TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING
THAPATHALI CAMPUS

A PROJECT PROPOSAL
ON
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT OF MECHANICAL BLOCK OF
THAPATHALI CAMPUS AND RECOMMENDATION FOR
RE-STRENGTHENING

SUBMITTED BY:
Santosh Bista (THA076BCE102)
Sarita Sharma Paudel (THA076BCE105)
Shishir Babu Tiwari (THA076BCE115)
Sital Maharjan (THA076BCE120)
Sophi Khatri (THA076BCE121)
Sujan Chaulagain (THA076BCE128)

SUBMITTED TO:
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

JUNE,2023
KATHMANDU, NEPAL
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The selection of our project required guidance and assistance from many people. We are
fortunate to receive this support and we would not forget to thank them.

Firstly, we would like to thank Institute of Engineering for including the final year project
as a part of our curriculum. Special thanks to Department of Civil Engineering for
initiating and facilitating our project titled “Damage Assessment of Mechanical Block of
Thapathali Campus and Recommendation for Restrengthening”.

We would like to express our deepest appreciation to all those who directly and indirectly
contributed in selecting project proposal.

A special gratitude we give to our supervisor-Bimal Ojha for his helpful suggestion and
an excitement in regard to guiding to study and preparing this proposal. Without his
proper guidance and persistent help, this proposal would not have been possible.

We would like to thank all of the teacher of Thapathali Campus for their unforgettable
effort for teaching us.

Santosh Bista THA076BCE102

Sarita Sharma Paudel THA076BCE105
Shishir Babu Tiwari THA076BCE115
Sital Maharjan THA076BCE120
Sophi Khatri THA076BCE121
Sujan Chaulagain THA076BCE128

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT....................................................................................................I
1.INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................4
1.1 BACKGROUND.......................................................................................................4
1.2 SALIENT FEATURES.........................................................................................5
1.3 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM..................................................................................6
1.4OBJECTIVES:............................................................................................................6
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY..........................................................................................6
2. LITERATURE REVIEW.............................................................................................7
2.1 Nepal codes................................................................................................................7
2.2Indian Standard (IS) Codes of Practice......................................................................7
3.METHODOLOGY.........................................................................................................10
4.EXPECTED OUTCOMES.............................................................................................12
5.LIMITATIONS...............................................................................................................14
6.TIME SCHEDULE.........................................................................................................15
7.REFERENCES...............................................................................................................16

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 1.INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND

Nepal being located between two active tectonic plate, Indian and Tibetan, where the
Indian plate is slowly moving beneath the Tibetan plate at the rate of about 3 cm per year
(Shrestha & Subedi, 2016). Due to this tectonic activity Nepal is situated in a highly
seismic region.

A number of massive earthquakes have hit Nepal multiple times. For instance, the very
recent Gorkha Earthquake in 2015 claimed a total of 8,790 lives and left over 22,300
individuals injured. The impact was extensive, with more than 500,000 residential
buildings and 2,656 official buildings collapsing completely, while nearly 200,000
residential buildings and 3,622 official buildings suffered partial damage (Shrestha &
Subedi, 2016). This highlighted a need for restrengthening to repair and reinforce the
affected areas, ensuring their safety and restoring their functionality.

Damage assessment and restrengthening aims to ensure the safety, functionality, and
longevity of buildings by accurately assessing damage, making informed decisions, and
implementing appropriate measures to enhance structural integrity and resilience.

Data regarding the soil condition below the building is not possible for us to obtain
during this time frame so the data will be referenced through any other newly constructed
building nearby.

A comprehensive visual examination of the building’s interior and exterior in order to

identify the damage, including cracks, deformations, or displacements will be performed.
Non-destructive tests such as the Schmidt rebound hammer test and ultrasonic wave pulse
velocity test, will be employed to assess the building’s condition. If then necessary,
destructive tests may also be conducted to gather additional information.

