2D Valley Simulation
The top figure depicts a two-dimensional model of a valley, partitioned
for solution on a 64-processor supercomputer.
The bottom figure illustrates the
response of the upper surface of the valley,
as a function of frequency of excitation and
position within the valley. It is salient that the response of a
building is greatest when the frequency of ground motion is close to
the natural resonant frequency of the building itself.
These results show that
damage can vary considerably depending on a building's location in the
valley and its frequency characteristics.
To accurately model large basins such as
Los Angeles or San Francisco, it is necessary to use three-dimensional
models of far greater size.
Obtaining information like that illustrated above is
impossible without the use of advanced supercomputers.
quake@cs.cmu.edu