The Passing of a Pioneer in Earthquake Engineering: In Memory of Graham Powell

GRAHAM H. POWELL

(1938-2026)

It is with deep sorrow that I share the news that Graham Powell, Professor Emeritus at UC Berkeley, passed away on June 15, 2026. Often referred to as, "Mr. Nonlinear," he was a true structural engineering visionary with over 60 years of experience in research, teaching, and practice with emphasis on computer applications for structural analysis and design. He had special expertise in the modeling of structures for practical nonlinear analysis and in performance-based design for earthquake loads. He supervised the development of the widely used DRAIN series of computer programs for dynamic response analysis of inelastic structures. Later, he developed PERFORM-3D, software that became the industry standard for performance-based design. These are just a few of the countless invaluable contributions he made to the structural engineering profession during his prolific career.

Graham Powell was my professor, a colleague, and friend of many decades. I was his student during my masters program at Berkeley in 1970. Over the years he inspired thousands of students like myself and shared his wisdom with countless professionals through seminars, books, and appearances. He was passionate about his work and was driven by a relentless curiosity about the world around him. He will forever be missed.

- Ashraf Habibullah