Following the 22 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake a comprehensive damage survey of the unreinforced masonry (URM) building stock of Christchurch city, New Zealand was undertaken. Because of the large number of aftershocks associated with both the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and the earlier 4 September 2010 Darfield earthquake, and the close proximity of their epicentres to Christchurch city, this earthquake sequence presented a unique opportunity to assess the performance of URM buildings and the various strengthening methods used in New Zealand to increase the performance of these buildings in earthquakes. Because of the extent of data that was collected, a decision was made to initially focus exclusively on the earthquake performance of URM buildings located in the central business district (CBD) of Christchurch city. The main objectives of the data collection exercise were to document building characteristics and any seismic strengthening methods encountered, and correlate these attributes with observed earthquake damage. In total 370 URM buildings in the CBD were surveyed. Of the surveyed buildings, 62% of all URM buildings had received some form of earthquake strengthening and there was clear evidence that installed earthquake strengthening techniques in general had led to reduced damage levels. The procedure used to collect and process information associated with earthquake damage, general analysis and interpretation of the available survey data for the 370 URM buildings, the performance of earthquake strengthening techniques, and the influence of earthquake strengthening levels on observed damage are reported within. http://15ibmac.com/home/
Plywood wall on a damaged house in Quinns Road, Shirley, Christchurch. File reference: CCL-2012-05-10-Around-Shirley-May-2012 DSC_02849.JPG From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Plywood wall on a damaged house in Quinns Road, Shirley, Christchurch. File reference: CCL-2012-05-10-Around-Shirley-May-2012 DSC_02850.JPG From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
12th April 2012 Demolition of Crowne Plaza/Park Royal Hotel due to damage from 22nd February 2011 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks
12th April 2012 Demolition of Crowne Plaza/Park Royal Hotel due to damage from 22nd February 2011 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks
12th April 2012 Demolition of Crowne Plaza/Park Royal Hotel due to damage from 22nd February 2011 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks
12th April 2012 Demolition of Crowne Plaza/Park Royal Hotel due to damage from 22nd February 2011 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks
12th April 2012 Demolition of Crowne Plaza/Park Royal Hotel due to damage from 22nd February 2011 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks
12th April 2012 Demolition of Crowne Plaza/Park Royal Hotel due to damage from 22nd February 2011 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks
12th April 2012 Demolition of Crowne Plaza/Park Royal Hotel due to damage from 22nd February 2011 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks
12th April 2012 Demolition of Crowne Plaza/Park Royal Hotel due to damage from 22nd February 2011 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks
12th April 2012 Demolition of Crowne Plaza/Park Royal Hotel due to damage from 22nd February 2011 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks
12th April 2012 Demolition of Crowne Plaza/Park Royal Hotel due to damage from 22nd February 2011 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks
Two days after the 22 February 2011 M6.3 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, three of the authors conducted a transect of the central city, with the goal of deriving an estimate of building damage levels. Although smaller in magnitude than the M7.1 4 September 2010 Darfield earthquake, the ground accelerations, ground deformation and damage levels in Christchurch central city were more severe in February 2011, and the central city was closed down to the general public. Written and photographic notes of 295 buildings were taken, including construction type, damage level, and whether the building would likely need to be demolished. The results of the transect compared favourably to Civil Defence rapid assessments made over the following month. Now, more than one year and two major aftershocks after the February 2011 earthquake these initial estimates are compared to the current demolition status to provide an updated understanding of the state of central Christchurch.
Damaged house on the cliff on the road to Sumner, Christchurch. File reference: CCL-2012-05-12-Around-Sumner-May-2012 DSC_019.JPG From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
An entry from Deb Robertson's blog for 19 November 2012 entitled, "Christchurch: Trying to make sense of living here....".
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand