Announcements

NEES 7th Annual Meeting: Seismic Mitigation in a Flat World -posted Dec, 23 2008
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George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation Research (NEESR) Program Solicitation -posted Dec, 23 2008
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NEES Ops Competition NSF 08-574

-posted Oct, 15 2008Information to support those intending to participate in the NSF NEES Ops Competition process is available at the NEES Wiki. Please check this site frequently as additional material will be added on an ongoing basis.
Employment Opportunity in the NSF Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI) -posted Oct, 15 2008
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A new release of iSeismograph is now available -posted Oct, 9 2008
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NEESWood Project: Shake Table Test of a Base-Isolated 1/2-Scale Residential Building -posted Sep, 17 2008
This series of shake table tests of a half-scale two-story residential building with an integrated one car garage is part of the NEESWood project task related to seismic protection systems. more ...
September's Message from the CEO - Steve McCabe -posted Sep, 16 2008
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NEESinc representation at the Best Practice for Seismic Design and Retrofit of Bridges Workshop and Sixth National Seismic Conference on Bridges and Highways (6NSC) -posted Sep, 9 2008
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2008 NEES Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program Concluded in Boulder, Colorado at the Young Researchers Symposium -posted Sep, 9 2008
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NEES proudly supports the first ever Great Southern California ShakeOut Drill & Conference -posted Sep, 5 2008
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Lucy A. Arendt, Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay invites you to complete the NEES TIPS Online Survey on seismic isolation in the United States. -posted Sep, 4 2008
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Damage Detection and Health Monitoring of Buried Pipelines -posted Sep, 4 2008
sponsored by the NSF NEESR grant, led by Professor Radoslaw Michalowski of the University of Michigan (PI), utilizing the Cornell University Large Displacement Facility, a NEES equipment site. more ...
NEES Testing for Controlled Rocking of Steel-Framed Buildings with Replaceable Energy Dissipating Fuses -posted Aug, 26 2008
We are pleased to announce that the second in a series of tests is underway at the UIUC NEES MUST-SIM facility on controlled rocking systems for steel frames that incorporate replaceable energy dissipating steel plate shear fuses and self-centering through vertical post-tensioning. more...
NEES 6th Annual Meeting -posted Jul, 18 2008
The 6th Annual Meeting was held at the Red Lion Hotel at Jantzen Beach in Portland, Oregon on June 18th-20th. It was a great success with 227 attendees, and included people from all over the world as well as our newest class of Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) students. more ...
Seismos E-Newsletter -posted Jul, 18 2008
The NEES newsletter, Seismos, informs the NEES community on activities, IT developments as well as cyberinfrastructure related news, events, and items of practical interest to the earthquake engineering community. For current and back issues ...
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) visits the Fast Hybrid Testing Facility at NEES-Colorado -posted Jul, 17 2008
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NEES@Oregon to install a new Piston Wavemaker -posted Jul, 14 2008
at the O. H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory on campus, utilizing a $1.1 million award from the NSF Major Research Instrumentation program. more ...
Greetings from Steve McCabe, NEES's CEO -posted Jul, 11 2008
This update on NEES activities is taken from the Seismos enewsletter, jointly published by NEESinc and NEESit. To subscribe, contact Tiffany Lawhorn. more...
NEES@Minnesota's MAST test results are in -posted Jul, 9 2008
A recent test at the NEES MAST facility at the University of Minnesota has demonstrated enhancement to the ductility of thin-walled, medium- to long span bridge piers through out the use of high strength concrete (HSC). Click here for full story
NEES@UW-UIUC Wall Test Program -posted Jul, 9 2008
A sequential series of walls are being tested to improved tools and technologies for performance-based design of structural wall buildings. more...
Victor Saouma of NEES@Colorado is the editor of a just released book -posted Jul, 9 2008
Hybrid Simulation: Theory, Implementation and Applications. This book deals with a rapidly evolving technology combining computer simulation and physical laboratory testing of two complementary substructures. For more information click here.
Greetings from Steve McCabe, NEES's CEO -posted May, 14 2008
This update on NEES activities is taken from the Seismos enewsletter, jointly published by NEESinc and NEESit. To subscribe, contact Tiffany Lawhorn. more...
NEES@UC San Diego Tests Million Pound Structure -posted May, 14 2008
On May 7th, NEES@UC San Diego conducted a test of a one million-pound precast concrete structure with the largest footprint of any structure ever tested on a shake table in the United States. more...
Researcher Workshops
Upcoming NEES Researcher Workshops -posted May, 9 2008
NEES Experimental Site are planning several researcher-focused outreach events through Spring, 2009. All programs are free to attend and many offer limited travel support. Please contact equipment sites directly for exact schedule. For details, see the pdf: Workshop Flyer
NEES@UIUC Potential Researcher Training Workshop -posted May, 6 2008
This hands-on workshop will be held on June 5-6, 2008 at NEES@UIUC. The workshop agenda is available online. To register, contact Hussam Mahmoud
NEES Featured in National Society for Professional Engineers -posted Apr, 29 2008
NEES is featured in the cover story of the National Society for Professional Engineers April edition. With approximately 45,000 members, this story reaches an important group of engineers that may not be familiar with the history and impact of NEES research. The story is available online.
NEES 6th Annual Meeting Awards Nominations -posted Apr, 23 2008
NEES community members are encouraged to submit entries for the 2008 NEES Awards to be presented at the 6th Annual Meeting. Entries must be submitted on or before May 14, 2008. more...
NEES 6th Annual Meeting -posted Apr, 22 2008
The NEES Annual Meeting was held in Portland, Oregon on June 18-20 and featured research outcomes and testing capabilities at NEES sites. A post-conference website will be published in the next few weeks with featured presentations. For the announcement information about the conference see the conference website.
NEES@Minnesota Staff Interviewed about 5.2 Midwest Earthquake -posted Apr, 18 2008
NEES@Minnesota staff were featured in a news story about the 5.2 magnitude earthquake that shook the midwest this morning (4/18/08). The news story features the Minnesota site and the research performed to reduce earthquake damage. To view the video clip. visit the news website.
NSF/Popular Mechanics Bridge Infrastructure Webcast Conference 4/10 -posted Mar, 31 2008
On Thursday, April 10, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Popular Mechanics will co-host a webcast conference to address challenges and solutions driving the future of infrastructure in the United States.

