Experience, Analysis & Recommendation on

Disaster Management for Non-Predictable

Natural Disaster in Nepal

Reference: Big Earth Quake in Nepal on 25th April, 2015

Prof. Dr. Tek Raj Gyawali

Professor
Faculty of Science and Technology
Pokhara University
Lekhnath-12, Kaski
February, 2017
 1. Back Ground
It was certain that a big earth quake hits any part of
Nepal; only place, time and magnitude were not known
It happened on 25th April 2015 with result of fewer
casualties due to the best selected time and day ….
Big Lessons:
The time and the day it struck……..Alarming!

Destruction of very old historical/cultural monuments which

had to be demolished and reconstructed earlier

Destruction of very old mason (brick/stone) houses in affected

areas, the durability of which were already over.

Destruction of new multi-storey RCC buildings which were

built for rental purpose with against of building by-laws
 1. Back Ground (contd.)
Big Lessons (contd.):
Destruction of high rise buildings which were built against
building by-laws

No serious (structural) damage on most RCC residential

buildings built for their own living purpose

Vulnerability condition of many multi-storey buildings

threatening nearby strong residential buildings

No serious (structural) damage on most commercial apartment

buildings (except one?...I have not checked).

Salutation to our Nepali Security Sector, Government

Hospitals, Radio Nepal, NTC and NEA.
 1. Back Ground (contd.)
Confession:
We engineers/experts neither had done anything for the
preparedness nor could convince general people to resist the big
earthquake and its series of aftershocks for long duration

Further Challenges:
Quick rehabilitation of affected people in temporary shelters
before the monsoon starts

Demolish of vulnerable multi-storey buildings and clearance of

debris in Kathmandu valley

Construction of seismic resistant houses/buildings for

permanent settlement
 2. Objective
Main aim of this presentation is to strengthen the living
standard of Nepalese people mentally and physically making
them capable to have standby preparation for the big
earthquake; and, make them able to resist the big earthquake
with its numerous aftershocks when it happens. Its specific
objectives are:

Development of effective awareness program to resist big

earthquake and its numerous aftershocks

Generalize the guidelines for the design and construction of

seismic resistant houses/buildings in Nepal
 3. Methodology
Resisting of any big earthquake at any region can broadly be
divided into three main stages as: 3.1 Standby Preparedness
Work 3.2 Rescue and Relief Work 3.3 Aftermath Human
Settlement Work
Preparedness Rescue & Relief Aftermath Settlement
a. Existing Buildings Minimize human a. Temporary Human
 Vulnerable assessment casualties as less Settlement (Safe Shade)
 Renovative/non-renovative as it can be b. Damage Assessment
 Structure/non-structure (Only one  Structure/non-structure
 Renovation way non-recoverable  Possibility on renovation
 Retrofitting loss) or not
 *Lightening c. Clearance of Debris
** Use of debris for
b. New Buildings Earthquake recycled concrete
 Adopt seismic design ** Semi-permanent
 Adopt quality control Human settlement
on construction strictly Location, time & d. Permanent settlement &
 *Lightening of Structure magnitude Reconstruction
unpredictable
 3.1 Standby Preparedness Work
3.1.1 Awareness about big earthquake
Reality:
Responsible sectors (Government authorities, experts/engineers,
engineering institutes, NGOs/INGOs , media etc.) ….least level of
preparedness

Result:
People rushed out of their houses with horridness and big cry
Casualties during rushing out …even in very small aftershocks.
People could not be convinced about after shocks
Flow of very negative rumors about aftershocks
Very negative impact of awareness advertisement in TV
……………………especially on youths
Shock about last digit 2 and the initial alphabet B
 3.1.1 Awareness about big earthquake (contd.)
Recommendation:
Development of the effective awareness program to resist the natural disasters
like big earthquakes, landslides, flooding etc.

Set up of Natural Disaster Offices in different regions with set up of the

Ministry of Natural Disaster in center.

