RESCUE: Repeatable Earth Shaking by Controlled Underground Expansion

RESCUE (Repeatable Earth Shaking by Controlled Underground Expansion), available for license, is a crucial technology that generates large ground motion for seismic testing of full-scale structures. In developing RESCUE, which employs a unique explosive technique, SRI Poulter Laboratory researchers capitalized on SRI's expertise in the controlled release of gas pressure build-up generated by propellants. SRI methods of constructing deep trenches and creating more durable rubber materials were also used.

Advantage
The unpredictable hazard of earthquakes exists worldwide, and no amount of research has been able to prevent or provide advanced warning. The 1994 Northridge, California, quake, for example, resulted in an estimated $20 million in damages in addition to the incalculable loss of human lives. RESCUE testing could help prevent this type of extensive damage and loss from future earthquakes.

RESCUE allows researchers to test the stability of full-sized buildings on soil and other foundations. The technology can be used as part of a test site facility (in which structures are fabricated upon a specified test bed) or taken to the location of an existing structure. Other explosive techniques are unable to produce RESCUE's tailored ground motion pulses and the high number of pulses. Plus, few have the flexibility to perform multiple tests on a single structure.

Opportunity
Applications for RESCUE are as varied as a city's buildings. The technique can be used to test any structure, including buildings of wood, steel, and concrete, highway overpasses, storage tanks, pipelines, and earth dams.

Visit the Laboratory - Poulter Laboratory: Applied Mechanics

Technical Contact:
Paul Gefken
(650) 859-6093
paul.gefken@sri.com