Abstract
Widespread liquefaction occurred in the end-dumped gravelly fills and hydraulically-placed dredged sandy fill at the CentrePort of Wellington as a result of the 14 November 2016 Mw7.8 Kaikoura earthquake. This liquefaction resulted in substantial global (mass) settlement and lateral movement (spreading) of the fills towards the sea, which adversely affected wharf structures and buildings constructed on shallow and deep foundations. This paper presents key observations from the QuakeCoRE-GEER post-earthquake reconnaissance efforts at the CentrePort Wellington. The different materials and methods used to construct the reclaimed land at CentrePort influenced the patterns of observed liquefaction and its effects. Areas of gravel liquefaction at the port are especially important due to the limited number of these case histories in the literature. Liquefaction-induced ground deformations caused the wharves to displace laterally and damage their piles and offloading equipment. Lateral ground extension and differential settlement damaged buildings, whereas buildings in areas of uniform ground settlement without lateral extension performed significantly better.
Highlights
The port of Wellington (CentrePort Limited, called CentrePort) experienced significant liquefaction of reclaimed land and liquefaction-induced ground deformations that led to wharf and building damage in the Mw7.8 Kaikoura earthquake
There was evidence of lateral spreading in the fills behind the pilesupported wharves and liquefaction-induced settlement in the soils surrounding buildings supported on shallow and deep foundations
This paper summarises key observations from the field surveys and focuses on the geotechnical aspects of the earthquake and its impacts at the port
Summary
The port of Wellington (CentrePort Limited, called CentrePort) experienced significant liquefaction of reclaimed land and liquefaction-induced ground deformations that led to wharf and building damage in the Mw7.8 Kaikoura earthquake. Reclaimed soil Reclaimed soil Reclaimed soil Reclaimed soil Reclaimed soil ratio is effectively a function of the PGA alone The first QuakeCoRE-GEER team survey at CentrePort was conducted on 17 November 2016 (three days after the Kaikoura earthquake), when most of the liquefaction evidence remained on the ground surface These inspections covered most of the port area and focused on documenting perishable data, which included documenting and collecting soil ejecta, measurements of vertical offsets and horizontal ground movements along selected transects, and documenting observed wharf and building damage. LiDAR surveying data on the performance of wharves and buildings are presented in the subsequent sections
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Bulletin of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
