ASTM International presented its top annual award – the 2024 Award of Merit – to N. Randy Rainwater for his contributions to ASTM’s soil and rock committee (D18). 



The prestigious award, which includes the accompanying title of fellow, is ASTM’s highest recognition for distinguished service and outstanding participation in ASTM International committee activities. Rainwater was recognized for his critical standards development work around soil and rock, his dedication to several leadership positions within the committee, and his deeply engaged support of new committee members.

An ASTM International member since 2006, the committee has previously honored Rainwater with two standards development awards, in 2018 and 2022, as well as the A. Ivan Johnson Outstanding Achievement Award (2023).

Rainwater’s career focus is geotechnical laboratory testing, instrumentation and monitoring, and soil hydrology. He spent 15 years as an engineer for S&ME Inc. before retiring and serving as a part-time consultant for the company. Prior to this, he spent ten years working in several department positions at the University of Tennessee, from which he received both his bachelor and master of science degrees in agricultural engineering.

In addition to ASTM, Rainwater is also part of Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society.

Media Inquiries: Gavin O’Reilly, tel +1.610.832.9618; goreilly@astm.org

Release #11879

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