Project News

Seismic Hazard seminar held at the Department of Geology and Mines

A seminar on seismic hazard was held at the Department of Geology and Mines (DGM) on December 19th 2022 with objective to disseminate scientific information to engineers from different Thromdes, Dzongkhags, and organizations involved in disaster management. Participants from the capital and nearby dzongkhags attended in person, and others from distant cities and dzongkhags joined the seminar through remote means. The lecture was given by the counterparts and three Japanese researchers. Lectures were given covering wide range of topics including the basics of earthquake hazard assessment, active fault maps, earthquakes and earthquake hazards in Bhutan, ground motion amplification, M7.8 scenario earthquakes and 30-year 50% probability earthquake hazards (seismic motion that will occur with a probability of 50% within 30 years, seismic motion that occurs once every 44 years on average), and risk maps based on hazard maps.

A questionnaire was conducted at the end, and the survey indicate a high rate of satisfaction from the participants.

Opening remark
Photo courtesy of the Department of Geology and Mines

Presentation
Photo courtesy of the Department of Geology and Mines

Training of trainers (TOT) held by Department of Engineering Service and Department of Culture

Department of Engineering Service (DES) and Department of Culture (DOC) held the Training of Trainers (TOT) on December 8th and 9th, 2022. Engineers from all dzongkhags (20 nos) were invited and conducted remotely. This is to convey "Seismic resilient Rammed earth and stone masonry houses" developed in the project. A video material showing the construction process taught how to incorporate seismic technology into the building. The effects of seismic technology were explained through experiments conducted and their results, and the participants learned about the intervention/development of seismic technology. The teaching materials used this time can be viewed on the websites of DES and DOC.

A questionnaire survey was also conducted at the seminar, and a satisfaction rate of 90% or more was obtained. The DES and DOC plan to continue seminars using these materials. In addition, the teaching materials will be further updated by DES and DOC.

Presentation
Photo courtesy of the Department of Engineering Service

Q&A session
Photo courtesy of the Department of Engineering Service

Field survey for Final evaluation

A field survey for the Final evaluation of the project was conducted from December 21st to 29th 2022.

From the 21st to the 25th, interviews with the counterparts were conducted by the JICA Headquarters Project Advisory Team, and on the 26th, the Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) was held. The survey team visited each of the four counterpart agencies and conducted interviews on the results of their activities and how to proceed in the future. In the interviews, there was a lot of exchange of opinions about social implementation, and there were many references to social implementation in the presentations of the Joint Coordination Committee. ‘Public disclosure of seismic intensity information, hazard maps, and active fault maps', ‘introduction of developed technology to building standards', and ‘gradual improvements to building applications and permits' were presented.

From the 26th to the 28th, the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) final evaluation team conducted interviews with each counterpart agency, visited the pilot site, and observed the shaking table experiment. A Research Report Meeting was held on the 29th. Not only the achievements of social implementation, but also the achievements of the research field were presented, and the counterparts answered the questions of the evaluation team firmly.

On February 16, 2023, JST final evaluation meeting will be held based on this field survey.

JCC
Photo courtesy of the Department of Cultural

Research Report Meeting
Photo courtesy of the Department of Cultural