Search results for 'wind loads'

Retrofitting to resist extreme wind

By Graeme Beattie – 1 August 2008, Build 107

Strong wind causes damage to houses, particularly their roofs. A recent BRANZ study started by defining ‘extreme winds’ before developing retrofit solutions to ensure roofs on older houses are adequately secured.

Wind effects on buildings

By Graeme Beattie – 1 June 2010, Build 118

With the help of BRANZ data, the Riskscape joint project between NIWA and GNS aims to better predict the costs of damaging wind events on buildings.

Design prediction of wind-induced building motion

By Ian Wells – 1 April 2009, Build 111

There are sometimes significant discrepancies between the predicted and actual building sway in taller buildings. A new study aims to develop an improved methodology for wind design of buildings.

Maximum strength of house bracing walls

By Stuart Thurston – 1 February 2008, Build 104

A BRANZ research project has investigated load transfer in timber framed buildings – and found a number of potential weak spots.

Open windows for dry home

By Peter McDowall – 1 February 2017, Build 158

Recent BRANZ research has quantified one aspect of an important but often overlooked factor for achieving a dry home – occupant use.

NZS 3604 review preparation

By Roger Shelton – 1 August 2009, Build 113

The current technical review of our timber-framed building standard is limited by the rapid rate of change still occurring in the industry.

Supporting heavy windows

By Stuart Thurston – 1 February 2011, Build 122

Heavier windows and drained and vented wall cavities mean loadings from windows are often offset from the timber framing. Recent BRANZ research checked that a modified support bar system can transfer the load back to the framing to prevent problems.

Distributing lateral loads in timber-framed buildings

By Ross Connon – 1 December 2007, Build 103

Creating a compliant bracing distribution system can be a challenge in today’s open plan house designs. Even if you don’t design them, it is still important to understand how bracing works.

Heat pumps – energy solution or issue?

By Nicola Buckett – 1 June 2007, Build 100

A Building Research funded study report investigated the recent shift toward the use of domestic heat pumps, and found that its likely effects are both positive and negative.

Programmed to reduce risk

By Greg Baker – 1 April 2012, Build 129

In a New Zealand first, a fire engineering computer program being developed by BRANZ will automate design fire generation and change current design practices with their inherent inconsistencies.

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