EFFECT ON BUILDINGS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 February 1931, Page 7

EFFECT ON BUILDINGS

ARCHITECT INSPECTS RUINS Mr R. Lovell-SniiUi, a Christchurch architect, visited Napier and Hastings last week, and made a close observation of the effects of the earthquake on buildings. In his opinion, says the “Press”, the destruction wrought in Hastings was quite as had as that in Napier, hut the former town escaped any serious files. 'Fifty per cent, of the buildings in Napier gutted by fire did not suffer seriously' through the. earthquake itself. It was fallacious to believe that the brick buildings were down, and that all reinforced concrete buildings withstood the earth tremors, hut undoubtedly the damage to the former was gieater than that to the latter. Heavy cornices and parapets were definitely a source of weakness. Big concrete beams resting on solid steel columns suffered badly. This was particularly noticeable in Roach’s buildings in Hastings, where the heavy concrete lintels, about two feet wide, rocked and tipped on the six-inch supporting columns. Wooden houses withstood the shocks well, and, beyond the collapse of chimneys, were practically undamaged. .Mr Lovell-Smith estimated the number of chimneys down in the earthquake area at approximately 20,000. At a conservative repair cost, of £5 each, the total sum required for this purpose alone was £IOO,OOO. Toinoana freezing works, designed hv a firm of London architects, were a fine example of reinforced concrete beam and post construction, with brick curtain walls. Though the strain was noticeable at certain parts, the whole building, which was four storeys in height, stood remarkably well. “I think the time is ripe when existing buildings in Cliristchiin'h should he overhauled and strengthened to withstand earthquake shocks.” said Mr I.ovcll-Smith. “This coufd he done by sleel diagonal ties at floor levels to prevent structures from racking, and similar bracings on partitions are also advisable. To see the damage everywhere in the earthquake area, most of which could have been avoided, made one realise the weaknesses of many buildings in Christchurch, if we should have even a less severe shock Ilian that experienced in llawkes’ Lav.”