POKHAREL SAGAR1; TRIANTAFILLOU THANASIS2

1) Post Graduate Student, Dept. Civil Engineering, University of Patras, Patras, Greece, saagarpokharel@gmail.com

2) Professor, Dept. Civil Engineering, University of Patras, Patras, Greece, ttriant@upatras.gr

Old temples built in ancient time in Nepal are traditional and monumental structures for both the religions with historic and archaeological importance. But at the same time, past records have shown that these monuments are highly vulnerable to earthquakes. This study performs a seismic analysis on a monumental masonry structure of Nyatapola temple. By doing so, it aims to estimate the likely damage due to seismic actions, to identify critical elements of the structures and to design the need for seismic strengthening to resist earthquakes. In the study it was found that the monument is safe for compressive stresses but is critical to tensile stresses. The study further discusses in detail the retrofitting technique by the use of advanced material in the form of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP). Using the conventional cross section analysis the required amount FRP is designed, calculated and detailed on the different critical areas of the historical structure.

Keywords: Nyatapola Temple, seismic analysis, fibre reinforced polymer (FRP), finite element method, modal periods, modal participation mass ratio, principal compressive stress, principle tensile stress.