INTEGRATED SIMULATION FOR EARTHQUAKE HAZARD AND DISASTER PREDICTION

Abstract

This paper presents the integrated simulation for earthquake hazard and disaster prediction. The earthquake hazard simulation takes advantage of the macro-micro analysis method which estimates strong ground motion with high spatial and temporal resolution. The earthquake disaster simulation calculates seismic responses for all structures in a target area by inputting synthesized strong ground motion to a structure analysis method which is plugged into the system; a suitable analysis method, linear or non-linear, is chosen depending on the type of the structure. The results of all simulations are visualized so that government officials and residents can share common recognition of possible earthquake hazard and disaster. Two examples of this integrated earthquake simulations are presented; one is made by plugging nonlinear structure analysis methods into the system, and the other is made for an actual city, the computer model of which is constructed with the help of available geographical information systems.