Andrew Charleson

Associate Professor

Programme Director Building Science Undergraduate

BE(Hons)(Civil), ME(Dist.) Cant

Background

Andrew Charleson joined the staff of the School of Architecture in 1987 after extensive structural engineering experience in New Zealand and overseas. Andrew is experienced in all aspects of structural design with an emphasis upon earthquake engineering.

Research Interests

Andrew’s research interests mainly fall into two broad areas – the relationship between structure and architecture, and earthquake engineering/architecture. Research in the first area focuses on how the structural elements of buildings, particularly where exposed, can contribute architecturally other than by bearing load. This work is based upon extensive analysis of recognised works of architecture in an international context.

In the earthquake engineering/architecture area, Andrew is exploring how ideas and technologies related to earthquakes can inform and generate architectural design concepts.

Another research strand relates to his leadership of the Earthquake Hazard Centre (EHC) with its mission to research and disseminate earthquake engineering information to developing countries.

Andrew is able to provide specialist postgraduate supervision in the above areas as well as in many more topics broadly associated with structural and earthquake engineering. Currently he is supervising a PhD student researching the suitability of double-layer space structures for super-tall buildings and another who is exploring architectural responses for improved tsunami resistance in Malaysia.

Recent Research Publications

Charleson, A. W., 'Structure as Architecture: a Sourcebook for Architects and Engineers', Architectural Press, Elsevier, Oxford, 2005, 226 pp.

Charleson, A. W., (ed.) 'Architectural design for earthquake: a guide to the design of non-structural elements'. New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering, 2007, 94 pp.

Charleson, A. W., 'Seismic Design for Architects: Outwitting the Quake', Architectural Press, Elsevier, Oxford, Sept. 2008.

Charleson, A. W., 'Reflections on aspects of New Zealand’s seismic resilience: comparisons with Californian practice', Proceedings of the conference of the NZ Society for Earthquake Engineering, March 2008, 10 pp.

Murty, C. V. R., Charleson, A. W., 'Using the World Housing Encyclopedia to improve house earthquake safety', Proceedings of the 14th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Beijing, October 2008.

Charleson, A. W., 'Comparison between Contemporary Architectural Form in Cities with High Versus Low Seismicity', Earthquake Spectra, Vol. 25, No. 1, 2009, pp. 1-15.

Charleson, A. W., 'Research on used car tyre strap reinforced adobe construction in Peru', Proceedings of the conference of the NZ Society for Earthquake Engineering, March 2009, 10 pp.

Charleson, A. W., Pirie, S., 'An investigation of structural engineer-architect collaboration', Journal of the Structural Engineering Society New Zealand. Vol. 22, No.1., 2009, pp. 97-104.

Charleson, A. W. and Perez, N. Long-span Timber Buildings – a Review of Recent International Projects, New Zealand Timber Design Journal, Vol. 17, No. 4, 2009, pp. 19-28.

Charleson, A. W. Initiatives to reduce the seismic vulnerability of world housing: the World Housing Encyclopedia. NSF CMMI Engineering and Research and Innovation Conference, June 22-25, 2009, Honolulu, Hawaii. Plenary Session 3, 6 pp.

Current Research Projects

While research for the Earthquake Hazard Centre has been ongoing since 1997, Andrew has recently initiated a project investigating the use of discarded vehicle tyres as a means of strengthening adobe construction in developing countries. Using a combination of physical testing and structural analysis, the aim is to significantly improve the earthquake performance of such fragile construction and to reduce the environmental problem caused by used tyres.

Memberships