2018 Blind Prediction Contest

PEER is pleased to announce the 2018 Blind Prediction Competition on the numerical simulation of a recently completed large-scale liquefaction shaking table experiment.

As a part of this PEER-funded project, a large-scale shaking table test was recently conducted at UCSD’s Powell Laboratory (link is external) using the 2.9 meter tall soil laminar box which is the basis for this blind prediction competition. The experiment focused on the response of shallow foundations in liquefied soils. More information about the project can be found here: Shake Table Tests on Shallow Foundations in Liquefied Soils Supported on Helical Piles. The project team is organizing this blind prediction, and both researchers as well as practicing engineers are encouraged to participate in this exciting competition.

This blind prediction is a class B prediction that compares analytical response “predictions” with those measured during experimental testing. Each participant should predict permanent settlements at multiple locations. The closest predictions to the test results will be recognized. The project team is planning follow-up activities for class C numerical predictions by making some of the experimental data available to the predictors.

The contest is open to teams from the practicing engineering community and the academic and research community (including students). International entries are welcome.

While names and affiliations of all participating teams will be identified, results will be presented anonymously (unlabeled), except for those of the “winning” entry. The winner will be announced and recognized at the PEER Annual Meeting to be held at UC Los Angeles on  January 17-18, 2019.

PEER will reimburse a representative of the winning team allowable travel expenses to attend the PEER 2019 Annual Meeting.

Due date for submitting prediction results is December 16, 2018 11:59PM PST.

For more information, please contact peer_center@berkeley.edu

Blind prediction organizer: Dr. Ramin Motamed (link is external), Associate Professor, University of Nevada, Reno.