Large-Scale Civil Engineering Research (IMAGE) Purdue University Caption Researchers built an entire three-story building inside Purdue's Robert L. and Terry L. Bowen Laboratory for Large-Scale Civil Engineering Research to test the effectiveness of a simple, inexpensive method to strengthen buildings and reduce their vulnerability to earthquakes. The reinforced-concrete structure was subjected to forces simulating the effects of a strong earthquake by pulling and pushing the building with six powerful hydraulic "actuators." Credit Purdue University School of Civil Engineering photo Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.