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4
1.2 SALIENT FEATURES

 Name of project: Damage Assessment of Mechanical Block of Thapathali

Campus and Recommendation for restrengthening

 Province: Bagmati
 District: Kathmandu
 Type of building: Academic building

 Structural system: RCC Framed Structure

 Number of storey: 5 (including basement)

 Dimension of building:
 Maximum length: 33704mm
 Maximum breadth: 25764mm

 Type of stair: Open well

 Floor height:
 Basement: 3180 mm
 Typical: 3270 mm

 Infill wall: Brick masonry

 Main wall: 230mm
 Partition wall: 230mm
 Basement wall: 350mm

 Beam:
 Primary Beam: 350mm * 400mm
 Secondary Beam: 200mm * 300mm

 Slab Thickness: 150mm

size of structural elements

Column Size number

(mm*mm)
350*350 10
450*350 10
350*450 8
Total 28

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1.3 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The existing mechanical block of IOE Thapathali Campus has faced 2015 Gorkha
earthquake which caused considerable damage to it. The building is still in operation, but
its seismic vulnerability is not known. Also, the remarkable damage needs to be
evaluated. For proper risk management, appropriate mitigation measures are to be
adopted based on damage assessment and seismic vulnerability condition of the building.
So, the question What is the safety level of the building and its occupants?

So, our problem is to record the extent of damage and suggest possible re-strengthening
techniques.

1.4OBJECTIVES:

1. To determine the sizes of different elements of buildings (As Built Drawing

Preparation) and properties of materials used.
2. To perform the detailed structural analysis of building.
3. To determine the damages in the structural elements of the building based on
performed structural analysis and visual inspection.
4. To design the appropriate restrengthening ideas for building.
5. To determine the performance of the restrengthened building.

1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study required to achieve above mentioned objectives are as follows:

 As built drawing will be prepared.

 Qualitative structural assessment of the building (using checklist).
 To evaluate the seismic performance of the structure.
 To assess the seismic performance of the building. The performance of the building
will be assessed by using linear software ETABS.
 To be familiarized with seismic vulnerability guidelines, seismic retrofitting
guidelines for buildings in Nepal and IS codes.

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 2. LITERATURE REVIEW

The structures designed should follow the provision made in codes of practices. Use of
codes also mitigates the problems incurred in case the structure fails within its service
life. For this reason, certain references and design guidelines are taken from the
literatures discussed below:

2.1 Nepal codes

1. Seismic Retrofitting Guidelines of Buildings in Nepal (2016):
This guideline provides an analysis and design methodology for seismic
evaluation and retrofit of the existing buildings in Nepal. It aims to reduce risk of
loss of life and injury by limiting the likelihood of damage and controlling the
extent of damage. Buildings are designed to perform at required performance
level throughout its life.

2. Nepal National Building Code (NBC:105-2020):

This code covers the requirements for seismic analysis and design of various
building structures to be constructed in the territory of Nepal. This code is
applicable to all buildings, low to high rise buildings, in general. Requirements of
the provisions of this standard shall be applicable to buildings made of reinforced
concrete, structural steel, steel concrete composite, timber and masonry.
Minimum design earthquake forces for buildings, structures or components
thereof shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this standard.

2.2 Indian Standard (IS) Codes of Practice

For the analysis and design of the building references have been made to Indian Standard
code since National Building Codes of Nepal do not provide sufficient information and
refers frequently to the Indian standard codes. Indian Standard codes used in the analysis
and design of this building are described below:
1. IS 456: 2000 (Reaffirmed 2005) Plain and Reinforced Concrete – Code of
Practice:
This Indian Standard code of practice deals with the general structural use of plain
and reinforced concrete based on Limit State Design Method. According to the
code, plain concrete structures referred to those structures where reinforcement if
provided is ignored for determination of the strength of the structure. This code
does not cover special requirements for the structures like bridges, chimneys,
hydraulic structures, earthquake resistance buildings etc. but allows the use of
separate code for those structures in conjunction with this code.

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 2. IS:875- 1987 (Reaffirmed 2003) Code of Practice for Design Loads (Other than
Earthquake) for Buildings and Structures:
A building must perform many functions satisfactorily. Amongst these functions
are the utility of the building for the intended use and occupancy, structural safety,
fire safety, and compliance with hygienic, sanitation, ventilation and daylight
standards. The design of the building is dependent upon the minimum
requirements prescribed for each of the above functions.
The minimum requirements pertaining to the structural safety of the building are
being covered in this code by way of laying down minimum designed load which
have to be assumed for dead loads, imposed load, snow load and other external
loads, the structure is required to bear. Strict conformity to loading standard
recommended in this code claims to ensure the safety of the buildings and thereby
reduced the hazards to life and property caused by unsafe structures as well as
eliminates the wastage caused by the assumption of unnecessary heavy loading.

