Academy of Distinguished Alumni

Hilmi Turan Durgunoğlu earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the Technical University of Istanbul, Turkey, in 1968, followed by an M.S. (1969) and Ph.D. (1972) in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Durgunoğlu has had a distinguished career as a professor at Boğaziçi University’s Department of Civil Engineering until he became emeritus in 2004, as well as a partner and consultant at Zetaş Zemin Teknolojisi A.Ş., based in Istanbul, Turkey. 

Dr. Durgunoğlu is widely recognized for his pioneering research and technical expertise in soil mechanics, cone penetration testing, and earthquake engineering. Notable projects include his role in post-earthquake investigations, particularly after the 1999 Kocaeli Earthquake in Turkey, where he collaborated with UC Berkeley researchers. His company, Zetaş, provided critical equipment and support for this research, which led to several key journal publications. Throughout his career, Dr. Durgunoğlu has been an active member of numerous professional societies, mentoring students and advancing the field with over 200 technical papers and reports.

Dr. Durgunoğlu’s professional contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the Education and Research Foundation of Turkey Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering Contribution Recognition Award in 1985 and the Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship in 1981. He has also been a key figure in advancing geotechnical practices, introducing innovative technologies like jet grouting, deep soil mixing, and soil nailing in flexible earth reinforcement. His work has had a profound impact on earthquake engineering and construction practices, particularly in regions prone to seismic activity.

Dr. Durgunoğlu has significantly contributed to the Berkeley CEE community through research collaborations and support for faculty and students. His longstanding relationship with UC Berkeley has included invited lectures, such as the GeoSystems Annual Lecture in 2019, and a recent partnership in 2023 for a reconnaissance survey of the Kahramanmaras earthquake in Turkey.