Research Theme: Protecting Communities from Hazards
We have a deep understanding of how natural and anthropogenic hazards impact the built environment. We are world leaders in quantifying the consequences for our communities.
We have a deep understanding of how natural and anthropogenic hazards impact the built environment. We are world leaders in quantifying the consequences for our communities.
We collect the evidence base from recent hazardous events that have affected communities. We use this data to develop and calibrate simulation models that we can use to explore scenarios of impact.
We use this data and our simulation models to produce probabilistic risk information. These can then inform mitigation strategies and contingency actions.
Data collection and simulation
We are part of the international Learning from Earthquakes research community and we lead the UK research team in this effort.
We deploy reconnaissance missions to areas recently affected by earthquakes. Our investigations help us to understand deficiencies in construction practices that lead to building and infrastructure failure. This, in turn, provides us with a good understanding of the consequences for communities when this happens.
We have developed a variety of simulation tools that we use to explore scenarios. Our data is crucial for calibration and validation.
Real world benefits
We are helping to develop construction standards that will lead to a safer built environment.
We work with energy companies and insurers. We help them to understand the risk to their systems and how this may change in the future due to changes in our climate.
We are developing tools for utility owners to better manage threats to their systems.