Bulls Library, NZ

Completion Date:

August 2022

Project Details:

During 2022, Rockbond worked with the team from Seismic Performance and Centraus Structural Consulting Ltd on the earthquake strengthening of the old Bulls Library.

The former Public Library, built in 1917-1918 in Bulls’ High Street, has historic and social significance as a valued civic amenity and meeting place, associated with town founder James Bull. The First World War Roll of Honour in the front entranceway (added in 1921) demonstrates the building’s significance as one of New Zealand’s war memorials.

The building has architectural and technological value as an example of an innovative building technology, camerated ferro-concrete. There were only a handful of buildings of this type constructed in New Zealand in the early 1900’s. The structure consisted of to thin concrete wall (outer & Inner) that were cast in-situ and had pretty much nothing other than air between them! Interestingly, this old had been through a number of decent sized earthquakes during its lifespan of 104 years and was still outwardly in great shape.

Rockbond worked with the consulting engineers to develop a low strength (12-15MPa) flowable fibre-reinforced grout that could be pumped into the void between the two concrete shells, that would effectively result in the building having 250mm thick, fibre-reinforced concrete walls.

Graeme and the team from Seismic Performance carried out the grouting of the walls, working around the perimeter of the building as the grouted, going up in layers.

The project was a great success, and with 900 bags of Rockbond 1.16 Heritage T Grout-P in its walls, the old Bulls Library is now one of the strongest buildings in town!

Products Used:

1.16 Heritage T Grout-P

Project Partners:

Seismic Performance Limited

Centraus Structural Consulting Ltd

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