The research works carried by various scientists, scholars, students concerning the
Damage Assessment of Reinforced concrete Structures are discussed. This section of the
paper gives a comprehensive review of the work carried out by various researchers in the
field of damage assessment of buildings.
a) (Mohd. Zameeruddin, 2021)has studied about the damage index (DI) which
enables the estimation of damage value. The introduced damage indicators
address the plasticity ductility, loss of strength, stiffness degradation and
dissipated energy of the structures. The DI’s uses various demand parameters to
form a non-dimensional index, which normalizes the structural damage on a scale
of 0 to 1, where 1 represents the collapse state of the structure and 0 represents the
undamaged state of the structure. Other values between 0 and 1 represent the
intermediate damage state of the structure.
b) (Zhenhua & Jinlin, 2023) performed a project on a high-rise reinforced concrete
frame structure located in the high-intensity seismic area. This paper adopts the
energy dissipation and displacement, which proves that the damper has good
energy dissipation capacity and remarkable reinforcement effect.
c) (Mukhopadhyaya, Naskarb, Deyc, & Chakrabartid) assessment of a historical
masonry building and recommended two restrengthening techniques: concrete

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 jacketing and fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) strengthening. Concrete jacketing
involves adding concrete and reinforcement to improve structural integrity, while
FRP strengthening utilizes fibre reinforced polymer materials to enhance strength.
These techniques offer potential solutions to address the building's critical
condition and ensure long-term stability
d) (Radovic & Milojevics, 2018)introduces vulnerability curves as a tool for
assessing the effects of earthquakes in a particular area. These curves provide a
general understanding of how certain types of buildings behave during
earthquakes and can be used to evaluate the seismic resistance of an area. The
paper discusses the importance of determining the correlation between earthquake
intensity and the extent of damage to buildings in a specific area when studying
earthquake risk. By using these curves, decision-makers can prioritize
interventions and allocate resources to mitigate potential damage and enhance the
overall resilience of the region. Ultimately, this approach aims to reduce the
impact of earthquakes on buildings and improve the safety of communities in
seismic-prone areas.
e) (Hussain, Tukeer, Shams, & Yadav, 2019)Kumar studied about the damage
assessment of buildings through visual inspection and non-destructive tests. He
considered a G+9, multistory residential building developed by Ghaziabad
development authority (GDA). It is located in Vaishali, Ghaziabad, U.P., India.
Non-destructive tests like Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity and Rebound Hammer were
performed to assess the quality/strength of in-situ concrete in RC members at all
accessible regions of the building in all the blocks. From the study, it was
observed that the values of pulse velocity and rebound hammer of non-destructive
tests have shown large variations which indicate the inconsistency in the concrete
used for the construction. cause of cracks/damage were found because of varying
loads, poor grade of concrete. Also, the reinforcement in columns was not
adequate and of good quality. The quality of construction used was not as per
standards and process of construction was not supervised by qualified engineers

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 3.METHODOLOGY

After devastating earthquakes every important building like school, college, hospitals,
etc. needs a damage assessment. The analysis of the damage assessment in this project
will be carried out following the below listed Methods: -

Visual inspection: - 

Conducting a thorough inspection of the building to identify the visible signs of damage.
This may include cracks in the walls, ceilings, or floors, leaning or displaced structural
elements, water damage, fire damage, or any other visible indications of distress.

Documentation and Photography: -

Documenting the observed damage in detail, including written notes and photographs.
Capturing different angles and perspectives to provide a comprehensive overview of
damage. These records will be useful for insurance claims, repair planning, and future
reference.

Structural assessment: -

This includes a detailed assessment to determine the extent of damage and evaluate the
structural stability. This may involve invasive techniques such as non-destructive testing,
opening up walls to assess hidden damage. Non-destructive tests like Schmidt rebound
hammer test, ultrasonic wave pulse velocity test will be used and if there is the need of
any Destructive Test, we may use it as well.

