The Balamand Earthquake Engineering Center (BEEC)

The Balamand Earthquake Engineering Center (BEEC) is a center dedicated for earthquake research. This center is established in the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Balamand in response to the lack of Lebanon’s essential and necessary research programs that deal with local earthquake related problems.

The mission of this center is to become nationally and internationally recognized as a premier research center in earthquake engineering and to provide scientific understanding and leadership related to earthquake hazard, awareness, and response through research and education.

BEEC will aim to develop a well-recognized two-fold program:
  1. To collaborate with existing seismology centers in Lebanon in monitoring earthquakes activities through real time data collection and analysis, to study and to investigate the seismic faults characteristics and movements, and to perform earthquake hazard, risk and damage assessment.

  2. To prepare structural state-of-the-art research activities that can investigate problems of the local construction industry, as well as to collaborate with the Order of Engineers and Architects, municipalities and other concerned bodies in the domain of seismic resistance of new as well as existing structures.
The BEEC carries out its mission through a well-developed, well-equipped Seismology/Structural Laboratory which mainly serves the research division of the BEEC. This laboratory contains two divisions:

  1. The Seismology/Geo-Physical Laboratory Division

    2. This Laboratory has the responsibility for scientific studies of faults and earthquakes in Lebanon and the surrounding regions. The laboratory operates by using seismographic stations across Lebanon to investigate the intensity, frequency of occurrence, and distribution of earthquakes in the region, and other concerns related to seismic risk in Lebanon including landslides and soils liquefaction. Recently, a seismographic station linked to the general Lebanese network has been placed in the university.

    The Laboratory makes seismic data available to be used by university researchers, government agencies, and the public. It will regularly publish research findings and results. The lab serves as a data storehouse and a resource for the public on matters related to earthquake activities and seismic risks in Lebanon and in the region. When a strong earthquake is felt in Lebanon, the laboratory staff will work closely to provide timely and accurate information on the earthquake location, magnitude, and shaking intensity. Also, the laboratory prepares students to become professionals for a career in earthquake engineering.

    The mission of the Seismology/Geo-Physical Laboratory is to:

    • - Operate a network of seismic stations on Lebanese territories and analyze the data obtained.
    • - Compile data on earthquake activities in and around Lebanon.
    • - Serve as a storehouse of information and exchange of information on earthquake activities with other seismic centers.
    • - Investigate the geological and geo-physical properties of the highly populated areas in Lebanon in order to establish a micro-zonation mapping system that will provide an appropriate data base for proper design of any infra or super structure.
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    • - Perform seismic assessment of existing building by accurate monitoring of their structural members.
    • - Support research on earthquake problems of national importance; ​

    The Lab is equipped with the following:

    • - StructureScan Optical 1.6 ghz, with a 2.6 ghz antenna and the conversion kit for the 400mhz antenna.
    • - The CityShark and 2 Lennartz 5-second 3-C seismometers.
    • - Obsidian 24 Chanel system recorder, 6 * ES–T (6 Surface Triaxial Force Balance Accelerometer), and 6 * ES – U2 (6 Uniaxial Episensor)

    The center will add numerous remote stations. The number of the stations is to be decided upon coordination with the “Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research (LNCSR)”, as well as contacts with other American and European Universities already involved in seismological research in the eastern Mediterranean region, and Earthquake Centers in neighboring countries. Special attention shall be given to the newly discovered Mount Lebanon Thrust.

  2. The Structural/Geotechnical Laboratory Division

    3. During large earthquakes, the ground is jerked back and forth, causing damage to structural elements which capacities are below the earthquake demand. The cause of the damage may be due to secondary hazards such as surface faulting or failure of a nearby structure or the supporting soil. Additionally, structural damage can be mainly due to foundations failures, weak structural systems including failure of connections, large torsional moments due to structures irregularities, stability and buckling, and pounding of adjacent buildings.

    To avoid such damage in structures, codes and design regulations have been published. If followed closely, these regulations can produce buildings and structures that may experience slight damage during a strong earthquake, but definitely avoid full collapse. Recently, the Lebanese decree number 7964 was published in the official paper (Issue 17, 19/4/2012) stating that structures in all Lebanese territories shall be designed with a minimum Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) of 0.25g. Despite the high importance of such a decree, it is by far insufficient in producing structures that are earthquake resistant. In addition to this decree, several other requirements are mandatory in order to guide the design and construction industries in how to make safe structures.

    The mission of the Structural/Geotechnical Laboratory is to:
    • - Run experimental research programs that reflect local building conditions, and link local design regulations with international standards.
    • - Provide a systematic method in the assessment and retrofit of existing structures, through a statistical approach with accurate classification based on the importance of those existing structures.
    • - Upgrade the currently used requirements for the design of seismic resistant structures.

    The laboratory includes testing machines and equipment that are capable of applying quasi-static and dynamic loadings. This includes but not limited to the following:

    • - A 1000KN UTM (Universal Testing Machine) vertical load state-of-the-art machine with 6m skid and necessary actuator, load cells and data acquisition.
    • - A strong floor with a steel reaction frame capable of applying up to 500KN horizontal cyclic load with necessary actuator, load cells and data acquisition.
    • - A soils shear wave velocity measuring machine used to determine the seismic classification of the soils based on the latest IBC requirements

    The research program shall work in collaboration with all bodies in charge of buildings regulations including the Order of Engineers and Architects, municipalities, and concerned ministries and universities, and is an excellent educational tool in producing MS and PhD students with a wide range of experience in all seismic related design domains.

    Earthquake Disaster Research and Public Awareness Program

    This program is divided into two divisions:

    Disaster Management Research Division

    The program’s goals are to advance the understanding of earthquake hazard, vulnerability and risk effects on Lebanese society through research, public information, and education. The program's mission is to conduct research on earthquake disaster, and to implement this research through data collection for the benefit of the Lebanese public. Program researchers and personnel will work together in collaboration with other programs to assist in protecting local residents and their properties from the physical and economic losses during earthquake events. Research will focus on quantifying local seismic hazards, and on mitigation strategies.

    Public Earthquake Awareness Campaign Division

    Public earthquake awareness and community engagement/preparedness are particularly essential for effective response since it can save many lives during any disaster. Previous earthquake events have clearly shown that communities with sufficient level of risk awareness and emergency preparedness/readiness suffer much less casualties and losses in sudden catastrophic earthquakes. A successful response to an earthquake disaster begins months or actually years in advance. In order to respond to such large scale disaster consequences, an effective collaboration must be achieved between government agencies and community organizations led by universities.

    The key role of this division is to launch a national awareness campaign regarding earthquakes threats and hazards, and to support the enforcement of building regulations in new constructions. The campaign will focus on: lectures, presentations, workshops, movies, posters, and helpful posted information. Also, the awareness campaign covers schools, public institutions and professional organizations, and local government offices in both urban and rural towns all over the Lebanese territories.

    The program consists of specialists and graduate students responsible for the progress of the center through community engagement, volunteerism and collaboration with Governmental and non-governmental organizations, and establishment of disaster response training with the Lebanese Red Cross.