REVIVING ANCIENT CONSTRUCTION TECHNQIUE OF SESMIC

ZONE V
MIRZA SHAHIL BEIG
POORNIMA UNIVERSITY-JAIPUR

+91 9867256149

smirza135@gmail.com

Ar.AKANKSHA MODI
+91 8860945905

akanksha.modi@poornima.edu.in

Abstract— This paper aims to establish an understanding of the of ancient construction technique used in
Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir with respect to its climate and earthquake seismic zone.

One case study of Himachal Pradesh and One of Jammu and Kashmir is taken to understand its construction
techniques with respect to climate and Earthquake.

This paper provides detail analysis of both zone in terms of tangible and intangible aspects and also provide
suitable replacement of the materials.

HYPOTHESIS: How traditional materials and construction techniques could be used in today’s time to
reduce risk factor of earthquake.

INTRODUCTION-
Our past has a significant influence on our future. The antique technology that our forefathers used are incredibly iconic. There
was an ecological balance maintained between the human and natural environments in the beginning.
When every heritage structure is considered, a common element that appears to be distinct is its construction approach and
structural stability, which has ensured its survival even in the face of natural disasters, man-made disasters, and ignorance.

Figure 1 collapse structure after earth quake

Figure 2 pic after earthquake 2005
2005(Kashmir)

After the 2005 earthquake that impacted several parts of Kashmir in both Pakistan and India, there was a huge amount
of damage, and it was found that in the middle of the urban jungle, a hidden gem captured the attention of the entire
world since it withstands even after such a dangerous earthquake that's about 7.6 Mw to 9 Mw and caused up to
86000 accidental deaths.

NEED FOR STUDY-

• As in Today’s era ancient building is still standing stall after so many climatic effects.

Paper Code:SPA-103
 • Some techniques are well known but there is lots of hidden gems which differ from different regions.
• This hidden gem can be used in similar climatic zone

AIM- To study how traditional materials and construction techniques could be used in today’s
time to reduce risk factor of earthquake.
OBJECTIVE-
• Construction techniques of similar areas.
• Advantages and disadvantages, it’s uses.
• Suitable replacement of material

CASE STUDY-

• OLD JUBBAL-KATH KUNI

• SRINAGAR HOUSE-DHAJJI DEWAR

PARAMETERS-
• CLIMATIC REGION.
• EARTHQUAKE ZONE.

METHODOLOGY-

NEED OF THE BACKGROUND

PROJECT STUDIES

STATING LIMITATION OF
AIM & OBJECTIVE STUDY

COLD REGION OF SESIMIC

AIM OBJECTIVE ZONE V

CASE STUDY
REVIVING ANCIENT CONSTRUCTION
CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
TECHNIQUE OF
SESIMIC ZONE V OLD JUBAL-SHIMLA OLD SRINAGAR
DHAJJI DEWAR KATH KUNI (KATH KUNI)
(DHAJJI DEWAR)

ADVANTAGES & COMPARSION OF CASE

STUDIES
DISADVANTAGES

TANGIBLE ASPECTS INTANGIBLE ASPECTS TECHNIQUE COMPARISING

COMPARISION WITH OTHER
MATERIAL

PROPOSAL AT SIMILAR
SESIMIC ZONE

Paper Code:SPA-103
 KATH-KHUNI ARCHITECTURE

Kath khuni is an indigenous technique of building with wooden stones, used by all types of
vernacular-built forms in the Sutlej valley of Himachal Pradesh. Kath Khuni buildings have
increase rapidly to their mountainous terrain that is prone to earthquakes because of their
essential strength, flexibility and stability. Stone forms the entire plinth. Two parallel layers of
stone make up the structure. The gap in the middle is filled with random rubble, depending on
the size of the stone. The style plays an important role in the lifestyle of the locals. Kathkhuni
architecture evolved from the need to survive in extremely harsh climates. In order to do so, the
climate requires a very sustainable, energy-efficient and functional building. This is where
sustainability becomes a necessity. The need for sustainability has developed a unique design
for the building.