Regular effective training program to the technical volunteers for the awareness

Make people practically conscious about resisting big quake with aftershocks
and condition of the level of damage of their houses.

Aware about the practicability of any technology/information in Nepal.

Enhance national media with experts of all sectors.

All under Nepal Government Authority

3.1.2 Status of Existing Residential/Public Buildings
Structure’s Performance : Strength, Serviceability & Durability
Historical/cultural monuments and houses built during or
before Rana dynasty have almost lust their performance
parameters Therefore
No surprise on collaps of Dharhara & severe damage on all
three Durbarsquares, Singh Durbar, Sital Niwas etc.
Warning?!
Let’s not be confused that all still standing historical/cultural
monuments are still strong enough…they have lost all power
Precautions
Our modern RCC buildings do not meet the durability target
of 50 years due to severe negligence on quality control during
construction…..Buildings which are built against building by-
laws are the most vulnerable for neighborhood/whole society
3.1.2 Status of Existing Residential/Public Buildings (contd.)
Recommendation:
Reconstruction of all collapsed historical/cultural
monuments with original architectural appearance but
structurally strengthened to resist big earthquake.

Full assessment of all existing historical/cultural monuments

……….Decide strengthening or reconstruction

Demolish all private buildings built against building by-laws.

Replace heavy brick walls with light weight wall in multi-

storey frame structure buildings

Full assessment of all houses/buildings in Nepal …. (a) safe

enough, (2) should repair or (3) should demolish and construct
new ones.
Inter-relation among Authority, Owner,
Consultancy & Contractor

Owner

Authority
(Municipality)

Consultancy/
Contractor
Designer

Wrongly Overall Player

 3.1.3 Country Guidelines for Providing Building Permission
Facts:
BE civil engineer is able to design any type of building (including
seismic resistant) structures with given parameters such as
seismic zone, soil strata, architectural layout and elevation.
Wrong prescription:
All structural drawings prepared by engineer/others are only
used to obtain the building permission from concerned authority
Wrong doing:
Solo monopoly belongs to semi-skilled contractor who hardly
understand strength, serviceability and durability….then, he
disobeys the structural drawing and apply his experience
Reality:
The building still stands until it does not have to bear any those
three major parameters used in structural design. When it comes
to bear….no way except collapse
3.1.3 Country Guidelines for Providing Building Permission (contd.)
Recommendation:
Site contractor …..minimum BE civil graduated

Geological data mandatory for structural design

All seismic resistant design in seismic zone with real data

Inclusion of all quality control requirement in structural

drawing

Detail check of drawing by authorized engineer/expert

Registration of concerned design engineer and contractor in

authority office

Clear criteria to punish the wrongdoings (Design engineer,

3.1.4 Quality Control Guidelines/Assurance for engineering materials

Weakness: No definite policy to define and assure required

properties of each ingredient

Result: Solo monopoly to materials suppliers to define and

advertise the quality of their supplied materials
Recommendation:
Aggregates suppliers: should submit the technical data sheet
including all required parameters in each lot

Cement Supplier: All required data in cement bag/silo

State owned facilities to reassure the quality of supplied

materials

Development of mineral and chemical admixtures in Nepal to

enhance the strength and durability of RCC structures
3.1.5 Quality Control Requirement Guidelines in Construction

Significant Problems in Nepal:

Deficiencies in supplied materials
Deficiencies in storing materials on site

Disaster in quality control maintain in construction site

(1) No specified concrete mix proportion for given structure
(2) No weighing batching…..volumetric or random
(3) No any control of W/C & W….water pouring from pipe
(4) Mixing procedure depending upon casting speed…no
quality
(5) Non-skilled worker…….0 knowledge about concrete quality

Deficiencies on reinforcement fabrication, formwork erection,

setting reinforcement and transportation, placing, compaction,
finishing and curing of concrete
 No generalized testing system in site
3.1.5 Quality Control Requirement Guidelines in Construction
More Severe Problem Noticed in RDA work:
No adequate structural design is noticed in collapsed buildings. It
was heard that 6~7 storey buildings were erected with taking
building permissions for 2 storey buildings.

