Earthquake Simulation Rattles Ottawa County
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NewsOn6.com attended Media Day, Oct. 13, 2010, for a shake test of bridge support pilings conducted by Oklahoma University, Iowa State University, and UCLA. Professor K.K. “Muralee” Muraleetharan, professor, School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, University of Oklahoma, partnering with engineers from Iowa State, San Jose State University, Clemson University, UCLA, Grand River Dam Authority, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the City of Miami, Earth Mechanics, Inc. and Advanced GeoSolutions, are studying a technique called “cement deep-soil mixing”, which strengthens clay soil to improve the performance of the bridge pilings. As part of the study, the researchers worked in Miami because the soft red clay soil is similar to soil in San Francisco and the New Madrid, which experience high levels of seismic activities and shifting ground, and are some of the target applications for the project. The test hopes to determine if movement in the soil around iron piles that support bridge stanchions in earthquake zones may be controlled by adding certain amounts of cement.