Seamlessly integrating seismic restraint for safer buildings

We simplify the complex – working alongside your wider project team, we design, model and coordinate seismic restraints to non-structural elements; to produce solutions that are safe, economical and simple to construct.

Non-structural elements comprise up to 70% of a building’s capital value. Earthquake damage to these elements can result in some buildings being declared economic losses, even when the structure itself is not badly damaged. Damage to non-structural elements is a significant risk to building occupants and affects whether the building can be occupied following an earthquake.

The seismic restraint of non-structural building elements (an important aspect of earthquake engineering) is a requirement of the New Zealand Building Code but has historically been poorly executed, resulting in unsatisfactory safety and cost outcomes after moderate to large earthquakes.

Our building seismic restraint service removes a traditional stumbling block in coordination between the architect, engineer, service engineer and contractor – making it easier to deliver safe, economical and simple seismic restraint. Our holistic approach to the restraint of non-structural elements allows us to develop solutions alongside the wider project team during the design phase, to produce better quality outcomes including:

• Improved value: Solutions that are efficient, flexible, easy to source and install
• Reduced risk: The seismic, cost and programme risk is addressed directly by the design
• Improved collaboration: Early involvement of seismic restraint design enables the team to integrate into the design process and develop holistic solutions
• Improved sustainability: We reduce waste by improving seismic resilience of non-structural elements
• Innovative designs: We constantly innovate to bring the best technology into our seismic service delivery, including bespoke software and design tools
• Greater certainty: Including non-structural elements in our drawings relieves subcontractors from design responsibility
• Compliance with the Building Code: The drawings issued give the contractor team confidence that the non-structural components will be installed in line with the Building Code.