1.

Introduction and Background

Nepal is located in boundary between the Indian and Tibetan plates, along which a relative shear strain of about 2 cm per year has been estimated. The Indian plate is also sub-ducting at a rate of, thought to be, about 3 cm per year. The existence of the Himalayan range with the worlds highest peaks is evidence of continued uplift. As a result, Nepal is very active seismically. Many earth scientists believe that longitudinally the entire 2,400 km long Himalayan arc can be segmented into different individual parts( 200 300 km) which periodically break and move separately and produce mega earthquake ( catastrophic earthquake) in the Himalayan region. From east to west, the great earthquake of Assam, India (1950), Shilong, India (1987), Nepal- Bihar, India ( 1934) and Kangra, India ( 1905) are the mega earthquake of the last century produced by the movements in different parts of the Himalayan arc, all with magnitude around 8.0 8.7. When a sector of the Himalaya moves and produces earthquakes, it will take some time (from decades to century) to repeat the event at the same place. Nepal is prone to an earthquake of minor or major magnitude. Records of earthquakes since 1253 indicate that Nepal was hit by 16 major earthquakes- the 1833 (magnitude 7.9) and 1934 (magnitude 8.3) are two of these which have occurred at an interval of 100 years. Statically, the earthquake occurrence data of the last century shows that in average Nepal was hit by a big earthquake in every 12 years ( Nakarmi, 1997). From January to midAugust 2011, Nepal experienced 25 quakes above 4 on the Richter scale. The epicenters of four of these were to the north of Pokhara. It is sad to note that there is no awareness of this alarming situation to the majority of people of Nepal including Pokhara Sub- Metropolitan City, so far as construction of buildings is concerned. We can see that most of the buildings are non-engineered; i.e, these buildings are not properly designed by structural engineers and are not constructed in proper supervision of qualified engineers/ overseers. In fact, people are afraid of consulting architects and structural engineers, as they have a concept that these professionals charge highly and they do not want to waste their money. So, they rely on masons for design- both architectural and structural and construction of their buildings. How can we expect these buildings to be earthquake resistant? It is a positive step to note that recent construction practice in Nepal is emphasizing on the importance of making earthquake resistant construction. In this regards, Government, municipalities and various government and non government organizations are making people aware of the technique of earthquake resistant design and construction. In this connection, NSET- Nepal, an INGO, is ahead of the rest. It provides frequent trainings to engineers, overseers and masons regarding earthquake resistant design and construction, in addition to making various useful publications regarding earthquake resistant design and construction. Moreover, structural analysis, design and drawings for major buildings have to be submitted to the municipality for getting approval for construction. Due to this, people have to consult structural engineers for the construction works. Furthermore, people of cities have started consulting structural engineers for construction of residential buildings also, which is a very positive sign. As mentioned before, majority of the buildings in Pokhara are non- engineered. So, in case of load bearing wall structures, no tie beam, sill band, lintel band, floor beam are provided, which are must for earthquake resistant construction. In case of frame structures, footings, columns and beams are not properly designed, due to which their size and reinforcement are not adequate. Moreover, there is lack of quality control during construction works. It is clear that the loss of lives in earthquake occurs due to the inadequacy of structural performance of buildings resulting in their collapse. Experiences from past earthquakes have shown that

buildings designed and constructed with appropriate seismic considerations can withstand such loading quite successfully although there may be some repairable damage. But most of the existing public buildings as well as school and residential buildings in municipality are very vulnerable to even moderate intensities of earthquake due to lack of knowledge of earthquake safety measures. It is clear that the loss of lives in earthquake occurs due to the inadequacy of structural performance of buildings resulting in their collapse. Experiences from past earthquakes have shown that buildings designed and constructed with appropriate seismic considerations can withstand such loading quite successfully although there may be some repairable damage. But most of the existing public building as well as school and residential buildings in municipality are very vulnerable to even moderate intensities of earthquake due to lack of knowledge of earthquake safety measures. There are two options for making an existing building earthquake resistant. One is to demolish it and construct new one meeting the necessary criteria. However, this option is quite expensive and is not affordable for all. Another option, which is called Seismic Retrofitting, is a cheaper option. In this technique, structural deficiency is overcome by addition of new structural members or increasing size of structural members or additional reinforcement, so that the building becomes earthquake resistant. As per rough cost estimation, cost of retrofitting is 30 % of the cost of new construction. The problem with seismic retrofitting is that, being relatively new subject, even engineers do not have enough knowledge of it, forget about the masons and common people. So, the main challenge for seismic retrofitting of the buildings in Pokhara is lack of knowledge. If we can teach this technique to the engineers and overseers of Pokhara and subsequently to the supervisors, masons and common people, the buildings which are at risk can be conveniently retrofitted making these earthquake resistant. So, there is need of dissemination of retrofitting techniques through the selected school buildings. Considering this fact BDRC Project has planned to carry out seismic retrofitting works of some school buildings in Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City as demonstration so as to disseminate the technology as well as aware school teachers, students, parents and community people on the need to incorporate earthquake safety measures in existing building for protecting life and properties in case of major earthquake. BDRC has selected five school buildings for the structural vulnerability assessment. 4 most feasible school buildings based on the recommendation of the Consultant will be retrofitted in close coordination with District Education Office, School Management Committee and School Based Disaster Management Committees ( SBDMC) of the concerned schools for the demonstration. The selected school buildings are as follows:1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Rameshwori Higher Secondary School, Majharipatan 14 Rameshwori Higher Secondary School, Majharipatan 14 Siddha Higher Secondary School, Phale Patan 15 Barahi Higher Secondary School, Male Patan 5 Kalika Higher Secondary School, Rambazar 9

