I n s t r u c t o r W o r k b o o k A Brief on Program Module M0/S1

1 INTRODUCTION TO THE TRAINING COURSE

Nepal is one of the most seismically vulnerable countries in the world which has a
history of many earthquakes. We have experienced many earthquakes in our
neighboring countries in recent times, some of which have been disastrous in terms of
human and property loss such as Bhuj (2001) and Bam (2003) in India, Pakistan (Oct
2005) and China (May 2008). Unfortunately, most casualties during earthquakes are
caused not by the earthquake itself, but by the collapse of manmade structures.
Earthquakes do not kill people but poorly designed or constructed buildings do. It is
true that earthquakes of similar shaking intensity could be more disastrous in
developing countries than in developed regions due to lack of knowledge and proper
attention to seismic design and quality of building construction. A properly designed,
detailed and constructed structure can resist an earthquake of high intensity. Although
common people are not aware of many aspects of earthquake disaster and better
building practices in seismic zones of the country, the methodology and provisions of
Codes are available for reducing the losses due to earthquake.

In Nepal, seismic design and construction is not included in the curriculum of regular
course of civil and structural engineering. Due to lack of sufficient knowledge and
capabilities both in terms of availability of manpower and technical competence,
regulatory agencies like government organizations and municipal bodies are not being
able to properly enforce or implement seismic design standards and Codes in direct
construction.

To ensure seismic resistant construction, knowledge of earthquake engineering needs

to be spread to a broad spectrum of professional engineers and designers, rather than
confining to few specialists. Earthquake resistant construction requires seismic
considerations at all stages: from architectural planning to structural design to actual
construction and the quality control.

It is very urgent to train Engineers, Professional designers, Builders and Structural

Engineers to acquaint them about the current practices on earthquake resistant design
and construction. Such training programs translate state-of-the-knowledge into better
earthquake resistant state-of-the- practice in construction.

This manual is expected to serve as important tool for safety against seismic hazards.
The Manual will be useful to designers & engineering professionals in general and to
those involved in analysis, design and construction of buildings in particular.

M0/S1-3