Background
The recent Pakistan earthquake of magnitude 7.6 occurred on 8 October 2005. More than 79,000 human lives were lost, about 65,300 people were injured and many buildings collapsed or damaged during the earthquake.

To promote awareness of the destructive forces of earthquakes to engineering students, the school is organizing the ‘Earthquake Challenge 2006’ on 21 January 2006 to 22 January 2006. The aim is to provide students with an opportunity to develop insights into the basic earthquake engineering.

Damage due to Pakistan earthquake
(source: Earthquake Engineering Research Institute)

Program
On the first day, the students shall learn the basics of earthquake engineering,
such as:

• What are the common types of building failure during earthquakes?


• What are the building systems which can increase a building’s earthquake-resistance?

Then, each team of four students will be given a hands-on opportunity to construct a wooden building model. The students shall apply the basic understanding while having fun during this session. On the second day, the students will test the performance of their constructed models under a simulated earthquake, using the Shake Table in NTU’s Protective Engineering Laboratory. The models shall be assessed based on how well and efficient they have withstood the earthquakes.

Model mounted on Shake Table

Through this competition, we wish to promote awareness of earthquakes and earthquake engineering amongst the students. The students shall also apply the basic understanding while having fun during the hands-on session.

Sponsored by:
Nanyang Civil and Environmental Engineering Alumni Association
Nanyang Technological University Endowment Fund