Visit report: NCREE

On Tuesday, October 1st, we visited the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) in Taiwan, gaining insight into their work and research to prepare for, respond to, and recover from earthquakes. This report covers key aspects of the visit, including presentations, lab tours, and discussions with researchers.


NCREE focuses on addressing earthquake challenges before, during, and after they occur. Their work combines research with practical solutions, particularly in construction management. By using cutting-edge labs and technology, they aim to improve earthquake resilience in buildings.


Our visit started with a very nice lunch after which we got a presentation, offering an overview of NCREE’s mission and research set up. They emphasize hands-on, real-world
applications and the integration of new technologies to reduce earthquake risks. Over the years, NCREE has built two main earthquake simulation labs in Taipei and Tainan, which
allow them to test how structures respond to seismic activity and improve construction practices.

After the presentation, we toured NCREE’s seismic lab, which were first established in 1997. The new South Lab at the National Taiwan University (NTU) campus is now a central
hub for their research. These labs are equipped with earthquake simulators that test buildings and materials under earthquake-like conditions. This is done by placing scaled
structures on huge shaking tables. The importance of these experiments became clear when we learned about their
retrofitting projects, particularly for public and school buildings. Over 14.1 million students are now safer thanks to these upgrades. During the 2016 Meihong earthquake, no
retrofitted buildings were damaged, highlighting the effectiveness of NCREE’s efforts.

One of the most fascinating parts of the visit was watching a live earthquake simulation. Through these simulations, NCREE has discovered that while buildings can be structurally
safe, their foundations often fail during earthquakes. This research is helping improve building designs to withstand such challenges. NCREE also invests heavily in monitoring equipment and operates an earthquake early warning system. This system can provide people with 3 to 50 seconds of warning before an earthquake hits, depending on their distance from the epicenter. This life-saving technology is very important in protecting civilians during earthquakes.




NCREE is constantly innovating to improve building resilience. One such innovation is the Buckling Restrained Brace, designed to strengthen buildings against seismic forces. Other
projects include precast segmental post-tensioned structures and prestressed box girder bridges, aimed at enhancing infrastructure across Taiwan. The NCREE building itself has been expanded with a steel structure as the institute grew
over time. Since the main building’s structure is made out of stiff reinforced concrete, steel walls are implemented in the expanded structure to address potential vibration issues and
provide extra stiffness. We also saw small-scale experiments, like seismic-isolated raised floors and seismic-resistant suspended ceilings, all aimed at improving earthquake
preparedness in building designs.

The visit to NCREE was eye-opening. It’s clear that their work, from retrofitting schools to developing early warning systems, is making Taiwan safer. What stood out was their ability
to combine advanced technology with practical, real-world solutions which is very helpful for the micro research in extreme buildings and complexity in construction. They aren’t just theorizing, they’re actively testing and implementing improvements that save lives and reduce earthquake damage. Their approach is setting a valuable example for earthquake-prone regions worldwide.