Figure 3 Kath-Kuni architecture (Dave,

Thakkar, & Shah, 2013)

Construction details
Kath-Kuni walls are built with layers of alternating stone masonry and timber
beams. As a result of the well-shaped ashlars on the dry-stone masonry, the
building in the case study is quite attractive. Two parallel timber beams are placed
on top of the dry-stone masonry. A maanwi (timber dovetail connection) connects
the parallel timber beams and they are spaced about one meter apart. Parallel timber
beams are held together by maanwi's.

Over the height of the structure, Kath-Kuni corners are connected by continuous
timber ties. The stacked timber beams are connected with kadils (timber dowels) in
the corners. However, the amount of stone in between two timber layers can vary Figure 4 Corner Connection
between different buildings. Corner kadils (timber dowels) connect timber beams details
stacked on top of one another. Stone can be found between several different
layers of timber, but the amount varies.

Adding timber infill pieces in the corners will allow the height of the layer
(which consists of one timber layer and one stone layer) to increase.
Consequently, the structural integrity of the timber can be maintained while
using less timber. According to the locals, larger buildings require

Figure 5 Connection detail

Paper Code:SPA-103
 Roof

Wooden
frame

Plinth

Infill stone

First floor

Ground
floor

Figure 7 Sketch up model by van der Zanden on 31 August 2018

Cow shed

Figure 8 Dimension of case study

DHAJJI DEWAR
Dhajji Dewar is a type of traditional architecture that can be found in both India and Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
Similar structures can be found in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Central and South America, Turkey,
Greece, Portugal, and Italy, as well as other Eastern European countries.
Dhajji uses wooden frame diagonals of lumber, and the spaces between the braces or frames are filled with
stone/bricks to form a thin wall, which is commonly plastered with mud mortar from both the inside and
outside.
The Dhajji is normally built on a shallow stone foundation, with a structure that is only 1-4 storeys tall if the
lowest level is constructed using the TAQ technique, and a flat timber and mud roof, or a pitched roof with
timber/metal sheeting.
The 'Dajji Dewar' is a significantly thinner and lighter type of wall that is made up of timber framing with
brick/stone infills. The 'dajji dewar' has more ductility and damping. Furthermore, the timber's horizontal and
vertical cages are braced diagonally against shear. This cross element, which is normally found at the corner,
provides shear resistance to the entire framing. Shear cracks aren't allowed to spread because the timber studs

Paper Code:SPA-103
are close together. The upper-level stone walls are also broken up into smaller numerous panels, each of which
is independent as a result of this framing. The failure of any one panel will
not cause the entire wall to collapse, and so the entire structure will not collapse. Small masonry panels
encircled by timber parts are more resistant to out-of-plane collapse

Roof covering

Roof structure

Infill stone

Wooden frame structure

Figure 9 Exploded view

CASE STUDY COMPARISON

TANGIBLE ASPECTS-

Tangible Aspects
PARAMETERS KATH-KUNI DHAJJI DEWAR ANAYLSIS
TYPOLOGY RESIDENCE RESIDENCE USUALLY USE FOR
RESIDENCE
SCALE G+2 G+1 KATH-KUNI BEAR
MORE LOAD
APPROACH 90 KM FROM SHIMLA 167 KM FROM USUALLY IN
KASHMIR VILLAGES
SURROUNDING NEAR BY PABBAR NEAR BY JHELUM BOTH VILLAGES
RIVER RIVER ARE LOCATED
NEAR RIVER BANKS

Paper Code:SPA-103
 FUNCTIONS RESIDENCE AND RESIDENCE PURPOSE KATH-KUNI HAS
• COW SHED ONLY PROVISION FOR
• BEDROOM • BEDROOM COWSHED,
• BALCONY • TOILET STOARGE AND
• TOILET • KITCHEN BALCONY
• KITCHEN • LOBBY
• LOBBY • LIVING ROOM
• ENTRAINMENT
• STORAGE