Very poor quality control was used during the construction using
less amount of reinforcement bars and less grade of concrete.

Buildings were found built on very weak soil (paddy field or filled
soil) without using any soil test

All above was done either for selling purpose or rental purpose

…………………then what?????................................
3.1.5 Quality Control Requirement Guidelines in Construction
Recommendation:
Development of construction quality by-laws

Strong authority (which gives building permission) with having

capable engineers and high skilled technicians for regular site visit
to check and assure the adoption of required quality control on
each steps of construction process

Basic quality control knowledge to the owner.

Strong provisions of punishment for already built buildings

against building by-laws

Strong provisions of punishment for the possibilities of fraud

work to be found on structural design, materials quality and
construction procedure
3.1.6 Enhancement on Civil Engineering Study
Basic Norms:
Graduated fresh civil engineer is able to design the structure of
RCC building completely.

Problems:
Deficiencies on syllabus structure

No focus is made to strengthen the student in construction aspect

Students not empowered with concept of quality control

Students themselves enjoy on numerical rather than on physical

meaning followed by concept, theory, derivation and
application…….Totally exam oriented?!

No effective construction site tour on respective subject

3.1.6 Enhancement on Civil Engineering Study (contd.)
Recommendation:
Restructure of syllabus strengthening the both theoretical and
practical aspects of civil engineering structures

Enhancement of lab facilities for materials and structural units

testing in each engineering college

Induce “Seismic Design of RCC & Masonry Structures” and

“Construction Quality Management” as core subjects

Frequent discussions/workshops among subject teachers/experts

from all engineering colleges

Effective construction site tour

Enhancement of Nepal Building Code

Big Earthquake
struck Nepal on
25th April, 2015
3.2 Rescue and Relief Work
Human Life: The most important and invaluable property in world

Quick saving of life from the most dangerous condition

Most immediate and sensitive phase after earthquake
Rescue Never be 100% success at any part of the world
The shortest period with more success means the
highest degree of rescue work

Transfer of rescued/affected people to immediately

Relief available safe place for the preliminary settlement
Providing of minimum basic survival things

Rescue is the immediate work just followed by Relief. These

go on parallel. Rescue period should be as short as possible
where relief period may be lengthened for betterment
3.2 Rescue and Relief Work (contd.)
Positive Aspects:
Quick deployment of the security personals

Courageous effort of security personals

Effective work of Radio Nepal, Government Hospitals, Nepal

Telecom and Nepal Electric Authority on right time

 Combination of Nepal security personals’ courage and word

available modern technology

Some typical and result oriented examples of foreign team

We all Nepali’s “PATIENCE”

3.2 Rescue and Relief Work (contd.)
Deficiencies:
Not in stand-by position…….method and technologies

Unable to stop some foreign media’s negative rumors

Complete failure of I/NGOs long term awareness project

Confusion for allowing/not allowing the international agencies

Some weakness on mobilizing the international agencies

3.2 Rescue and Relief Work (contd.)
Recommendation:
Nepal Government should be very strong (like Dictator) and
should make right decision on right time during this phase.

Security sectors should well be equipped with all required

modern technologies and make them standby always for such
non-predictable big natural disaster.

National media should be backed with experts to convey the

right and positive message to strengthen the feeling of affected
people. And, they should be very sensitive and professional.

