Tech Topics - Fall 2007 - (Page 19)

TheHill Bracing for the Next ‘BIG ONE’ Researcher says technology could help prepare for natural disasters By Teri Nagel E ach year, natural and technological disasters cause an estimated $52 billion in the United States in terms of lost lives, disruption of commerce, properties destroyed and the cost for mobilizing emergency response personnel. Reginald DesRoches, associate professor and associate chair of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Georgia Tech, hopes technology can save us from the next natural disaster. DesRoches and other researchers are turning their attention to the devastating effects of recent natural disasters and the importance of preparing for the inevitable — the next one. At a recent presentation to the Northeast Tennessee Georgia Tech Club, DesRoches began with a poignant reminder. Quoting a retired U.S. Geological Survey official, he said, “Natural hazards are inevitable. Natural disasters are not.” In August 2005, a white-knuckled nation watched Hurricane Katrina rip through the Gulf Coast. Infrastructure in small towns and urban centers alike were no match for the 125 mph winds and a storm surge reaching 28 feet. Researchers in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Georgia Tech responded quickly to the disaster with several trips to evaluate damaged transportation systems and ports and to study evidence left by the enormous storm surge. “Underscoring our vulnerability to unlikely hazards, we saw several instances where a structure’s staying power rested on a minor construction detail; yards away a similar structure without the reinforcing detail suffered major damage,” DesRoches told the Alumni club. In September 2006, Georgia Tech co-hosted Rebuilding New Orleans: Infrastructure Systems and Technology Innovation, a two-day forum that brought together scientists and policy makers from across the country. The discussion centered on how to approach the daunting task of rebuilding New Orleans so that people will return or relocate to the area. Meanwhile, experts are bracing for the next “big one” — an earthquake that can potentially cripple much of the infrastructure in the central and southeastern United States. “With few forecasting tools to warn those in danger areas, earthquakes and tsunamis can be stealth — and deadly,” DesRoches said. “One of the most costly natural hazards faced by the nation and world, earthquakes pose a significant risk to 75 million Americans in 39 states. To put it into perspective, a repeat of the New Madrid earthquake of 1811 in the Central U.S. could cause Reginald DesRoches says Georgia Tech can help “make critical choices to help mitigate risks from natural hazards.” an estimated $100 billion to $200 billion in damages,” he said, referring to a University of Illinois report. “Tsunamis pose an equally significant threat to humans. The U.S. West Coast, from California to Alaska, is vulnerable to tsunamis from nearby or distant earthquakes, and Hawaii is extremely vulnerable to all tsunamis in the Pacific Ocean,” DesRoches said. With this in mind, the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering is integrating research and education to develop technology to mitigate earthquake-related risks: • Developing innovative rehabilitation methods through fullscale earthquake testing in an 18,000square-foot laboratory. • Working with emergency management agencies to develop preparedness plans, based on detailed regional seismic risk assessment simulations. • Establishing and participating in research centers around topics such as vulnerability of ports to natural hazards. • Coastal engineering researchers are studying the impact of tsunami events from East Africa to Southeast Asia to develop better assessment methods and early warning systems. “The fact is the U.S. is very vulnerable to natural hazards as its infrastructure is built today, and this vulnerability will only continue to increase as the infrastructure ages,” DesRoches said. He said threats to furthering the sustainable development include: • Growing frequency and intensity of hazards. • Effects of climate change. For instance, as sea levels continue to rise, foundations of bridges will become much more vulnerable. • Aging and decaying infrastructure. “The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that over $1.5 trillion is needed over a five-year period to get the nation’s infrastructure to a good condition.” • Growing population and urbanization. “In the next 45 to 50 years, the world’s urban population of approximately 3 billion will double.” DesRoches continued, “In different academic capacities, we are taking physical performance, environmental impact and social consequences into consideration to develop safer, longer-lasting solutions. “We are well positioned to provide knowledge and resources to help policy makers and funding agencies make critical choices to help mitigate risks from natural hazards,” he said. “Technologies are available now to help reduce the risk of damage to the nation’s infrastructure. However, we must determine the appropriate level to invest in upgrading infrastructure, where to make these investments and what we are getting in return for such investments. “If we start planning now, technology could likely save us from the next natural disaster. But we can also increase that likelihood to certainty if we commit to making difficult decisions to invest in infrastructure, even with the low probability of a natural disaster.” TECHTOPICS | FALL 2007 19

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Contents Mail Call Alumni House Historic Renovation 007 Buzz Bash Dazzling Daylilies Living History Cover Story: Key to the City The Hill Tapping Technology Robotics Rivalry No Easy Ride Giving Back Balancing Act Student Life Burdell & Friends Epic Story of Heroism Yellow Jackets Very Good Team Passport to Retirement Real World

Tech Topics - Fall 2007

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