PEER links researchers in earth sciences, engineering seismology, engineering, architecture, economics, and public policy to bridge gaps in knowledge so that new technologies can be developed and implemented to achieve the diverse life-safety, economic, and functional requirements of owners and society. PEER's mission is to develop and disseminate technology for design and construction of buildings and infrastructure to meet those diverse seismic performance objectives. Research Property owners and society demand increasingly more cost-effective and reliable means of achieving minimum life safety protection in conventional construction, as well as enhanced performance objectives for essential facilities and key industries. Advances in the earth sciences related to seismic hazard, and in computational procedures related to modeling and computation of response of the built environment, can be coupled with economic models to simulate effects of earthquakes on the built environment and society. The initial focus of the research program is on performance-based seismic assessment, where the emphasis is on developing models of individual phenomena and their interactions, from seismic hazard through to impact, as illustrated in the figure.
PEER conducts both basic and applied research to resolve societal and industry-specific problems.
Education PEER research students are exposed to and involved in the cross-disciplinary aspects of the research program. At the lead institution, graduate students from four different departments participate in various programs. A Student Leadership Council involving students from all nine participating institutions involves the students in Center planning and fosters development of leadership skills. Student-run seminars invite industrial representatives from the Business and Industry Partner program to campuses to discuss their current projects and technology needs with students and faculty. PEER faculty develop World Wide Web graduate course modules relevant to the theme of the Center.