International Workshop: Toward Understanding the Effects of the Wenchuan Megaquake of 12 May 2008; Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; February 2009

2008年5月12日的汶川地震是人类的一场悲剧：据报道，地震造成8万多人死亡，500万人无家可归。与此同时，这也是科学和工程的一次伟大实验：这是一次巨大的地震（Ms =8），它突破了地面，留下了一个延伸270公里的地表破裂，它破坏了大约25万公里的区域。在受影响的地区记录了398个强震记录。研究这些数据，结合有据可查的岩土工程和结构破坏，必将产生新技术，使规划得以改进，以保护社会免受未来此类事件的影响。本提案将为美国代表团参加2009年2月在中国广州举行的国际研讨会提供差旅支持。研讨会的主要目标是制定一个新的研究议程，以最佳地利用汶川经验。研讨会的成果可以指导研究界制定对生命和经济安全产生积极影响的合作项目。研讨会的具体目标是：1。具体说明将导致在保护社会免受地震影响的技术方面取得重大改进的研究举措。2.确保对汶川地震影响的可用信息进行全面记录。3.识别可能缺失的数据，并安排获取和记录缺失的数据。4.建立一个机制，以保持选定的研究倡议的势头和质量。5.计划研究过程中及时交换信息的程序。

Abstract0914008Mete SozenPurdue UniversityThe Wenchuan event of 12 May 2008 was a tragedy for humanity: it is reported to have caused over 80,000 fatalities and left a population of 5,000,000 people without shelter. At the same time, it was a grand experiment for science and engineering: it was a megaquake (Ms =8) that broke through to the ground leaving a surface rupture extending 270 km, it damaged a region of approximately 250,000 km. A magnificent new array of 398 strong-motion records is recorded in the affected region. Study of these data in conjunction with well documented geotechnical and structural damage is bound to result in new technology that will enable improved planning to protect society from such events in the future.This proposal is to provide travel support for of a US delegation to attend an international workshop to be held in Guangzhou, China, in February 2009. The main goal of the workshop is to set a new research agenda to make optimum use of the Wenchuan Experience. The outcome of the workshop could guide the research communities to develop collaborative projects that would have positive impacts on the life and economic safety.. The specific goals of the workshop are:1. To specify research initiatives that will lead to major improvements in the technology for the protection of society from earthquakes. 2. To assure a thorough documentation of the available information on the effects of the Wenchuan Earthquake. 3. To identify the data that may be missing and arrange for the missing data to be obtained and documented. 4. To develop a mechanism for maintaining the momentum and the quality of the selected research initiatives. 5. To plan procedures for timely exchange of information during the conduct of the research.