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Research papers, University of Canterbury Library

This paper describes pounding damage sustained by buildings and bridges in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Approximately 6% of buildings in Christchurch CBD were observed to have suffered some form of serious pounding damage. Almost all of this pounding damage occurred in masonry buildings, further highlighting their vulnerability to this phenomenon. Modern buildings were found to be vulnerable to pounding damage where overly stiff and strong ‘flashing’ components were installed in existing building separations. Soil variability is identified as a key aspect that amplifies the relative movement of buildings, and hence increases the likelihood of pounding damage. Pounding damage in bridges was found to be relatively minor and infrequent in the Christchurch earthquake.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

An earthquake-damaged bridge, the approach to which has slumped. The photographer comments, "Due to lateral spread and the land slumping the road leading to this bridge has moved down greatly. Just imagine making the street lamps upright and how much that section of road would rise up at the end. When you go over bridges in the east side of Christchurch it is quite a climb up and a big drop down on the other side. The bridges in most cases coped very well, but not so the land leading to them".

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A car drives onto the damaged Dallington bridge. The bridge has visibly moved relative to the road, there is a large gap at the side of the bridge, and the railings are warped. The photographer comments, "Dallington Bridge northern approach, Gayhurst Rd".

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A car drives onto the damaged Dallington bridge. The bridge has visibly moved relative to the road, there is a large gap at the side of the bridge, and the railings are warped. The photographer comments, "Dallington Bridge northern approach, Gayhurst Rd".

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A man takes a photograph of the damaged Dallington bridge. The bridge has visibly moved relative to the road, there is a large gap at the side of the bridge, and the railings are warped. The photographer comments, "Dallington Bridge, north side".