Unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings have repeatedly been shown to perform poorly in large magnitude earthquakes, with both New Zealand and Australia having a history of past earthquakes that have resulted in fatalities due to collapsed URM buildings. A comparison is presented here of the URM building stock and the seismic vulnerability of Christchurch and Adelaide in order to demonstrate the relevance to Australian cities of observations in Christchurch resulting from the 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquake swarm. It is shown that the materials, architecture and hence earthquake strength of URM buildings in both countries is comparable and that Adelaide and other cities of Australia have seismic vulnerability sufficient to cause major damage to their URM buildings should a design level earthquake occur. Such an earthquake is expected to cause major building damage, and fatalities should be expected.
Anna Crighton, Chairperson, Canterbury Earthquake Heritage Building Trust Board.
A video of an interview with Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Frank Delli Cicchi, the Grand Central Group Australian and New Zealand general manager, about the demolition of the Hotel Grand Chancellor. The Grand Chancellor is the tallest building in Christchurch, and was severely damaged during the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Fletcher Construction have been chosen to demolish the building.
A video of a tour through the Christchurch central city Red Zone in January 2011. The video includes footage of the Edmond's Band Rotunda on Cambridge Terrace, the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Kilmore Street, the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Manchester Street, the Mexican Cafe on Lichfield Street, the McKenzie & Willis Building, the Bus Exchange, the Octagon Live restaurant, the ChristChurch Cathedral, and many other buildings.
A video of a tour of the Christchurch central city Red Zone. The video includes footage of Oxford Terrace, Armagh Street, Colombo Street, Gloucester Street, Hereford Street, High Street, the Westpac Trust Building, Cashel Street, Manchester Street, Poplar Lane, the site of the demolished Convention Centre, and the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
A video of an interview with Mayor Bob Parker, recorded at the Civil Defence Headquarters in the Christchurch Art Gallery on the evening of the 22 February 2011. Parker talks about the fatalities and damage caused by the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of a window of Piko Wholefoods on Barbadoes Street. A red sticker has been taped to the window, indicating that the building is unsafe to enter.
A photograph of 100 Bealey Avenue. USAR codes can be seen spray painted on the front fence. A yellow sticker in the window indicates that entry to the building is restricted.
A photograph of the sign next to the entrance of the Lancaster Hotel on Ferry Road. A red sticker on the door indicates that the building is unsafe to enter.
Canterbury Earthquake 04/09/10 Christchurch New Zealand
Canterbury Earthquake 04/09/10 Christchurch New Zealand
Canterbury Earthquake 04/09/10 Christchurch New Zealand
A member of the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team, Jessica Hollis, in their new office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, " Jess Hollis settles in to her new workspace".
A view across New Regent Street to several businesses. One of the building's verandahs has been propped up with steel bracing.
A photograph of the former Bank of New Zealand Building on the corner of Williams Street and Charles Street in Kaiapoi.
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The construction of a new building on the corner of Colombo and Kilmore Streets".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "A new building replacing a damaged and demolished historic hotel at 192 Moorhouse Avenue".
A photograph of street art on a building in New Brighton. The artwork includes the words, "We still love this place".
A photograph of the restored Bank of New Zealand building on the corner of Charles Street and Williams Street in Kaiapoi.
A new building under construction on Kilmore Street. A sign reading, 'Danger keep out' has been placed on the security fence.
A photograph of street art on the side of the Funky Pumpkin building in New Brighton. The artwork is signed 'Porta'.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in central Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake which destroyed The Press Building in Cathedral Square".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in central Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake which destroyed the Press Building in Cathedral Square".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "The Geraldine Hotel and surrounding footpaths have been closed due to cracks appearing on building after the earthquake".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in central Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake which destroyed The Press Building in Cathedral Square".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Soldier stands guard by damaged buildings on Colombo Street in Sydenham after the earthquake on 4 September 2010".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "MDC Senior Building Control Officers Bill East and Jeff Atkinson survey a historic homestead in Cass Road, Kaiapoi".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "MDC Senior Building Control Officers Bill East and Jeff Atkinson survey a historic homestead in Cass Road, Kaiapoi".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Structural bracing being placed on the Our City building while a statue of Robert Scott lies face down".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Major earthquake hits Christchurch. Buildings demolished on Manchester Street by the entrance to Sol Square via Struthers Lane".