Seismic response of current RC buildings in Kathmandu Valley

Most existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings in the earthquake-prone Kathmandu Valley exhibit inadequate seismic performance, with non-engineered structures showing significantly higher inter-storey drift demands and lower lateral resistance compared to engineered ones. The study analyzed four representative RC buildings using non-linear dynamic analysis under synthetic earthquakes applied at 0°, 45°, and 90° directions, revealing that geometric non-linearities (P-delta effects) reduce global lateral stiffness and structural strength. Engineered buildings demonstrated better performance but still faced challenges due to plan and vertical irregularities. The findings highlight the urgent need for seismic safety assessments and retrofitting of existing structures in Nepal.

Chaulagain, Hemchandra, Rodrigues, Hugo, Spacone, Enrico, & Varum, Humberto. (2015). Seismic response of current RC buildings in Kathmandu Valley. Structural Engineering and Mechanics, 53(4), 791–818. https://doi.org/10.12989/SEM.2015.53.4.791