Seismic Intervention Options For Multi-Tiered Nepalese Pagodas After The Gorkha Earthquake In Nepal

Abstract During the 2015 Gorkha earthquake of 7.8 Mw that hit the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, numerous Nepalese Pagodas suffered extensive damage or collapsed. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of low-cost, low-interference and reversible repair and strengthening options for the Nepalese Pagodas. A nonlinear three-dimensional finite element model of the Jaisedewal temple was developed in the commercial code ABAQUS. Different structural interventions suggested by local engineers and architects working for the restoration of the temples in Nepal were examined for their efficacy to withstand strong earthquake vibrations. The influence of the seismic response of the exposed foundation or plinth base that the Nepalese Pagodas are sitting on was investigated. From the results analysis, it was shown that stiffening the connections along the temple was found to enhance the seismic behaviour of the temples while the benefits of strengthening the perimetry of the plinth base were concluded to be insignificant.