OSU Researchers Study Liquefaction in Nepal
Dr. Ben Mason and Dr. Deepak Rayamahji, geotechnical earthquake engineering researchers from Oregon State University, recently returned from a trip in Nepal, where they studied the liquefaction effects triggered by the M7.8 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks. Their work included documenting collapsed and tilting buildings damaged by liquefaction, and performing in-situ site investigations in an effort to understand the […]
GEER Report: Geotechnical Field Reconnaissance: Gorkha (Nepal) Earthquake of April 25 2015 and Related Shaking Sequence
Nepal National Building Code (NBC): An Overview
Nepal national building code (NBC) was first drafted in 1994 following the lessons learned from the 1988 M6.8 earthquake which killed more than 700 people in Nepal. The NBC was approved by the government in 2003 and is a legally binding document in all 130 municipalities. Note however, that no such regulation is applied […]
Seismic Hazard and Common Building Types
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Nepal Building Code: Related Documents
Several Indian codes and standards are incorporated in the undergraduate curriculum in Nepal and are also widely used for the construction of modern buildings. The following is a list of main Indian codes relevant to Nepal’s construction practices: 1. IS456 for concrete structures 2. IS800 for steel structures 3. IS1905 for unreinforced masonry 4. IS4326 for seismic design […]
Nearly one fifth of hydropower generation affected
Nepal has a capacity to generate 771MW of power. Out of this, more than 90% is generated from hydropower plants. The current power supply is far less than demand. The country faces hours of load-shedding each day. The April 25 earthquake and series of aftershocks have caused severe damage to several power plants and […]
Some facts on damage to hydropower sector
Some facts on damage to hydropower sector from the recent 7.8 magnitude earthquake: The Ministry of Energy has estimated losses worth $185 million to Nepal’s hydropower sector from the April 25 2015 earthquake. 600,000 households have lost access to electricity. Both existing power projects and those under-construction have suffered damages. The majority of the damages […]
Earthquake a Wake-up Call for Hydropower Developers
Taking lessons from the damages caused by the April 25 earthquake and series of aftershocks, hydropower developers in Nepal are to be more vigilant in undertaking study on geological and earthquake induced landside hazards. As landslides were one of the main causes of damage, the developers have also urged the government to conduct geological […]
Construction of Hydropower Projects still not Resumed
The construction of the hydropower projects located in the quake-affected areas has still not resumed after the April 25 earthquake, reports the Nepalese daily Naya Patrika. The major causes include damage of access roads due to earthquake-induced landslides and workers not returning to the construction sites after the earthquake. The affected projects are Upper Tamakoshi […]
Tech Giants Help Track Nepal Earthquake Survivors as Communications are hit.
This story, which appeared in the Wall Street Journal on April 27, 2015, provides a brief overview of the communication services developed by Google and Facebook which help families locate survivors. WSJ Tech Giants Help Track Nepal Earthquake Survivors Louise K. Comfort is Professor of Public and International Affairs and Director, Center for Disaster Management, University […]