KVPT’s Patan Darbar Earthquake Response Campaign - Work to Date - September 2016

Near right
Manimandapa Concept showing
development of layout of steel
columns described in Option 2.
Development of this idea between
the architects and engineers on the
team sought to find a strong and
stable reinforcing structure with
a layout that most respected the
historical layout while minimizing
amount of steel.
Sketch by Liz Newman, June 2016
Far right, above and below
Conceptual model and section
detail of the timber arcade at South
Manimandapa to observe the effect
of installing steel tension rods as
cross bracing to strengthen the central
core against lateral forces. This
design sought to reinforce the historic
carved columns by providing
an extra tie to rout load from the
masonry walls down to the plinth
without removing the columns or
reducing their visibility.
3D study and sketch by Evan Speer, June
2016
from the structure - to be stored, ideally, in a museum
exhibit.
Option 2
The next concept involved joining sound existing timber
with new timber at the base to replace wood lost to
rot. The columns would then be reinstalled in a similar
fashion, supplemented by installing steel hollow section
columns up from a steel grillage foundation (offset from
the remaining timber columns) to provide a stiffer structural
core. This system could consist of either four larger
steel columns in the central core, or 4 smaller columns
in the central core, with 4 small columns at the outer
corners as well. This could provides a strong, continuous
steel frame to stiffen the structure and provide a suitable
load path to help prevent overturning and collapse (and
perhaps even cosmetic damage) of the structure, while
allowing the central timber columns to remain. The
timber central columns would then be relieved of their
duty as structural columns. This option would result in
a consistent path through the steel elements. Consistent
load paths are preferable, because if a load path consists
of multiple materials such as steel and timber, the stiffer
element may route more load into a element of lesser
strength material than it could handle, resulting in failures
at the interface between materials. Visibility and
ambiance through the timber arcade would be disrupted
by the newly introduced steel columns, but the verticality
of the arcade would remain. This concept was also left
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