Research papers

Access abstracts and bibliographic details for papers produced under the EQC research programme; and download or order copies.

Design guidance of specifically designed bracing systems in light timber-framed residential buildings-A study report

In this guidance, the expected seismic performance level of LTF residential buildings constructed to NZS3604 was assessed, based on available seismic rating test results of gypsum plasterboard walls.

An investigation into the seismic performance and progressive failure mechanism of model geosynthetic reinforced soil walls

This study considered the resistance to earthquakes provided by vertical model reinforced soil walls which had a full height rigid facing attached and five layers of geosynthetic (i.e. flexible plastic grid) reinforcement (GRS walls).

Seismic Assessment and Retrofit of Concrete Encased Riveted Steel Buildings in New Zealand

A major objective of this research was to develop methods of assessing the seismic strength and serviceability of steel frame buildings built in the early 20th century.

Improved inversion of SPAC data

Developing an evolutionary programming approach to more efficiently characterise site conditions using the SPAC (Spatial Auto Correlation) method.

Seismic performance of high-strength self-compacting concrete in reinforced concrete structures

Based on the outcome of this research, high-strength self-compacting concrete can be confidently implemented in design of RC structures even in seismically active regions.

Seismic site response analysis of soil sites during the Christchurch earthquakes

This project focused on better understanding the seismic response of soils based on investigation of the shallow and deep properties of soils in the Canterbury region, and empirical analysis of the ground motions observed in the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquakes with a particular emphasis on the possible role of site response effects.

Strong ground motion analysis of the Canterbury earthquakes in the near source region

This project examined the ground motions that were recorded by various instruments during earthquakes from 2010-2011 in Canterbury, New Zealand. These recordings provided several important observations about the nature of the ground shaking, which is critical to both understanding the ground motion phenomena itself, and also the resulting damage observed to structures and infrastructure.

Forced and ambient vibration testing of full scale bridges

Much knowledge about the performance of structural systems, such as bridges, can be created using full-scale, in-situ experimentation on existing structures, and in this research, four different bridges were tested using ambient excitation (e.g. vehicular traffic) and/or forcing provided by shakers.

Seismic Assessment and Retrofit of Concrete Encased Riveted Steel Buildings in New Zealand

Steel frame buildings in the early 20th century were built to different standards from those used in modern construction, and examples of these can be found through New Zealand. Assessment of the building strength was subdivided into two investigations, one focussing on the contribution of the walls (the subject of a separate PhD programme) and the present work which examines the contribution of the concrete encased steel frames.

Postseismic deformation following the 2016 Kaikora Earthquake

Postseismic deformation from a large magnitude earthquake will affect the region for months to years with different processes acting on different temporal and spatial scales. Afterslip on crustal faults can dominate the near field motions for weeks to months whereas viscoelastic response of the lower crust and upper mantle dominates in longer term and affects wider region. In addition transient deformation due to pore fluid flow has been observed in the weeks following large earthquakes.

Page last updated: 11 Dec 2019

Translated material

Māori: Te Reo Māori
Tongan: Lea-Tonga
Samoan: Gagana Samoa
Chinese: 中文
Korean: 한국어
Arabic: عربى
Hindi: हिन्दी