Kuanjin Lee

MSc 2016
Jin studied a conjoint Bachelor of Art and Science degree at Auckland University with a major in Geology, Geography and a specialisation in Environmental Science. She went on to study her Honours and Masters in Earth Sciences with a focus on Geotechnical Engineering and Geophysics. Jin has worked with ENGEO as an Engineering Geologist for 4 years before working for Auckland Council as a Development Engineer.



​Dynamic characterisation of central Auckland reclamation zone.

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Research Title: 
Dynamic characterisation of central Auckland reclamation zone.
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Project summary: 
Jin’s Masters thesis was on the ‘Dynamic characterisation of central Auckland reclamation zones’ and was supervised by Dr Liam Wotherspoon, Dr Simon Nelis and Dr Jennifer Eccles. The research included defining the dynamic characteristics of the reclamation zones in the Auckland CBD using a combination of geotechnical, geological and geophysical data. Collation of reclamation history and site investigation data was assisted with local consultancies. This information was used to understand the history of reclamation and subsurface geology and provide constraints for surface wave testing to estimate the shear wave velocity of the deposits. Additionally, in excess of 100 horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) measurements were made to provide an estimate of the site period of the reclaimed soil profiles and identify the contrasts between adjacent reclaimed zones. Results found that across the reclaimed deposits, subsoil class C was the most prevalent based on site period with site subsoil class D sites located proximal to paleo-channels and in reclaimed areas that extended further out into the harbour. More detailed investigations are needed to identify potential site subsoil class E sites and areas susceptible to liquefaction. Comparisons across all reclaimed zones suggested that the underlying young, unconsolidated Tauranga Group alluvial deposits had more influence on the site period than the various reclaimed deposits. The HVSR method was shown to be a valuable technique for providing a rapid assessment of the depth to the ECBF deposits in the region