At least five companies are busy working in and around Christchurch blasting rock on unstable slopes in the hope of reducing danger since the earthquakes. Spectrum's Deborah Nation joins backcountry construction company Solutions 2 Access, as the team blasts rock on the Port Hills above Lyttelton.
158 other buildings may share CTV construction flaw; US defence chief lifts ban on NZ vessels in US ports; first snapshot of national standards data published today; Korean fishing boat officers fined more than $400,000; and SFO starts investigation into Christchurch earthquake insurance fraud.
A digitally manipulated image of a broken window on Spicer House. The photographer comments, "One of the office blocks in Christchurch City, New Zealand. As the window has not been fixed I am presuming that this building will be slowly demolished at a later date".
A damaged house perched on the edge of the cliffs above Sumner. The photographer comments, "This house has slowly gone over the edge since the big earthquake in Christchurch in February 2011. Subsequent earthquakes has caused the rock face to crumble more and more".
A digitally manipulated image of a direction signpost, with every sign pointing to parking. The photographer comments, "With around 70% of the buildings to be demolished in the CBD, Christchurch, New Zealand will be the biggest parking lot in the world for a few years".
This report is the output of a longitudinal study that was established between the University of Auckland and Resilient Organisations, in conjunction with the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ), to evaluate the ongoing resource availability and capacity for post-earthquake reconstruction in Christchurch.
This paper discusses the seismic performance of the standard RC office building in Christchurch that is given as a structural design example in NZS3101, the concrete structures seismic standard in New Zealand. Firstly the push-over analysis was carried out to evaluate the lateral load carrying capacity of the RC building and then to compare that carrying capacity with the Japanese standard law. The estimated figures showed that the carrying capacity of the New Zealand standard RC office building of NZS3101:2006 was about one third of Japanese demanded carrying capacity. Secondly, time history analysis of the multi-mass system was performed to estimate the maximum response story drift angle using recorded ground motions. Finally, a three-dimensional analysis was carried out to estimate the response of the building to the 22nd February, 2011 Canterbury earthquake. The following outcomes were obtained. 1) The fundamental period of the example RC building is more than twice that of Japanese simplified calculation, 2) The example building’s maximum storey drift angle reached 2.5% under the recorded ground motions. The main purpose of this work is to provide background information of seismic design practice for the reconstruction of Christchurch.
Four cameos on events of the week. The struggle for the US Republican Party to find a suitable presidential candidate. A Croatian tourism official has been sacked over comments about "drunk and crazy" New Zealand and Australian tourists. 'Mother Nature' is an 'unfit mother' in Christchurch because of the earthquakes. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A protest sign painted on a fence shows a bulldozer labelled "Govt." driven by a woman (presumably representing Education Minister Hekia Parata) running over a sheep labelled "Chch schools", next to the words "Every time you close a school you have to build a jail - Mark Twain." The photographer comments, "Due to the earthquakes in Christchurch and parents leaving the area to give their children a quieter and more education friendly life a lot of the local schools especially in the East of Christchurch are to be closed or amalgamated. This was a decision by the government without consultation with any other authorities. Mark Twain actually said 'Every time you stop a school, you will have to build a jail'".
The Wizard of Christchurch talks to people viewing the damaged Christ Church Cathedral. Bracing has been placed against the front wall to limit further damage. A walkway from Gloucester Street to the Square was opened up for a few days to allow the public a closer look.
Cobwebs and graffiti in a shower block. The photographer comments, "This was the Soccer changing rooms in Bexley Park in Christchurch. They have now been made out of bounds due to the extensive damage to the big building. The spiders must have grown awfully big though".
After a damning report into the CTV building, how many other Christchurch buildings had faults when the earthquake struck? Police investigate the tragic death of a five year old and when so many businesses are struggling, how did the country's big banks increase profits by a quarter?
Damaged seating in the QEII stadium. The photographer comments, "This is the QEII stadium in Christchurch. During the 22 February earthquake the stadium was severely damaged and looks like it will be demolished. Anyone in Bay 3 would have no need of the toilet after this happened".
A digitally manipulated image of people in Re:Start Mall. The photographer comments, "In Christchurch there is a temporary mall that is made out of shipping containers. The containers painted in nice bright colours, colourful shade sails and various advertisements give the place a very merry feel".
Mural on the side wall of Perry's Cafe on Madras Street. It depicts two work men; one speech bubble saying "Is my crack showing?" and in other other it says "Don't be silly!". A topical joke about the cracks on the wall and Christchurch in general.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "A view across Cathedral Square looking north-east from the roof of the Ibis Hotel in Hereford Street".
Eighteen-year-old Josh Anderson was part of the team removing an organ from a church in Christchurch when it collapsed during the 22 February earthquake, killing three of his colleagues. Now, 18 months later, he is about to perform his first ever solo organ concert in his hometown, Timaru.
The National Recovery Coordinator for Red Cross Emergency Services in Australia, who has researched disaster recovery practices around the world including the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, London bombings and Sichuan earthquake. She is visiting New Zealand ahead of the first anniversary of the February earthquake in Christchurch.
An artist's impression of the installation 'Etch-a-Sketch', created as part of the LUXCITY event. Tutors: Anna Tong, Chris Holmes
A montage of photographs of the installation 'Tonic', created as part of the LUXCITY event. Tutors: Annabel Pretty, Cesar Wagner, Peter McPherson
A photograph of a paste-up on the wall of the earthquake-damaged Knox Church. The paste-up depicts a bandaid with a speech bubble reading, "I'll kiss it better".
A photograph of a paste-up on the wall of the earthquake-damaged Knox Church. The paste-up depicts a bandaid with a speech bubble reading, "I'll kiss it better".
A photograph of a paste-up on the wall of the earthquake-damaged Knox Church. The paste-up depicts a bandaid with a speech bubble reading, "I'll kiss it better".
A photograph of a paste-up on the wall of the earthquake-damaged Knox Church. The paste-up depicts a bandaid with a speech bubble reading, "I'll kiss it better".
A photograph of a sign on the exterior of the Lions Transitional Facility. The sign reads, "St Albans Community Centre. A Lions Community Partnership".
A photograph of an installation on the corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street. The installation is titled "Archrobatics", and is part of the LUXCITY event.
Member of the public using the Dance-O-Mat, a dance floor on a vacant site with coin operated light and music player. This was a project by Gap Filler who wanted to give the Christchurch community a unique dance experience whilst bringing life to our broken city.
A photograph of a paste-up on a wall on Peterborough Street. The paste-up depicts an excavator picking up demolition material, with a speech bubble reading, "Nom nom".
A photograph of a paste-up on a wall on Peterborough Street. The paste-up depicts an excavator picking up demolition material, with a speech bubble reading, "Nom nom".
An artist's impression of the installation 'Etch-a-Sketch', created as part of the LUXCITY event. Tutors: Anna Tong, Chris Holmes