Gerd Gudehus studied civil engineering in Berlin, where he also completed his doctoral thesis in soil mechanics. In 1973, he became full professor and chairman of the Department of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering at the Institute of Soil and Rock Mechanics, Karlsruhe University. He is head of the Soil Mechanics Section of the German National Geotechnical Society and is engaged in the conservation and restoration of historical retaining walls and in the stabilization of the foundations of historical buildings situated on soft ground.