In-situ earthquake testing and securing of domestic URM chimneys

Abstract

Failure of domestic unreinforced masonry (URM) chimneys was the first and most frequently encountered evidence of damage observed immediately following the 14 November 2016 Kaikoura earthquake, and previous earthquakes in New Zealand and around the world. The damage typically observed involves the cantilever part of a URM chimney above the roofline, which tends to fall through the roof, outward onto an adjacent building or onto a public sidewalk. In order to mitigate the risk posed by URM chimneys and validate possible securing solutions, in-field experimental tests were undertaken on existing buildings. One URM chimney was tested in Auckland, New Zealand in as-built and retrofitted conditions, while three URM chimneys were tested as-built in Adelaide, Australia. The results from these experimental field testing campaigns are summarised herein.