WHAT: A simulated earthquake in a centrifuge machine will illustrate a new way of evaluating the damage that a devastating earthquake and resulting soil liquefaction might do to large infrastructures, such as transportation systems, dams, pipelines, power plants and port facilities. This demonstration kicks off a four-day conference at UC Davis that will reveal the strengths and weaknesses of the most advanced earthquake-design engineering methods currently used around the world. Thirty research teams from the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan will present the final results of a four-year National Science Foundation project aimed at helping engineers design structures better able to survive soil liquefaction during earthquakes. Conference results will be available Oct. 20. WHEN: 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17 WHERE: Bainer Hall, Room 1215 UC Davis VISUALS: Reporters will view a scale model of a waterfront retaining wall before and after it goes through the centrifuge's spin-and-shake cycle. This simulates real-life earthquakes by spinning at 50 times the force of gravity while the shaker mimics certain earthquake forces. Illustrations of the model will be available. Large photographs of major earthquake disaster sites around the world will be on display. Research experts available for comment include conference co-organizers Kandiah Arulanandan, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at UC Davis, and Ronald F. Scott, the Hayman professor of engineering at the California Institute of Technology, as well as Robert V. Whitman, professor emeritus of engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and others. DIRECTIONS From Sacramento, take the UC Davis exit off I-80. Turn right on AND PARKING: Old Davis Road. At the stop sign, go straight and follow LaRue Road as it curves left. Turn right at Boletti Way, and right again on Bainer Hall Drive. Park in lot 44, between Bainer and the Crocker Nuclear Lab. Media may park for free if the vehicle is clearly marked or if media personnel display on the driver's side dashboard a business card with their media identification.