Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Geotechnical Engineering, Stanford University, 1994
  • M.S., Structural Engineering, Stanford University, 1989
  • B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Notre Dame, 1988
Licenses & Certifications
  • Professional Engineer Civil, California, #56284
  • Professional Engineer, Colorado, #PE.0045269
  • Professional Engineer Civil, Florida, #72838
  • Professional Engineer, Hawaii, #PE-11982
  • Professional Engineer Civil, Massachusetts, #46593
  • Professional Engineer Civil, Texas, #114672
  • Professional Engineer, Utah, #8727183-2202
  • Professional Engineer, West Virginia, #20861
Academic Appointments
  • Stanford University, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Adjunct Professor
Professional Honors
  • Taylor Award Recipient (Top Civil Engineering Student, University of Notre Dame), 1988
  • Tau Beta Pi, National Honorary Engineering Society
Professional Affiliations
  • American Society of Civil Engineers (member)
  • Stanford University - Stanford Associate
  • Stanford University Alumni Association Club of Palos Verdes/South Bay (past-President, past-Vice President)

Dr. Wren has over 30 years of experience in civil, geotechnical, and earthquake engineering. He provides consultation to clients on the design, construction, and performance of varied types of earth structures and structures supported directly on the ground. 

Dr. Wren has extensive experience with the evaluation of retaining structures, shallow and deep foundations, embankments, natural and manmade slopes, excavations, and pipelines. Dr. Wren has deep experience with evaluations of the cause and origin of failures, construction claim evaluation, and peer review of complex structures.

Dr. Wren has investigated retaining wall and foundation performance and failures including retaining structures such as crib retaining walls, soil mix retaining walls, soil nail walls, and conventional gravity and cantilever retaining structures, and Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls. Dr. Wren also has experience in the investigation and analysis of pipeline system performance and failure, including sanitary sewer pipelines, water supply pipelines, storm drain pipelines, irrigation pipeline systems and oil and natural gas pipeline systems and is knowledgeable about the documentation methods for operational pipeline systems. Dr. Wren has expertise in dynamic soil properties and testing, analysis of the behavior of retaining structures, slopes, foundations, and pipelines during earthquakes and has evaluated sites and structures following natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods.

Dr. Wren has experience with urban and infrastructure construction including site characterization, deep foundations, and support of excavation analysis and design. His expertise includes deep foundation testing, excavation monitoring, groundwater monitoring and withdrawal effects, and the effects of excavations on nearby structures. He has provided peer review services for design of complex structures and activities such as nuclear power plant structures, deep excavations, retaining structures, and dewatering programs. Dr. Wren has experience with evaluating the geotechnical properties of fly ash and analyzing the performance of fly ash amended structures such as embankments and levees.

Dr. Wren has investigated and analyzed landslides on natural and man-made slopes and provided repair recommendations for slope failures. He has investigated and analyzed the factors contributing to the causes of landslides in varied geologic settings across North America, including the effects of wildfires on slope stability and erosion, flooding, and debris generation.

Dr. Wren has expertise in the behavior of expansive and collapsible soils and their effects on foundations, retaining walls, and slopes. His expertise includes investigation of structures affected by ground settlement, conducting subsurface investigations, and performing analyses of the causes of the settlement and appropriate remedial measures. He has experience with geotechnical laboratory testing including static and dynamic testing of soil and soil improvement technologies such as soil mixing, jet grouting, and compaction grouting.

Dr. Wren has served as an Adjunct Professor and Lecturer in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Stanford University, a part-time faculty member in the Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics at San Jose State University, an instructor for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and a member of the Industrial Advisory Board for the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).