N E W S
15
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Mainmark introduces Terefirm
Following extensive testing and field trials,
Mainmark Ground Engineering has
introduced the first commercially viable,
non-invasive ground improvement and
liquefaction mitigation technique that
can be applied beneath existing structures.
Terefirm Resin Injection is fully engineered
and validated by geotechnical
testing and can protect structures at
risk from soil liquefaction, providing an
alternative to structural strengthening
and more invasive soil treatments.
Developed in response to the 2010/11
Canterbury seismic events, Terefirm
Resin Injection has been proven to produce
consistent and positive results
with the method now included in the
Ministry of Business, Innovation and
Employment (MBIE) Module 5: Ground
Improvement of Soils Prone to Liquefaction1.
The internationally peer reviewed
research was conducted in partnership
with the Earthquake Commission (EQC)
and the MBIE, and can be found online in
the New Zealand Geotechnical Society
library.
The non-invasive Terefirm Resin Injection
method involves a proprietary
technique to inject Mainmark’s engineered
resin with surgical precision in a
relatively clean and non-disruptive process,
to densify the soil and increase
liquefaction resistance. During injection
of the treatment zone, the low viscosity
resin both permeates the soil and penetrates
under pressure along planes
of weakness within the soil profile. The
injected material then reacts by rapidly
expanding to many times its original
volume, resulting in compaction of the
adjacent soils. This improves the soil
foundation characteristics and makes
the ground less susceptible to liquefaction2.
Theo Hnat, technical manager, Mainmark
New Zealand, says, “We’ve always
believed that our unique resin injection
technique could be used to provide liquefaction
mitigation, and we are very
pleased that this is now a proven and
ratified theory.
“Terefirm Resin Injection is the result of
years of hard work, commitment and
scientific collaboration. Through the
success of the Christchurch Ground Improvement
trials, engineers and asset
owners now have a viable alternative to
consider for improving soil density beneath
structures affected or at-risk of
liquefaction,” continued Mr Hnat.
Terefirm has already helped to successfully
remediate a number of residential
and commercial projects, including the
Northwood Supa Centa, a large shopping
centre in Christchurch that had
suffered liquefaction-related settlement
damage following the 2010 and
2011 earthquakes. The site required
extensive ground improvement work to
densify the soil beneath the centre and
bring the buildings back to level. Mainmark
undertook the project while retail
tenants, including a busy supermarket,
continued to trade virtually uninterrupted.
The outcome resulted in the shopping
centre achieving 100% NBS (new
building standard).
While remediating liquefaction affected
buildings is ongoing, the focus is
also turning towards the building of
resilient cities and protecting critical
infrastructure, including utilities, roads
and hospitals. The operators of the
Seaview Wastewater Treatment Plant in
Wellington have taken a proactive step
to address liquefiable soils beneath the
plant, helping to reduce the risk of damage
to the water facility when earthquakes
occur.
“Wellington Water’s council owners
have tasked us with ensuring our key
treatment plants will be able to quickly
resume operating after a major earthquake,”
says Tristan Reynard, Project
Director for the Seaview project. “Upgrading
this plant while it keeps operating
presented a unique challenge,
which Mainmark’s solution helped us to
address.”
Mainmark’s ability to continually deliver
exceptional ground engineering outcomes
has been recognised worldwide.
The company’s post-earthquake resurrection
of the Christchurch Art Gallery
won International Project of the Year
Award at the 2016 Ground Engineering
Awards in London. As New Zealand continues
to rebuild and remediate homes,
buildings and infrastructure to address
the effects of seismic events, Mainmark
will further collaborate with engineers,
homeowners, government, councils
and civil infrastructure owners to help
strengthen and protect at-risk structures,
from the ground up.
RMA shakeup ‘long overdue’
A shakeup of the Resource Management
System is a big step in the right
direction, BusinessNZ chief executive
Kirk Hope says.
"This is a great chance to move towards
improved environmental, economic and
social wellbeing outcomes."
Mr Hope says Resource Reform New
Zealand (Employers and Manufacturers
Association (EMA), Environmental Defence
Society (EDS), Property Council
New Zealand, Infrastructure New Zealand
and BusinessNZ) is pleased to see
the focus finally on the Resource Management
Act.
Mr Hope praised Environment Minister
David Parker for recognising the issues
and bringing independent oversight to
the review.
The RMA was the first legislation of its
type in the world combining environmental
and planning matters, however,
at almost 30-years-old, it is outdated,
Mr Hope says.
"Substantial changes in climate change
and large-scale infrastructure construction
mean an overhaul is necessary."
Mr Hope sees the review as a chance to
look at the wider resource management
system in New Zealand.
"We hope a reform will increase housing
development affordability, reduce
complications and improve freshwater
quality."
/www.engineeringnews.co.nz