Structural engineering
We provide expertise in structural systems and earthquake engineering, with the latter being particularly relevant to seismically active New Zealand.
Structural engineering focuses on the development of improved structural systems for new timber, concrete, masonry and steel structures. It also examines the structural integrity of existing buildings.
Our structures staff are well-recognised experts in the field, and lead key research projects funded by the Natural Hazards Research Platform, National Science Challenges, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Earthquake Commission, and the UC Quake Centre.
Our collaborative efforts are also visible in our involvement as leaders of the TEC-funded Centre for Earthquake Resilience, QuakeCoRE.
Our research
Our work encompasses a range of structural forms, materials and aspects of behaviour, with an overall emphasis on issues related to performance of structures subject to seismic action. Current research areas include:
- Seismic design of new structures
- Seismic assessment and strengthening of existing structures
- Historic structures
- Innovative low-damage seismic resisting systems
- Structural dynamics
- Damage identification and structural health monitoring
- Soil-structure interaction
- Materials (timber, concrete, steel, masonry, composites)
- Durability
- Fire engineering
- Structural test methods, including pseudo-dynamic, hybrid, and dynamic testing
- Field and in situ testing
The Structures Testing Laboratory
Located at Newmarket Campus, our purpose-built Structures Testing Laboratory is capable of conducting a wide range of structures and earthquake engineering related experiments. This world-class facility has a 9m high reaction wall in two directions, a 20 x 10 m strong floor, a 3.6 m square 15T capacity earthquake shake table, and integrated ancillary laboratories and workshops.
It is additionally well-equipped with a range of advanced testing machines and hydraulic actuators that can be configured in a range of test setups. Our busy lab is also available for contract research and testing.
Our people
- Dr Alex Shegay
- Professor Pierre Quenneville
- Associate Professor Charles Clifton
- Professor Ken Elwood
- Professor Jason Ingham
- Dr Quincy Ma
- Associate Professor Nawawi Chouw
- Dr Lucas Hogan
- Dr Gary Raftery
- Dr Rick Henry
- Dr Charlotte Toma
- Dr Enrique del Rey Castillo
- Dr Max Stephens
- Dr Ashkan Hashemi
- Dr Anastasios Giouvanidis
Technical staff
- Rocky Zhang
- Mark Byrami
- Michael Xu
- Nimra Umar
- Patrick Rogers