Unreinforced masonry (URM) is a construction type that was commonly adopted in New Zealand between the 1880s and 1930s. URM construction is evidently vulnerable to high magnitude earthquakes, with the most recent New Zealand example being the 22 February 2011 Mw6.3 Christchurch earthquake. This earthquake caused significant damage to a majority of URM buildings in the Canterbury area and resulted in 185 fatalities. Many URM buildings still exist in various parts of New Zealand today, and due to their likely poor seismic performance, earthquake assessment and retrofit of the remaining URM building stock is necessary as these buildings have significant architectural heritage and occupy a significant proportion of the nation’s building stock. A collaborative research programme between the University of Auckland and Reid Construction Systems was conducted to investigate an economical yet effective solution for retrofitting New Zealand’s existing URM building stock. This solution adopts the shotcrete technique using an Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC), which is a polyvinyl alcohol fibre reinforced mortar that exhibits strain hardening characteristics. Collaborations have been formed with a number of consulting structural engineers throughout New Zealand to develop innovative and cost effective retrofit solutions for a number of buildings. Two such case studies are presented in this paper. http://www.concrete2013.com.au/technical-program/
A story submitted by Michelle Paterson to the QuakeStories website.
Summary of oral history interview with Peggy Kelly about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.
Transcript of Libi Carr's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Transcript of Colleen's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
The "Lyttelton Review" newsletter for 12 December 2011, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
The "Lyttelton Review" newsletter for 10 October 2011, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
A story submitted by LC to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Rose to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Chrissy Ashton to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Gary Manch to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Jenny Garing to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Paul Sterk to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Greg Cole to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Frank Hardy to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Scott Thomas to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Ali to the QuakeStories website.
Summary of oral history interview with Hana about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes. Pseudonym used to identify interviewee.
An architect and art historian is setting up an action group to oppose the demolition of one of the most well-known churches in Christchurch, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. The church, registered as a Category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand, was damaged in the 2011 earthquakes and has sat in a state of disrepair ever since. Dr Anna Crighton is from Historic Places Aotearoa. She talks to Susie Ferguson.
A video of a press conference with Anglican Bishop Victoria Matthews and Dean Peter Beck, about the interim plans for the earthquake-damaged ChristChurch Cathedral. In the press conference Matthews announces that the Cathedral will be deconsecrated, that parts of it will be demolished, and that the rest will be made safe. These measures will allow the recovery of artefacts and heritage items from the building.
An entry from Deb Robertson's blog for 7 May 2013 entitled, "My Thoughts on the Rebuild of Christchurch".
The cartoon suggests that the Kiwi character has too much of a 'She'll be right' attitude. Refers to a 1996 documentary called 'Earthquake!' which outlined the effects of a major earthquake on Christchurch's eastern suburbs and heritage buildings. The director Grant Dixon says lives could have been saved if officials had heeded the film's warnings. (Stuff: 11 March 2011) Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A pdf transcript of Andrea's second earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox Take 2 project. Interviewer: Samuel Hope. Transcriber: Josie Hepburn.
A photograph submitted by Anonymous to the QuakeStories website. The description reads, "The demolition of our preschool opposite Cranmer Square. All children and teachers were evacuated safely with the help of builders working on the old Girl’s High building in front.".
A story submitted by Lin to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Jeremy Ellen to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Joan Curry to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Sarndra to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Elizabeth to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Bettina to the QuakeStories website.