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Concept and Proposed Methodology Preparation of As- Built Drawings: For the assessment and design of retrofitting works of these school buildings, asbuilt drawings have to be prepared. For this, site visit will be made in co-ordination with authorities of the BDRC Project and authorities of the schools. Detail measurement of these buildings will be taken. Once this task is complete, as- built drawings will be prepared. All details required for the assessment will be incorporated in the drawings.

Detail Inspection of the Buildings: During site visit, detail inspection of the buildings will be conducted. For assessing quality of building materials, drilling will be done at few places to identity type of mortar, quality of the masonry works and finishing works, presence and extent of lintel and/ or sill bands. For exploring the foundation, excavation will be carried out and depth, size and quality of foundation will be noted. Similarly, whether there is ground water at foundation level or not is also noted. Penetrometer will be used for determination of the bearing capacity of the soil. Strength of various structural members of buildings will be assessed by using nondestructive testing equipment, called Schmidt Hammer, which will give compressive strength of concrete. For this purpose, some of the covers to the structural components will be stripped off and necessary non-destructive testing of the materials will be conducted.

Identification of Building Structural Type: The building structural typology is still unknown. It will be identified during the study and its potential seismic performance will be predicted from the performance of the similar building in other earthquakes worldwide.

Vulnerability Assessment: Different Vulnerability factors associated with different types of buildings will be checked with a set of appropriate checklist from FEMA 310, "Handbook for the Seismic Evaluation of Buildings."

Numerical Calculation: Short back of the packet type of calculations relevant to the structural type in addition to that prescribed by FEMA 310.

Identifying Probable Influence of Different Vulnerability Factors: Based on the above study, basic deficiencies and its influence on different vulnerability factors such as configuration or detailing will be assessed qualitatively (Low, Medium and High).

Identification of Performance of the Buildings: The seismic performance of the buildings during a seismic event under different level of shaking in terms of structural and non-structural damage will be evaluated and the statement will be made.

Recommendation of 4 School Buildings for Retrofitting: After identification of the performance 5 school buildings, 4 most feasible school buildings will be selected and recommended for retrofitting works for the purpose of demonstration purposes.

Tentative Cost Estimation and Time of Retrofitting Works: Tentative cost estimation for the retrofitting works will be calculated based on the recommendations. Also, depending on the volume of the works and site conditions, tentative time period required for execution of the retrofitting works will be assessed.

Detail Structural Analysis: For detail analysis and design of the structures, structural software STAAD Pro 2006 will be used. It is a well known as well as reliable computer software developed by Research Engineers INC., California, USA. The 3D analysis of the structure will be carried out considering various load combinations (like dead load, live load, and earthquake/wind) as per prevailing Indian Code and the Nepal Building Code. Once the design is complete, the structural drawings including joint details will be prepared with the aid of AutoCAD 2010.

Development Strengthening:

of

Intervention

Concepts

of

Seismic

Upgrading/

Different intervention concepts for the strengthening will be developed to achieve a range of structural and non-structural seismic safety. Cost Benefit Analysis: Cost benefit analysis of the four selected school buildings will be done. Tentative cost required for the construction of similar new school buildings will be obtained based on the rate per sq. ft. of the floor area of the buildings as per the current market price. This cost will be compared with the cost required for the retrofitting works based on the design and drawings. If the cost of retrofitting works is within 30% cost of new construction works, suitability of carrying our retrofitting works will be established. Final Design and Preparation of Tender Documents: Next step will involve final design for retrofitting of those four school buildings including preparation of the detail drawings. Final Bill of Quantities will be prepared based on the final design and drawings. Tender documents will also be prepared in order to get the works executed for a competent contractor.

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Tools to be used:

Following tools will be used for this project:i. ii. 4. Penetrometer Schmidt Hammer Work Schedule: Work schedule for the execution of this project is presented below.

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Manpower Proposed

6.

Company Profile:

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Supporting Documents