Whanganui experience boosts knowledge for earthquake strengthening engineer 15 Mar, 2021 04:00 PM 5 minutes to read Laurel Stowell is a reporter for the Whanganui Chroniclelaurel.stowell@whanganuichronicle.co.nzWhangaChron [A_190214WCBRCQuake01.JPG] Dizhur and team test the way the timber floor at 35B Victoria Ave responds to strong shaking. Photo / Bevan Conley Laurel Stowell A structural engineer who got valuable experience with Whanganui's old buildings will return to the city this year to strengthen his heritage Johnstone & Co building. During the past 10 years he has also documented the effect of earthquakes on Christchurch buildings, written a book on the subject and completed his PhD degree.