Earthquake Simulation Projects

Real-Time Simulation

• The best simulation involves mimicking an actual earthquake. Because earthquakes can't be generated on command, the next best thing is to create a small, shaking environment to simulate the effects. However, if the experiment is too small, scientists and engineers can't determine the true effect of an earthquake on actual structures. Thus, a real-time simulation has to be big enough to at least shake a test structure. With enough funding, fake houses on cement foundations can be created, then shaken to emulate an earthquake's effect on the structure. The simulation can then properly test how the house will withstand varying degrees of damage.

Computer Technology Simulation

• Small-scale computer simulations are a product of the modern age now that desk computers can create small earthquake models. However, when such computer or basic network servers try to manage the extensive mapping and data fields needed to emulate an earthquake effect on a city or region, the basic office computer cannot fully handle the demand. Many times, such systems tend to brown out or stall trying crunch so much data and graphic map displays.

Modeling

• For decades, engineers and scientists have used basic models to emulate and study earthquake behavior. While such exercises can provide general information on the physics of earthquakes and how they affect structures, the specific details are missing. For example, models can't clearly tell you the difference in damage to reinforced concrete built 40 years ago versus reinforced structures made today.

Large-Scale Computer Simulation

• For those researchers and engineers who are blessed with access, supercomputers provide advanced technology that can be used for simulations. Such technology can easily amass and calculate the numerical data associated with map layers, geophysics, structural information and citywide regions. Supercomputers can produce highly detailed map results of earthquake impact, damage, ripple effects and aftereffects.

Destruction Scenario Simulations

• Sometimes destroying a structure can give valuable information about earthquake effects, even if the simulation doesn't represent the earthquake's shaking. Blast and destruction simulations allow researchers to see the effects of damage and the resulting failures that bring structures down. If an earthquake can compromise the fundamental strength of a structure, then a destruction simulation can show what happens when the structure collapses or implodes. This, in turn, provides valuable information on damage and injuries that can occur to those trapped inside.