SERVICES

Structural & Earthquake Strengthening

Commercial & Industrial Infrastructure

Meccanico provides cost-effective structural remediation and seismic strengthening for buildings and structures throughout New Zealand, including Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

Commercial Buildings
E.g. Multi-level, multi-unit buildings; offices, hotels, apartment buildings.

Warehouses, Bridges & Stadiums
Large Historic & Heritage Buildings
Churches & Halls

Structural Strengthening

Meccanico offers a complete, end-to-end service; from engineering assessments and surveying, retro-fitting and construction, to full Project Management if required.

Shoring & Bracing
Remove & replace existing structural members

Retro-fit Structure 

Shear walls, steel horizontal truss system, braced
steel framing
Secure floor-to-wall connections
Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) wrap
Cross Bracing

Exterior Reinforcement
E.g. New exterior columns, buttressing, shear
reinforcement
Gunite/shotcrete application

Cross Bracing Strengthening

Foundation Strengthening

Seismic Strengthening (Earthquake Strengthening)

Strengthening work to vastly improve seismic performance, protect life and property, and help keep the building or structure operational. E.g. Buildings affected by the Building (earthquake-prone buildings) Amendment Act 2016. This includes buildings classified as earthquake-prone (on the EPB register), and at-risk buildings/structures, such as unreinforced masonry buildings (URM). Meccanico͛s earthquake strengthening work can incorporate installing Seismic Base Isolators to dramatically improve structural performance during earthquakes.

Learn more: Seismic Base Isolation & see Case Study below.

What is an ‘earthquake-prone’ building?

‘The new legislation defines an earthquake-prone building as one that would have its ultimate capacity exceeded in a moderate earthquake, and if the building were to collapse, the collapse would be likely to cause injury or death or damage to other property. The definition applies to parts of buildings as well as whole buildings.

The new legislation defines the term ‘moderate earthquake’ in regulations as one that would generate shaking at the site of the building that is of the same duration as, but that is one-third as strong as, the earthquake shaking that would be used to design a new building at that site if it were designed on the date of the commencement of the new legislation. The term ‘ultimate capacity’ is also to be defined in regulations.

In practice, an earthquake-prone building is often referred to as one that meets less than 34 per cent of the new building standard (NBS).

The definition of an earthquake-prone building takes into account a range of factors, including different levels of seismic risk around New Zealand. This means a building at 33% in Wellington, where there is relatively high seismic risk, is stronger (in absolute terms) than a building at 33% in Auckland where the seismic risk is lower.’

Source: NZ Ministry of Business & Enterprise: Managing Earthquake Prone Buildings (‘Some questions and answers on the new legislation’ – PDF)

Further information re: Building (earthquake-prone buildings) Amendment Act 2016 Parliamentary Counsel Office: NZ Legislation

Earthquake Strengthening Case Study

Sudima Hotel - Christchurch Airport

Strengthening & Full Refurbishment - 2016

The scope of the project required full strip out, re-strengthening and refurbishment to be completed in just four months. The hotel’s Lincoln wing and Roosevelt wing were damaged from the main February 2011 earthquake. New foundations, block walls and structural steel were installed to bring the wings back up to 67% of NBS Code so they could be reoccupied. The project was very challenging due to the compressed timeframe, but our team delivered in every aspect.

TESTIMONIALS

Working with the world’s best

I have been involved with Rod and Meccanico for three large bridge lifts on two of New Zealands significant infrastructure roading projects in the last few years. I was the structures lead for the design team and was involved in the construction monitoring during the construction phase of the projects.

Jacking each bridge was a complex operation and required well controlled load and displacements in each of the jacks as we simultaneously lifted (up to 13 beams) concrete bridge beams that were rigidly connected together by a concrete deck.

Our company is also involved in the maintenance for many of New Zealand’s existing bridges and I would have no hesitation in using Meccanico when we need to jack an existing bridge to replace the existing bridge bearings in the future.

Ted Polley

Technical Director Structural Engineering

Martinus engaged Meccanico for the demolition of an existing wall inside Britomart Tunnel in Auckland CBD. Scope of works consisted of jacking to transfer load from the existing wall to a newly constructed wall, continuous monitoring of deflections, and design of all associated temporary works. Meccanico engaged Quoin to develop the temporary works design in collaboration with Martinus, Aurecon and City Rail Link Ltd. and developed the jacking methodology in accordance with the permanent works design requirements. The jacking works were completed successfully as critical path works during a rail shutdown with a very happy client as a result.

Throughout the works, it has been great to work with Meccanico as a trusted partner to deliver a robust solution, work to the program, and produce solutions where required. Impressed with the ability and flexibility of the team to get the job done. It was a pleasure to work with Rod & team!

Martinus Rail

We engaged Rod and his team to lift and an industrial warehouse roof back in March 2022 in New Lynn.

Rod visited our site and provided a safe methodology and successfully raised the full roof structure to the heights we required meeting our agreed timelines and budget.

I would have no hesitation recommending Rod and his team and will definitely chose to use them again for any future works we have.

Mark Niccolls

QDC Works Ltd

Due to unexpected settlement, the bridge had warped and required intervention to remove the warping stresses. We engaged Meccanico for this challenging operation, which involved synchronous operation of each jack and precise control of jack loads to prevent structural damage.

Under the leadership of Rod, his team worked with efficiency and competence, demonstrating excellent collaboration skills when dealing with higher than expected loads. Throughout the project, Rod kept variations to a minimum and provided a reasonable price for his services.

Overall, we were impressed with Meccanico’s expertise and professionalism in handling this complex project, and we would not hesitate to recommend them to others in need of similar services.

Dylan

Our Company

Culture.

We celebrate a diverse team of individuals who we encourage to take part in a hard working, fun work environment and who we encourage in their own personal growth and growth within our team.

Attitude.

We approach every job and challenge with a positive outlook and a can do approach. We focus on the solutions and ensure that we prepare ourselves to affect positive outcomes in any given situation.

Communication.

Our open door policy runs through each level of our business, from our engineering team and consultants, through to our workers on the ground. Clear, respectful communication and our ability to communicate and listen well is a part of Meccanico’s ongoing growth and success.