Australian earthquake engineering: Achievements, challenges and obstacles

Abstract

The Australian Earthquake Engineering Society was established in 1990 with its main objective to promote and advance the practice of earthquake engineering and engineering seismology in Australia. In the decade or so since its establishment the Society has had some successes in this regard as well as some disappointments. In this paper, the author will highlight these along with research and other important professional developments during this period. The perceived obstacles to getting a better take-up of earthquake engineering amongst Australian practitioners and the role of the Society in furthering the cause of earthquake engineering in Australia will then be discussed. The paper will conclude with an outline of possible strategies for overcoming these obstacles.