This paper presents the development and response of a Ruaumoko model for the representation of uplift and reattachment of a shallow foundation. The vertical load in the foundation is used to control the characteristics of moment and shear loads, as these values must reduce to zero when…
Abstract Pumice materials, which are problematic from an engineering viewpoint, are widespread in many parts of the North Island. Following the 2010-2011 Christchurch earthquakes, a clear understanding of their properties under earthquake loading is necessary. For example, the 1987 Edgecumbe earthquake showed evidence of localised…
Abstract This paper presents a study being undertaken to characterise the subsurface across Nelson and Tasman using active source surface wave testing, ambient wave field (passive) and H/V spectral ratio methods. Deep soil and gravels deposits are present in this area which may lead to…
Abstract Liquefaction and associated lateral spreading during the 1987 Mw 6.5 Edgecumbe earthquake caused severe damage within parts of the Whakatane township. Liquefaction primarily manifested proximal to the Whakatane River in areas underlain by recent fluvial and marine sediments. The development of ground motion intensity…
Abstract The moment-rotation response of shallow foundations is inherently nonlinear being controlled by the “elastic” stiffness at small rotations and the moment capacity of the foundation at larger rotations. Simple elastic soil structure interaction (SSI) does not model this rotational response and elastic radiation damping…
Abstract There are few practical methods currently available for liquefaction mitigation beneath existing structures, despite a growing demand for this due to a significant number of structures being targeted for seismic upgrading. One such method that is viable for liquefaction mitigation beneath existing structures is…
The town of Kaiapoi, 17 km north of the city of Christchurch, suffered significant liquefaction induced damage during the Canterbury earthquake sequence. Severe lateral spreading and large volumes of ejecta were present throughout the town and surrounding region after multiple earthquakes in this sequence. This…
Liquefaction and associated lateral spreading during the 1987 ML 6.3 Edgecumbe earthquake caused severe damage to parts of Whakatane, New Zealand. Recent studies utilizing extensive CPT investigations indicate that much of the Whakatane Central Business District is underlain by sediments with a low cyclic resistance…
Figure 1: Auckland’s reclamation zones are north of the original 1840’s shoreline (red). Map shows historic bays (light blue), headlands (yellow), paleo-river/stream channels (white arrows showing direction of flow). The surface represents the depth to unweathered ECBF based on subsurface site investigation data and geomorphic…
Gravelly soil (i.e. gravelly sands, sandy gravels, and uniform gravels) is generally recognized to have no or very low liquefaction potential. However, historically few case histories exist where observations of liquefied gravelly soils have been made, e.g. 1983 Borah Peak, Idaho earthquake (Youd et al….