Table 1 Tangible aspects

INTANGIBLE ASPECTS-

CASE STUDY
PARAMETERS KATH-KUNI DHAJJI DEWAR ANAYLSIS
MACRO CLIMATE COLD AND CLOUDY COLD AND CLOUDY SIMILAR CLIMATIC
ZONES WHICH HAVE
COLD CLIMATIC
ZONE
MICRO CLIMATE THE BUILDING THE BUILDING BOTH BUILDINGS
PROVIDE HEAT PROVIDE HEAT ARE CLIMATE
INSULATION IN INSULATION IN RESPONSE
WINTER AND FREE WINTER AND FREE
MOVEMENT OF AIR MOVEMENT OF AIR IN
IN SUMMER SUMMER
HISTORY 300 YEARS OLD KASHMIR (INDIA & DHAJJI DEWAR
STRUCTURE AND PAKISTAN), EASTERN PRACTICE IN
THIS TECHNIQUES IS EUROPIAN COUNTRY SURROUNDING
BUILD IN HIMALYAN COUNTRY BUT
REGION ONLY KATH-KUNI
REMAINS ONLY IN
HIMACHAL
GEOGRAPHY NEAR A RIVER BELT NEAR A RIVER BELT TERRAINS BELTS
PABBAR RIVER ON JHELUM RIVER ON WITH HILLS
TERRAIN HILLS TERRAIN HILLS
PHILOSOPHY AND VERNACULAR VERNACULAR THE TECHNIQUES
CONCEPT ARCHITECTURE OF ARCHITECTURE OF ARE VANISHING AS
THIS REGION TO THIS REGION TO UPCOMING
MAKE STABLE MAKE STABLE GENERATION
STRUCTURE INCASE STRUCTURE INCASE MOVING TOWARDS
OF EARTHQUAKE OF EARTHQUAKE CONCREATE
MATERIAL • WOOD • WOOD STONE CAN BE
• STONE • STONE/BRICKS REPLACED BY
• RUBBER • MUD BRICK IN DHAJJI
• MUD DEWAR
EARTHQUAKE LIES IN SESIMIC LIES IN SESIMIC KATH-KUNI LIES IN
ZONE- V ZONE- IV V ZONE DUE TO
WHICH IT HAS TO BE
MORE STABLE

Table 2 Intangible apects

TECHNIQUE COMPARISION

Paper Code:SPA-103
 TECHNIQUE COMPARISION
PARAMETERS KATH-KUNI DHAJJI DEWAR ANAYLSIS
PLINTH STONE STONE STONE IS USE AS IT
IS LOCALLY
AVAILABLE
FLOOR G+5 G+4 WITH BELOW KATH-KHUNI CAN
FLOOR ARE MADE GO UPTO 5 FLOOR
UP TAQ TECHNIQUES
STRENGTH IT DOES NOT USE IT USE NAILS KATH-KUNI USE
NAILS.INSTEAD OF WASTAGE OF WOOD
NAIL IT USE WOOD FOR REPLACEMENT
WASTAGE OF NAILS
CONNECTION HORIZONTAL & HORIZONTAL, LESS CONNECTION
VERTICAL VERTICAL & LEADS TO MORE
CONNECTION DIAGONAL STABLE STRUCTURE
PLASTER MUD PLASTER MUD PLASTER SINCE MUD IS
AVAILABLE IN
ABUNDANCE
TYPOLOGY RESIDENCE, TEMPLE RESIDENCE IT IS OBSERVED
Etc. THAT KATH KUNI
HAS OBTEN USED IN
TEMPLES
Table 3 Technique comparison

COMPARING WITH OTHER MATERIAL

WOOD
Tensile strength
Electrical and heat resistance
Sound absorption
Lower Volatile Organic
Compounds
CHARCTERISTIC PROPERTIES
HEMP BAMBOO IRON
Does not have tensile Tensile strength Tensile strength
strength
Electrical and heat Electrical and heat Non heat resistance
resistance resistance
Sound absorption Sound absorption It does not absorbed
sound
Lower Volatile Lower Volatile Organic Nonvolatile organic
Organic Compounds Compounds compounds

