Engineering assessment processes for Wellington buildings following the November 2016 Kaikōura earthquakes

Abstract

The 14 November 2016 Kaikōura earthquake resulted in long duration shaking in excess of the code demand for many buildings with fundamental periods between 1 and 2 seconds in Wellington, particularly in those parts of the city where shaking has been amplified due to basin effects and deeper deposits, notably in the port area or Thorndon basin. This paper outlines the initial response of engineers and the engineering assessment processes undertaken in Wellington in the weeks following the Kaikōura Earthquake, along with the technical support provided to Wellington City Council through the establishment of the Critical Buildings Team and the Wellington Engineering Leadership Group. An overview is provided of the Targeted Assessment Programme subsequently undertaken by Wellington City Council to look more closely at the buildings most likely to be affected. Background is provided to the key elements of the Targeted Damage Evaluation Guidelines that were developed in support of this programme, including the relationship with the Detailed Engineering (Damage) Evaluation process used following the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence.