Damage to steel storage racks in industrial buildings in the Darfield earthquake

Jeff Crosier; Mark Hannah; David Mukai

doi:10.5459/bnzsee.43.4.425-428

Jeff Crosier Miyamoto International, Inc., Santa Ana, USA
Mark Hannah University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
David Mukai University of Wyoming, Laramie, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5459/bnzsee.43.4.425-428

Abstract

On September 8, a team investigated damage to industrial structures in Christchurch due to the Darfield Earthquake. While there was very little damage to structures regardless of age and framing system, damage to steel storage racks varied from no damage to complete collapse. This paper reports on the observations about the damage to steel racks, reviews pertinent design standards, and makes some preliminary conclusions about the performance of steel storage racks in the Darfield earthquake.

References

BRANZ, 2007; Seismic Design of High Level Storage Racking Systems with Public Access.

New Zealand Building Code: 1992; Building Industry Authority, Wellington.

Verification Method B1/VM1, 1995; Building Industry Authority, Wellington.

Reynolds, H., McCurran, J., Twiname, R. and Clifton, C. (1997) “Design of Selective Pallet Racking Systems”, HERA Steel Design and Construction Bulletin, Issue No 31, April 1997.

Reynolds, H., McCurran, J., Twiname, R. and Clifton, C. (1997) “Design of Drive-In Pallet Racking Systems”, HERA Steel Design and Construction Bulletin, Issue No 53, December 1999.