Drywalls are the typical infill or partitions used in new structures. They are usually located within structural frames and/or between upper and lower floor slabs in buildings. Due to the materials used in their construction, unlike masonry blocks, they can be considered as light non-structural infill/partition walls. These types of walls are especially popular in New Zealand and the USA. In spite of their popularity, little is known about their in-plane cyclic behaviour when infilled within a structural frame. The cause of this lack of knowledge can be attributed to the typical assumption that they are weak non-structural elements and are not expected to interact with the surrounding structural system significantly. However, recent earthquakes have repeatedly shown that drywalls interact with the structure and suffer severe damage at very low drift levels. In this paper, experimental test results of two typical drywall types (steel and timber framed) are reported in order to gather further information on; i) their reverse cyclic behaviour, ii) inter-storey drift levels at which they suffer different levels of damage, iii) the level of interaction with the surrounding structural frame system. The drywall specimens were tested using quasi-static reverse cyclic testing protocols within a full scale precast RC frame at the Structures Laboratory of the University of Canterbury.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "The Frame Workshop damaged on Colombo Street in Sydenham after the earthquake on 4 September 2010".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "This worker appeared to be putting gravel inside this protective frame around the light stand. Cathedral Square".
A group of bleary-eyed people is admiring a work of abstract art that is framed by what appears to be marijuana. The artwork is signed 'Cera'. Refers to ongoing zoning plans for quake-stricken Christchurch. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Hotel Grand Chancellor viewed from Lichfield street and framed by a digger boom".
A photograph of a cleared site on Cashel Street, taken from the corner of Liverpool Street. A framed painting has been hung on an exposed wall.
A photograph of a room in the Diabetes Centre. The panelling has been taken off the walls, exposing the wooden framing, insulation, and wires.
A worker entering The Frame Workshop through a window on the second storey via a ladder. Fencing has been placed around the entrance to the building.
Extended Direct Analysis (EDA), developed at the University of Canterbury, is an advance on the AISC Direct Analysis method for the analysis of frames subjected to static forces. EDA provides a faster, simple and more rational way to properly consider the second-order effects, initial residual stresses (IRS) and the initial imperfections or steel structures under one directional loading than conventional analysis methods. This research applied the EDA method to quantify the effect of member overstrength on frame behaviour for a single storey frame. Also, the effects of IRS, which were included in the EDA static analysis, but which are not considered explicitly in non-linear seismic analysis, were evaluated in two ways. Firstly, they were considered for simple structures subject to increasing cyclic displacement in different directions. Secondly, incremental dynamic analysis with realistic ground motion was used to quantify the likely effect of IRS in earthquakes. It was found that, contrary to traditional wisdom and practice, greater member strengths can result in lower frame strengths for frames under monotonic lateral loading. The structural lateral capacity of the overstrength case was reduced by 6% compared to the case using the dependable member strengths. Also, it resulted significantly different in member demands. Therefore, it is recommended that when either plastic analysis or EDA is used, that both upper and lower bounds on the likely member strength should be considered to determine the total frame strength and the member demands. Results of push-pull analysis under displacement control showed that for IRS ratio, gamma < 0.5 and axial compressive force ratio, N*/Ns, up to 0.5, IRS did affect the structural behaviour in the first half cycle. However, the behavior in the later cycles was not significantly affected. It also showed that the effect of initial residual stresses in the frame was less significant than for the column alone when the column was subjected to similar axial compressive force. The incremental dynamic analysis results from both cantilever column and the three-storey steel frame showed that by increasing gamma = 0 to 0.5, the effect of IRS on seismic responses, based on the 50% confidence level, was less than 3% for N*/Ns, up to 0.5.
A photograph of cleared building sites on Cashel Street, taken from the corner of Liverpool Street. A framed painting has been hung on an exposed wall to the left.
A photograph of a kitchen in the Diabetes Centre. The panelling has been removed from the wall of the kitchen, exposing the wooden frame and several pipes and wires.
One framed certificate issued to SCIRT in 2013 to mark winning The Press Champion Canterbury Supreme Award in the Medium-Large Enterprise category.
Abandoned residential properties on Seabreeze Close in Bexley. The front yard and footpath are covered with weeds and silt from liquefaction. The frame of a gazebo is partially covered with cloth.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Workers apply steel framing to protect a historic building, now the 'Octagon' restaurant on the corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Workers apply steel framing to protect the historic building now the 'Octagon' restaurant on corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Workers apply steel framing to protect the historic building now the 'Octagon' restaurant on corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The construction of this window frame at Cranmer Court is clearly seen when the exterior stone has collapsed in the earthquake".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Workers apply steel framing to protect the historic building now the 'Octagon' restaurant on corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Workers apply steel framing to protect the historic building now the 'Octagon' restaurant on corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Workers apply steel framing to protect the historic building now the 'Octagon' restaurant on corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Workers apply steel framing to protect the historic building now the 'Octagon' restaurant on corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street".
A photograph of material from the Lyttelton Museum's collection being stored on the Canterbury Cultural Recovery Centre's main floor. The collection includes framed pictures and maps, and Navy memorabilia.
A photograph of a kitchen in the Diabetes Centre. The panelling has been removed from the wall of the kitchen, exposing the wooden frame and several pipes and wires.
A photograph of Knox Church on Bealey Avenue. Much of the brick wall is missing, exposing the wooden framing of the gables and the inside of the church.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Workers apply steel framing to protect a historic building, now the 'Octagon' restaurant on the corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Workers apply steel framing to protect a historic building, now the 'Octagon' restaurant on the corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Workers apply steel framing to protect the historic building now the 'Octagon' restaurant on corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Workers apply steel framing to protect the historic building now the 'Octagon' restaurant on corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Workers apply steel framing to protect the historic building now the 'Octagon' restaurant on corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Workers apply steel framing to protect the historic building now the 'Octagon' restaurant on corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street".