The nation's largest earthquake experimental center is being built in Shanghai's Jiading District and will be operational in 2010.

In the new laboratory, experts will be able to test models of large structures in stimulated earthquake conditions with a view to improving their anti-seismic properties.

Fan Lichu, project leader and a member of Chinese Academy of Engineering, said the lab would cost 100 million yuan (US$14.6 million). The lab will house a system of four vibrating tables to simulate earthquake conditions.

This will enable constructions such as bridges, undergrounds and pipelines to be tested.

(Shanghai Daily July 21, 2008)