The Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES), administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is scheduled to become operational in 2004. These network sites will perform a range of experiments to test and validate complex computer models being developed to simulate the behavior of structures subjected to earthquakes. To assist in this effort, the NSF requested the National Research Council(NRC) to frame the major questions to be addressed by and to develop a long-term research agenda for NEES. Preventing Earthquake Disasters presents an overview of the grand challenge including six critical research problems making up that challenge. The report also provides an assessment of earthquake engineering research issues and the role of information technology in that research effort, and a research plan for NEES.

The Bled workshops have traditionally produced reference documents providing visions for the future development of earthquake engineering as foreseen by leading researchers in the field. The participants of the 2011 workshop built on the tradition of these events initiated by Professors Fajfar and Krawinkler to honor their important research contributions and have now produced a book providing answers to crucial questions in today’s earthquake engineering: “What visible changes in the design practice have been brought about by performance-based seismic engineering? What are the critical needs for future advances? What actions should be taken to respond to those needs?” The key answer is that research interests should go beyond the narrow technical aspects and that the seismic resilience of society as a whole should become an essential part of the planning and design process. The book aims to provide essential guidelines for researchers, professionals and students in the field of earthquake engineering. It will also be of particular interest for all those working at insurance companies, governmental, civil protection and emergency management agencies that are responsible for assessing and planning community resilience. The introductory chapter of the book is based on the keynote presentation given at the workshop by the late Professor Helmut Krawinkler. As such, the book includes Helmut’s last and priceless address to the engineering community, together with his vision and advice for the future development of performance-based design, earthquake engineering and seismic risk management.

This book is a collection of invited lectures including the 5th Nicholas Ambraseys distinguished lecture, four keynote lectures and twenty-two thematic lectures presented at the 16th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering, held in Thessaloniki, Greece, in June 2018. The lectures are put into chapters written by the most prominent internationally recognized academics, scientists, engineers and researchers in Europe. They address a comprehensive collection of state-of-the-art and cutting-edge topics in earthquake engineering, engineering seismology and seismic risk assessment and management. The book is of interest to civil engineers, engineering seismologists, seismic risk managers, policymakers and consulting companies covering a wide spectrum of fields from geotechnical and structural earthquake engineering, to engineering seismology and seismic risk assessment and management. Scientists, professional engineers, researchers, civil protection policymakers and students interested in the seismic design of civil engineering structures and infrastructures, hazard and risk assessment, seismic mitigation policies and strategies, will find in this book not only the most recent advances in the state-of-the-art, but also new ideas on future earthquake engineering and resilient design of structures.