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NEHRP 2008 Annual Report Released -posted Mar, 25 2008
The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, the organization that coordinates national efforts to reduce earthquake loss reduction in the United States by NSF, USGS, FEMA and NIST, has released its 2008 annual report.

The report is available online at: http://nehrp.gov/pdf/2008NEHRPAnnualReport.pdf (1.8MB).
Input Requested for NEHRP Post-earthquake Information Management System (PIMS) -posted Mar, 18 2008
NEHRP has established the creation and maintenance of a repository of important post-earthquake reconnaissance data as one of its Strategic Priorities that will be emphasized in its new Strategic Plan. more...
Integrating NEESit into NEESR Proposals -posted Mar, 7 2008
Are you submitting a NEESR proposal for the upcoming solicitation? Would you like help with language about NEESit's ability to support your research? more...
NSF Solicitation: Communicating Hurricane Information (NSF 08-551) -posted Mar, 6 2008
This solicitation, a joint announcement by NOAA and NSF, is of potential interest to NEES researchers. It focuses on advancing fundamental understanding of the communication of hurricane outlooks, forecasts, watches, and warnings both to decision makers (i.e., emergency managers, elected officials) and to the general public. For more information, see the program solicitation
New Publication: Grand Challenges for Disaster Reduction -posted Mar, 5 2008
The Grand Challenges for Disaster Reduction outlines a ten-year strategy crafted by the National Science and Technology Council's Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction (SDR). complete document
NEESreu Program - Summer 2008 - Research Experience for Undergraduates -posted Feb, 27 2008
Apply now to participate in the Summer 2008 NEESreu program, a dynamic 10-week research internship for upper division undergraduate students interested in Civil Engineering, Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and other fields related to seismic risk mitigation testing. more...
MAST Laboratory CS Position Opening -posted Feb, 26 2008
The University of Minnesota's MAST Laboratory http://nees.umn.edu/ is seeking a skilled, highly motivated Computing Systems Infrastructure Professional to join their team. more...
NEESR Proposal Research Collaborations -posted Feb, 25 2008
NEESinc has assembled potential research collaborators for NEESR and other proposals. more...
Free Webinar on Seismic Performance of Bridge Systems -posted Feb, 13 2008
This 90 minute webinar on March 25th will highlight recent research findings from bridge research conducted at NEES@UNevada-Reno. more...
Site Availability Image
NEES Site Availability Calendar -posted Jan, 24 2008
This calendar provides an estimate of a Site's capacity for supporting additional NEESR and non-NEESR research projects. more...
NEES Annual Meeting Early Bird Registration Now Open -posted Jan, 7 2008
The NEES 6th Annual Meeting will be held in Portland, Oregon from June 18-20, 2008. Early bird registration closes March 17th. For more information and to register, see the conference website..
NEES and the OpenFresco development team announce OpenFresco Version 2.5 -posted Jan, 2 2008
OpenFresco is a software framework that facilitates local or geographically distributed deployment of hybrid simulation that can be easily extended and adapted to meet project specific needs, including complex configurations of actuators and test setups. OpenFresco is computer and operating system independent. Nearly 20 major improvements have been included in Version 2.5. more...
Hybrid Simulation Workshop at NEES@Berkeley -posted Dec, 21 2007
Hybrid simulation is a set of methods for examining the seismic response of structures using a hybrid model comprised of both physical and numerical sub-structures. This workshop on hybrid simulation is for NEES researchers, both current and future. The workshop will be held on February 21-22, 2008 at the NEES@Berkeley site at the UC Berkeley Richmond Field Station. more...
NEESR FY08 Solicitation Released -posted Dec, 19 2007
The NEESR FY08 solicitation from NSF has been released. This year's solicitation invites for research proposals that use the NEES infrastructure to advance knowledge discovery and innovation for (1) earthquake and tsunami loss reduction of our nation's civil infrastructure, and (2) new experimental simulation techniques and instrumentation for NEES. more...
Simulation Development Workshop Meeting Outcomes Posted -posted Dec, 10 2007
The purpose of this meeting held September 13, 2007 in Chicago was to identify critical research and development needs that must be addressed to advance the experimental simulation capabilities of the 15 NEES Equipment Sites. The reports posted intend to guide interested researchers in the kinds of research that the earthquake engineering research community needs, in order to ensure that the NEES Equipment Sites remain at the cutting edge of experimentation and simulation. more...
Proposal Writer's Workshop at MAST NEES Laboratory -posted Nov, 29 2007
The MAST Laboratory at the University of Minnesota, an equipment site of the NEES Collaboratory, contains a unique system enabling three-dimensional, large-scale structural testing. The Training Workshop will provide prospective MAST users with information necessary to develop a research proposal that takes advantage of the capabilities of the MAST system. more...
NEES@Rensselaer Team Honored by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Work on New Orleans Levee Modeling -posted Nov, 29 2007
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bestowed high honors upon NEES@Rensselaer faculty and staff for their critical contributions to the rebuilding of New Orleans levees ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. The group, led by professors Tarek Abdoun, Thomas Zimmie, and Ricardo Dobry, received an assortment of awards, including the coveted Commander’s Award for Public Service, and certificates from the Corps and its Hurricane Katrina Interagency Performance Evaluation Task Force (IPET).
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Full Scale, 2-story, Hybrid Test -posted Nov, 18 2007
The NEESR-SG award: "International Hybrid Simulation of Tomorrow's Braced Frame Systems," is directed toward developing improved seismic design methods for concentrically braced frames. The next test in this project is a full scale, 2-story, single bay braced frame with HSS tube braces in a multi-story X-brace configuration that will be tested at the National Center for Research in Earthquake Engineering in Taipei, Taiwan, in collaboration with the NEES facility testing. The test is tentatively scheduled to start on December 7, 2007, Taiwan time.

