Characterization of Earthquake Ground Motions and Hazards for Engineering Applications

地震的破坏性取决于它所产生的地面运动的强度，相对于结构抵抗运动的能力。地面运动强度取决于地震震级、距离和土壤条件。通过以适合工程分析的格式提供有关预期运动的信息，我们使地震工程师能够设计具有成本效益和抗震弹性的结构。预期地面运动的建模，这是在地震学和地震工程之间的接口，是阿特金森博士的研究计划的重点。阿特金森博士分析了地震产生的地震波，并建立了描述地震波如何在地球上传播的模型。计算机模拟和经验模型的结合，往往在近实时的重大区域性事件后，地面运动，被用来表征地震震动的强度。 该模型使用简单的参数化，使未来预期的地面运动的预测。地面运动模型被用来建议监管机构更新抗震设计法规中的规定-这些标准确保建筑物和关键设施，如水坝和核电站的建造能够安全地承受地震震动和影响。阿特金森博士研究的最终目的是帮助设计抗震结构，以挽救生命，并最大限度地减少未来地震对经济的破坏。

The destructiveness of an earthquake is determined by the intensity of the ground motions it produces, relative to the ability of structures to resist the motions. The ground motion intensity depends on earthquake magnitude, distance, and soil conditions. By providing information on the expected motions in a format suitable for input to engineering analysis, we enable earthquake engineers to design cost-effective and seismically resilient structures. The modeling of expected ground motions, which lies at the interface between seismology and earthquake engineering, is the focus of Dr. Atkinson's research program. Dr. Atkinson analyses the seismic waves generated by earthquakes, and builds models that describe how they propagate through the earth. A combination of computer simulation and empirical modeling of ground motions, often in near-real time following a significant regional event, is used to characterize the intensity of earthquake shaking. The models use simple parameterizations that enable forward predictions of future expected ground motions. The ground-motion models are used to advise regulatory bodies on updating the provisions in seismic design regulations - standards that ensure that buildings and critical facilities such as dams and nuclear power plants are built to safely withstand earthquake shaking and effects. The ultimate aim of Dr. Atkinson's research is to aid in the design of seismically-resilient structures that will save lives and minimize economic disruption in future earthquakes.****