Developing Save; a Web Based Application for Risk Communication Using Virtual Reality for Earthquake Engineers: towards Communication to the Public

Traditional computer applications in civil engineering are mainly for analysis, design and construction of buildings and other structures, which are basic components of social infrastructures. No doubt computer technology has been promoting productivities in the engineering aspect, but few successful efforts have been made in solving social and human related problems, such as disaster mitigation in cases of earthquakes, fires etc.. On reviewing state-of-the-art computer techniques and relative applications, this paper discusses problems and challenges concerning implementing an information system of disaster mitigation for metropolises. Then, the paper presents a prototype of an Internet oriented platform with an initial implementation using Virtual Reality (VR).