Nepal's geographical location makes it highly susceptible to seismic activity. For any homeowner, ensuring that their house is built to withstand earthquakes is not just a choice—it's a necessity. Here are 7 essential techniques used by Expert Sewa to ensure maximum safety.
1. Proper Foundation Design
The foundation is the most critical part of an earthquake-resistant building. Depending on the soil type (which we always test first), we recommend either isolated footings, mat foundations, or pile foundations to ensure the building's weight is distributed correctly.
2. Use of Ductile Detailing
Ductility allows a structure to undergo large deformations without collapsing. This is achieved through precise reinforcement detailing, especially at the joints where beams and columns meet.
3. Strong Column-Weak Beam Concept
In seismic design, we ensure that columns are stronger than beams. This ensures that if failure occurs, it happens in the beams first, preventing a total collapse of the structure and giving residents time to evacuate.
4. Quality of Reinforcement (TMT Bars)
We only use high-quality TMT (Thermo-Mechanically Treated) bars of Grade Fe500 or higher. These bars have the perfect balance of strength and flexibility required for seismic zones.
5. Regular Stirrup Spacing
The spacing of stirrups (rings) in columns and beams is vital. Closer spacing near the joints provides the necessary confinement to the concrete, preventing it from crushing under pressure.
6. Symmetrical Architectural Planning
Symmetrical buildings perform much better during earthquakes. We avoid irregular shapes like L or U unless they are separated by proper seismic joints.
7. Quality Concrete Mix
The strength of concrete (M20, M25, etc.) must be strictly maintained. We ensure the water-cement ratio is perfect and that the concrete is properly vibrated to remove air pockets.
