Observations on Retrofitted URM Buildings from the EERI Team
Today our team of engineers reviewed several unreinforced masonry structures that were previously seismically retrofitted. The performance of the retrofitted structures varied greatly. The team observed multiple failures in retrofitted connections, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, that had been installed to tie unreinforced masonry walls to floor or roof diaphragms. Figure 1. […]
Observations from the EERI Team
Most of the EERI team members volunteered to work for the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) on Day 3. I was assigned to Rapid Response, which has variety of responsibilities. The team I was assigned to include a New Zealand registered structural engineer, a city worker, and two USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) members. On the […]
Observations of Retaining Walls from the EERI Team
Of course, there were exceptions. Timber pile walls consistently performed well, or at least, they are still standing and look to be in great shape. As an example of the exception, I attached one photo where there is settlement and cracking at the top of a timber pile wall, but the walls itself is fantastic. […]
Observations from the EERI Team
Much of the campus is currently cordoned off and many offices and classrooms are inaccessible. University officials have provided frequent updates to students, faculty, and staff via the University website, Facebook, and email. The EERI social science team—myself, Anne Wein, and Jeannette Sutton—toured the accessible areas of campus on Monday, March 14. The temporary tent […]
Observations from the EERI Team
The SVA first organized after the September 2010 earthquake. Nearly 2,500 students and community members volunteered to help remove liquefaction after that event. Looking back, Sam realized that this was an important “dry run” for the massive spontaneous volunteer operation that he and a core group of other dedicated individuals would coordinate in February and […]
Observations from the EERI Team
Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4. Figure 5. Figure 6. Figure 7. Figure 8. Learning from Earthquakes: First person reports
Observations on Industrial Non-Structural Damage from the EERI Team
Several of the industrial businesses were located in pre-cast concrete tilt-up buildings which were observed to have damage to their panel connection at both the roof and at adjacent panels. The industrial steel structures that were visited typically appeared to perform adequately with the exception of selected tension only bracing, which was observed to have […]
Observations on Concrete Buildings from the EERI Team
Failures of concrete structures by far the biggest threat to life-safety Even though there was a far greater number of unreinforced masonry building failures as compared to concrete structures, the collapse of midrise concrete structures led to a disproportionate loss of life. Non-ductile concrete structural damage was generally as expected, but many of these structures […]
Observations on Industrial Buildings from the EERI Team
Today I spent the day entirely outside the Christchurch Business District (CBD). Nathan and I were following up on a contact given us by one of the volunteer engineers doing building assessments. The purpose of today was to look at damage to industrial facilities and how they fared during the recent event. We spent most […]
Condolences to Christchurch
Growing up here in the 60-80s, I heard about the flood risk, but was unaware of the earthquake risk in Christchurch and certainly had no comprehension of liquefaction and lateral spread potential here. An analysis of earthquake risk and associated hazards in Christchurch was published in Risk and Realities in 1997. However, earthquake research and […]