Pragmatic improvements to seismic resilience of non-structural elements

2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Ferner ◽  
Matthew Lander ◽  
Gavin Douglas ◽  
Andrew Baird ◽  
Martin Wemyss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Seismic Performance ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Significant Damage ◽  
Canterbury Earthquake Sequence ◽  
Recent Earthquakes ◽  
Seismic Resilience

The recent Canterbury earthquake sequence and the more recent Seddon, Lake Grassmere and Castlepoint earthquakes have raised awareness of the vulnerability of non-structural elements of buildings (e.g. ceilings, cladding, building services equipment and piping, etc.). With architectural and building services components comprising up to 70% of a building’s value, significant damage to these elements resulted in some buildings being declared economic losses, even when the structure itself was not badly damaged. Impacts on business continuity due to the damage of non-structural elements have also been identified as a major issue in recent earthquakes in New Zealand, as well as worldwide. It appears a step change is required in the seismic performance of non-structural elements in New Zealand. This paper explores whether the current approach being used in New Zealand for non-structural contractor designed elements is appropriate in meeting society’s expectations. It contrasts the approach that has historically been taken in New Zealand, with that followed overseas. The paper goes on to explore a pragmatic “best bang for the buck” approach to upgrading non-structural elements in existing buildings. The approach is presented through illustrated examples of issues and solutions that have been adopted. It also discusses the challenges with trying to upgrade non-structural elements within existing operational buildings including for example, congestion issues and practicalities of access. The paper concludes with ideas on possible ways to improve the seismic performance of non-structural elements within the New Zealand environment and regulatory regimen from both design and construction perspectives.

Damage to non-structural elements in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake

2017 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Baird ◽  
Helen Ferner
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Seismic Performance ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Commercial Buildings ◽  
Major Contributor ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
The World ◽  
Extent Of Damage ◽  
Recent Earthquakes ◽  
Kaikoura Earthquake

This paper describes the damage to non-structural elements in buildings following the 14th November 2016 Kaikōura earthquake. As has been observed in recent earthquakes in New Zealand and around the world, damage to non-structural elements is a major contributor to overall building damage. This paper focusses on damage to non-structural elements in multi-storey commercial buildings, in particular damage to the following: suspended ceilings, suspended services, glazing, precast panels, internal linings, seismic gaps and contents. The nature and extent of damage to each of these components is discussed in this paper with the help of typical damage photos taken after the earthquake. The paper also presents observations on the seismic performance of non-structural elements where seismic bracing was present. These observations suggest that seismic bracing is an effective means to improve seismic performance of non-structural elements.

Performance objectives for non-structural elements

2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Ferner ◽  
Rob Jury ◽  
Andrew King ◽  
Martin Wemyss ◽  
Andrew Baird
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Seismic Vulnerability ◽  
Limit State ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Limit States ◽  
Earthquake Loads ◽  
Expected Performance ◽  
Recent Earthquakes ◽  
Structural Engineers

The recent earthquakes in New Zealand have raised awareness of the seismic vulnerability of non-structural elements and the costly consequences when non-structural elements perform poorly. Impacts on business continuity due to the damage of non-structural elements has been identified as a major cost and disruption issue in recent earthquakes in New Zealand, as well as worldwide. Clearly improvements in performance of non-structural elements under earthquake loads will yield benefits to society. This paper explores the intended and expected performance objectives for non-structural elements. Possible historic differences in performance objective expectations for non-structural elements between building services engineers, fire engineers and structural engineers are discussed. Wider construction industry expectations are explored along with our experience of client and regulatory authority views. The paper discusses the application and interpretation of the New Zealand earthquake loadings Standard NZS1170.5:2004 for the design of non-structural elements including possible differences in interpretation between building services, structural and fire engineers leading to confusion around the expected performance of non-structural elements under different limit states. It is based on the experience of several of the authors as members of the Standards committee for NZS1170.5:2004. The paper concludes by discussing changes to NZS1170.5:2004 the authors have proposed as members of the NZS1170.5 Standards committee to clarify and address the identified issues. These changes clarify the classification of parts, requirements for consideration earthquake imposed deformations, parts supported on ledges, potential falling of parts, the combination of fire and earthquake loads, and the requirement for parts to be designed for both serviceability and ultimate limit states along with the effective introduction of a serviceability limit state for parts for occupational continuity.

scholarly journals Post-Earthquake Reconnaissance of Unreinforced and Retrofitted Masonry Parapets

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 2377-2397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Giaretton ◽  
Dmytro Dizhur ◽  
Francesca da Porto ◽  
Jason M. Ingham
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Seismic Performance ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Clay Brick ◽  
Nonstructural Components ◽  
Out Of Plane ◽  
Reported Study ◽  
Canterbury Earthquake Sequence ◽  
Using Data

Unrestrained unreinforced clay brick masonry (URM) parapets are freestanding wall elements found atop a large number of vintage URM buildings. Parapets are considered to be one of the most vulnerable nonstructural components that are prone to out-of-plane collapse when subjected to earthquake induced shaking. Using data collected during the earthquake reconnaissance efforts, 959 URM parapets were identify to be in existence in the Christchurch (New Zealand) area prior to 2010, with 60% (580) of them having collapsed during the 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence. Construction details and observed performance of both as-built and retrofitted parapets were documented. The reported study provides an inventory of observed parapet failure modes and a critical review of commonly encountered parapet retrofits and their respective seismic performance.

