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Research Papers, Lincoln University

During the 21st century, New Zealand has experienced increasing public concern over the quality of the design and appearance of new developments, and their effects on the urban environment. In response to this, a number of local authorities developed a range of tools to address this issue, including urban design panels to review proposals and provide independent advice. Following the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence, the commitment to achieve high quality urban design within Christchurch was given further importance, with the city facing the unprecedented challenge of rebuilding a ‘vibrant and successful city’. The rebuild and regeneration reinforced the need for independent design review, putting more focus and emphasis on the role and use of the urban design panel; first through collaboratively assisting applicants in achieving a better design outcome for their development by providing an independent set of eyes on their design; and secondly in assisting Council officers in forming their recommendations on resource consent decisions. However, there is a perception that urban design and the role of the urban design panel is not fully understood, with some stakeholders arguing that Council’s urban design requirements are adding cost and complexity to their developments. The purpose of this research was to develop a better understanding on the role of the Christchurch urban design panel post-earthquake in the central city; its direct and indirect influence on the built environment; and the deficiencies in the broader planning framework and institutional settings that it might be addressing. Ultimately, the perceived role of the Panel is understood, and there is agreement that urban design is having a positive influence on the built environment, albeit viewed differently amongst the varying groups involved. What has become clear throughout this research is that the perceived tension between the development community and urban design well and truly exists, with the urban design panel contributing towards this. This tension is exacerbated further through the cost of urban design to developers, and the drive for financial return from their investments. The panel, albeit promoting a positive experience, is simply a ‘tick box’ exercise for some, and as the research suggests, groups or professional are determining themselves what constitutes good urban design, based on their attitude, the context in which they sit and the financial constraints to incorporate good design elements. It is perhaps a bleak time for urban design, and more about building homes.

Research papers, The University of Auckland Library

Reinforced concrete buildings that satisfied modern seismic design criteria generally behaved as expected during the recent Canterbury and Kaikoura earthquakes in New Zealand, forming plastic hinges in intended locations. While this meant that life-safety performance objectives were met, widespread demolition and heavy economic losses took place in the aftermath of the earthquakes.The Christchurch central business district was particularly hard hit, with over 60% of the multistorey reinforced concrete buildings being demolished. A lack of knowledge on the post-earthquake residual capacity of reinforced concrete buildings was a contributing factor to the mass demolition.Many aspects related to the assessment of earthquake-damaged reinforced concrete buildings require further research. This thesis focusses on improving the state of knowledge on the post earthquakeresidual capacity and reparability of moderately damaged plastic hinges, with an emphasis on plastic hinges typical of modern moment frame structures. The repair method focussed on is epoxy injection of cracks and patching of spalled concrete. A targeted test program on seventeen nominally identical large-scale ductile reinforced concrete beams, three of which were repaired by epoxy injection following initial damaging loadings, was conducted to support these objectives. Test variables included the loading protocol, the loading rate, and the level of restraint to axial elongation.The information that can be gleaned from post-earthquake damage surveys is investigated. It is shown that residual crack widths are dependent on residual deformations, and are not necessarily indicative of the maximum rotation demands or the plastic hinge residual capacity. The implications of various other types of damage typical of beam and column plastic hinges are also discussed.Experimental data are used to demonstrate that the strength and deformation capacity of plastic hinges with modern seismic detailing are often unreduced as a result of moderate earthquake induced damage, albeit with certain exceptions. Special attention is given to the effects of prior yielding of the longitudinal reinforcement, accounting for the low-cycle fatigue and strain ageing phenomena. A material-level testing program on the low-cycle fatigue behaviour of grade 300E reinforcing steel was conducted to supplement the data available in the literature.A reduction in stiffness, relative to the initial secant stiffness to yield, occurs due to moderate plastic hinging damage. This reduction in stiffness is shown to be correlated with the ductility demand,and a proposed model gives a conservative lower-bound estimate of the residual stiffness following an arbitrary earthquake-type loading. Repair by epoxy injection is shown to be effective in restoring the majority of stiffness to plastic hinges in beams. Epoxy injection is also shown to have implications for the residual strength and elongation characteristics of repaired plastic hinges.

