Utility managers are always looking for appropriate tools to estimate seismic damage in wastewater networks located in earthquake prone areas. Fragility curves, as an appropriate tool, are recommended for seismic vulnerability analysis of buried pipelines, including pressurised and unpressurised networks. Fragility curves are developed in pressurised networks mainly for water networks. Fragility curves are also recommended for seismic analysis in unpressurised networks. Applying fragility curves in unpressurised networks affects accuracy of seismic damage estimation. This study shows limitations of these curves in unpressurised networks. Multiple case study analysis was applied to demonstrate the limitations of the application of fragility curves in unpressurised networks in New Zealand. Four wastewater networks within New Zealand were selected as case studies and various fragility curves used for seismic damage estimation. Observed damage in unpressurised networks after the 2007 earthquake in Gisborne and the 2010 earthquake in Christchurch demonstrate the appropriateness of the applied fragility curves to New Zealand wastewater networks. This study shows that the application of fragility curves, which are developed from pressurised networks, cannot be accurately used for seismic damage assessment in unpressurised wastewater networks. This study demonstrated the effects of different parameters on seismic damage vulnerability of unpressurised networks.
Scaffolding around the James Hight Library.
Sam Johnston holds the ANZAC of the Year Award presented by Governor General Sir Gerry Mataparae to the Student Volunteer Army.
Wayne Youle's mural 'I Seem to Have Temporarily Misplaced My Sense of Humour' (2012), displayed in a Gap Filler site Sydenham.
Governor General Sir Gerry Mataparae presenting the ANZAC of the Year Award to representatives of the Student Volunteer Army.
Trees being cut down on the bank of the Avon, near the Student Health Centre.
Scaffolding around the James Hight Library.
Scaffolding around the James Hight Library.
Scaffolding around the James Hight Library.
Wayne Youle's mural 'I Seem to Have Temporarily Misplaced My Sense of Humour' (2012), displayed in a Gap Filler site Sydenham.
Scaffolding around the James Hight Library.
Work starts on the new student entertainment building in the USCA carpark.
Scaffolding around the James Hight Library.
Work starts on the new student entertainment building in the USCA carpark.
Trees being cut down on the bank of the Avon, near the Student Health Centre.
Work starts on the new student entertainment building in the USCA carpark.
Work starts on the new student entertainment building in the USCA carpark.
Scaffolding around the James Hight Library.
School of Forestry signage.
UC Quake Box set up in the Facilities Management yard to record people's quake stories for the Ceismic project, Andrew MacFarlane inside the box.
UC Quake Box set up in the Facilities Management yard to record people's quake stories for the Ceismic project. Peter Smeele and Rose Crossland read through the paperwork before telling their stories, while Kris Vavasour and Jacquie Walters look on.
School of Forestry signage.
Security fencing protecting building work around the James Hight Library.
UC Quake Box set up in the Facilities Management yard to record people's quake stories for the Ceismic project. Jacquie Walters tells her quake story.
Governor General Sir Gerry Mataparae speaking during his visit to the University of Canterbury to present the ANZAC of the Year Award to the Student Volunteer Army.
Researchers Liz Toomey and Jeremy Finn, School of Law, in front of a damaged building in central Christchurch.
UC Quake Centre Industry Leaders' Meeting in NZi3.
Vice Chancellor Rod Carr speaks at the visit of Governor General Sir Gerry Mataparae to the University of Canterbury to present the ANZAC of the Year Award to the Student Volunteer Army.
Governor General Sir Gerry Mataparae speaking during his visit to the University of Canterbury to present the ANZAC of the Year Award to the Student Volunteer Army.
UC Quake Centre Industry Leaders' Meeting in NZi3.