Zhao Guofan (1924- ) is a native of Fenyang, Shanxi Province. Zhao is a civil engineering scientist. He graduated from Civil Engineering Department of Shanghai Jiaotong University with a major in structural engineering in 1949. From 1950 till present, Zhao has served as teaching assistant, lecturer, professor, and tutor of doctorate candidates. He was elected as academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1997. He has also served as chancellor of China Association for Civil Engineering Construction Standardization, Concrete and Prestressing Force Society, and China Association for Engineering Construction Standardization.

Zhao made a number of innovative achievements in aspects of reliability degree in structural design, mechanical properties of concrete materials, and basic theory of structural design in reinforced concrete. His research results include fracture parameters of large-size fully-graded concrete, and intension test and analysis on multiaxially loaded large-bulk concrete and fiber concrete. He standardized in engineering structure of water conservancy and hydroelectric power, harbor work, construction, bridges and so on, and solved critical technical problems in national key projects included in "7th Five-Year Plan" and "8th Five-Year Plan". His achievements in standardization in reinforced concrete structure for use in hydraulic power and harbor work was given State Science and Technology Progress Award, Third Class in 1985. His research on cracking control in reinforced concrete structure won him Science and Technology Progress Award, Second Class, awarded by State Education Committee in 1988. His application of fuzzy theory and randomization on reliability analysis model won him one more Science and Technology Progress Award, Second Class, awarded by State Education Committee in 1990. His research result in fracturing mechanics of concrete was given State Science and Technology Progress Award, Second Class in 1992. His research over concrete strength theory and finite element of reinforced concrete won State Science and Technology Progress Award, First Class in 1998. He also had some research on new material and new structure of concrete, in which he was again awarded State Science and Technology Progress Award, Second Class in 1998. Most of his research results were used to direct practical engineering project and exerted wide influence in civil engineering, water conservancy, and construction projects. He authored or co-authored over 290 theses, 6 books on standardization, and 12 academic monographs.