		2010 NZSEE Conference
	Abstracts

Keynote Address Tribute to Tom Paulay Session 3 Session 4A Session 4B Session 5A Session 5B Session 6 Session 7A Session 7B Session 8A Session 8B Poster Session

Twenty-five Years of Strengthening Wellington

A.W. Thornton

Wellington’s inhabitants have long known that their region is highly seismically active. The first European settlers experienced dramatic demonstration of the earth’s power and for a time at least adjusted their building styles to suit. The age of Wellington’s current building stock ranges from circa 1900 to the present day. Included within that range are many structures that are now adjudged to be earthquake prone.

Following the 1942 Wairarapa earthquakes some limited seismic retrofit/securing was undertaken but it was not until the 1970s that central and local government began to systematically address the risks that the older, under-strength buildings posed to their inhabitants and to the commercial viability of Wellington. This coincided with a growing awareness of the need to conserve buildings that are significant from a heritage perspective.

Over the last 30 years Wellington’s structural engineers have developed and designed many seismic retrofit solutions. During that time through experience and innovation the structural-effectiveness, appropriateness and cost-effectiveness of the solutions has improved significantly. The retrofit portfolio and experiences of Dunning Thornton Consultants, through this period, illustrates the development of strengthening expertise.

The Seismic Engineering Profession’s ability to further refine the application of effective retrofit and to lead their clients to a reduction in risk is essential for the ongoing commercial viability of Wellington.

Paper P26: [Read]

Keynote Address Tribute to Tom Paulay Session 3 Session 4A Session 4B Session 5A Session 5B Session 6 Session 7A Session 7B Session 8A Session 8B Poster Session