The University at Buffalo, State University of New York will establish an Earthquake Engineering Research Center. The goal of the Center is to conduct research to substantially improve state- of-the-art basic knowledge, improve the engineering practice, and improve implementation of earthquake hazard mitigation practices in order to minimize the loss of property and human lives and the disruption of all facets of human activities resulting from severe earthquakes. The major research thrusts are a coordinated and integrated approach to earthquake engineering research centered on structural system and lifeline systems; and an emphasis on earthquake hazard mitigation in the area of the United STates east of the rocky Mountains. Research activities will be concentrated on ground motions, soil dynamics, system response and unserviceability, reliability and risk assessment, laboratory and field experiments, innovative computing and expert systems, codified design related issues, and social and educational issues. The two operational divisions of the Center are the Research Division and the Education and Technology Transfer Division. Other institutions that will participate in the research activities are the City College of New York, Columbia University, Cornell University, Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Lehigh University, Princeton University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
