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Seismic Design

SENZ team carry a longstanding experience in seismic related works. Historically, we were heavily involved in the Post Earthquake Christchurch Rebuild, assessing damage to residential and commercial buildings, preparing foundation and superstructure repairs design, as well as providing temporary works design to carry out the works.

We combine deep knowledge of New Zealand’s seismic codes and MBIE guidelines with practical, on-the-ground experience to deliver solutions that are not only robust but also cost-effective and considerate of your building’s unique character and function.

At SENZ, we provide a range of services designed to give you a clear, complete picture of your building’s seismic status and a practical pathway to improve it. From initial checks to detailed engineering and construction oversight, we manage every stage of the seismic safety process.

Initial & Detailed Seismic Assessments (ISA & DSA)

A seismic assessment is the essential first step in understanding how your building is likely to perform in an earthquake. It provides you with a crucial seismic rating, expressed as a percentage of the New Building Standard (NBS), which is used by councils, insurers, and tenants to gauge a building’s safety.

Initial Seismic Assessment (ISA)

An ISA is a qualitative, high-level review of your building. It involves a site walkover and a review of available structural drawings to identify potential seismic weaknesses based on the building’s age, construction type, and configuration.

  • Best for: Due diligence, initial risk screening, and as a cost-effective first step to determine if a more detailed assessment is required.
  • Outcome: A concise report outlining potential risks and providing an indicative seismic grade.

Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA)

A DSA is a comprehensive, quantitative analysis of your building’s structure. It involves detailed calculations, computer modelling, and potentially materials testing to accurately determine the building’s capacity and seismic performance.

  • Best for: Buildings identified as potentially earthquake-prone, complex structures, or when a definitive rating is required for consent, financing, or insurance.
  • Outcome: A detailed engineering report that provides a definitive rating, identifies all critical structural weaknesses, and provides a clear basis for developing a strengthening strategy.

Seismic Strengthening Design

If an assessment reveals your building has a low rating (below 33% NBS or below 67% NBS depending on clients’ requirements), strengthening is the solution. Our goal is to develop a strengthening scheme that not only saves lives but is also practical, cost-effective, and minimally disruptive to your operations.

Our Design Philosophy

We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We work collaboratively with you, your architect, and other stakeholders to find the optimal solution. Our designs consider:

  • Targeted Intervention: Focusing on the most critical weaknesses to deliver the greatest improvement in performance for the budget.
  • Constructability: Designing solutions that are practical to build.
  • Architectural & Heritage Impact: Developing strengthening schemes that respect and integrate with the building’s existing character, especially for heritage-classified structures.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Using smart engineering to meet safety targets without over-engineering.

Our solutions range from adding new structural steel frames and reinforcing concrete elements to using modern technologies like Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP).

Seismic Restraint Design of Non-Structural Elements

New Zealand has over 50 active fault lines, which makes the country essentially prone to seismic activities. New Zealand experiences over 15,000 earthquakes a year, most of which are too small to be noticed. Around 200 of them are large enough to be felt.

Earthquakes affect building structures, and can trigger a complete collapse in extreme situations. However, it is falling objects such as ceiling panels, light fixtures, HVAC ducts, and toppling plant or racking that can cause injury and fatalities, block emergency exits, and lead to catastrophic business interruption. It is therefore vital to provide seismic restraints to such objects, often referred to as “non-structural elements”. These are elements that are not to be part of either the primary or secondary structural systems of a building.

Our Scope Includes Design of Restraints For:

  • Suspended ceilings
  • HVAC systems and ducting
  • Fire sprinkler pipework
  • Electrical cable trays and lighting
  • Architectural partitions
  • Heavy plant, machinery, and equipment
  • Warehouse storage racks and shelving
  • Cladding systems, such as brick veneer

By properly restraining these elements, you enhance life safety, protect valuable assets, and ensure your business can get back up and running faster after a seismic event.

Our Experience

We have a proud track record of delivering seismic solutions for a wide range of structures throughout the Auckland region. Our experience includes:

  • Commercial & Office Buildings: Protecting assets and ensuring a safe environment for tenants.
  • Warehouses & Industrial Facilities: Securing large-span structures and critical operational infrastructure.
  • Churches & Community Centres: Safeguarding important community gathering spaces.
  • Heritage Buildings: Applying sensitive and sophisticated engineering to preserve our architectural history while ensuring safety.

Ready to Secure Your Building’s Future?

Whether you’re undertaking due diligence, responding to a council notice, or proactively investing in safety, SENZ is here to help.