Mesh over mud brick wall retrofit strategy for Nepal

One retrofit strategy for non-engineered masonry structures in rural Nepal uses polypropylene packaging strap mesh on the exterior of mud brick structural walls, as investigated by Joshua Macabuag, Ramesh Guragain, and Subhamoy Bhattacharya. With the additional of mesh, larger deformations can be sustained by walls, thus lowering the collapse risk.

Compressive and shaking table tests validated the improved performance of the walls with mesh. 

	Figure 1. View of the sample.		Figure 2. Tests validated the improved performance of the walls with mesh.

In addition to testing, pilot programs were conducted in Bhaktapur, Nepal in 2008 in which masons were trained in retrofitting with the polypropylene band technique. Additionally, structures were retrofit in Nangkhel, Nepal in 2009.

Figure 3. Two masons build pilot houses.

One NSET technician, two masons, and two unskilled laborers conducted the work over four weeks, with a material cost of the retrofit at $250.

Source

Curated topics from the April 25, 2015, Nepal Earthquake to help inform reconnaissance activities, identify impacted regions, and help document the timeline of earthquake response/recovery.