Sustainability aspects of geotechnical engineering in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexei Murashev
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Geotechnical Engineering ◽  
Substantial Effect ◽  
Earthquake Sequence ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Innovative Design ◽  
Canterbury Earthquake Sequence ◽  
Geotechnical Design ◽  
Kaikoura Earthquake

<p>Geotechnical engineering is a resource intensive sector of civil engineering that has a substantial effect on sustainability aspects of many transport, building, water and power projects. Improving sustainability of the geotechnical design solutions is extremely important to achieve sustainable development. Sustainability in geotechnical engineering gained particular importance in New Zealand due to the unacceptably high material and socio-economic losses that resulted from the 2010-2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence and 2016 Kaikoura Earthquake. The main drivers behind sustainable geotechnical design in New Zealand are discussed. Aspects of geotechnical engineering that may improve civil and geotechnical design in terms of sustainability outcomes are considered. A few design examples utilising innovative design methodologies and resulting in positive sustainability outcomes are described.</p>

scholarly journals What scientific information on non-structural elements seismic risk people need to know? Part 1: Compiling an inventory on damage to non-structural elements

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (Vol 63 (2020)) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Ferreira ◽  
Fabrizio Meroni ◽  
Raffaele Azzaro ◽  
Gemma Musacchio ◽  
R. Rupakhety ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Damage ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Tailored Communication ◽  
Recent Earthquakes ◽  
Observed Damage ◽  
Eu Project

Understanding damage  to  non-structural  elements,  identifying sources  of  critical issues,  and  how  damage  affects  the  functionality of facilities are all critical aspects for developing general recommendations concerning disaster risk management. In the present paper a review of non-structural damage caused by recent earthquakes was performed in several localities exposed to seismic hazard such as Mt. Etna in Italy, Lisbon and Azores islands in Portugal and southern Lowland in Iceland. This was needed in order to derive the most common non-structural damage framed into the local situation, which in turn is a basic requirement for a well tailored communication campaign. The observed damage to non-structural elements as derived in this study led to the conclusion that the most commonly damaged elements are partition walls, ceiling systems, non-structural vaults, chimneys, building contents and storage racks. Analyses proved that substantive efforts are needed worldwide to improve techniques for reducing damage to non-structural elements. Non-structural mitigation represents a major opportunity for immediate low-cost action to reduce the impacts of earthquakes at home, school and workplaces. Research results within the KnowRISK EU project was the reference ground upon which a wide range of tools for multi-stakeholders (students, business and citizens) to improve seismic performance of non-structural elements and reducing the associated economic losses, loss of functionality, and potential threats to life safety was designed.

scholarly journals What scientific information on non-structural elements seismic risk people need to know ? Part 2: tools for risk communication

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (Vol 63 (2020)) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Solarino ◽  
Monica Amaral Ferreira ◽  
Gemma Musacchio ◽  
Rajesh Rupakhety ◽  
Hugo O’Neill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Communication ◽  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Recent Earthquakes ◽  
Observed Damage ◽  
Eu Project ◽  
Media And Communication

The present paper describes the process of moving from a research study of most common vulnerable non-structural elements, to deliver solutions, tools and guidelines to improve understanding of and responsiveness to community concerns about seismic risk and non-structural elements. The observed damage to non-structural elements following recent earthquakes in Italy, Portugal and Iceland, were used for designing communication tools under the KnowRISK EU project for multi-stakeholders (students, business and citizens): the Practical Guide, the Students Short Guide, the KnowRISK Portfolio of Solutions, the Move, Protect and Secure video, the augmented reality apps, the maquettes, the students notebooks, videos, board games and hands-on tools. The philosophy behind these deliverables is that some risks, once identified, can be eliminated or reduced by informing people and suggesting preventive or emergency measures. These tools are devoted to improving the seismic performance of non-structural elements and to reduce the associated economic losses, loss of functionality, and potential threats to life safety. The rationale behind the selection of the information that people need to know for converting knowledge to more safety is discussed and a description of the transference of the findings of research to communication solutions is presented. The tools were planned following the engagement-model in risk communication to ensure that needs of communities and selected stakeholders were acknowledged, and that recipients are addressed in a way that appeals to them. Different media and communication channels such as print, television, online, face-to face communication and interviews were used for risk communication.