Real time observation of the test will be available through the NCREE web site at: http://www.ncree.gov.tw/eng/index.htm.
Opening for Operations Manager at UIUC -posted Nov, 14 2007
An Operations Manager is sought for the Multi-Axial Full-Scale Sub-Structures Testing and Simulation (MUST-SIM) facility which is located in the Newmark Structural Laboratory at the University of Illinois. The MUST-SIM facility is used for large-scale multi-directional testing of components of buildings, bridges, or other structures and it is one of 15 facilities funded throughthe National Sciences Foundation's George E. Brown Network of Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) program. For more information about the position, view the job posting.

For more information about the MUST-SIM facility, see: http://nees.uiuc.edu/
Sixth Joint NEES/E-Defense Research Planning Meeting -posted Oct, 18 2007
This meeting was held on September 27-29, 2007 in Kobe and Miki, Japan. More than sixty US and Japanese participants from academia, government organizations, engineering practice, and industry attended the sixth planning meeting. The meeting was quite productive, discussing several current projects as well as several NEESR projects scheduled to use the E-Defense Shaking Table Facility during 2008-2010. A detailed summary of the planning meeting can be found on the NEES website.

A highlight of the meeting was the shaking of a full scale steel moment resisting frame, including nonstructural components, to the point of collapse. Videos of this test, and additional information on E-Defense, can be obtained at: http://www.bosai.go.jp/hyogo/ehyogo/index.html

NEES@Lehigh: Real-Time Multi-Directional Seismic Testing Workshop -posted Oct, 16 2007
NEES@Lehigh's Real-Time Multi-Directional (RTMD) equipment site announces a 1-day workshop on November 12th, 2007 to provide first-hand experience and discussion of the Lehigh RTMD site's technical capabilities. This workshop will explore experimental capabilities and discuss the fundamentals of conventional, real-time and PSD hybrid seismic testing through lectures and hands-on demonstrations.< more...
Free NEES-EERI Telepresence Webinar
Free NEES-EERI Telepresence Webinar -posted Oct, 11 2007
This free 60 minute on-demand workshop provides a first-hand account of participating remotely in seismic tests. You will learn how telepresence tools enable interaction with people, equipment, and test data in real time; and how real-time participation can benefit analytical simulation. more...
Student Travel Grants for the NSF CMMI 2008 Research and InnovationConference -posted Sep, 24 2007
As NEES is sponsored by the CMMI division, we encourage all faculty to forward the announcement below to your students.

The University of Tennessee is pleased to announce the availability of travel grants in amounts up to $800 for students who will attend the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI) 2008 Research and Innovation Conference, January 7-10, in Knoxville, Tennessee. more...
Shake Tests at NEES@UCSD -posted Sep, 19 2007
Two single-story tall brick veneer walls with reinforced concrete masonry backing systems will be tested on NEES@UCSD’s Large High Performance Outdoor Shake Table between 9:00 am and noon PDT on Monday, September 24. more...
NEESR Research Assistant Needed -posted Sep, 15 2007
A graduate student researcher is sought to work on the newly-funded TIPS project under the guidance of Prof. Keri Ryan at Utah State University. more...
Tsunami Wave Basin on History Channel — September 11 -posted Sep, 10 2007
The NEES Tsunami Wave Basin at Oregon State University will be featured in the History Channel's "MegaDisasters — Krakatoa" on Tuesday, September 11th 2007 at 10pm Eastern/Standard/Pacific. The episode will feature current Tsunami research by Dr. Hermann Fritz of Georgia Institute of Technology.

