Press Release Archive

Trial by Fire–and Simulated Earthquakes

September 16, 2025

When a 10-story test building in San Diego shook and twisted this summer, it wasn’t because of a real earthquake — it was part of a federally funded experiment designed to make future buildings safer when the next big one strikes. Full Story

Engineers Shake Tallest Steel-framed Building Ever Tested on an Earthquake Simulator

July 8, 2025

A 10-story, 100-foot structure experienced simulations of real earthquakes, including the 6.9 magnitude, 1989 Loma Prieta temblor, as part of an effort to determine if height limits for buildings made of cold-formed steel could be increased. Full Story

We Are Safer During and After Earthquakes Thanks to UC San Diego’s Shake Table

June 3, 2025

Homes, offices, parking garages, bridges and other structures across the United States are safer during earthquakes thanks to research done at the University of California San Diego’s outdoor earthquake shake table. Here are some of the positive impacts that have come from past tests at the shake table. Full Story

10-story Steel-framed Building to be Put to the Test on UC San Diego Earthquake Simulator

May 28, 2025

A 10-story cold-formed steel-framed building will soon be put to the test on an earthquake simulator at the University of California San Diego to see how well it can withstand earthquakes. The UC San Diego shake table is the only outdoor facility of its kind in the world, and the only simulator capable of testing a building of this height Full Story