Investigating Geotechnical Factors Influences on Long-Term Residential Safety in New Zealand Post-disaster

Akhila Yamuna Kumary Sasi Kumar¹, Mahesh Babu Purushothaman¹

1. Auckland University of Technology

Published in Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024), edited by Ali GhaffarianHoseini, Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, Farzad Rahimian and Mahesh Babu Purushothaman. Springer Nature, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, volume 591, 2025, pages 1045 to 1054. DOI 10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_100.

Abstract

The vulnerability of New Zealand (NZ) to earthquakes and floods highlights the need for robust residential construction methods after natural calamities. This research aims to examine the enduring impact of diverse geotechnical parameters on the safety of residential structures in the aftermath of natural calamities. This study aims to fill a vacuum in knowledge by examining how geotechnical factors collectively impact residential safety over time, in contrast to past research that has typically focused on specific post-disaster issues such as socio-economic consequences. The Quantitative (Systematic Literature Review) and Qualitative (Semi-structured Interview) methodologies assess the efficacy of existing safety techniques concerning defined geotechnical characteristics to determine their suitability in guaranteeing long-lasting residential security in NZ. The primary geotechnical factors like liquefaction, settlement, water content of soil, and slope stability influence the safety of the construction site. Various factors alter the site conditions after a disaster, adversely affecting the soil’s stability. There comes the importance of knowledge of site history and expected future land changes before the construction stage. This research highlights the gap between post-disaster construction frameworks and improved procedures to enhance residential structures’ long-term safety and resilience in NZ post-disaster.

Keywords

Session

Presented in Track I, Saturday 9 November 2024, 11:00 to 13:00, room WA 224 A, Auckland University of Technology. Session chair Dr Mathias Valenzuela.

How to Cite

Sasi Kumar, A. Y. K., & Purushothaman, M. B. (2025). Investigating Geotechnical Factors Influences on Long-Term Residential Safety in New Zealand Post-disaster. In A. GhaffarianHoseini, A. GhaffarianHoseini, F. Rahimian, & M. B. Purushothaman (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024) (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Vol. 591, pp. 1045–1054). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_100

About the Conference

Presented at SASBE 2024, the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, held in Auckland from 7 to 9 November 2024 and chaired by Professors Ali and Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, founders of GDI Academy. The version of record is published by Springer Nature; this page is the conference archive record kept by GDI Academy.