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Seismic resilience

Seismic resilience is about constructing new buildings and strengthening those already built to keep occupants safe in an earthquake and to limit damage to the building itself.

Aotearoa New Zealand has been a leader in earthquake design and construction for several decades. BRANZ research and testing in this field has resulted in engineering and design guidance, tools, books and seminars.

The New Zealand Building Code has rigorous seismic performance requirements, even when compared to similarly earthquake-prone nations. As a result, the performance of New Zealand buildings in severe seismic events is among the best in the world.

BRANZ research has played a role in the development of New Zealand codes and standards in this area. Our scientists have also helped in damage assessment after earthquakes and provided evidence-backed guidance for rebuilding and retrofitting.

Resources for designers and builders

BRANZ provides a wide range of free and easy-to-read website resources, fact sheets, bulletins, research reports, seminars, papers and Build articles on seismic resilience.

  • Seismic resilience - website

    This online resource provides good technical information on how to incorporate earthquake resilience into buildings and raise the seismic performance of New Zealand’s building stock.

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  • BRANZ Facts: Seismically resilient non-structural elements

    This series assists building services industries to achieve compliance with the New Zealand Building Code and encourage a consistent approach to the design and installation of seismically resilient non-structural elements, components and systems.

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  • Bracing calculation sheets for NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings

    Use these sheets to determine the wall and foundation bracing elements required to satisfy NZS 3604:2011. They may also form part of the building consent application documentation.

    Download [PDF, 400KB]

  • BRANZ structural testing services

    BRANZ structural tests demonstrate how building products and systems perform when subjected to external forces. These include earthquakes or strong winds as well as forces associated with normal use, such as occupancy or external vibrations.

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Learn more about seismic resilience

Access practical industry knowledge informed by the latest BRANZ research in these recorded seminars and eLearning modules.

  • Seminar: Non-structural systems

    This seminar provides designers and installers with a practical understanding of how to ensure non-structural systems in buildings are seismically resilient.

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  • Seminar: BRANZ Answers: Bracing

    This seminar takes a back-to-basics approach to bracing taking you through the steps that need to be addressed using examples to calculate the bracing required for framed walls.

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  • eLearning module: Bracing

    These self-paced, interactive learning modules look at the role of bracing in buildings to resist wind and earthquake forces.

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