To effectively promote research and development in earthquake-resistant technology in Taiwan, the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) of the Executive Yuan established the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) at NTU in 1990. Also located on the NTU campus is the Center's research building, which was inaugurated in 1998.
From its establishment till the present time, the collaboration between NCREE and NTU has spanned over 30 years.
NTU is home to internationally renowned faculty and exceptional young students, while the Center provides reliable, top-notch experimental services and professional research personnel. Their long-standing and fruitful relationship has led to remarkable achievements in collaborative research and development, talent cultivation, and experimental advancements. Many of these achievements have seen real-world applications (e.g., Taiwan's seismic regulation research, seismic-resistance assessments and retrofitting of school buildings, and seismic motion mitigation technology like buckling-restrained braces or "BRBs"). A few among these are world-leading technologies, such as steel structure seismic-resistant technology, Taiwan New RC, and pseudo-dynamic hybrid testing technology.
It is our hope that both NCREE and NTU will continue to work together towards the goal of "empowering local advancements while attaining global excellence."
In terms of earthquake disaster prevention and mitigation, NCREE has developed numerous advanced earthquake engineering technologies, which include BRBs, Fiber Optic Monitoring Systems, Multi-functional Rolling Isolation Systems, Taiwan's New High-strength Reinforced Concrete Structures, Composite Earthquake Early Warning Platform, Taiwan Earthquake Loss Estimation System, and 5D Intelligent Disaster Prevention and Rescue Platform.
Research achievements in these areas have met global standards, having been implemented in both domestic and international industries. For instance, over 200 cases of BRB technology are being used in Taiwan, and it has seen applications in other countries, such as New Zealand. Moreover, BRB technology received formal recognition when it was granted the Executive Yuan Award for Outstanding Science and Technology Contribution.
Composite Earthquake Early Warning Platforms have been installed not only in primary and secondary schools throughout Taiwan but also in high-tech factories and Taiwan's High-Speed Rail. Furthermore, in keeping with the goals of the New Southbound Policy, the technology and its products have been exported to other Southeast Asian countries.
Technologies such as the 5D Intelligent Disaster Prevention and Rescue Platform and seismic retrofitting technologies have also been exported to foreign countries, aiding developing nations in mitigating the impact of earthquakes and other natural disasters.
In recent years, NCREE has promoted several long-term international collaborative research projects with countries such as the United States, Japan, Canada, and New Zealand.
National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) and NTU Collaborate on New Seismic Technology.
NCREE houses a 5-meter by 5-meter Tri-Axial Seismic Simulator for conducting earthquake simulations on small structures.
NCREE's main mission is to serve as an academic and engineering hub for seismic technology research and development in Taiwan. Its aim is to enhance the seismic-resistance capability of the engineering industry in the country. These innovative technologies are being applied in both the construction of new large buildings and the retrofitting of existing structures.
The photo taken prior to the extension illustrates the project's challenge of integrating structures from different eras and connecting diverse materials. The extension of the NCREE building serves as a significant milestone for all smart earthquake-resistant buildings in Taiwan. Various devices, including dampers, have been incorporated into the building structure.