This paper describes the pounding damage sustained by buildings in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Approximately 6% of buildings in Christchurch CBD were observed to have suffered some form of serious pounding damage. Typical and exceptional examples of building pounding damage are presented and discussed. Almost all building pounding damage occurred in unreinforced masonry buildings, 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. Building pounding damage is compared to the predicted critical pounding weaknesses that have been identified in previous analytical research.
This paper describes the pounding damage sustained by buildings in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Approximately 6% of buildings in Christchurch CBD were observed to have suffered some form of serious pounding damage. Typical and exceptional examples of building pounding damage are presented and discussed. Almost all building pounding damage occurred in unreinforced masonry buildings, 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. Building pounding damage is compared to the predicted critical pounding weaknesses that have been identified in previous analytical research.
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The destruction of the Radio Network building in Christchurch has prompted hopes that explosive demolition could be used to bring down other earthquake-damaged buildings.
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An entry from Roz Johnson's blog for 21 April 2012 entitled, "Demolition of a high story building in Christchurch".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 2 October 2012 entitled, "Building Brought to Light".
A pigeon perches in the beams of a damaged building. The photographer comments, "The building next door was demolished after the Christchurch earthquake, which exposed the side of this building with it's very old corrugated iron walls. Some of the sheeting was damaged and exposed parts of the interior. The pigeon was sitting on a bit of wood with the beam above it had a very serious crack. I think you would be nervous as well".
Damaged building in St Albans.
Damaged building in St Albans.
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 24 September 2012 entitled, "'Bandoned Books?".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 29 May 2012 entitled, "Bye-bye Building".
The "Lyttelton Review" newsletter for 17 December 2012, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
A digitally manipulated image of three arched windows in a damaged stone building.
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 1 June 2012 entitled, "Royal Rubble".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 23 April 2012 entitled, "Roast @ Riccarton".
The "Lyttelton Review" newsletter for 18 June 2012, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
The "Lyttelton Review" newsletter for 13 August 2012, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
The "Lyttelton Review" newsletter for 12 November 2012, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
A view through the cordon fence of a building damaged in the CBD. The building rubble is still inside the building.
Damage to the Canterbury Provincial Government Buildings.
Damage to the Canterbury Provincial Government Buildings.
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 3 July 2012 entitled, "Glimpses on Gloucester".
An entry from Roz Johnson's blog for 22 February 2012 entitled, "A Cottage Garden".
The entrance to the West Avon building on Montreal Street. The photographer comments, "This very wonderful Art Deco heritage building in Christchurch had residents living in it until another visit from the building engineers re-re-checking for earthquake damage. Now it is fenced off and on the list for possible demolition".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 24 June 2012 entitled, "Reducing Rooftop Risks".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 7 December 2012 entitled, "Aggravating Arson".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 24 May 2012 entitled, "Peculiar Pipes".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 22 March 2012 entitled, "Lamenting the Loss".
Summary of oral history interview with Jenny May about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.