Quantitative assessment: -

Assigning numerical values or estimates to the extent of damage, considering relevant

factors such as the scale of destruction, impact on functionality and economic
implications. This may involve using specialized tools formulas, or models to calculate
the value of damaged assets or the cost of repairs.

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Data Analysis

Analyzing the collected data and information to identify trends, patterns, and potential
causes of the damage. This can help in understanding the underlying factors that
contributed to the extent and severity of the damage.

The methodology may differ depending on the specific context, such as the type of
damage or the organization conducting the assessment. The steps outlined above provide
a general framework for us to conduct damage assessments and will be adapted as
needed.

The methods for restrengthening are listed below:-

Repairs :-

For minor damage, repairs may be sufficient to restore the functionality and integrity of
the affected structures or assets. Repairs can involve fixing or replacing damaged
components, such as walls, roofs, windows, or mechanical systems. This may require
skilled labor, construction materials, and appropriate tools.

Reinforcement:-

In cases where the damage is more severe but the structural integrity is still intact,
reinforcement techniques can be employed. This involves adding additional supports,
braces, or strengthening elements to enhance the load-bearing capacity and resilience of
the structure. Reinforcement methods can include installing steel beams, braces, or
retrofitting techniques such as carbon fiber wrapping or concrete jacketing.

Retrofitting: -

Retrofitting is a method used to upgrade existing structures to withstand future damage or

improve their resilience to specific hazards. It involves making modifications to the
structure, such as strengthening the foundation, adding shear walls, installing seismic
dampers, or improving fire resistance. Retrofitting can help reduce the vulnerability of
structures to similar types of damage in the future.

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In our project specific methods will be used for restrengthening which depends on factors
such as the type of damage, available resources, and local regulations.

The process flowchart is given as:

Selection of project

Site selection

Data collection

Architectural drawing

Load calculation

3-D modelling of building using E-tabs

Seismic assessment of building

Yes
IIs
building Restrengthening not needed
safe?

No

Possible re-strengthening techniques

Estimating and costing

Recheck of the project

Report preparation

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 4.EXPECTED OUTCOMES

With the completion of various stages of project following results can be expected:
 As built drawing of the proposed building will be obtained.
 With thorough visual inspection, visible signs of damages like cracks,
displacement and deflection will be identified.
 A clear information about the nature and extent of damage will be generated.
The strength and quality of the structure will be restored using possible re-strengthening
techniques.

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 5.LIMITATIONS

 The foundation details are not known.

 The drawing of plans do not include service drawings like electrical, sanitary,
water supply, etc.

Data regarding soil condition will be referenced through newly constructed Rastriya
Banijya Bank building which is in vicinity of proposed

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 6.TIME SCHEDULE

Gannt chart
Duration in weeks
Activity
Odd Semester Even Semester
Jestha Ashad Shrawan Bhadra Ashwin Kartik Mangsir Poush Magh Falgun
Group Formation
Project Selection
Literature Review
Proposal Writing
Proposal Submission
Proposal Defence
Preparation of Architectural Drawing
Mid-term I Defense
Exam Preparation
Non Destructive Test
Mid-term II Defense
Call of Final Defense
Final Defense
Final Report Preparation
Hard-bind Report Submission

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 7.REFERENCES

Hussain, A., Tukeer, Shams, R., & Yadav, I. K. (2019). Damage of Rcc structure using
non- destructive test. International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and
Technology, 108-113.
Mohd. Zameeruddin, K. K. (2021). Damage assesment of reinforced concrete moment
resisting frames using performance-based seismic evaluation procedure. journal
of king saud university-engineering sciences, 227-239.
Mukhopadhyaya, T., Naskarb, S., Deyc, S., & Chakrabartid, A. (n.d.). condition
assesment and strengthening of aged structure : perspectives based on a critical
case study.
Radovic, A., & Milojevics, I. (2018). assesment of building damage by application of
emprical vulnerability curves. research gate.
Shrestha, H. D., & Subedi, J. (2016). The Seismic Retrrofitting Guidelines if Buildings in
Nepal. kathmandu: department of urban developmennt and construction.
Zhenhua, Z., & Jinlin, Z. (2023). design and analysis of energy dissipation and vibration
reduction of reinforced concrete frame structure. hebei,china.

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