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Research papers, University of Canterbury Library

Natural catastrophes are increasing worldwide. They are becoming more frequent but also more severe and impactful on our built environment leading to extensive damage and losses. Earthquake events account for the smallest part of natural events; nevertheless seismic damage led to the most fatalities and significant losses over the period 1981-2016 (Munich Re). Damage prediction is helpful for emergency management and the development of earthquake risk mitigation projects. Recent design efforts focused on the application of performance-based design engineering where damage estimation methodologies use fragility and vulnerability functions. However, the approach does not explicitly specify the essential criteria leading to economic losses. There is thus a need for an improved methodology that finds the critical building elements related to significant losses. The here presented methodology uses data science techniques to identify key building features that contribute to the bulk of losses. It uses empirical data collected on site during earthquake reconnaissance mission to train a machine learning model that can further be used for the estimation of building damage post-earthquake. The first model is developed for Christchurch. Empirical building damage data from the 2010-2011 earthquake events is analysed to find the building features that contributed the most to damage. Once processed, the data is used to train a machine-learning model that can be applied to estimate losses in future earthquake events.

Research papers, The University of Auckland Library

The current seismic design practice for reinforced concrete (RC) walls has been drawn into question following the Canterbury earthquakes. An overview of current research being undertaken at the University of Auckland into the seismic behaviour of RC walls is presented. The main objectives of this research project are to understand the observed performance of several walls in Christchurch, quantify the seismic loads on RC walls, and developed improved design procedures for RC walls that will assist in revisions to NZS 3101. A database summarising of the performance of RC wall buildings in the Christchurch CBD was collated to identify damage modes and case-study buildings. A detailed investigation is underway to verify the seismic performance of lightly reinforced concrete walls and an experimental setup has been developed to subject RC wall specimen to loading that is representative of a multi-storey building. Numerical modelling is being used to understand the observed performance of several case-study RC walls buildings in Christchurch. Of particular interest is the influence that interactions between walls and other structural elements have on the seismic response of buildings and the loads generated on RC walls.

Research papers, The University of Auckland Library

Micro - electro - mechanical system (MEMS) based accelerometers are now frequently used in many different parts of our day - to - day lives. It is also increasingly being used for structural testing applications. Researchers have had res ervation of using these devices as they are relatively untested, but now with the wider adoption, it provides a much cheaper and more versatile tool for structural engineering researchers. A number of damaged buildings in the Christchurch Central Business District (CBD) were instrumented with a number of low - cost MEMS accelerometers after the major Christchurch earthquakes. The accelerometers captured extremely high quality building response data as the buildings experienced thousands of aftershocks. This d ata set was amongst one of only a handful of data set s available around the world which provides building response data subjected to real ground motion. Furthermore, due to technological advances, a much larger than usual number of accelerometers has been deployed making the data set one of the most comprehensive available. This data set is utilised to extract modal parameters of the buildings. This paper summarises the operating requirements and preference for using such accelerometers for experimental mod al analysis. The challenges for adapting MEMS based devices for successful modal parameters identification are also discussed.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Detail of the windows in Alice in Videoland. The building was designed with permanence and strength in mind and the new owner intends the fit out to have the same feel of permanence. His aspiration is to build the best coffee house in the world and the largest in Christchurch".

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Damage to the Lyttelton Hotel on Norwich Quay. The top of the building has crumbled, bringing the roof down with it. Bricks have fallen on the awning and all along the footpath. Wire fencing and road cones have been used to create a cordon around the building.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Damage to the Royal Hotel on the corner of Norwich Quay and Canterbury Street in Lyttelton. The columns next to the windows have cracked, indicating that there is major structural damage to the building. Wire fencing and cones have been used to create a cordon around the building.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Members of the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team, Rob Stowell, Herbert Thomas and Alan Hoskin, in their temporary office in the NZi3 building. The photographer comments, "University of Canterbury administration all fits into one building! Well, sort of. Our 4-desk bay; Rob & Herbert discussing plans, Alan dealing with academic support. I've been doing Moodle admin; adding courses and users, mostly - plus occasional how-to advice".

Images, UC QuakeStudies

The west-side of the Arts Centre along Rolleston Avenue near the entrance to the Botanic Gardens. Wire fencing and road cones have been placed around the building as a cordon. To the left, a crane is parked next to the building. The spire has been removed and braced on the footpath to limit damage.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Corcoron French Lawyers on Williams Street in Kaiapoi. Liquefaction has caused the building to sink on the right side. This is shown by the fence which now sits at an angle. The building occupiers have now moved to 17 Sewell Street, a sign on the door saying "Corcoron French Lawyers, We have moved to temporary premises, 17 Sewell Street, Opposite Kaiapoi Community Centre".

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph taken near the intersection of Manchester Street, Lichfield Street and High Street. The old Post Office building, now housing C1 Espresso, can be seen in the distance with Ronnie Van Hout's sculpture on the roof. Coloured shipping containers support the remaining front facade of the Excelsior Hotel building.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A view down London Street in Lyttelton. The road has been closed to traffic because of the unstable and damaged buildings in the area. On the left is the Empire Hotel where bracing has been placed on the front of the building. On the right is a shipping container in front of the damaged Wunderbar. The word 'coffee' has been spray painted on the side.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the earthquake damage to the Edward Gibbon building on Madras Street. Sections of the top storey have collapsed and the bricks have spilled onto the road in front, damaging the awning and smashing several cars. The message, 'Clear', has been spray-painted on the closest car.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the earthquake damage to the John Burns & Co. Ltd building on Lichfield Street. The top section of the side wall has collapsed and the bricks have spilled onto the car park below, exposing the inside of the building. Several crushed cars have been removed from the car park and stacked on the street.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph looking south out a window of the PricewaterhouseCoopers Building. Notable landmarks include: New Regent Street and the Rendezvous Hotel on the left side of the photograph; the Novotel in the centre; the Lyttelton Times building to the right; and the Hotel Grand Chancellor in the background.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the earthquake damage to Stonehurst Accommodation on Gloucester Street. The bottom storey of the closest building has collapsed and the top two storeys are sitting on a pile of rubble. More rubble has also spilled into the driveway to the right. Wire fencing has been placed around the buildings as a cordon.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Copy of a file photograph captioned by Fairfax, "The New Zealand Express Company's new building, corner of Hereford Street and Manchester Street. Electric lighting, pumping, elevators, May & Otway's fire alarms, bells and telephones, supplied by Messrs Turnbull & Jones Ltd. Manchester courts MLC building from The Weekly Press 'New Zealand Exhibition Year Special Industrial & Commercial Number' December 1906".

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of High Street taken from across Tuam Street. Wire fencing has been placed across the entrance to High Street and a USAR team member is standing in front of this cordon as a guard. Building supplies have been stacked on the left side of the road, behind the cordon.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Part of Mike Hewson's installation 'Homage To Lost Spaces' in the Cramner Courts building, a photograph of a young man working at a desk has been inserted into a gap in the building. The photographer comments, "Although Cranmer Courts are in ruins pictures have been inserted into the windows to make them look occupied".

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A digitally manipulated photograph of a building on Poplar Lane. The photographer comments, "I felt that this building had a real Italian feel about it. It is actually in Christchurch, New Zealand. It appears on the list to be partially demolished after the Christchurch earthquake, so it might not be around for much longer".