A University of Canterbury engineer, who has used the world’s largest vibration truck (TRex) for seismic analysis on the land occupied by Lyttelton port of Christchurch, is a finalist in the young New Zealand ‘engineer of the year’ awards.
Dr Brendon Bradley is a research leader in earthquake engineering, including the analysis of earthquake-induced ground motions during the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.
Bradley has tested soil conditions beneath Christchurch and their influence on the earthquakes with the specialist TRex vibration truck.
The 29-tonne TRex vehicle is a collaborative research project between the University of Canterbury and the University of Texas, Austin. Prior to being used in Canterbury, it had never left the United States.
TRex can determine the properties of soils from the ground surface to depths of 250 metres by applying small vibrations and recording them with an array of instruments.
Using TRex, Bradley has investigated the development of seismic hazard analysis and design ground motions for Lyttelton Port of Christchurch (LPC) as part of its $1 billion redevelopment.
He has also provided seismic hazard analysis and design ground motions mitigations for several projects in Canterbury, including the Christchurch ‘justice precinct’ and the redevelopment of Christchurch Hospital.