National Commando should be developed by Nepal

Government to detect the source of any negative rumors
immediately and punish them severely.
3.3 Aftermath Settlement of Affected People

Preliminary Temporary settlement

Rapid Damage Assessment (RDA)

Aftermath
Settlement
Temporary settlemet

Permanent settlement
3.3 .1 Preliminary Temporary settlement
“Preliminary Temporary settlement coincides with the relief work”
Shelters: Public Buildings
Developed countries All relief things in stand-by
Nepal

Very weak public building…more damages than in residential

buildings

No any relief things in stock…tents, tarpaulin, matters,

blankets, food etc

Scarcity of sufficient open safe place in Kathmandu valley

No pre-information to international relief team for what we

need the most
3.3 .1 Preliminary Temporary settlement (contd.)
Recommendation:

Should build public buildings to resist more than 9 intensity

Sufficient stocks of relief goods, i.e. tents, tarpaulin, matters,

blankets, foods etc. (we should produce)

Availability of more open and safe places in Kathmandu valley

Pre- information to international rescue team to bring the

things that we need deadly
3.3 .2 Rapid damage Assessment (RDA)

Safe to stay

Classification of
RDA damaged buildings Safe after repair

To be
strengthened or
demolished
Result of RDA Where and how many temporary
shelters are needed to be built?

Building Department, IOE, NEA, NSET,

Activities Group of engineers, Individuals…….

Conclusion Diversified results….No conclusion

3.3 .2 Rapid Damage Assessment (RDA) Model
Government
Authority Departments,
Universities,
Professors Consultants,
Layout of affected Experts I/NGOs etc.
area details Engineers
Technicians
Details of Volunteer Students
assessment sheet Technicians

Training

Data
Groups RDA Accumulation RDA
under Assessment and Report
engineers Conclusion
3.3 .3 Temporary Settlement Work
Confession:
No conclusion could be prevailed for the numbers of temporary
shelters to be built…..where/how many ?

Excellent Work for Erecting Temporary Shelters:

Mobilization of youth cadres from major parties

Students’ self motivation

Involvement of volunteers from different sectors

Team work of affected area to erect shelter turn by turn

Precaution:
Government authority should follow up all works in all affected
areas and should fill the gap before the monsoon starts
 Permanent Settlement Work
Permanent Settlement Work Reconstruction of Nepal

What is happening in devastating Nepal for reconstruction???

Celebrity A, B,…..has raised billions of rupees for reconstruction
Person A, B…..will built 1000 houses in villages
Country A says it will rebuilt all monuments in Kathmandu
Country B says it will rebuilt Nepal as per Nepal’s demand
Country C says it is ready to do everything on request
INGO A, B say we do not believe you, we work ourselves

And, how Nepal Government is preparing for Donor Seminar????

It has been repeatedly saying that it needs 500~1000 billion
rupees with representatives of government and donor agencies
One primary school student answers what is the exact
difference between 500~1000 billion…..Is it our preparation
for the reconstruction of Nepal ??? (NPC: 666 B Rs.)
 Permanent Settlement Work
How it should go:
Demolish of standing vulnerable buildings
Clearance of concrete/brick debris
Technical Assessment for Reconstruction (TAR)
Basics of Productivity of local available technology
National
Enhancement possibility on local technology
Vision for
Construction Need of technology transfer ?
Estimation of reconstruction cost
Availability of National fund
Possibilities of Grant from Nepalese

International Seminar for Technology & Grant/Loan

 Demolish of Vulnerable Buildings
Weakness:
The work had to be started earlier with the availability
of heavy equipments in our country or in India ???!!!

