NEES Tsunami Wave Basin Construction (2000-2004), Maintenance, Operation and Management (2005-2014)

Solomon Yim, PI

With a $5M+ major research equipment construction grant under the National Science Foundation Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation Program (NEES) in FY2001, we have built a state-of-the-art 3D Wave Basin and a NEES grid IT connection for research on tsunamis and their effects on coastal structures. A description of the construction project, the Tsunami Wave Basin, and the Wave Research Laboratory facilities can be found in http://nees.oregonstate.edu.

Under an arrangement with the NEES Consortium, Inc. (NEESinc), the Tsunami Wave Basin will be made available for large-scale experiments to the earthquake engineering and tsunami research commuities over the FY2005 - FY2014 period. NEESinc will provide funds of approximately $1M per year over the ten year period to the Wave Research Laboratory for the endeavor.

The basin is approximately 50m X 26m X 2m with a 29-paddle wave generator controlled by 30 actuators. Each paddle has a maximum stroke of 2m and a maximum velocity of 2m/sec.