This paper describes pounding damage sustained by buildings and bridges in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Approximately 6% of buildings in Christchurch CBD were observed to have suffered some form of serious pounding damage. Almost all of this pounding damage occurred in masonry buildings, further highlighting their vulnerability to this phenomenon. Modern buildings were found to be vulnerable to pounding damage where overly stiff and strong ‘flashing’ components were installed in existing building separations. Soil variability is identified as a key aspect that amplifies the relative movement of buildings, and hence increases the likelihood of pounding damage. Pounding damage in bridges was found to be relatively minor and infrequent in the Christchurch earthquake.
A Christchurch MP is working with a group trying to prevent historic buildings damaged in last month's earthquake from being torn down unnecessarily.
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 14 August 2011 entitled, "Building Braced".
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Susannah Black, 10 March 2011.
We are taking a look at some of Christchurch's icon and heritage buildings lost, or at least badly damaged by last Tuesdays earthquake.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
The damaged Christ's College Rowing Club building at Kerrs Reach. The building has visibly slumped to one side. The photographer comments, "This is the sad state of the building after 3 earthquakes has caused the rowing club to sink like a leaky boat".
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.
Photo of damage of Aoraki Building taken by Marcus Langman, 10 March 2011.