「研究成果をいかに社会に実装するか」は、土木工学が担う大きな使命です。防災の世界では、特に「想定外力」への備えという言葉が注目され、最大限のリスクを見積もる傾向が強まってきました。けれども、ただ想定外力を大きく見積もるだけでは、過剰な投資を呼び込んだり、対策が遅れるなどの懸念もあります。
そこで私たちは、地盤が持つ強度の“冗長性”を含め、合理的な評価手法を追求しています。たとえば、液状化が起こりにくい地盤であるにもかかわらず、安易にリスクを上乗せしすぎて過度な補強工事をしてしまうと、コストばかりか、場合によっては環境破壊にもつながります。地盤の力を過小評価せず、とはいえ複合災害も念頭に置き、科学的にリスクを見極める仕組みづくりが重要です。
また、インフラ整備には地震対策だけでなく、気候変動による豪雨や干ばつへの適応策も含まれます。先進国と比べて防災資源が限られた途上国では、投資優先順位の問題から建設より医療や教育を重視すべきケースもあります。そのような社会背景を踏まえ、防災研究はむやみに「強化」だけを追求するのではなく、「どう使うか」「どんな価値を生み出すか」を常に考える必要があるのです。
One of our core missions is to bring research outcomes from the lab and the field into real-world practice. In the realm of disaster prevention, the phrase “prepare for the unthinkable” has become a guiding principle following large-scale catastrophes like the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake. While it is vital to account for worst-case scenarios, simply inflating hazard levels without a nuanced understanding of ground strength may lead to excessive spending, delays in essential countermeasures.
Our approach seeks to strike a balance by accurately assessing the ground’s inherent strength—including potential redundancies—through scientific evaluations. For instance, if the soil structure is sufficiently robust and liquefaction risk is low, indiscriminately applying heavy reinforcement might waste resources and damage the local environment. Conversely, failing to account for multi-hazard situations, such as the combined effects of earthquakes and intense rainfall, could leave communities vulnerable. Hence, we continually refine our methodologies to identify genuine threats and implement proportionate measures.
This holistic perspective extends to regions with limited resources, where priorities such as healthcare and education may understandably supersede large-scale construction projects. By advocating disaster preparedness strategies that respect local economic and social contexts, our research ultimately supports the creation of infrastructure that coexists harmoniously with nature. Through responsible application of engineering insights, we aim to contribute not just to safer structures, but also to a resilient, ecologically mindful society that can adapt to the evolving realities of climate change and urban development.