Tune in today!
Workshop on Simulation Development -posted Aug, 29 2007
The purpose of this meeting is to identify critical research and development needs that are required to advance the experimental simulation capabilities of the 15 NEES Equipment Sites. The result of this workshop will be an annotated web-based report listing research and development needs identified during the meeting. more...
NEES@UBuffalo is Hosting a Symposium on Seismic Regulations and Challenges and NCS Dedication -posted Aug, 17 2007
Symposium on Seismic Regulations and Challenges for Protecting Building Equipment, Components & Operations
and
University at Buffalo
Nonstructural Components Simulator (UB-NCS) Dedication More...
Two-Day Training Workshop on Shake Table Testing -posted Aug, 9 2007
NEES @ UNR, UB, and UCSD Announce a Two-Day Training Workshop on Shake Table Testing. This workshop is designed for researchers and industry members of the earthquake engineering community as prospective users of the three NEES Shake Table Sites. more...
NSF funding opportunity to promote "Resilient and Sustainable Infrastructures (RESIN)." -posted Jul, 30 2007
The Directorate for Engineering at the National Science Foundation has established the Office of Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI) to serve a critical role in focusing on important emerging areas in a timely manner. more...
SAVE THE DATE! -posted Jul, 30 2007
NEESinc is holding a Simulation Development Workshop on September 13 at the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel. more...
August 2007 MR Damper FHT Workshop at CU NEES -posted Jul, 18 2007
CU NEES will host a Magneto-Rheological (MR) Fluid Damper Fast Hybrid Test Workshop on August 6-7, 2007. The purpose of this workshop is to engage hybrid simulation researchers and potential site users in discussions as to the current capabilities, opportunities and future potential of real-time hybrid testing within NEES. more...
5th Annual Meeting Presentations Now Available! -posted Jun, 29 2007
If you weren't able to attend the NEES 5th Annual Meeting, or missed a session, you can download the presentations for most sessions at the conference. Thanks to NEESit, you can also view all of the plenary sessions with recorded slides, audio, and video.

Click here to view the presentations.
NEW NEES Membership Classes! -posted May, 30 2007
NEES is expanding its membership opportunities and is now accepting applications for membership from Corporations, Students, and non-US residents.
Corporate: Corporate Memberships are available for engineering consulting firms, professional trade organizations, and/or stakeholder organizations that may or may not sponsor seismic research. The Corporate Membership rate is currently $150 annually.
Student: Undergraduate or Graduate students who are or desire to be actively engaged in earthquake engineering research, education, or implementation can join NEES under the new Student Membership class. Student Membership is currently offered at no cost.
Non-US Residents: In addition to these new classes of membership, Individual Members are no longer required to be a US-Resident; therefore we welcome our International Colleagues to become members of NEES.
For further information on how to become a member of NEES and the benefits please click here.

View Woodframe Construction Webinar When it Fits Your Schedule -posted May, 18 2007
What happens when you build a two-story townhouse, mount it on twin shake tables, and subject it to earthquake simulations? "The NEESWood Project: Performance Based Seismic Designs for Mid-Rise Woodframe Construction" is a free 90 minute webinar, available on demand via the web, that will show you video clips of the building in motion, highlight which building elements made the greatest difference in minimizing damage, and analyze how well current building codes withstood a magnitude 6.7 earthquake. Presenters John W. van de Lindt of Colorado State University and Kelly Cobeen of Cobeen & Associates also demonstrate SAPWood, earthquake engineering analysis software that was developed as part of the testing process and is available for free on the web. Visit www.nees.org/ebrownbag/ to download the session.
Snowbird, UT
5th Annual Meeting a Success! -posted Mar, 27 2007
With over 225 attendees, this year's NEES Annual Meeting was a success. Practitioners presented research in oil/gas pipelines and steel, masonry, and wood structures. NEES Researchers presented the latest research findings in structural and geotechnical research, experimental controls, and advanced cyberinfrastructure tools.
Graduate Research Supplement NSF Grants -posted Mar, 20 2007
NSF has announced a funding opportunity to broaden participation particularly of underrepresented students in Ph.D. programs in engineering through supplements to current research grants funded by the divisions in the Directorate for Engineering (ENG) at the National Science Foundation.

A request for funding of a GRS should be made by the Principal Investigator of an existing ENG award. Only one new Ph.D. student for GRS may be supported under each research grant. Applications are due May 15th, 2007.

For more information about this grant, visit http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2007/nsf07023/nsf07023.jsp.

NEES has partnerships with organizations increasing the diversity of the Engineering student body. Please contact me at if you would like information about potential students.

USGS Offering Funds for Earthquake Research Grants -posted Mar, 15 2007
The U.S. Geological Survey announced that it will award up to $7 million in grants and cooperative agreements for earthquake research in 2008. Interested researchers can review the priority research described in the grant announcement and apply online at http://www.grants.gov/. Applications are due May 16, 2007, in an electronic-only format. Paper applications will not be accepted.

For additional information, visit http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1631.

