An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 25 May 2011 entitled, "Airport Alterations".
This week we’re delving into the seedier side of the life in early Christchurch with the story of the Standard Hotel, an establishment that found itself on the fringes of Victorian respectability during its short existence in the 1860s. At … Continue reading →
A story submitted by John Proffitt to the QuakeStories website.
Christchurch homeowners speak to Checkpoint about their battles with EQC, to have their homes repaired to "as new" standard, not "pre earthquake".
A tool which outlines the eight critical risks applicable to the SCIRT programme, and sets out minimum standards for addressing these risks. This tool was created in 2014.
This paper discusses the seismic performance of the standard RC office building in Christchurch that is given as a structural design example in NZS3101, the concrete structures seismic standard in New Zealand. Firstly the push-over analysis was carried out to evaluate the lateral load carrying capacity of the RC building and then to compare that carrying capacity with the Japanese standard law. The estimated figures showed that the carrying capacity of the New Zealand standard RC office building of NZS3101:2006 was about one third of Japanese demanded carrying capacity. Secondly, time history analysis of the multi-mass system was performed to estimate the maximum response story drift angle using recorded ground motions. Finally, a three-dimensional analysis was carried out to estimate the response of the building to the 22nd February, 2011 Canterbury earthquake. The following outcomes were obtained. 1) The fundamental period of the example RC building is more than twice that of Japanese simplified calculation, 2) The example building’s maximum storey drift angle reached 2.5% under the recorded ground motions. The main purpose of this work is to provide background information of seismic design practice for the reconstruction of Christchurch.
An inquiry ordered by the Government has found the CTV building which failed massively in the February Christchurch earthquake did not meet building standards when it was constructed in 1986.
A plan which aims to ensure the SCIRT programme complies with set specifications, design and industry quality standards. The first version of this plan was produced on 20 July 2011.
The four members of a panel set up to monitor emergency regulations governing the rebuilding of Canterbury say they did not ask for the higher-than-standard fees set by the Cabinet.
Relates to the three new categories for residential foundation design that have been developed and will be required for repairing and rebuilding homes in Canterbury following the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. The 'zones' referred to in the cartoon are the colours designated to different degrees of damage to particular areas or buildings in Christchurch after the earthquakes. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Mounting claims from the Christchurch earthquake have forced AMI insurance to go to the Government for a possible bailout.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "A steady stream of customers queue for Christchurch Press' earthquake book".
Glazing systems are non-structural elements in a building that, more often than not, appear to be given little consideration in seismic design. Recent experimental work into glazing systems at the University of Canterbury, however, has shown that glazing systems can be very susceptible to serviceability damage, defined as loss of water-tightness. The focus of this paper is to highlight the difference in vulnerability of standard and seismic glazing systems and consider the implications of this for future repair costs and losses. The paper first describes the damage states chosen for glazing units according to the repair strategies required and expected repair costs. This includes three damage states: DS1: Water Leakage, DS2: Gasket Failure and DS3: Frame/Glass Failure. Implementing modern performance-based earthquake engineering, the paper proceeds to highlight a case study comparing costs and expected losses of a standard glazing unit and a seismic glazing unit installed on a case study building. It is shown that the use of seismic glazing units is generally beneficial over time, due to the early onset of serviceability damage in standard glazing units. Finally, the paper provides suggestions for designers aimed at reducing costs related to earthquake induced repairs of glazing.
A presentation which explains that NZTA have adopted SCIRT's approach to utilities management and sets out the reasons why. This presentation was created in 2015.
158 other buildings may share CTV construction flaw; US defence chief lifts ban on NZ vessels in US ports; first snapshot of national standards data published today; Korean fishing boat officers fined more than $400,000; and SFO starts investigation into Christchurch earthquake insurance fraud.
In the two hours following the earthquake, the St John Ambulance service in Christchurch took more than 353 calls. That compares to just 250 calls it usually receives during a standard 24-hour period. St John's Ambulance operations director, Michael Brook, joins us from Christchurch.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, New standards for earthquake prone buildings in Christchurch, Some schools reopen, while others face permanent closure, PM says Defence Force's role to check CV, Plans to burn the Koran on hold not cancelled, Chances of magnitude aftershock hitting rapidly decreasing.
A document which describes how SCIRT led the co-ordination of its huge repair programme with those of other utilities.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Prince William, Mayor Bob Parker. His Royal Highness Prince William visits the EOC centre in the Christchurch Art Gallery".
A story submitted by Fiona to the QuakeStories website.
Transcript of Bud Chapman's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
The "Lyttelton Review" newsletter for 16 July 2012, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
The "Lyttelton Review" newsletter for 20 August 2012, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Pupils at St James School with their coin trail, created to raise money for St James Catholic School in Christchurch affected by the earthquake".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Pupils at St James School with their coin trail, created to raise money for St James Catholic School in Christchurch affected by the earthquake".
Transcript of Pete Cosgrove's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Survivors of our biggest national disasters say new guidelines will better supporting families in the wake of future tragedies. The new "Public Service Commission Model Standards" - to be released at parliament today - addresses what survivors say have been consistent shortcomings in the treatment by government agencies of those most closely affected by disaster. The standards were co-authored by the Pike River Families Group after consulting with families of survivors caught up with events such as the earthquake and mosque shootings in Christchurch, the Aramoana massacre, the Cave Creek platform collapse and the Whakaari White Island eruption. Sonya Rockhouse, who lost her son Ben in the Pike River mine explosion 12 years ago, spoke to Corin Dann.
This paper begins with a discussion of the history of negligent manslaughter in New Zealand and its development from the standard of ordinary negligence to the current test of a “major departure” from the expected standard of care, as set out under s 150A of the Crimes Act 1961. The paper then examines failings in s 150A’s current application, arguing that the “major departure” test has created injustices due to its strictly objective nature. Two examples of this are discussed in-depth, Bawa-Garba v R (UK) where a doctor was convicted of grossly negligent manslaughter for the death of her patient; and the decision not to prosecute the negligent engineers of the CTV building which collapsed in the Christchurch earthquake of 2011. The paper discusses three potential resolutions moving forward. It concludes that a more subjective interpretation of the wording of s 150A, which takes account of circumstances excusing or condemning a defendant’s conduct, would prevent future injustices and be a reasonably open interpretation on the wording of s 150A.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch CBD was 'yarn-bombed' during the weekend using yarn and fabric pieces to brighten public areas and earthquake-affected spaces. Hope sign at Hereford and Manchester Streets".
A story submitted by David Hopkins to the QuakeStories website.