Research Papers, Lincoln University

Tree mortality is a fundamental process governing forest dynamics, but understanding tree mortality patterns is challenging because large, long-term datasets are required. Describing size-specific mortality patterns can be especially difficult, due to few trees in larger size classes. We used permanent plot data from Nothofagus solandri var. cliffortioides (mountain beech) forest on the eastern slopes of the Southern Alps, New Zealand, where the fates of trees on 250 plots of 0.04 ha were followed, to examine: (1) patterns of size-specific mortality over three consecutive periods spanning 30 years, each characterised by different disturbance, and (2) the strength and direction of neighbourhood crowding effects on sizespecific mortality rates. We found that the size-specific mortality function was U-shaped over the 30-year period as well as within two shorter periods characterised by small-scale pinhole beetle and windthrow disturbance. During a third period, characterised by earthquake disturbance, tree mortality was less size dependent. Small trees (,20 cm in diameter) were more likely to die, in all three periods, if surrounded by a high basal area of larger neighbours, suggesting that sizeasymmetric competition for light was a major cause of mortality. In contrast, large trees ($20 cm in diameter) were more likely to die in the first period if they had few neighbours, indicating that positive crowding effects were sometimes important for survival of large trees. Overall our results suggest that temporal variability in size-specific mortality patterns, and positive interactions between large trees, may sometimes need to be incorporated into models of forest dynamics.

Research papers, The University of Auckland Library

This thesis investigates life-safety risk in earthquakes. The first component of the thesis utilises a dataset of earthquake injuries and deaths from recent earthquakes in New Zealand to identify cause, context, and risk factors of injury and death in the 2011 MW6.3 Christchurch earthquake and 2016 MW7.8 Kaikōura earthquake. Results show that nearly all deaths occurred from being hit by structural elements from buildings, while most injuries were caused by falls, strains and being hit by contents or non-structural elements. Statistical analysis of injured cases compared to an uninjured control group found that age, gender, building damage, shaking intensity, and behaviour during shaking were the most significant risk factors for injury during these earthquakes. The second part of the thesis uses the empirical findings from the first section to develop two tools for managing life-safety risk in earthquakes. The first tool is a casualty estimation model for health system and emergency response planning. An existing casualty model used in New Zealand was validated against observed data from the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and found to underestimate moderate and severe injuries by an order of magnitude. The model was then updated to include human behaviour such as protective actions, falls and strain type injuries that are dependent on shaking intensity, as well as injuries and deaths outside buildings. These improvements resulted in a closer fit to observed casualties for the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. The second tool that was developed is a framework to set seismic loading standards for design based on fatality risk targets. The proposed framework extends the risk-targeted hazard method, by moving beyond collapse risk targets, to fatality risk targets for individuals in buildings and societal risk in cities. The framework also includes treatment of epistemic uncertainty in seismic hazard to allow this uncertainty to be used in risk-based decision making. The framework is demonstrated by showing how the current New Zealand loading standards could be revised to achieve uniform life-safety risk across the country and how the introduction of a new loading factor can reduce risk aggregation in cities. Not on Alma, moved and emailed. 1/02/2023 ce

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A powhiri performed by Ngai Tahu elders to welcome workers of the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT). Phil Goff is standing in the centre of the group that is being welcomed. Two cameras are filming the welcome. The ceremony was held in Burwood Park.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A green notice on a building on Manchester Street, indicating that it has been assessed by structural engineers and is safe. Every building in Christchurch was assessed in this way, a green, yellow or red notice placed on the front door or window. Green means ok to enter; yellow, restricted use; red, not safe to enter.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of people standing in a pile of soil that has been placed on a white sheet, during a shed-building workshop at Agropolis. Agropolis is an urban farm on the corner of High Street and Tuam Street. Agropolis was the venue for several events throughout FESTA 2013.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A view down Gloucester Street in the aftermath of the February 2011 earthquake, showing damage to Wave House (formerly the Trade Union building). In the sky above a helicopter can be seen carrying a monsoon bucket that was used to put out flames in the Canterbury Television building.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the earthquake damage to a building in central Christchurch. Broken glass and other rubble litters the courtyard in front of the building. There is a large crack in the brick wall to the right. A red sticker on the glass door indicates that the building is unsafe to enter.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A sign for Avonside Girls' High School on the front fence of Burnside High School. The photograph has been captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Many schools in Christchurch were closed and so those that were available shared. Here Burnside High School shared facilities with Avonside Girls High School. Greers Road".

