Statistical assessment of damage to churches affected by the 2010-2011 Canterbury (New Zealand) earthquake sequence

Abstract

The Canterbury Region of New Zealand experienced an extensive earthquake sequence during 2010-2011, with two particularly severe events being on 4 September 2010 and 22 February 2011. The presented work entails a statistical analysis of the data collected for 112 churches in the affected region, including in situ damage observed by the authors and the structural assessment classification assigned by local authorities. The seismic performance of these churches is discussed and compared with both the structural classifications used in Italy, where a specific survey form for churches is used, and with the building damage classifications assigned by the local authorities.