Seismic engineering - making structures more resilient to earthquake risk
Even modern buildings can fall short when it comes to seismic resilience—especially if earthquake performance wasn’t a focus in the original design. For older buildings, the risk is even greater. They may no longer meet today’s seismic standards, putting your people, property, and compliance obligations at risk.
At Hyland Consulting Engineering, we specialise in seismic engineering to help reduce that risk and provide practical, reliable solutions. From early-stage seismic assessments to full-strengthening designs and post-earthquake evaluations, we help you understand how your building will perform—and what you can do to improve it.
- Assess: Seismic evaluations, %NBS ratings, and damage investigations to guide decisions
- Design: Retrofit and bracing solutions tailored to your building’s risks and condition
- Deliver: End-to-end project management, advanced analysis, and construction oversight
Earthquake engineering consultants based in Auckland servicing NZ wide
Specialist seismic services from assessment to implementation
We provide both Initial Seismic Assessments (ISAs) and Detailed Seismic Assessments (DSAs), tailored to the specific risks and requirements of your building. These assessments are more than just compliance checks—they’re a foundation for confident decision-making.
- ISAs give you a high-level seismic rating (%NBS), ideal for early-stage planning and a preliminary assessment of compliance with regulatory obligations.
- DSAs provide in-depth evaluation and assessment of compliance with regulatory requirements using advanced modelling and analysis to pinpoint strengths, vulnerabilities, and where upgrades may be needed.
Our assessments support insurance claims, attract tenants, and help remove uncertainty around investment and compliance. We also perform damage assessments after earthquakes and guide you through the next steps—whether that’s repairs, strengthening, or formal reporting for councils and insurers.
Seismic strengthening and bracing design you can build on
Hyland Consulting Engineering provides strengthening solutions for both existing and new buildings—designed to improve performance, meet compliance, and extend the life of your assets.
Our services include:
- Structural retrofit design to meet or exceed modern seismic standards
- Seismic bracing for cladding, concrete panels, M&E services, ceilings, and partitions
- Performance-based solutions that balance safety, disruption, and cost-effectiveness
Our approach always begins with what’s practical: we look at your structure’s condition, the risks it faces, and what can realistically be achieved—then we tailor our recommendations to get the best result within your budget and timeframes.
End-to-end project management for minimal disruption
Strengthening or upgrading a building can be a major task—but with the right team, it doesn’t need to be stressful. We manage seismic remediation projects from investigation through to completion, giving you a single point of contact and a smoother path forward. Our team can:
- Coordinate assessments, testing, and design
- Work with a network of trusted engineering and materials experts
- Handle documentation, contractor selection, and compliance approvals
- Oversee site work to ensure performance, safety, and quality
- Manage programmes to minimise disruption to tenants or operations
You benefit from a clear plan, full technical oversight, and transparent communication throughout.
Trusted for seismic failure analysis and post-earthquake response
Hyland Consulting Engineering is often called on to investigate building failures and assess earthquake damage. We’ve been involved in high-profile seismic investigations and are respected by councils, insurers, and legal professionals for the clarity and technical quality of our work. Our forensic and post-event services include:
- Structural inspections following earthquake events
- Root cause investigations for partial or total collapses
- Documentation and reporting for insurance and legal claims
- Expert advice to guide safe and compliant recovery actions
We also provide peer reviews and support for projects where seismic performance is critical - and where the consequences of getting it wrong are high.
Talk to us today about assessing, upgrading, or strengthening your structure for improved seismic resilience.
Case study - CTV Building collapse investigation
Following the devastating 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the Canterbury Television (CTV) building collapsed, resulting in a significant loss of life and raising urgent questions about the building’s structural performance.
Dr Clark Hyland, of Hyland Consulting Engineering is a specialist in Fatigue + Earthquake Engineering, were engaged by the Department of Building and Housing to investigate the collapse. Working alongside Ashley Smith of Structuresmith Ltd, he undertook a detailed site examination, structural analysis, and materials testing to understand the contributing factors. Their work was carried out under the guidance of an expert panel appointed by DBH.
The investigation required:
- On-site forensic engineering to assess damage patterns and failure sequences
- Material property evaluation to understand how steel and concrete performed during the quake
- Analysis of structural design and load paths to identify weak points
- Technical reporting suitable for legal, regulatory, and public review
The collapse was found to involve progressive failure of structural elements during the earthquake’s aftershock. Dr Hyland’s involvement was central in identifying why these failures occurred and in helping inform future seismic design, assessment, and regulatory improvements across New Zealand.
This project reflects Hyland Consulting Engineering are expertise in both the technical and investigative aspects of seismic engineering—where clear thinking, practical engineering knowledge, and credible reporting are all essential.
Advanced structural analysis for targeted seismic solutions
Our engineers use ABAQUS CAE, a powerful finite element software platform, to model how materials and systems respond to earthquake forces—including for buildings up to 20 storeys high. This allows us to go beyond basic elastic models and carry out elastic-plastic analysis, giving a true picture of how a structure might behave under real seismic loads.
We can also:
- Analyse filtered ground motion records to simulate accurate site-specific conditions
- Develop custom welding specifications for obsolete or non-compliant materials
- Apply in-house tools to interpret motion sensor data
- Use our findings to design effective strengthening strategies with long-term value
This technical depth allows us to design smarter, leaner solutions—avoiding overdesign and targeting the areas that truly need attention.