Action:
Nepal Government has announced to buy heavy
equipments worth of Rs. 5 billion

Suggestions:
All heavy equipments bought for demolishing work can
be used for reconstruction phase
 Clearance of Concrete/Brick debris
Increasing the level of Tundikhel Both Disaster
Build man made hill in Chovar Idea

Reality: Concrete/Brick debris can fully be recycled

Original
aggregates &
Powder

Rebar to Recycled
recycle factory Concrete
Concrete &
Brick debris Sub-base of
Concrete & road
Crushing
Brick debris Riprap
Revetments
CSG
Diagram of Concrete Debris Crushing Plant
Concrete
Hopper debris Blocks

Grizzly Feeder

Jaw Crusher

Magnetic Separator

Vibrating Screen
Iron
0.15 mm 4.75 mm
scrap
Sieve Sieve 20 mm
Sieve

Powder Sand 20 mm >20 mm

gravel gravel
 Examples of Recycled Concrete
Recycled Crushed
Recycled Coarse
Fine Aggregate
Aggregates

More Finer (< 150μm)

Particles as pozollana

Experimental results have revealed that similar quality of

concrete can be produced from concrete debris (source: BE
final project thesis under of Prof. Dr. Tek Raj Gyawali, Khwopa
College of engineering (TU))
 Examples of Recycled Concrete
Mix proportion of concrete
Sample Mix Condition Unit Content (kg/m3)
Type W/C C:CA:FA W C FA CA
Fresh 0.5 1:1.454:3.1 191.5 383 557 1188

RCA 0.5 1:1.454:2.94 191.5 383 557 1126

Test results in fresh as well as in hardened state of

concrete
Slump Value Density Strength
Sample
(mm) (gm/cc) (MPa)
Fresh 3 2.49 24.7
RCA 5 2.23 25.8
 Usage Examples of Debris

Road constructed using concrete debris

Usage Examples of Debris

Revetment work using debris

Usage Examples of Debris

Riprap work using debris

Usage Examples of Debris

Use of CSG in hard fill dam

 Reconstruction Strategy
Developed Strict control of government
country in for reconstruction
one decade
Seismic design &
construction method

Use of local materials &

Reconstruction technology
Strategy
Be aware with imported
materials & technology

Strict No import of any product

but technology
implementation
of quality Transparency of I/NGOs if
control involved in reconstruction
 Seismic Design Philosophy
Zero
Rigidity (No deflection
deflection allowed)
Seismic
Ductility (Deflection Significant
philosophy deflection
allowed)

Better to
use light
Conventional mason weight
houses up to 2.5 storey material
Use of
rigidity wall
RCC frame residential
houses up to 2.5 storey
Use of
Multi-storey and high rise buildings
ductility
 Seismic Construction Philosophy
Use Stone, brick or block as available
Replace mud mortar with cement mortar
Masonry Use vertical & horizontal rebar
Houses
Use RCC or Wooden bands as per NBC
Decide the foundation depth as per soil
Gable band Do not use
Gable band
commercially
Roof band
Roof band available so called
Lintel band light weight and
Sill band seismic resistant
Tie beam
Sill band Tie beam
houses. They are
not technically
Detail at 1 verified
 Seismic Construction Philosophy (contd.)
Use seismically & ductile designed RCC
frame based on seismic zone and soil test

RCC Build the structure symmetric

residential
houses Use lightweight wall for more safety

Use shear wall in ground floor to avoid

the problem of soft-storey
Use of light weight wall mandatory in multi-storey and
high-rise buildings

Use of steel frame structure & more lightening of whole

building recommended
 Conclusions

We civil engineers should seriously realize that we

have great responsibility to build the country

Civil engineering students should realize that your

effective contribution is waiting by the nation

If all of we Nepalese, from each sector, go on forward

with positive attitude, we ourselves may feel that our
country is Developed Country in the period of only
single decade
 Message to My Dear Students

Do not Minimize Yourselves !!!

Because,
You have got this Golden Chance to collect actual
engineering problems in actual earthquake affected
area. Never mind when you can not solve all collected
problems. Bring all problems to the university to
create the engineering problem bank.

You all will be able to solve step by step during your

professional/academic period…..And, in 20 years
country will recognize as Expert in your field
Best of Luck !!!
 Final Tips

Engineers are “PREVENTIVE DOCTORS” of all

people; however, they turn out to be “SILENT
KILLERS” if they lose their own ethics

Thank you very much for

your time!