Energy Efficiency Energy Efficiency Energy Efficiency Non energy Efficiency

Biodegradable Biodegradable Biodegradable Non-Biodegradable

Elasticity It does not have Elastic Elasticity It does not have Elastic
properties properties
Light Weight Light Weight Light Weight Heavy weight
Table 4 Comparing with other material

RESULT/CONCLUSION
• BY ABOVE CASE STUDY ANALYSIS IT IS FOUND THAT TYPOLOGY OF CASE STUDY ARE
SIMILAR BUT KATH-KUNI IS ALSO USED IN MANY TEMPLES ACROSS HIMACHAL
PRADESH
• INTERMS OF SCALE KATH-KUNI CAN BEAR’s MORE FLOOR LOAD AS IT CAN GO UPTO
FIVE STORIE BUT DHAJJI DEWAR CAN ONLY GOES UPTO TWO STORIE IF IT PURELY
MADE UP OF Its OWN KIND.

Paper Code:SPA-103
 • BY STUDY IT IS FOUND THAT KATH-KUNI IS ONLY USED IN HIMACHAL PRADESH AND
IT CAN USED IN AREA WHICH IS SIMILAR TO HIMACHAL PRADESH IN TERMS OF
CLIMATE AND EARTHQUAKE SESIMIC ZONE.
• BY USING KTH-KUNI IN OTHER REGION, “THE VANISHING TECHNIQUE CAN BE REVIVE
AND BECOME An EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE STRUCTURE IN REGION OF KASHMIR,
SIKKIM, ARUNACHAL PRADESH ETC.”
• AS KASHMIR, SIKKIM, ARUNACHAL PRADESH LIES EARTHQUAKE SESIMIC ZONE IV
AND V THE NEED OF SUCH A TECHNIQUE WHICH CAN RESIST EARTHQUAKE IS MUCH
NEEDED THERE.
• AS USING WOOD BECOMING DEFICULT, WOOD CAN BE REPLACED BY BAMBOO AND
HEMP.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work was supported by following person they Ar. Akanksha Modi (Poornima University-Jaipur),
Ar. Keyur shah (Surat), Er. kubilay hicyilmaz, Prerana Chandak & Mansi Aggarwal (Poornima
University.

REFRENCES
Ali, A. T. S. a. P. D. Q., 2009. DHAJJI CONSTRUCTION, Switzerland: supsi.

Alquizalete, B., 2020. [Online]

Available at: https://findanyanswer.com/what-are-the-six-seasons-in-english

Ar. Mayuri Deshmukh, A. P. A. S. K., 2016. Analysis of Inherent Sustainability of Kath-Kunhi Architecture,
Old Jubbal, Himachal Pradesh. International Journal of Research in Civil Engineering, Architecture & Design
Volume 4, Issue 2, pp. 74,75,76.

Chakraborty, R., 2019. WORLD ARCHITECTURE. [Online]

Available at: https://worldarchitecture.org/article-links/eepfe/ancient-construction-techniques-of-india-a-
regional-study.html

Chakraboty, R., 2019. world architecture. [Online]

Available at: https://worldarchitecture.org/article-links/eepfe/ancient-construction-techniques-of-india-a-
regional-study.html

Dey, R., n.d. Is India Hot or Cold? All You Must Know!. [Online]
Available at: https://indiaview.co/is-india-hot-or-cold/

Kubilay Hicyilmaz, J. K. B. M. S., 2011. HOUSING REPORT, kashmir: World Housing Encyclopedia.

Tayyibji, V. a. R., 2008. The Kashmir House its Seismic Adequacy and the Question of Social. Beijing, China,
Professor, Faculty of Architecture & Faculty of Building Science and Technology, CEPT University, pp. 3,4,5.

UNESCO, P. D. o. I. t., 2015. Cold Desert Cultural Landscape of India. [Online]

Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6055/

Zanden, M. L. v. d., 2018. Assessment of the seismic performance and sustainability of the Kath-Kuni building
style in the Indian Himalaya, Delft, Netherlands: Tu Delft.

Paper Code:SPA-103