Researchers Awarded $5 Million for Large-Scale Testing of Seismic Systems

Photo by University Relations

Gary Prinz

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has awarded $5 million to researchers at the University of Arkansas to develop a center for large-scale testing of seismic systems. The purpose of the new center is to facilitate testing of those systems to improve the performance of civil infrastructure – such as buildings and bridges – in the event of an earthquake.

The award allows for the purchase of large hydraulic loading equipment, materials testing equipment, state-of-the-art data acquisition devices and key upgrades to the existing facility, the Grady E. Harvell Civil Engineering Research and Education Center (CEREC).

Gary Prinz, professor of civil engineering and director of CEREC, is the principal investigator. Cameron Murray, an associate professor of civil engineering, is the co-PI. 

In their proposal, the researchers noted the importance of having advanced structural testing facilities to guide infrastructure improvement, highlighting that the 1994 Northridge Earthquake created $20 billion in infrastructure damage and an estimated $40 billion in economic loss, in addition to dozens of fatalities. While that earthquake spurred research to improve structural systems through large-scale experimentation, that was 30 years ago. 

“When it comes to natural disasters from seismic activity, learning from experience is extremely costly,” Prinz explained. “Learning through controlled testing in a laboratory setting allows for more rapid progress and the development of new seismic solutions that can lead to more resilient, cost-effective infrastructure.”

The award comes from appropriations language authored by U.S. Sen. John Boozman passed into law in 2024.

“Enhanced research capabilities at the University of Arkansas translate into real-world applications with far-reaching, essential benefits," Sen. Boozman said. "This advanced seismic testing can help strengthen our infrastructure while also better informing future generations of engineers about structural integrity. I was pleased to secure this funding that will directly support innovative and solution-oriented study in Northwest Arkansas."

Success of this project will be measured by the resulting competitive research grants awarded, the successful training of students (graduate and honors students completing research projects) to use the equipment, and by the implementation of the new equipment in research projects during the first five years of ownership. The equipment is expected to transform the capabilities and capacity of the facility, making CEREC a nationally competitive structures laboratory.

CEREC was opened in 2021 to ensure in-state capacity for full-scale structural testing and as a teaching laboratory, which had not previously existed in the state of Arkansas. Since its opening, researchers affiliated with the testing center have garnered more than $21.5 million in research awards.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.