Department of Mechanics: Seminar: Abstract Biggs

The Christchurch Earthquake of February 22, 2011

Christchurch, New Zealand was the epicenter for a 6.3M earthquake on February 2011. In locations, the intensity of the earthquake accelerations exceeded 1.0g both vertically and horizontally. The death toll was less than 200, but nearly half the business district and many heritage structures have been destroyed by this earthquake and the over 3,200 subsequent recorded aftershocks. The speaker was in Christchurch during the earthquake lecturing on Structural Engineering Forensics. In the aftermath of the earthquake, he joined fellow engineers in applying his expertise to assessing the safety of buildings in Christchurch. In the seminar, he will provide a personal account of the earthquake and damage (more information can be found at http://www.asce.org/PPLContent.aspx?id=12884904967).

David Biggs is a professional engineer with Biggs Consulting Engineering in Troy, New York, USA. His expertise includes forensic engineering, historic preservation, building projects, masonry design and restoration, parking structures, and industrial facilities. Mr. Biggs is a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and an Honorary Member of The Masonry Society.