This award will support a workshop organized by Professor Chaim Poran of the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, in collaboration with Professor E. Retamal of the Institute for Research and Testing of Materials (IDIEM) at the University of Chile. The aim of the workshop is to assemble U.S. and Chilean experts in geotechnical earthquake engineering and strong ground motion, in order to review critically the geotechnical instrumentation and associated research needs for seismic hazard research in Chile. The workshop aims to examine the risk of damage and loss of life associated with facilities in Chile, which are constructed in highly seismic environments. It will also focus on the urgent need for geotechnical instrumentation and research in populated areas and at sites planned for development. The Chileans will benefit from U.S. expertise in this field. The U.S. side will gain an opportunity to apply lessons learned in Chile to promote earthquake hazard reduction efforts in the United States.
