 55 foot high GCS wall, the 2009 Nova Award for development of GCS bridge abutments, the 2018 Deep Foundations Institute Award for Innovations in Soil Nailing, and the 2025 ASCE Geo-Institute Award for Contributions to Geohazard Technology.
Partner Al Ruckman, Colby Barrett and Bob have been awarded 7 patents, on retaining wall design, rockfall fences, earthquake resistant abutments, fiberglass soil nails, on shotcrete alternatives, and on scour micropiles.
Bob was the leader in creating the Colorado Rockfall Simulation Program, a program that predicts the behavior of a rock in motion. He has presented GRS, landslide mitigation and rockfall technology transfer programs all over the U. S. and on all continents except Africa. Constructed GRS abutment and wall demonstration projects in several countries.
The Unfinished Story of Geosynthetically Confined Soil
This detailed publication explores the history, mechanics, and technical foundations of GCS technology. It explains how soil confinement influences structural behavior and why this method has such high performance.
Also includes appendix and research supporting practical design, testing, and construction considerations.
