3.2.1. Fundamental study

3.2.1 Fundamental study –

Various research papers focusing on different earthquake-prone zones, for example, Nepal, Kashmir, Turkey, Italy, Egypt, Greece, were studied. The studies were based on traditional vernacular architecture and its performance during the earthquake. Fundamental study is the initial study for the research that forms the research rationale.

The observations post the Earthquake of Nepal, suggested that the concrete structures performed better than the traditional constructions which have survived previous earthquakes. The research paper ‘Traditional construction in high seismic zones: A losing battle? The case of the 2015 Nepal earthquake’ by Ramao et al, 2015 concluded that Nepal suffered an immense loss of vernacular heritage due to improper restoration and lack of maintenance of structures. The study has been supported by the example of Cyasilin Mandap14 in Bhaktapur15 durbar square. The mandap was reconstructed in 1969, after the 1934 earthquake. The construction focused on the seismic strengthening of the structure using traditional materials. The good performance of the Mandap in 2015, concluded that proper repair and strengthening must be seriously considered in the reconstruction of collapsed or partially collapsed structures. Incorporation of new details that improve the vernacular designs, where warranted is important for earthquake survival and conservation. The need of critical review of why certain structural typologies survive earthquakes and some others do not emerged as a important aspect which needs to fed into conservation proposals in disaster prone areas.

The concept of local seismic culture was studied through various research papers. F. Ferrigni in his study of ‘vernacular architecture – A paradigm of the local seismic culture’ explains the importance of recognizing LSC features in vernacular architecture. It mentions that a sudden knowledge and expansion for local seismic construction is seen right after the earthquake and there is a tendency of repressing the memory of the event resulting in the loss of knowledge. After the analysis of case studies by EUCCH ( European University Of Cultural Heritage) field research, it was found that the places where the memory of earthquakes remains alive have ‘prevention LSC’ and places which have less frequent earthquakes have ‘retrofitting LSC’, i.e. adding new structures or mending the existing ones. Compatible retrofitting is important to negate the damages.

14 Mandap – a covered platform with an open pillared hall served to provide lodging and meeting place for people 15 Bhaktapur - known as the city of the temples, is a city in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal about 8 miles from the capital city, Kathmandu.