These reports are unique, authoritative expert evaluations. Each report is produced by a committee of experts selected by the Academy to address a particular statement of task and is subject to a rigorous, independent peer review.
Read more about National Academies reports >>
Underground Engineering for Sustainable Urban Development (2013)
Humans have long relied on underground space for the placement of physical structures that allow our cities and developed areas to function safely. These include building foundations, underground utilities (e.g., power, gas, communications, waste management), transportation (e.g., roads and highways, subways, freight and passenger rail) and their supporting facilities. However, underground infrastructure is rarely engineered in coordination wit... More >>
Origin and Evolution of Earth: Research Questions for a Changing Planet (2008)
Questions about the origin and nature of Earth and the life on it have long preoccupied human thought and the scientific endeavor. Deciphering the planet's history and processes could improve the ability to predict catastrophes like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, to manage Earth's resources, and to anticipate changes in climate and geologic processes. At the request of the U.S. Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Spac... More >>
Report in Brief
Assessment of the Performance of Engineered Waste Containment Barriers (2007)
President Carter's 1980 declaration of a state of emergency at Love Canal, New York recognized that residents' health had been affected by nearby chemical waste sites. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, enacted in 1976, had just ushered in a new era of waste management disposal designed to protect the public from harm. It required that modern waste containment systems use "engineered" barriers designed to isolat... More >>
Report in Brief
Geological and Geotechnical Engineering in the New Millennium: Opportunities for Research and Technological Innovation (2006)
This report presents a vision for the future of geotechnology aimed at National Science Foundation program managers, the geological and geotechnical engineering community as a whole, and other interested parties including Congress, federal and state agencies, industry, and other stakeholders in geoengineering research. Some of the ideas discussed may be close to reality whereas others may be elusive, but they all present possibilities to striv... More >>
Improved Seismic Monitoring Improved Decision-Making: Assessing the Value of Reduced Uncertainty (2006)
The Board on Earth Sciences and Resources released Improved Seismic Monitoring Improved Decision-Making: Assessing the Value of Reduced Uncertainty. With approximately 30 percent of the population and 50 percent of the national building stock in areas prone to damaging earthquakes, and with both statistics continuing to increase, there is a growing need to mitigate the nation's earthquake risk. Improved information from seismic monitorin... More >>