Scientists developing high-tech quake alerts
Callaghan Innovation is promoting a new earthquake monitoring system to give a clearer picture of earthquake damage to buildings when a big one strikes.
Wellington property owners and staff recently faced the same confusion seen after Christchurch’s September 2010 earthquakes – was a building safe to re-enter?
Callaghan Innovation has received inquiries about sensor technology and building materials since the latest earthquakes.
In Wellington, office workers returned to buildings that were subsequently closed after engineers took a closer look.
And the inadequate response in Christchurch leading up to Christmas shopping led to deaths from buildings collapsing when the biggest one hit on February 2011.
Callaghan’s chief technology officer Chris Hartshorn’s advanced materials team has been working on fibre optic sensors for buildings in harsh environments or under strain.
Sensors monitoring cracks and deterioration are already used in the US. They are especially useful to give an immediate idea of damage to roads, bridges, railways, pipelines, and tunnels.
Callaghan Innovation’s researchers are also working on resilient cements.
Concrete in damaged Kaikoura and Wellington buildings would be likely to crumble from water-based corrosion of steel reinforcing rods even if the damage was not structural, Dr Hartshorn said.
Cements and concretes stronger than the New Zealand industry standard were available, yet largely unknown.
Cement and concrete industry players needed to start asking for it, he said.
‘‘There can be significant disruption to business and it could be a definite selling point for building owners to be able to quickly advise tenants with greater certainty the effect any earthquake has had on the building.’’
New technology being developed included self-repairing concrete with plastic fillers, and lightweight materials, he said.
Callaghan Innovation’s wideranging research included fighting superbugs in hospitals with germresistant coatings on door handles, steel in buildings being treated for fire resistance, and reflective technology to stop hunters shooting each other.