scholarly journals Serviceability fragility functions for New Zealand residential windows

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-143
Author(s):  
David Carradine ◽  
Aman Kumar ◽  
Roger Fairclough ◽  
Graeme Beattie
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Seismic Performance ◽  
Fragility Functions ◽  
Financial Loss ◽  
The Past ◽  
Physical Injuries ◽  
Window Systems ◽  
Significant Damage ◽  
Residential Structures

Glazing and window systems in New Zealand have been shown to be susceptible to significant damage as evidenced by the past decade of earthquakes. The seismic performance of glazing and window systems has resulted in considerable financial loss, disruption in business and physical injuries following earthquakes.  In order to investigate the vulnerability of residential windows in typical light timber framed buildings racking testing was conducted on six wall configurations.  Numerous observations of window performance were made during the testing and from these results fragility functions were developed for timber and aluminium framed windows.  These fragility functions suggest that even at low displacement levels damage can occur to windows that can potentially affect weather-tightness and require repairs following an earthquake.  These functions can inform decisions around designing for resiliency in residential structures in New Zealand.

scholarly journals Sustainable Measures for Protection of Structures Against Earthquake Induced Liquefaction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopal S. P. Madabhushi ◽  
Samy Garcia-Torres
Keyword(s):  
Soil Liquefaction ◽  
Excess Pore Pressure ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Centrifuge Testing ◽  
Centrifuge Tests ◽  
Liquefiable Soil ◽  
Recent Earthquakes ◽  
Excess Pore Pressures ◽  
Excess Pore

AbstractSoil liquefaction can cause excessive damage to structures as witnessed in many recent earthquakes. The damage to small/medium-sized buildings can lead to excessive death toll and economic losses due to the sheer number of such buildings. Economic and sustainable methods to mitigate liquefaction damage to such buildings are therefore required. In this paper, the use of rubble brick as a material to construct earthquake drains is proposed. The efficacy of these drains to mitigate liquefaction effects was investigated, for the first time to include the effects of the foundations of a structure by using dynamic centrifuge testing. It will be shown that performance of the foundation in terms of its settlement was improved by the rubble brick drains by directly comparing them to the foundation on unimproved, liquefiable ground. The dynamic response in terms of horizontal accelerations and rotations will be compared. The dynamic centrifuge tests also yielded valuable information with regard to the excess pore pressure variation below the foundations both spatially and temporally. Differences of excess pore pressures between the improved and unimproved ground will be compared. Finally, a simplified 3D finite element analysis will be introduced that will be shown to satisfactorily capture the settlement characteristics of the foundation located on liquefiable soil with earthquake drains.

Development of a preliminary seismic risk screening tool for existing buildings in Canada

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 717-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Fathi-Fazl ◽  
Eric Jacques ◽  
Zhen Cai ◽  
Bessam Kadhom ◽  
Bassem Saassouh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Seismic Performance ◽  
Seismic Design ◽  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Seismic Risk Assessment ◽  
Risk Screening ◽  
Categorization System ◽  
Remaining Time

This paper presents a preliminary seismic risk screening tool to identify buildings whose superior structural and non-structural seismic performance in regions of low seismicity can be assessed based on several key attributes. The tool is designed to exempt buildings from detailed seismic risk assessment if key exemption criteria are met. The exemption criteria are based on: a seismic categorization system linked to anticipated building damage and seismicity; whether or not the building was designed using modern seismic design provisions; and the remaining time that the building will be occupied. The tool also provides a second list of criteria, which if satisfied, will automatically trigger further detailed seismic risk assessment. The decisions rendered by the tool regarding the expected seismic performance of a building are evaluated against the next level of seismic risk screening tool to ensure the consistency. A flowchart is presented to facilitate adoption of the tool by practicing engineers and other end-users.

scholarly journals Support structure design for New Zealand Forest Products Ltd's No. 5 Recovery Boiler

1987 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-6
Author(s):  
R. D. Sharpe
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Seismic Performance ◽  
Time History ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Structure Design ◽  
Seismic Resistance ◽  
Simple Application ◽  
Major Earthquake ◽  
Lateral Forces ◽  
Industrial Boilers

Internationally, the seismic resistance of large industrial boilers appears to be addressed by the most simple application of relatively low equivalent static lateral forces which are resisted elastically. This paper describes measures taken to ensure a predictable
and controlled seismic performance of such a boiler
during a major earthquake. Inelastic time-history methods of analysis were used to confirm that the desired performance would be achieved. As a result the client was able to purchase a relatively standard boiler in the international marketplace and still achieve a level of seismic resistance consistent with the best NZ practices.

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