18 Feb 2018 University of Canterbury Registry, Christchurch
Date: February 2012 – Present
Client: University of Canterbury
Engineer: Holmes Consulting Group
Main Contractor: Hawkins Construction South Island Ltd
The BBR Contech team continues to be a key part of Canterbury’s post-earthquake repair programme. Current work includes an FRP strengthening project at the University of Canterbury’s Registry building – a 1970s, seven-storey structure that was damaged in the quakes and has since been assessed as earthquake-prone.
Our role includes completely enveloping the building’s under-floor beams with two layers of FRP – a complex task that includes drilling through the floors and installing Sika Through Anchors to complete the beam confinement. Adding to the challenge, one end of the building is open to the chilly winter air; as FRP can only be installed in very specific temperature ranges, the target areas have had to be encapsulated with tent-like structures to contain heat.
This work is just one of a number of BBR projects at the University of Canterbury, including epoxy injection and FRP strengthening in the SBS Building and external concrete repair work at the University’s 11-storey James Hight building – one of the largest post-earthquake remedial projects undertaken in the city.