Decription:
The
results of an investigation into
the vulnerability of the infrastructure
serving metropolitan Christchurch
(including Lyttelton) is the main
content of Risks & Realities.
The work was undertaken by the
Christchurch Engineering Lifelines
Group whose
objectives are:
Engineering
Lifelines Investigation
An engineering lifelines
investigation is about
reducing exposure to
risk
from natural hazards,
so risk management
is addressed.
The
techniques have
much to offer those
responsible for reacting
to emergencies
and dealing with the
aftermath. The
engineering lifelines
project considered
a range of natural
hazards in the Christchurch
area
and the
table
below shows the hazards
and the annual exceedance
assessed for
the
scenarios used:
Four main task groups
and two smaller ones
were established
to undertake
the detailed work of
assessment of the infrastructure
of
Christchurch.
The main task groups
are: Hazards, Civil
Services, Electrical
and
Telecommunications
and Transport. The
smaller task groups
are Buildings
and Fire.
Vulnerabilities
The utility networks
are described and for
the purpose
of risk analysis,
each network was broken
up into components,
which were then assessed
for their vulnerability
to each hazard scenario.
This was done
by
electronically overlaying
the networks over the
hazards map,
which was
then examined to determine
importance, vulnerability
and impact of damage.
In this study, officers
with a day-to-day
involvement with the
particular lifeline
assessed
both
the vulnerability and
importance of each
element, and its dependence
on
other
services and recommended
mitigation measures
for the effects of
the particular hazard.
The
vulnerability charts
which were produced
from the risk
analysis were then
used for identification
of
the need for and priority
of
mitigation measures.
Any measure which would
reduce importance (e.g.
by redundancy),
reduce vulnerability
(e.g. by strengthening),
reduce impact (e.g.
by alternatives
or
contingency planning),
would help to mitigate
the disaster.
In many
cases the mitigation
measures identified
were very inexpensive,
or could
be easily integrated
with ongoing maintenance
and
replacement programmes.
Lifelines
Performance
The work has served
to open up the subject
of
the performance
of Christchurch's
lifelines during severe
natural events and
how the managers responsible
for those services
are
now ensuring
that the work of assessing
and prioritising
the many mitigating
recommendations is
being pursued and
appropriate measures
implemented.
Benefits
Some measure of the
success of the work
so far is
the extent
to which
budget provision has
been made for the various
mitigation
measures
which have been identified.
These are set out in
Chapter 11, 'Summary
of Benefits and Work
Undertaken or Proposed',
and a perusal
of this
list will show that
the engineering lifelines
investigation undertaken
during 1993 and 1994
was
not just
an academic exercise.
Whilst the information
in this
book concentrates
on the impact and response
to natural hazards
in
Christchurch, the methodology
employed is applicable
to any
city or community virtually
anywhere.
Risks & Realities
contains over 300 pages,
including
16 colour photographs
and 21 colour maps.
Copies are available
from the Centre
for Advanced Engineering
for $NZ75 + GST (within
New Zealand) or NZ$120/US$65
(overseas). Prices
include packing and
postage
(economy airmail overseas).
Prices correct
as of December 3, 1999.
(See Ordering Information
on how
to obtain CAE
publications or send
in the On-line Order
Form). |
Contents:
1. Summary and Colour Photographs
2. Risk Assessment, Methodology,
Vulnerability, Impact and Importance
3. Hazards
4. Seismic Liquefaction and Lifelines
5. Civil Services
6. Electrical and Communications
7. Transport
8. Emergency Buildings
9. New Zealand Fire Service
10. New Zealand/Los Angeles Workshop
11. Interdependence
12. Summary of Benefits and Work
Undertaken or Proposed
13. Ferry Road/Ferrymead Liquefaction
Investigations
14. Continuing Work
15. Colour Maps |
