Seismic Behaviour of a Historic Five-Tiered Pagoda in Nepal

Abstract

The present paper discusses a five-tier pagoda in Nepal from the viewpoint of the damage observed after an earthquake. Nepal is a highly seismic-prone country and many structures experience significant damage during earthquakes. Structures are typically composed of timber and masonry which consists of burnt or sundried bricks and mud mortar. The Kathmandu Valley including three major Nepalese cities Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Patan has been inscribed on the World Heritage List since 1979 as a representative example of unique Newari culture. In the paper, Kumbeshwar temple in Patan is studied. The top-tier was collapsed after the earthquake occurred in Nepal in 2015. The collapse mechanism is described and studied through kinematic limit analysis and preliminary FE analysis. The paper introduces an architecturally characteristic monument in Nepal and would contribute to understanding of seismic behaviour of multi-tier pagodas.