First Tests for Ports Systems NEESR Grand Challenge -posted Feb, 28 2007
On Tuesday, March 6, the NEESR Grand Challenge project "Seismic Risk Management for Port Systems" and the UC Davis NEES Equipment Site plan to perform the first centrifuge test in a series of tests designed to evaluate two liquefaction remediation techniques: prefabricated vertical drains and colloidal silica grout. more...
Shirley Dyke joins NEES Board of Directors -posted Jan, 11 2007
NEESinc is pleased to announce the Board of Directors nominated Shirley Dyke to fulfill the remaining Individual Director's term of Jill Andrews, who resigned from the board on September 2006. more...
Researcher Training Workshop -posted Nov, 22 2006
The MAST Laboratory at the University of Minnesota, an equipment site of the NEES Collaboratory, is hosting a Researcher Training Workshop on January 4, 2007. The one-day Workshop will provide prospective MAST users with information necessary to develop a research proposal that takes advantage of the capabilities of the MAST system. more...
NEES REU Program Summer 2007 -posted Nov, 17 2006
NEES invites participation in Year 2 of our exciting NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) 10-week program to be held in summer 2007. The program will provide REU experiences in collaborative earthquake engineering for 20 upper division undergraduate students who will participate in one of the REU Tracks at 6 node sites. more...
Wood Houses Tested under Large Earthquake Conditions -posted Nov, 15 2006
In recent earthquakes, woodframe homes have sustained significant damage. How can we build woodframe homes that sustain less damage? How can we design larger woodframe homes that will withstand large earthquakes? more...
NEES/E-Defense Collaboration Web Site -posted Oct, 20 2006
In September 2006 NEES/E-Defense meetings in Kyoto and Kobe Japan built upon groundwork laid for collaboration at prior meetings in 2004 and 2005. More than 100 participants including representatives of the National Science Foundation, the Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MExT), the NEES Consortium Inc. and the National Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED) were some of the esteemed participants. more...
NEESR-07-506 RFP released -posted Oct, 18 2006
The Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI) in the Directorate for Engineering (ENG) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) invites proposals for research that use the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) to advance knowledge discovery and innovation for (1) earthquake and tsunami loss reduction of our nation's civil infrastructure and (2) new experimental simulation techniques and instrumentation for NEES. NEES is authorized under the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) (http://www.nehrp.gov) and awards made under this program solicitation contribute to NSF's participation in NEHRP. more...
On-line Researcher Training Workshop -posted Oct, 12 2006
The NEES Experimental Facility at the University of Texas is hosting an on-line Researcher Training Workshop on November 2, 2006 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm CST. The Workshop is free and intended for researchers and engineers interested in learning about how to use the nees@UTexas equipment, previous and current research projects, project expenses and data curation.

Please see http://nees.utexas.edu for more details.
Huge Luxury Home to Get Seismic Dampers Tested by UB, RPI -posted Aug, 31 2006
For the entire article please click here.
Fast Hybrid Testing Workshop Set for NEES@CUBoulder -posted Aug, 21 2006
The University of Colorado is hosting a Researcher Training Workshop on Fast Hybrid Testing at the NEES@CUBoulder facility. Limited travel support from NEESinc is available. For information on the November 2-3 Workshop, on-line registration and a Workshop agenda please click here.
3rd Annual NEES Centrifuge Research and Training Workshop -posted Aug, 16 2006
UC Davis and RPI announce the 3rd annual centrifuge research and training workshop for November 6-9, 2006 at the NEES Experimental Facility in Davis. The application period is now open, click here for more information.
Nugget: NEES@UCLA and NEES@UCSB team up for Training and Outreach -posted Jul, 28 2006
A training workshop and visit to the NEES permanent field sites took place on May 18th and 19th, 2006. Click here for more information.
Charter for Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction (ACEHR) Established -posted Jul, 17 2006
The 2004 reauthorization of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) directed that senior leadership for NEHRP be provided by a new Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) more...
NEES UC Berkeley course in Earthquake Engineering for the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) Engineering Program -posted Jul, 17 2006
NEES UC Berkeley is conducting a course in Earthquake Engineering for the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) Engineering Program (www.nslcleaders.org). more...
Request for Proposal: Independent Review of Governance and Decision Making Model for NEES Consortium, Inc. (NEESinc) -posted Jul, 11 2006
This Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks to engage an organization development consultant to facilitate the Board of Directors of NEES Consortium Inc. to perform an independent review of the effectiveness, efficiency, and decision-making model of the management and governance of NEESinc, a nonprofit scientific research organization. more...
NEES/E-Defense Collaborative Earthquake Engineering Research Program meetings & travel stipends -posted Jul, 5 2006
The Joint Technical Coordinating Committee (JTCC) for the NEES/E-Defense Collaborative Earthquake Engineering Research Program met during the 8NCEE as well as during the NEES annual meeting. The program appears to be going quite well. Below is a brief update, the dates of an up-coming planning meeting to be held in Japan.
more...
Upcoming Researcher Training Workshops -posted Jun, 28 2006
NEES Experimental Facilities at Oregon State University (Tsunami), Cornell University (Lifelines) and University at Buffalo (Versatile Large-Scale Laboratory) are conducting Training Workshops this summer and early fall for prospective researchers. The Training Workshops introduce researchers to the unique experimental features and range of research opportunities utilizing the advanced testing tools, collaboration opportunities, sensors and software that are not accessible outside the NSF supported NEES Collaboratory. Please check the Calendar for workshop dates and links to more information.
NEES Buffalo Training Workshop -posted Jun, 27 2006
This workshop is designed for researchers and industry members of the earthquake engineering community as prospective users of the UB-NEES site. It will provide a comprehensive overview of UB's "Versatile Large Scale Hybrid Testing Facility" and include instruction and demonstrations on the applications, performance and operation of the twin 6-DOF shake tables, digital and analog controllers, data acquisition systems and instrumentation. Instruction on advanced testing techniques, real time dynamic hybrid testing (RTDHT) will be included. This workshop will provide users with the necessary knowledge to assist them in the development of effective proposals, experiment design and planning, data handling and archiving. A limited number of seats are available. Some training sessions will be web-cast and accessible through the NEES-telepresence network. more...
The National Science Foundation seeks input into NSF Strategic Plan -posted Jun, 27 2006
The National Science Foundation is again asking for your input on our next NSF Strategic Plan.

