On this episode of DesignSafe Radio, we speak with Peter Mackenzie-Helnwein, SimCenter educator and research associate professor of engineering at the University of Washington. Mackenzie Helnwein and Frank McKenna, chief technology officer at the SimCenter, lead the popular SimCenter bootcamps. The courses teach programming techniques to natural hazards engineers—techniques such as automating data analysis and performing simulations.Accurate and detailed natural hazards simulations are crucial data for governments to make informed decisions about the security of their city or state.
The SimCenter’s Peter Mackenzie-Helnwein details ways engineers equipped with programming knowledge can simulate earthquake and wind damage—in specific areas, down to the street and building level. He explains how hazard simulations enable policy makers to make informed decisions, using the Seattle waterfront viaduct as an example.
"We tried to get these simulations to a speed where we could say 'we have possibly twenty four hours until the event' and by predicting where are the most difficult zones, where are high damage areas, immediately deploy supplies there, but do it a little bit smarter. Think of Hurricane Katrina, instead of reacting, to become proactive."
- Peter Mackenzie-Helnwein
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