High demolition rates were observed in New Zealand after the 2010-2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence despite the success of modern seismic design standards to achieve required performance objectives such as life safety and collapse prevention. Approximately 60% of the multi-storey reinforced concrete (RC) buildings in the Christchurch Central Business District were demolished after these earthquakes, even when only minor structural damage was present. Several factors influenced the decision of demolition instead of repair, one of them being the uncertainty of the seismic capacity of a damaged structure. To provide more insight into this topic, the investigation conducted in this thesis evaluated the residual capacity of moderately damaged RC walls and the effectiveness of repair techniques to restore the seismic performance of heavily damaged RC walls. The research outcome provided insights for developing guidelines for post-earthquake assessment of earthquake-damaged RC structures. The methodology used to conduct the investigation was through an experimental program divided into two phases. During the first phase, two walls were subjected to different types of pre-cyclic loading to represent the damaged condition from a prior earthquake, and a third wall represented a repair scenario with the damaged wall being repaired using epoxy injection and repair mortar after the pre-cyclic loading. Comparisons of these test walls to a control undamaged wall identified significant reductions in the stiffness of the damaged walls and a partial recovery in the wall stiffness achieved following epoxy injection. Visual damage that included distributed horizontal and diagonal cracks and spalling of the cover concrete did not affect the residual strength or displacement capacity of the walls. However, evidence of buckling of the longitudinal reinforcement during the pre-cyclic loading resulted in a slight reduction in strength recovery and a significant reduction in the displacement capacity of the damaged walls. Additional experimental programs from the literature were used to provide recommendations for modelling the response of moderately damaged RC walls and to identify a threshold that represented a potential reduction in the residual strength and displacement capacity of damaged RC walls in future earthquakes. The second phase of the experimental program conducted in this thesis addressed the replacement of concrete and reinforcing steel as repair techniques for heavily damaged RC walls. Two walls were repaired by replacing the damaged concrete and using welded connections to connect new reinforcing bars with existing bars. Different locations of the welded connections were investigated in the repaired walls to study the impact of these discontinuities at the critical section. No significant changes were observed in the stiffness, strength, and displacement capacity of the repaired walls compared to the benchmark undamaged wall. Differences in the local behaviour at the critical section were observed in one of the walls but did not impact the global response. The results of these two repaired walls were combined with other experimental programs found in the literature to assemble a database of repaired RC walls. Qualitative and quantitative analyses identified trends across various parameters, including wall types, damage before repair, and repair techniques implemented. The primary outcome of the database analysis was recommendations for concrete and reinforcing steel replacement to restore the strength and displacement capacity of heavily damaged RC walls.
Background: Up to 6 years after the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, approximately one-third of parents in the Christchurch region reported difficulties managing the continuously high levels of distress their children were experiencing. In response, an app named Kākano was co-designed with parents to help them better support their children’s mental health. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of Kākano, a mobile parenting app to increase parental confidence in supporting children struggling with their mental health. Methods: A cluster-randomized delayed access controlled trial was carried out in the Christchurch region between July 2019 and January 2020. Parents were recruited through schools and block randomized to receive immediate or delayed access to Kākano. Participants were given access to the Kākano app for 4 weeks and encouraged to use it weekly. Web-based pre- and postintervention measurements were undertaken. Results: A total of 231 participants enrolled in the Kākano trial, with 205 (88.7%) participants completing baseline measures and being randomized (101 in the intervention group and 104 in the delayed access control group). Of these, 41 (20%) provided full outcome data, of which 19 (18.2%) were for delayed access and 21 (20.8%) were for the immediate Kākano intervention. Among those retained in the trial, there was a significant difference in the mean change between groups favoring Kākano in the brief parenting assessment (F1,39=7, P=.012) but not in the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (F1,39=2.9, P=.099), parenting self-efficacy (F1,39=0.1, P=.805), family cohesion (F1,39=0.4, P=.538), or parenting sense of confidence (F1,40=0.6, P=.457). Waitlisted participants who completed the app after the waitlist period showed similar trends for the outcome measures with significant changes in the brief assessment of parenting and the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. No relationship between the level of app usage and outcome was found. Although the app was designed with parents, the low rate of completion of the trial was disappointing. Conclusions: Kākano is an app co-designed with parents to help manage their children’s mental health. There was a high rate of attrition, as is often seen in digital health interventions. However, for those who did complete the intervention, there was some indication of improved parental well-being and self-assessed parenting. Preliminary indications from this trial show that Kākano has promising acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness, but further investigation is warranted. Trial Registration: Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619001040156; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=377824&isReview=true
A photograph of a sign on the window of a fish and chip shop on London Street in Lyttelton. The sign reads, "Sorry we can't open. I want to work but they tell me not safe and may be 6 months or more. I am sad I need to work. Everybody has big problem so sorry for you and me. Keep safe. Phyong fish and chip owner".
A photograph of a man cooking sausages outside the Avonhead Baptist Church for the administrators and technicians from the Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering at the University of Canterbury. The students and staff from this department used the church as a base after the 22 February 2011 earthquake, until their building on campus was deemed safe to enter.
St John Ambulance personnel preparing an oxygen mask while standing over a stretcher loaded with medical supplies. Behind them, emergency personnel can be seen searching the ruins of the collapsed Canterbury Television Building on Madras Street for trapped people. Over their heads, a member of the Fire Service in a cherry picker is spraying water on the fire burning in the building. Smoke is billowing from the building.
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Labour Party leader Phil Goff speaking to members of the Student Volunteer Army in the UCSA car park outside the UCSA's "Big Top" tent. The tent was erected to provide support for students at the University of Canterbury in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Behind them members of the Student Volunteer Army are assembling wheelbarrows which will be used to clear liquefaction from Christchurch properties.
Al Dwyer, leader of the USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), outside the US headquarters in Latimer Square. Members of DART can be seen behind him. Latimer Square was set up as a temporary headquarters for emergency management personnel after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Prime Minister John Key talking to Al Dwyer, the leader of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), outside the US headquarters in Latimer Square. John Key is visiting to thank DART for their efforts in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Prime Minister John Key talking to Al Dwyer, and members of the USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) outside the US headquarters in Latimer Square. John Key is visiting to thank DART for their efforts in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Several vehicles on Gloucester Street which have been crushed by falling masonry from Wave House (Winnie Bagoes Gourmet Pizza Bar). Emergency personnel have spray painted two of the cars with the word "Clear" to indicate they have been checked for trapped or injured people. The scene has been cordoned off by New Zealand Fire Service tape.
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
Photograph captioned by the New Zealand Defence Force, "The NZ Defence Force helps out after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Army and Air Force Medics as well as Hercules crew and Air Security transfer elderly patients from NZDF ambulances to the Air Force's C-130 Hercules for transport to other parts of NZ".
A view across Montreal Street to the Christchurch Art Gallery. The building was used as the headquarters for Civil Defence in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake, and large white marquees have been set up in its forecourt to accommodate extra personnel. The site is surrounded by a safety fence. On the left is a sign advertising the "Van der Velden: Otira" exhibition, which was cut short by the earthquake.