Click here for more information


NEES to be administered under the new NSF Division -posted Jun, 13 2006
Effective October 1, 2006, NEES will be administered under the new Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI) of the National Science Foundation.

For more information click here.
Upcoming NEESWood Phase I tests at NEESBuffalo. -posted May, 30 2006
The NEESWood Phase I tests are scheduled to be performed next week at the Buffalo NEES site. An especially large ground movement test will take place on June 7, 2006.

The tests will be available live at the following web site:
http://nees.buffalo.edu/projects/NEESWood/video.asp

For more about the NEESWood Project go here:
http://www.engr.colostate.edu/NEESWood/


NEES Annual Meeting: Young Researcher Travel Support -posted May, 9 2006
NEESinc is pleased to sponsor up to 60 Young Researchers to attend the Fourth NEES Annual Meeting June 21-23, 2006 in Washington, D.C. To be eligible, a Young Researcher must be a Graduate Student, Post-doctoral fellow or a Young Academic Professional who has not received a previous NEES M.O.M. award. Travel support will be given to Young Researchers in 3 categories:
  • NEESR Young Researchers working on a NEESR project and selected by the project PI.
  • NEES Young Researchers selected by Equipment Site PIs, including researchers from non-equipment site institutions.
  • NEES Underrepresented Groups Outreach including diverse Young Researcher participants.
Although Travel Support covers travel expenses up to $1200, Young Researchers are responsible for their own registration and NEES membership fees. For more information and to download an application, go to the Fourth NEES Annual Meeting or click here.
SERVICE OUTAGES SCHEDULED At 6:01 AM PDT -posted Apr, 21 2006
SERVICE OUTAGES SCHEDULED At 6:01 AM PDT on Saturday, 4/22 this and other NEES websites will be unavailable as power to the SDSC building is interrupted. This will facilitate a major power upgrade to the center. Web services are expected to return by 5 PM PDT, Saturday afternoon.
NEESinc Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Summer 2006 -posted Apr, 5 2006
The National Science Foundation has approved NEESinc plans for a 10 week undergraduate research program this summer. Research locations include NEESit in San Diego, California at the Supercomputer Center on the campus of UC San Diego and NEES@Buffalo, NEES@Davis, and NEES@Lehigh which are equipment sites across the country. Students will be involved in NEESR experimentation and will use the cyberinfrastructure for virtual meetings with cohorts. Travel includes participation in the NEES Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. in June, as well as the Young Researchers' Symposium in Bend, Oregon in August. Final date for submission of application/materials is April 30, 2006. For more information and a downloadable application see the REU link on the Education page of this website or click here.
Large-scale Fault Rupture Simulation -posted Apr, 3 2006
On April 6 at 1pm, the Cornell/NEES Lifelines Research Group is planning to simulate a fault rupture across a fully instrumented, 35 ft long, 16-inch diameter high-density polyethylene pipeline. The experiment involves a left lateral fault displacement of 4 ft through over 102 tons of soil. This experiment will be the largest simulation of ground rupture ever performed in the laboratory. The test will take place in our NEES Large Displacement Lifeline Testing Facility. Our in-lab cameras will provide you with an excellent view of this remarkable test. more...
Announcing TeraGrid Conference '06 Student Competitions -posted Mar, 29 2006
TeraGrid Conference '06 is hosting two student competitions for students in high school, college and graduate school. Students are encouraged to showcase their talents and advertising skills in support of science and society!>> Capture the impact of TeraGrid on scientific discovery and society today and tomorrow! Create an advertising campaign to inspire others to learn about TeraGrid and use it to address needs in your community and around the world. See the link below for prizes and more information and to download contest details and rules

Click here for contest details and rules!

