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Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of Dematerialization - an immersive experience linking physical space and virtual reality. This virtual performance was created by Patrick Hegarty, Madeline Sewall and Jayden Kenny, for FESTA 2014.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of Dematerialization - an immersive experience linking physical space and virtual reality. This virtual performance was created by Patrick Hegarty, Madeline Sewall and Jayden Kenny, for FESTA 2014.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of Dematerialization - an immersive experience linking physical space and virtual reality. This virtual performance was created by Patrick Hegarty, Madeline Sewall and Jayden Kenny, for FESTA 2014.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of Dematerialization - an immersive experience linking physical space and virtual reality. This virtual performance was created by Patrick Hegarty, Madeline Sewall and Jayden Kenny, for FESTA 2014.

Research papers, University of Canterbury Library

Structural engineering is facing an extraordinarily challenging era. These challenges are driven by the increasing expectations of modern society to provide low-cost, architecturally appealing structures which can withstand large earthquakes. However, being able to avoid collapse in a large earthquake is no longer enough. A building must now be able to withstand a major seismic event with negligible damage so that it is immediately occupiable following such an event. As recent earthquakes have shown, the economic consequences of not achieving this level of performance are not acceptable. Technological solutions for low-damage structural systems are emerging. However, the goal of developing a low-damage building requires improving the performance of both the structural skeleton and the non-structural components. These non-structural components include items such as the claddings, partitions, ceilings and contents. Previous research has shown that damage to such items contributes a disproportionate amount to the overall economic losses in an earthquake. One such non-structural element that has a history of poor performance is the external cladding system, and this forms the focus of this research. Cladding systems are invariably complicated and provide a number of architectural functions. Therefore, it is important than when seeking to improve their seismic performance that these functions are not neglected. The seismic vulnerability of cladding systems are determined in this research through a desktop background study, literature review, and postearthquake reconnaissance survey of their performance in the 2010 – 2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence. This study identified that precast concrete claddings present a significant life-safety risk to pedestrians, and that the effect they have upon the primary structure is not well understood. The main objective of this research is consequently to better understand the performance of precast concrete cladding systems in earthquakes. This is achieved through an experimental campaign and numerical modelling of a range of precast concrete cladding systems. The experimental campaign consists of uni-directional, quasi static cyclic earthquake simulation on a test frame which represents a single-storey, single-bay portion of a reinforced concrete building. The test frame is clad with various precast concrete cladding panel configurations. A major focus is placed upon the influence the connection between the cladding panel and structural frame has upon seismic performance. A combination of experimental component testing, finite element modelling and analytical derivation is used to develop cladding models of the cladding systems investigated. The cyclic responses of the models are compared with the experimental data to evaluate their accuracy and validity. The comparison shows that the cladding models developed provide an excellent representation of real-world cladding behaviour. The cladding models are subsequently applied to a ten-storey case-study building. The expected seismic performance is examined with and without the cladding taken into consideration. The numerical analyses of the case-study building include modal analyses, nonlinear adaptive pushover analyses, and non-linear dynamic seismic response (time history) analyses to different levels of seismic hazard. The clad frame models are compared to the bare frame model to investigate the effect the cladding has upon the structural behaviour. Both the structural performance and cladding performance are also assessed using qualitative damage states. The results show a poor performance of precast concrete cladding systems is expected when traditional connection typologies are used. This result confirms the misalignment of structural and cladding damage observed in recent earthquake events. Consequently, this research explores the potential of an innovative cladding connection. The outcomes from this research shows that the innovative cladding connection proposed here is able to achieve low-damage performance whilst also being cost comparable to a traditional cladding connection. It is also theoretically possible that the connection can provide a positive value to the seismic performance of the structure by adding addition strength, stiffness and damping. Finally, the losses associated with both the traditional and innovative cladding systems are compared in terms of tangible outcomes, namely: repair costs, repair time and casualties. The results confirm that the use of innovative cladding technology can substantially reduce the overall losses that result from cladding damage.

Research papers, The University of Auckland Library

The 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquakes have provided a unique opportunity to investigate the seismic performance of both traditional and modern buildings constructed in New Zealand. It is critical that the observed performance is examined and compared against the expected levels of performance that are outlined by the Building Code and Design Standards. In particular, in recent years there has been a significant amount of research into the seismic behaviour of precast concrete floor systems and the robustness of the support connections as a building deforms during an earthquake. An investigation of precast concrete floor systems in Christchurch has been undertaken to assess both the performance of traditional and current design practice. The observed performance for each type of precast floor unit was collated from a number of post-earthquake recognisance activities and compared against the expected performance determined for previous experimental testing and analysis. Possible reasons for both the observed damage, and in some cases the lack of damage, were identified. This critical review of precast concrete floor systems will assist in determining the success of current design practice as well as identify any areas that require further research and/or changes to design standards.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the launch event for Australian artist collective Field Theory's project The Stadium Broadcast. The launch is being held on the rooftop of C1 Espresso. The Stadium Broadcast was a 72-hour non-stop performance of personal tributes to Lancaster Park. The performance ran from 14 to 17 November. The launch event was part of FESTA 2014.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of Jason Maling from the Australian artist collective Field Theory. Maling is on the roof of C1 Espresso for the launch event of The Stadium Broadcast - a 72-hour non-stop performance of personal tributes to Lancaster Park. The performance ran from 14 to 17 November. The launch event was part of FESTA 2014.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the launch event for Australian artist collective Field Theory's project The Stadium Broadcast. The launch is being held on the rooftop of C1 Espresso. The Stadium Broadcast was a 72-hour non-stop performance of personal tributes to Lancaster Park. The performance ran from 14 to 17 November. The launch event was part of FESTA 2014.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of members of the Australian artist collective Field Theory. They are on the roof of C1 Espresso for the launch event of The Stadium Broadcast - a 72-hour non-stop performance of personal tributes to Lancaster Park. The performance ran from from 14 to 17 November. The launch event was part of FESTA 2014.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a sign for Dematerialization - an immersive experience linking physical space and virtual reality. This virtual performance was created by Patrick Hegarty, Madeline Sewall and Jayden Kenny, for FESTA 2014.

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A document that outlines how timely and accurate information relating to estimating, actual project costs, future commitments, and total forecast cost, will be managed and reported for each project phase in the programme.

Research papers, The University of Auckland Library

Following the magnitude 6.3 aftershock in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 22 February 2011, a number of researchers were sent to Christchurch as part of the New Zealand Natural Hazard Research Platform funded “Project Masonry” Recovery Project. Their goal was to document and interpret the damage to the masonry buildings and churches in the region. Approximately 650 unreinforced and retrofitted clay brick masonry buildings in the Christchurch area were surveyed for commonly occurring failure patterns and collapse mechanisms. The entire building stock of Christchurch, and in particular the unreinforced masonry building stock, is similar to that in the rest of New Zealand, Australia, and abroad, so the observations made here are relevant for the entire world.