Outline of the Project

Project Name

Project for Evaluation and Mitigation of Seismic Risk for Composite Masonry Buildings in Bhutan

Country

Kingdom of Bhutan

Project Site

Thimphu and whole area of Bhutan

Date of R/D signed

November 9, 2016

Term of Cooperation

Five (5) years from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2022.

Implementing Organizations

1. Department of Disaster Management(DDM), Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs (MoHCA).
2. Department of Culture (DOC), MoHCA.
3. Department of Geology and Mines (DGM), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MoEA).
4. Department of Engineering Services (DES, Ministry of Works and Human Settlement (MoWHS.).

Collaborating Organizations in Japan

1. Nagoya City University
2. National Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED)
3. Kyoto University
4. Nihon University
5. Kagawa University
6. Tohoku University

Background

Except in urban area including the capital, most of buildings in Bhutan are constructed of indigenous materials and techniques such as rammed earth and random stone masonry and wood. As per the recent statistics, 66 % of households in the country, especially 83 % of households in the rural areas, live in traditional houses. This community-based practice using indigenous materials and techniques to build home has been as of now vitally sustained in the every corner of the country.

However, remarkable number of buildings constructed of indigenous materials and techniques were destroyed due to earthquakes in 2009 and 2011. It became the critical task for the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) to guide the citizens to improve the seismic resilience of traditional houses.

In order to tackle the problems, DDM (MoHCA), DOC (MoHCA), DGM (MoEA), DES (MoWHS), Nagoya City University, National Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED), Kyoto University, Nihon University, Kagawa University and Tohoku University formulated a proposal of a collaborative research project that aims at the establishment of evaluation and mitigation of seismic risk for traditional houses in Bhutan.

Accordingly, based on the proposal, the Government of Bhutan has requested Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) a scientific and technological cooperation program under the framework of technical cooperation of the Government of Japan titled "Evaluation and Mitigation of Seismic Risk for Composite Masonry Buildings in Bhutan ".

Overall Goal

Seismic technology for disaster mitigation of the composite masonry buildings is disseminated across the country.

Project Purpose

The capacity of responsible governmental organizations (DDM, DOC, DGM and DES) for seismic disaster mitigation of the composite masonry buildings in Bhutan is enhanced.

Outputs

1. Seismic risks of composite masonry buildings are evaluated.
2. Seismic technology for constructing and strengthening composite masonry buildings is developed.
3. The dissemination mechanism for the seismic technology is enhanced.

Activities

1-1	Enhance the earthquake monitoring network across the country.
1-2	Enhance the seismic intensity monitoring network across the country.
1-3	Map ground motion amplifications through micro-tremor observation and topography survey in pilot sites.
1-4	Prepare a seismic hazard map.
1-5	Examine the vulnerability of the composite masonry buildings through material tests, structural analysis, etc.
1-6	Conduct the risk assessment of seismic disasters in pilot sites.
2-1	Collect the basic data of existing composite masonry buildings through the micro-tremor measurements.
2-2	Conduct the material tests of composite masonry buildings.
2-3	Execute static and dynamic tests for specimens of mock buildings with composite masonry based on typical Bhutanese houses.
2-4	Analyze the structural characteristics and behaviors of composite masonry buildings.
2-5	Establish a simple method for the seismic evaluation of composite masonry buildings.
2-6	Design the building components for composite masonry buildings as standard seismic strengthening kits.
2-7	Formulate the seismic guideline for composite masonry buildings.
2-8	Propose the building structural standards of composite masonry buildings to MoWHS for the building permit.
3-1	Establish the implementation structure to disseminate the seismic technology for composite masonry buildings.
3-2	Develop visual educational materials and public awareness programs based on the developed seismic guideline and hazard map.
3-3	Conduct the training of trainers (TOT) on the seismic guideline for selected national government staff.
3-4	Conduct the training of local government staff, technical workers and craftsmen to exercise the seismic guideline in pilot sites.
3-5	Conduct public awareness programs on the seismic guideline for the people of pilot sites.

Inputs

Japanese side

1. Experts
2. Training of counterpart personnel in Japan and/or the Third Country(s)
3. Provision of the machinery and equipment
4. Local expenses for the project activities as necessary

Bhutanese side

1. Personnel such as Project Director, Project Manager and Counterpart personnel.
2. Provision of the project office and facilities necessary for the project implementation
3. Expenses necessary for the project implementation such as local traveling costs and daily subsistence allowance (DSA) for the counterpart personnel in Bhutan.
4. Administrative and operational expenses necessary for the project implementation, such as electricity, water, communication, etc.