Competition submission deadline is April 28, 2006.
World Forum on Collaborative Research in Earthquake Engineering -posted Mar, 24 2006
The purpose of the World Forum was to engage a representative international group of researchers and research administrators to discuss and promote opportunities for collaboration with the NEES and similar programs worldwide, as well as the linkages necessary to facilitate this collaboration. The workshop will discuss infrastructure resources and technical standards needed to facilitate international collaboration; however, its most important objective was to develop the vision of how such tools will be used in the future to improve seismic mitigation. The World Forum will also seek to understand and clarify the objectives and interdependencies between major international research programs and facilities and will begin discussions on policies and/or agreements needed to facilitate international collaborative research. Identification of specific topics or priorities for future collaborative research will not be the focus of this meeting. more...
Seismic Design Competition ASCE Pacific Southwest Region -posted Mar, 23 2006
As part of the 2006 ASCE Pacific Southwest Regional Student Conference, a Seismic Design Competition will be held on March 31st from 9am-4pm. The competition will consist of shake table testing of model 3-story apartment buildings designed and built by teams of students from seven universities. The event will take place in the UCLA Structural Engineering laboratory and is hosted by the NEES@UCLA project. The laboratory is located in Boelter Hall Room 1000A and can be access from the first floor of Boelter Hall adjacent to the North West elevator. more...
Seven-Story Building-Slice Earthquake Blind Prediction Contest -posted Mar, 14 2006
The School of Engineering at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), the Portland Cement Association (PCA) of Skokie, IL., and the NEES Consortium Inc. (NEESinc) are pleased to announce a blind prediction contest. The contest is open to teams from the practicing structural engineering community, the academic and research community (including graduate students), and the undergraduate engineering student community (with graduate student or faculty advisors). Click here to find out more.
Abstracts for the 2006 NEES Annual Meeting deadline changed -posted Mar, 13 2006
Abstracts for the 2006 NEES Annual Meeting have been pushed back to Monday, March 27, 2006. Please click here for more information on the abstracts and the annual meeting.
Operations Manager at NEES-UIUC -posted Feb, 23 2006
An Operations Manager is needed for the Multi-Axial Full-Scale Sub-Structures Testing and Simulation (MUST-SIM) facility that is located in the Newmark Structural Laboratory at the University of Illinois. The successful candidate is expected to have previous experience in structural experimental research and to have earned a B.S. degree or higher in an engineering or related discipline. Applications should be received by March 13, 2006 for full consideration. Please see the attached job advertisement.
Fourth NEES Annual Meeting Presentations and Photos
Fourth NEES Annual Meeting -posted Feb, 22 2006
The Fourth NEES Annual Meeting was held in Washington, DC from June 21-23, 2006. Click here to view photos from the event. If you wish to review some of the presentations please click more...
NEES@UIUC Training Day on Practical Multi-Platform Hybrid Simulation -posted Feb, 7 2006
Earthquake engineering researchers nationwide are invited for participation in a hands-on training exercise at the NEES facility in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Multi-axial Full-Scale Sub-structured Testing and Simulation (MUST-SIM) facility is a state-of-the-art system for combining physical testing and analytical simulation to investigate the seismic response of complex systems that include the structure, its foundation and the underlying soil. more...
"A Comprehensive Training Program on the Operation of a Structural Dynamics Testing Facility" at the NEES@Buffalo Site -posted Feb, 1 2006
The University at Buffalo NEES-Site, in conjunction with the Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory (SEESL), in the Department of Civil Structural and Environmental Engineering (CSEE) hosts researchers or technical staff for intensive training on operation of a structural dynamics testing facility. The hands-on training program includes two stages of instruction: one academic and the other practical laboratory experimentation. more...
Coverage of Jan. 20, 2006 Industry-Sponsored Test of 7-Story Building Using NEES@UCSD Facility -posted Jan, 24 2006
As part of an industry-sponsored research project at UC San Diego, a seven-story building was subjected to ground motions from the Northridge earthquake on January 20. The experiment utilized the NEES@UCSD outdoor earthquake simulator laboratory at the Jacobs School of Engineering's Englekirk Structural Engineering Center, and could not have been conducted without the capabilities of the NEES facility. Please click here for more detailed information on the experiment, including a video of a CBS Evening News (Windows Media Format) report on the project that aired on January 22.
Marta Brown and Ian Buckle cut the cerimonial ribbon at the NEESinc Open House
Photos from the NEESinc Open House -posted Nov, 21 2005
Thanks to everybody for attending the first NEESinc Open House. We would especially like to thank Marta Brown for traveling to Davis, CA for the opening. Marta's late husband George E. Brown, Jr. was the former Chairman of the House Science Committee and is the namesake of the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES). Click here to see photos of the event.
NEESberkeley Hybrid Simulation Workshop -posted Nov, 20 2005
You are invited to attend UC Berkeley's first NEES Hybrid Simulation Workshop. Hybrid simulation is a method for examining the seismic response of structures using a model comprised of both physical and numerical sub-structures. This workshop is for current and future NEES researchers interested in conducting hybrid simulation testing. more...
NEES Site Activities
NEES Site Activities -posted Nov, 18 2005
NEES Site Activities provides information about current research at the Networks research facilities. Explore earthquake engineering experiment lists and view live video feeds. Click here to see it in action.
NEES 2nd Centrifuge Research & Training Workshop -posted Sep, 27 2005
November 14-17, 2005 - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

The focus of the workshop will be hands-on centrifuge experimental experiences. The workshop will include presentations by centrifuge experts from both facilities as well as outside researchers. The overall goal of this workshop is to provide both basic background and real experience in centrifuge testing that will help participants to write the NEESR proposals effectively. more...
Two US-Japan Agreements Signed for Collaborative Earthquake Engineering Research -posted Sep, 15 2005
NEESinc and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are proud to announce the signing of two research collaboration agreements with their Japanese counterparts, the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention of Japan (NIED) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT). more...
Southern California Earthquake Center request for proposals -posted Sep, 15 2005
Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) is taking request for proposals (RFP) for prospective researchers. SCEC is particularly interested in forming partnerships that develop end-to-end simulation, starting with the earthquake rupture process and ending with damage to the built environment. The proposals of SCEC participants are due on November 14, and projects will begin in March 2006. It is accessible at:

http://www.scec.org/proposals/
Webcast to Demonstrate NEES Large-Scale Shakers -posted Aug, 28 2005
The NEES Equipment Site at the University of Texas at Austin will be holding a live webcast on Monday, 1 August 2005 at 11:00 am EDT (8:00 am PDT) to demonstrate some of their capabilities. Two of the geotechnical shakers, T-REX and Thumper, have been used this summer to excite two, 1/4-scale models of bridge bents. Representative tests will be repeated during the webcast. more...
NEES@UIUC Training Day -posted Aug, 1 2005
Applicants are invited to participate in the second training course on the NEES facility at the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Multi-axial Full-Scale Sub-structured Testing and Simulation (MUST-SIM) facility is a state-of-the-art system for combining physical testing and analytical simulation to investigate the seismic response of complex systems that include the structure, its foundation and the underlying soil. more...
OpenSees-Workshops Registration Now Open -posted Aug, 1 2005
Students, researchers, and practitioners are welcome to attend any of the days. Registration is free, lunch is provided, but space is limited, so please register by August 8, 2005, at: http://it.nees.org/ more...
Upcoming Meetings: E-Defense/NEES meetings -posted Aug, 1 2005
Details here.
Real Time Broadcast: E-Defense Performance Test -posted Jul, 25 2005
E-Defense is the 3D full-scale earthquake testing facility of the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED). These performance tests with a steel structure is currently conducted using some types of seismic waves in order to verify the behavior of the shaking table with pay load before using real shaking tests on some concrete structures. The test structure used is a five-story steel-framework building.