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A shield on the side of one of the Wards Brewery buildings, also known as the Crichton Cobbers site. The photograph has been captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "These decorative shields, which are still intact, are a good example of the fine workmanship that was found on this industrial complex of buildings".

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A sign in front of the Christchurch Art Gallery indicating that the building is being used as the Emergency Operations Centre. The sign reads, "EOC Command Centre, Enter only if involved in Civil Defence". Behind the sign is a small pile of glass from the Art Gallery windows.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of Sally Airey standing in a Re:START mall car park on Cashel Street. Airey is holding a large handmade mask that will be used as part of FESTA's Canterbury Tales event. Canterbury Tales was created by Free Theatre Christchurch, and was the main event of FESTA 2013.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A brick house on Centaurus Road with damage to the top left window and "Danger Keep Out" tape around the edge. A yellow sign on the front window indicates that the building should only be entered for "Restricted Use". This means it has faired better than the brick house next door which is red-stickered.

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A PDF copy of a billboard design from the All Right? 'Compliments' campaign. The billboard reads, "People love the little things you do. Canterbury's been through a lot. Let's remember it's often the simple things that bring the most joy." The design also includes the web address of the All Right? Facebook page.

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A PDF copy of a billboard design from the All Right? 'Compliments' campaign. The billboard reads, "Si and Gary think you're awesome. Let's remember it's often the simple things that bring the most joy." The design also includes the web address of the All Right? Facebook page.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

An image from the All Right? 'Compliments' campaign, for the CDHB website. The image reads, "You're amazing (even if you don't always think so). Let's remember it's often the simple things that bring the most joy." The image also includes the web address of the All Right? Facebook page.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the earthquake damage to the Country Theme store on the corner of Manchester and St Asaph Streets. The brick façade has crumbled in various places, the bricks spilling onto the footpath below. A red sticker on the door indicates that the building is no longer safe to enter.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the Durham Street Methodist Church which collapsed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake. All that is left is a small section of the front wall. A large pile of masonry sits in front. To the left, scaffolding indicates the height of the building before it collapsed.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Christchurch Central Police Station. It has recently been announced that the Police will vacate this building, as it is not considered safe enough for Police headquarters. It is not clear what will happen to the building which may be strong enough for a less critical operation".

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A PDF of an article written by Dr Lucy D'Aeth (CDHB) titled "All Right? The question that starts a conversation about wellbeing". D'Aeth discusses the All Right? campaign in the context of research into peoples wellbeing following the Canterbury earthquake. The article was intended as a 'Perspectives Piece' in April 2013.

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A PDF copy of a billboard design from the All Right? 'Compliments' campaign. The billboard reads, "You're more fun than the elephant slide. Canterbury's been through a lot. Let's remember it's often the simple things that bring the most joy." The design also includes the web address of the All Right? Facebook page.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A residential property in Bexley with an overgrown garden. Dried liquefaction silt still covers the ground. The photographer comments, "Today I took a drive around the residential area between Bexley and New Brighton. It was a stark reminder to be thankful for the situation we're in and perhaps not complain too much that our garden wall hasn't yet been rebuilt".

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A PDF copy of fourteen personalised posters from the All Right? 'Compliments' campaign. Each poster reads, "You're a wee Canterbury Gem," followed by a different name, "Let's remember it's often the simple things that bring the most joy." The posters also include the web address of the All Right? Facebook page.

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A PDF copy of an ad that appeared in the Christchurch Art Gallery magazine Bulletin in Winter 2013. The image depicts an 'All Rightie' listening to music and dancing alongside Rita Angus' well-known painting 'Cass'. The image reads, "Had a good boogie lately?".