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Media Advisory 04-34
Standing Up to Earthquakes
Network of laboratories will rock the next generation of earthquake-resistant structures
November 4, 2004
From the Pacific coast to our nation's interior, more than 75 million Americans in 39 states live in towns and cities at risk for earthquake devastation.
While scientists are digging into the origins of seismic waves, engineers are pushing the boundaries of design to create structures that remain safe when an earthquake ultimately surfaces.
On Nov. 15, the National Science Foundation (NSF) will host the grand opening of a research network that addresses this important design need--the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES).
Contructed with $81.8 million of NSF support, the system of 15 centers is distributed across 10 states and linked via Internet2 grid connections. Researchers can run experiments simultaneously at any of the sites with tools ranging from building-scale shake tables and ground-altering field equipment to large testing laboratories and a tsunami- generating wave basin.
The grand opening will include live, remote demonstrations from four of the network's research sites, including a test that inflicts the forces of historic earthquakes upon a 10- story wind turbine.
For additional details about the event and its webcast, see the NEES grand opening website at http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/nees/index.jsp and click on the Grand Opening page. (The archive webcast is available at http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/mmg_disp.cfm?med_id=59393.)
Following remarks from NSF Deputy Director Joseph Bordogna and Assistant Director for Engineering John Brighton, the demonstrations will be hosted by Ian Buckle, president of NEES Consortium, Inc.
Following questions and answers via telecom with all 15 sites, guests are invited to attend a reception featuring a live, scaled-down demonstration of one of the NEES tools.
RSVP is required to gain access to NSF. To attend, register with Josh Chamot, NSF Media Officer for Engineering, at jchamot@nsf.gov.
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Who:
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Representatives from NEES sites and the NEES Consortium
NSF Deputy Director Joseph Bordogna
NSF Assistant Director for Engineering John Brighton
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What:
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Grand Opening of the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES)
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When:
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Nov. 15, 2004
beginning promptly at 1:30 PM.
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Where:
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National Science Foundation, Room 1235
4201 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22230
(Ballston metro stop)
(Medical Center Metro stop, Red Line)
Media visitors should check in at the security desk located at the 9th & Stuart Streets entrance
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-NSF-
Media Contacts
Joshua A. Chamot, NSF (703) 292-7730 jchamot@nsf.gov
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2012, its budget was $7.0 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 50,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes about 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards about $593 million in professional and service contracts yearly.
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