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AIR natural catastrophe models simulate the physical characteristics of natural hazards and project their effects on property, including residential, commercial and industrial
facilities, and automobiles. AIR scientists and engineers have developed
these sophisticated computer models for all major natural hazards, including hurricanes, earthquakes, extratropical cyclones (winter storms), tornadoes, hailstorms and flood, for more than
40 countries throughout North America, the Caribbean, South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
AIR models undergo a continual process of review and refinement. They incorporate the latest technologies, data, and research findings in seismology, meteorology, hydrodynamics, structural and geotechnical engineering. AIR models are meticulously validated at every stage of development and model results are calibrated using data from historical events. Simulated event characteristics parallel patterns observed in the historical record and resulting loss estimates correspond closely to actual claims data provided by client companies. Internal peer review is standard operating procedure at AIR. AIR models also undergo extensive external review. AIR's recently introduced Advanced Component Method™ (ACM™) is a groundbreaking methodology for assessing building vulnerability to earthquakes. ACM was extensively reviewed by Dr. Robert Whitman, Professor of Civil Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Professor Whitman was Chairman of the Project Work Group for HAZUS, an earthquake vulnerability assessment software used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and a benchmark in the development of earthquake damage functions. The essence of Dr. Whitman's conclusions on ACM was overwhelmingly positive: "I am very impressed with what has been and is being done. It is important that buildings are being examined in more detail using pushover curves for actual designs, that a more detailed look is taken at the potential costs of damage, and that there is a systematic effort to quantify the uncertainty in estimated losses." Professor Whitman goes on to say that, for estimating building damage: "...I'd regard ACM as an improvement over HAZUS, and I hope that someday the entire loss estimation community will be able to benefit from what you [AIR] are doing." AIR natural hazard models for risk assessment are available through AIR software products and consulting services.
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