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Massey University’s new Wellington College of Creative Arts building, which is designed to handle earthquakes by springing back like a child’s push-puppet toy.
Construction of a new building for the College of Creative Arts on Massey University’s Wellington campus involves the first use of several combinations of earthquake resistant materials in a multi-storey building.
When it is completed in May the $20.1 million structure covering 3600 square metres will provide flexible gallery and studio space for teaching and learning at the college. It will also provide a global first in the use of a laminated veneer lumber (LVL) frame, designed in components that are bound together by tensioned steel tensions.
Project manager for head contractor Arrow International Bill Stockman said that in simple terms the combination of post-tensioned precast concrete shear walls and laminated veneer lumber columns and beams will allow the building to rock and sway during an earthquake. It would then spring back to its original position – allowing re-occupation of the building as soon as possible after such a seismic event.
“Developers, architects and engineers say this innovative technology will be instrumental in the upcoming Christchurch rebuild and will be eventually used in buildings across New Zealand and Australia.”
Canterbury University professor Andy Buchanan said he and his colleagues Stefano Pampanin and Alessandro Palermo came up with the concept of using post-tensioned timber materials for buildings in areas subject to earthquakes, six years ago.
“LVL is a remarkable material. It turns New Zealand radiata pine into top class engineering material as well as being sustainable and renewable.”
Its use was timely as the upcoming rebuild of Christchurch looms.
“Having knowledge of the building methodology creates so many opportunities for new buildings in the Canterbury region,” Buchanan said.
“Similar buildings using post-tensioned timber walls have recently been completed, but this is the first to use a multi-storey timber frame.”
Consulting engineers Dunning Thornton Consultants Ltd prepared a prototype beam- column joint that was then rigorously tested for its structural and seismic performance by the Canterbury University team in its structural laboratory.
Director Alistair Cattanach said key to its success is that the LVL joints move and spring back – similar to a children’s push puppet toy.
“It is designed so that the joints are not damaged and that the elements of structure which absorb the earthquake energy are replaceable. The technology controls the locations of damage, ensuring they are not areas essential to the building’s stability and on-going use.”
Stockman said Massey University had to be commended for having the vision to support and encourage the application of this new technology. The design also meant the entire LVL building and roof could be prefabricated on the ground and then hoisted into place, allowing the building to be erected faster.
For more details on the Massey College of Creative Arts see the NZ Wood Case Study here.
Tags: Construction, Engineered Timber, Engineering, EXPAN, EXPAN Quick-connect, NMIT, Post-tensioned columns and beams, Post-tensioned shear walls, STIC
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