Bhutanese Ornamental Windows and Its Contribution to Inter-story Drift In Rammed Earth Structure- A Case Study

Authors

  • Nimesh Chettri College of Science and Technology, Royal University of Bhutan
  • Monika Thapa College of Science and Technology, Royal University of Bhutan
  • Tshering Denka College of Science and Technology, Royal University of Bhutan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17102/bjrd.rub.10.2.013

Keywords:

Rabsel, Vernacular, Base shear, Overturning moment, Rammed earth, Traditional buildings

Abstract

The vernacular structures in Bhutan attributes to the country’s rich tradition and culture. These structures built during 15th – 16th centuries without any technical guidelines still exist with profound pride as Bhutanese traditional buildings even after experiencing great earthquake in the past. Bhutanese vernacular structures exist in various types; while this research paper focuses only on the structural analysis of a commonly found rammed earth house in Paro, considering the effect due to Rabsel. Rabsel is a Bhutanese ornamental window having significant aesthetic and cultural values. These heavy timber components fixed to the wall has tendency to add weights to the wall. During the seismic activity, this might lead to vertical acceleration and overturning moment, which generates a typical P-delta effect inducing lateral as well as vertical loads on the walls. Hence, it is the primary cause of tilting Rabsel, cracking, and buckling of walls as observed in post-earthquake scenarios. Hence, the effect of Rabsel as a shear and moment contributing component will be looked into which is not incorporated in any design process and software. Linear static analysis is performed considering varying weights of Rabsel and the results obtained are used for numerical modeling. The results were found to form the paramount philosophy of designing and executing the construction of future traditional buildings in Bhutan.

Author Biographies

Nimesh Chettri, College of Science and Technology, Royal University of Bhutan

Nimesh Chettri works as an Assistant lecturer in the college of science and technology. Before joining the teaching profession, he had worked in construction and design firm based in Thimphu. Currently he is doing Master of technology in Structural Engineering in Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee. He is very enthusiastic about research on structural and earthquake engineering. His past publication includes pre and post disaster studies induced by natural hazards like landslides and earthquakes. Currently he is working on structural and earthquake behavior of wattle and daub in the Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. Other projects along his grid lines are impact of ground motion on the non-engineered structures and retrofitting of damaged structures. The recent accepted paper is 'Seismic performance of Bhutanese vernacular structures' which include vast emphasis and ideology of earth technology (rammed earth, adobe, CSEB and wattle and daub).

Monika Thapa, College of Science and Technology, Royal University of Bhutan

Mrs. Monika Thapa is a Faculty at the College of Science and Technology under Royal University of Bhutan. She graduated with Bachelors of Civil Engineering from the College of Science and Technology in the year 2006 and completed her Master’s degree in Structural Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India in the year 2009. Her main research interests are modeling, nonlinear analysis, disaster management and hazard mapping. Her research- Sensitivity Analysis of Pushover Method in Nonlinear analysis of RC Buildings, Significance of Modeling Techniques in Pushover Analysis of RC Buildings, Landslide Hazard Zonation Mapping along Phuentsholing-Pasakha Highway using GIS, Study on Seismic Retrofitting of Structures in Bhutan are some of the fascinating topics on which she has worked. She was also actively involved in E-Flow project under National Environment Commission Secretariat (NECS), Royal Government of Bhutan, Thimphu; developing guidelines for Hydropower projects in Bhutan. Currently she is involved in NAP project under NECS.

Tshering Denka, College of Science and Technology, Royal University of Bhutan

Ms. Tshering Denka is an Associate Lecturer and the head of the exam cell at the College of Science and Technology. She completed her Bachelor of Mathematics (Honours) from University of Wollongong, Australia and her masters from Malardalen University, Sweden. Her research in non-linear regression of power-exponential functions and mathematical modeling has led to an interest in inter-disciplinary research where mathematical models can be built. She was the chief editor for the technical college journal, Zorig Melong from 2015-2016 where she also played the role of publication manager. She was involved in the second phase of the E-Flow project under National Environment Commission Secretariat (NECS), Royal Government of Bhutan, Thimphu and helped publish a report on E-flow. She is still working with NECS along with other stakeholders in developing modules on E-flow that will be integrated into the syllabus of different colleges under Royal University of Bhutan.

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Published

31-03-2022

How to Cite

Chettri, N. ., Thapa, M., & Denka, T. . (2022). Bhutanese Ornamental Windows and Its Contribution to Inter-story Drift In Rammed Earth Structure- A Case Study. Bhutan Journal of Research and Development. https://doi.org/10.17102/bjrd.rub.10.2.013

Issue

2022: SPECIAL EDITION

Section

Articles

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