Seismic Restraint Design and Documentation for the Christchuch Acute Services Building

Abstract

Seismic restraint design in New Zealand for large services intense buildings is a developing field. There are few examples of services intense Importance Level 4 buildings where fully compliant and modelled seismic restraint designs have been completed. The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) newly completed Acute Services Building (ASB) is an example of a project where a compliant, fully modelled seismic restraint deign has been completed by one consultant for all the services. This paper outlines the design works carried out, some of the challenges encountered and how these challenges were overcome. This paper also outlines lessons learnt from this project that can be taken forward to other projects. The intention of this paper is to assist other seismic restraint design engineers and consultant teams. The lessons learnt on this project are not only applicable to seismic restraint design engineers but also clients, project managers, architects, lead structural engineers, MEH services engineers, fire engineers, acoustic engineers, and contractors and subcontractors. For the seismic restraint design on a large Importance Level 4 building to be successful the design and construction teams all have a part to play. Considering the seismic restraint requirements and challenges in a project is one key step. It is also particularly important that all the consultants in the team understand the impact their design decisions will have on the seismic restraint design and work together to solve the challenges.