13-27 Manners Street is a 15-story commercial building constructed in the mid-1980s and originally designed as a ductile concrete moment frame. Although the primary structure satisfied modern code requirements, there were key seismic vulnerabilities, including high drift and floor acceleration, due to the untopped precast floor and inadequate connections.
Miyamoto utilized non-linear time-history analysis, independent laboratory testing and detailed finite element modeling of critical connections to prepare a performance-based retrofit strategy. Fluid viscous dampers (FVDs) were introduced in diagonally-braced bays to reduce global drift and diaphragm demand. Epoxy-bonded steel column jackets provided efficient load transfer between the FVDs and existing frames, minimizing intrusive works to the columns. The completed retrofit achieves BPON-IL3 performance requirements, despite being an IL2 building, and satisfies REDiTM platinum baseline seismic resilience objectives, delivering a cost-effective and constructible retrofit with enhanced seismic performance.
Awards:
2026 Award of Excellence in the Retrofit/Alteration Category, Awarded by SEAOCC
2026 Award of Merit in the Retrofit/Alteration Category, Awarded by SEAOC
Based on seismic assessments, a strengthening solution was developed to incorporate viscose dampers into the existing structure. Miyamoto provided seismic rehabilitation services to address the building deficiencies.
To investigate the feasibility of the proposed strengthening solution, nonlinear time history analysis was considered a suitable tool. For this purpose, a 3D mathematical model of the building was developed and analysed using both ETABS and Open Sees.
During the retrofitting of the building, Miyamoto incorporated fluid viscous dampers into the existing concrete frame to reduce inter-storey drifts and minimise forces on the moment frames. The building was retrofitted by our team to allow the client to minimise downtime for functional recovery while ensuring a safer, more resilient structure for occupants.
Primeproperty Group
2025
15 stories
Wellington, New Zealand
13-27 Manners Street is a 15-story commercial building constructed in the mid-1980s and originally designed as a ductile concrete moment frame. Although the primary structure satisfied modern code requirements, there were key seismic vulnerabilities, including high drift and floor acceleration, due to the untopped precast floor and inadequate connections.
Miyamoto utilized non-linear time-history analysis, independent laboratory testing and detailed finite element modeling of critical connections to prepare a performance-based retrofit strategy. Fluid viscous dampers (FVDs) were introduced in diagonally-braced bays to reduce global drift and diaphragm demand. Epoxy-bonded steel column jackets provided efficient load transfer between the FVDs and existing frames, minimizing intrusive works to the columns. The completed retrofit achieves BPON-IL3 performance requirements, despite being an IL2 building, and satisfies REDiTM platinum baseline seismic resilience objectives, delivering a cost-effective and constructible retrofit with enhanced seismic performance.
Awards:
2026 Award of Excellence in the Retrofit/Alteration Category, Awarded by SEAOCC
2026 Award of Merit in the Retrofit/Alteration Category, Awarded by SEAOC
Based on seismic assessments, a strengthening solution was developed to incorporate viscose dampers into the existing structure. Miyamoto provided seismic rehabilitation services to address the building deficiencies.
To investigate the feasibility of the proposed strengthening solution, nonlinear time history analysis was considered a suitable tool. For this purpose, a 3D mathematical model of the building was developed and analysed using both ETABS and Open Sees.
During the retrofitting of the building, Miyamoto incorporated fluid viscous dampers into the existing concrete frame to reduce inter-storey drifts and minimise forces on the moment frames. The building was retrofitted by our team to allow the client to minimise downtime for functional recovery while ensuring a safer, more resilient structure for occupants.
Primeproperty Group
2025
15 stories
Wellington, New Zealand
