Page 16 - Build 165

Shorts
In situ rebar damage detection
Research at the University of Canterbury into in-place assessment of steel damage after an earthquake promises to reduce downtime and costs for repair and demolition.
AN AWARD-WINNING, pioneering technique for assessing earthquake damage to reinforcing steel in buildings or bridges will allow engineers to give faster, more reliable information to engineers, with tangible ow-on results for insurers and building owners.
After the major Christchurch earthquakes, many steel-reinforced concrete buildings were deemed irreparable and demolished because of a lack of information about the extent of damage. Often, disagreements between building owners and insurers continued for lengthy periods.
Research to develop new technique
New University of Canterbury (UC) research may help to resolve these issues. Architectural engineering lecturer Dr Giuseppe Loporcaro and mechanical engineering Professor Milo Kral’s research into a new technique for assessing damage to steel rebars has been awarded $20,000.
Steel rebars are built to stretch during severe shaking, enabling the concrete they are housed in to crack while the rebars remain intact. This work determines how much the rebar has already stretched and how much capacity it still has before breaking if further shaking occurs.
Their method enables engineers to test the rebars on site rather than in a lab – a lengthier and more costly process. The other advantage is more reliable results.
Dr Giuseppe Loporcaro, UC architectural engineering lecturer.
Speed up assessment
‘Disruptions cost time and money, as well as impacting the entire community,’ Dr Loporcaro says. ‘The in situ damage detection method aims to speed the assessment phase and consequently reduce the impact on the community in terms of disruption, downtime and costs for repair and/or demolition.
‘It will also allow information to reach owners and insurance companies more quickly so issues can be resolved in better time.’
What’s new?
Good plans and specifications
Bulletin 622 Good plans and speci cations de nes the requirements for acceptable documentation for domestic and light commercial and industrial construction work.
ISSUE622BULLETIN
PROBLEMS SUCH AS time delays and inaccurate costings may arise from poorly prepared drawings and speci cations. These problems can often be avoided if the parties to the building process insist on clear and accurate documentation, including a fair contract that protects both the owner and builder.
This bulletin updates and replaces Bulletin 505 Acceptable plans and specifications.
Details Available for $13.50 from the BRANZ Shop at www.branz.co.nz or call 0800 80 80 85.
GOOD PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
This bulletin de nes for designers, builders and building owners
the requirements for acceptable documentation for residential
and light commercial/industrial construction work.
The risk of time delays, inaccurate costings, disputes and the need for amendments during construction may be reduced if the parties to the building process insist on good documentation.
This bulletin updates and replaces Bulletin 505 Acceptable plans and speci cations.
14 — April/May 2018 — Build 165
April 2018