Category: Center for Disaster Resilient Communities

Joseph Wartman, director of the Natural Hazards and Disaster Reconnaissance Facility and a professor of civil engineering at the University of Washington, recently authored an op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle calling for California’s leaders to master wildfire safety in the same way that they mastered earthquake safety. He notes that California has become a global leader in earthquake preparedness through decades of investment in infrastructure, policy and public education, spurred by past disasters like the 1971 San Fernando quake….

Liquefaction of soil is a major risk during earthquakes, responsible for significant damage to buildings and other infrastructure. A team from the University of Washington’s Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering is developing biocementation – a newer, sustainable alternative to traditional soil stabilization methods. This new approach utilizes bacteria to help soils strengthen against earthquake liquefaction. Unlike conventional cement-based soil treatments, biocementation is much less invasive, with a simple nutrient solution being injected into the soil. This solution enables bacteria…

The Western United States often faces severe wildfire seasons. Each year, wildfires destroy homes, displace communities and envelop millions in hazardous smoke. In response, University of Washington engineering researchers are creating innovative solutions to better predict, manage and mitigate the often devastating impacts of wildfires. Karen Leung of the UW’s Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics is leading a team that is developing drones that can map fires in real-time, offering crucial guidance and information for wildland firefighters. Separately, a team…