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Research papers, University of Canterbury Library

In the period between September 2010 and December 2011, Christchurch (New Zealand) and its surroundings were hit by a series of strong earthquakes including six significant events, all generated by local faults in proximity to the city: 4 September 2010 (Mw=7.1), 22 February 2011 (Mw=6.2), 13 June 2011 (Mw=5.3 and Mw=6.0) and 23 December 2011 (M=5.8 and (M=5.9) earthquakes. As shown in Figure 1, the causative faults of the earthquakes were very close to or within the city boundaries thus generating very strong ground motions and causing tremendous damage throughout the city. Christchurch is shown as a lighter colour area, and its Central Business District (CBD) is marked with a white square area in the figure. Note that the sequence of earthquakes started to the west of the city and then propagated to the south, south-east and east of the city through a set of separate but apparently interacting faults. Because of their strength and proximity to the city, the earthquakes caused tremendous physical damage and impacts on the people, natural and built environments of Christchurch. The 22 February 2011 earthquake was particularly devastating. The ground motions generated by this earthquake were intense and in many parts of Christchurch substantially above the ground motions used to design the buildings in Christchurch. The earthquake caused 182 fatalities, collapse of two multi-storey reinforced concrete buildings, collapse or partial collapse of many unreinforced masonry structures including the historic Christchurch Cathedral. The Central Business District (CBD) of Christchurch, which is the central heart of the city just east of Hagley Park, was practically lost with majority of its 3,000 buildings being damaged beyond repair. Widespread liquefaction in the suburbs of Christchurch, as well as rock falls and slope/cliff instabilities in the Port Hills affected tens of thousands of residential buildings and properties, and shattered the lifelines and infrastructure over approximately one third of the city area. The total economic loss caused by the 2010-2011 Christchurch earthquakes is currently estimated to be in the range between 25 and 30 billion NZ dollars (or 15% to 18% of New Zealand’s GDP). After each major earthquake, comprehensive field investigations and inspections were conducted to document the liquefaction-induced land damage, lateral spreading displacements and their impacts on buildings and infrastructure. In addition, the ground motions produced by the earthquakes were recorded by approximately 15 strong motion stations within (close to) the city boundaries providing and impressive wealth of data, records and observations of the performance of ground and various types of structures during this unusual sequence of strong local earthquakes affecting a city. This paper discusses the liquefaction in residential areas and focuses on its impacts on dwellings (residential houses) and potable water system in the Christchurch suburbs. The ground conditions of Christchurch including the depositional history of soils, their composition, age and groundwater regime are first discussed. Detailed liquefaction maps illustrating the extent and severity of liquefaction across Christchurch triggered by the sequence of earthquakes including multiple episodes of severe re-liquefaction are next presented. Characteristic liquefaction-induced damage to residential houses is then described focussing on the performance of typical house foundations in areas affected by liquefaction. Liquefaction impacts on the potable water system of Christchurch is also briefly summarized including correlation between the damage to the system, liquefaction severity, and the performance of different pipe materials. Finally, the characteristics of Christchurch liquefaction and its impacts on built environment are discussed in relation to the liquefaction-induced damage in Japan during the 11 March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video of interviews with four Christchurch residents about their experiences during the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The residents include David Sandeman, who was in the PGC Building when the earthquake struck, Tristan Roberts, a member of the New Zealand Fire Service who assisted after the earthquake, Claudia McFie, who was in Cashel Street when the earthquake struck, and Belinda Van Gruting, a doctor in Christchurch. This video was part of The Press's 'Christchurch, one year after February 22, 2011' series.

Images, eqnz.chch.2010

Plywood wall on a damaged house in Quinns Road, Shirley, Christchurch. File reference: CCL-2012-05-10-Around-Shirley-May-2012 DSC_02849.JPG From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.

Images, eqnz.chch.2010

Plywood wall on a damaged house in Quinns Road, Shirley, Christchurch. File reference: CCL-2012-05-10-Around-Shirley-May-2012 DSC_02850.JPG From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video of an interview with Bruce Greenhalgh about the experiences of Smiths Sports Shoes after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. The business had to move from Moorhouse Avenue after the 4 September 2010 earthquake to Montreal Street. The 22 February 2011 earthquake then damaged their building on Montreal Street, forcing them to move again.

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video of an interview with Andrew Wheely about the Whare store which has been operating from a garage since the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Wheely talks about how small businesses need flexible commercial leases to survive in the post-earthquake market. He also talks about the diploma in project management he has undertaken at the CPIT since the earthquakes.

Images, Canterbury Museum

One white over-painted hand-made electric guitar made primarily from ash and maple timbers, also incorporating wood from a variety of historic buildings in Canterbury damaged or destroyed in the 2010 - 2011 earthquakes including the Arts Centre, Kutwell’s Warehouse, Lyttleton main street pub, Timeball Station, Carlton Hotel, Merivale shops, bui...