These shaking tests will be broadcasted in real time through the Internet from July 25 to 9 p.m. PST on July 28. -- After the real-time broadcast, the videos will be provided until 7 a.m. PST on July 29 more...
Results of the 2005 NEESinc Board of Directors Election -posted Apr, 1 2005
The ballots have been tallied and the NEES Consortium would like to welcome the newest members to the Board of Directors. Terms of office will be effective May 1, 2005. more...
NEESinc announces venue for Third Annual Meeting -posted Mar, 1 2005
This year's meeting will be hosted at the luxurious Hyatt Regency Hotel in the heart of Minneapolis, MN. An agenda detailing the technical program and other related events is being finalized. more...
Collaborative Research Demonstration of NEES at the University of Nevada, Reno - [Live Webcast] -posted Feb, 8 2005
As part of the study of highway bridges subjected to earthquakes, a quarter scale model of a bridge frame has been constructed and will be tested to failure using the shake table system at the University of Nevada, Reno, on February 10, 2005. The bridge frame will be tested in the transverse direction subjected to uniform motions that simulate a realistic recorded earthquake modified to take into account the soil effects. The amplitude of the motions will increase gradually until the bridge model fails. The web cast of the tests will begin at 10 AM (Pacific Time). more...
NEES/E-DEFENSE Collaborative Earthquake Engineering Research on Steel Buildings -posted Feb, 1 2005
A series of meetings were held during 2004 to explore opportunities for collaboration among researchers and others in the US and Japan related to earthquake engineering that would take advantage of the specific next-generation capabilities being introduced by NEES and E-Defense. These included two joint NEES/E-Defense planning meetings, and several joint research task group meetings. Some of the activities and documents related to research on steel buildings are highlighted below. Additional information on the overall NEES/E-Defense Collaboration may be obtained from the NEES Consortium, Inc. more...
NIED E-Defense - Grand Opening -posted Jan, 1 2005
On January 16, 2005, at the inauguration symposium commemorating the official opening of the world's largest shake table in Miki City, Japan, Dr. Joy Pauschke of NSF and Dr. Ian Buckle of the NEES Consortium offered their congratulations to NIED (National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention). NSF is encouraging US earthquake engineering researchers to propose collaborative research using this unique facility. more...
NEESR Letter of Intent - Deadline Extended -posted Jan, 1 2005
The deadline for submission of optional Letters of Intent for the NSF George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation Research (NEESR) Research solicitation (NSF 05-527) competition for 2005 has been extended to Monday February 7, 2005. Letters of Intent are not required, but if submitted should follow the guidelines in the NSF 05-527 program solicitation and be submitted via FastLane.
Preliminary NAE Report for Public Review - Assessing the Capacity of the U.S. Engineering Research Enterprise -posted Jan, 1 2005
In the spring of 2004, the Engineering Directorate of the National Science Foundation (NSF) asked the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) to conduct a "fast-track" evaluation of (1) the past and potential impact of the U.S. engineering research enterprise on the nation's economy, quality of life, security, and global leadership and (2) whether public and private investment is adequate to sustain U.S. preeminence in basic engineering research. To this end, a 15-member NAE committee of experts, chaired by James J. Duderstadt, president emeritus of the University of Michigan, conducted fact-finding activities and prepared a brief draft report with findings and recommendations. more...
NEES Milestone - Transition to Operations Phase (by Cliff Roblee) -posted Sep, 4 2004
October 1, 2004 marked a key milestone in the emergence of NEES as a national earthquake-engineering-research resource. The network has now officially transitioned from its 'development phase' to its 'operational phase'. A number of individual facilities have marked this transition by hosting Grand Opening events, and the system-wide Grand Opening is scheduled for Monday, November 15. more...
NEES IT Services Center (NEESit) Begins Operations -posted Sep, 1 2004
As of October 1, 2004, NEESgrid support and services will transition to the NEES Cyberinfrastructure Center (NEESit) at the San Diego Supercomputer Center in partnership with UC Berkeley, the University of Michigan, and Oregon State University. more...
Dr. Cliff Roblee Selected as the First Executive Director of the NEES Consortium -posted May, 1 2004
The Board of Directors of the NEES Consortium, Inc. has named Dr. Cliff Roblee as Executive Director, concluding an in depth competitive selection process conducted over the past several months. more...
Tsunami Research Lab Seeks to Save Lives -posted Nov, 24 2003
A low rumble broke the silence. Swelling and cresting, large waves slammed into the concrete basin containing them. The powerful waves were quelled when Dr. Daniel Cox signaled the control room to shut off the tsunami simulator. more...
Buckle elected president of NEES -posted May, 29 2003
The George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) has elected Ian Buckle, director of the University of Nevada, Reno's Center for Civil Engineering Earthquake Research to become the first president of the NEES Consortium. more...