Donation
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Dadeldhura is located in a seismically active region where hilly terrain, scattered settlements and widespread non-engineered construction increase earthquake risk. Many buildings are constructed by local masons who have had limited formal exposure to earthquake-resistant methods. GHI, NSET and Ajayameru Rural Municipality therefore organized this seven-day capacity-building program to improve safer new construction and retrofitting practices.
OVERALL OBJECTIVE
Enhance the technical capacity of local masons and municipal engineering professionals to construct and retrofit safer, earthquake-resistant buildings.
IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERSHIP
• GeoHazards International (GHI): funding and.
• NSET: curriculum, trainers, practical delivery, coordination, evaluation, and technical guidance
• Ajayameru Rural Municipality: participant selection, venue, ward coordination and local ownership.
FOCU TRAININGS
• Earthquake basics, local seismic risk and preparedness
• Safe site selection and appropriate building configuration
• Quality materials, workmanship and construction-site management
• Load-bearing masonry and seismic bands/vertical reinforcement
• RCC foundations, columns, beams, slabs and staircase detailing
• Repair versus retrofit; splint-and-bandage and jacketing methods
• Alternative and environment-friendly construction materials
• Nepal National Building Code (NBC) and the role of masons
• Training-of-Trainers inputs for municipal engineering professionals
Participant profile: 24 masons and 6 engineering professionals from all six wards of Ajayameru Rural Municipality; 28 men and 2 women.
MAJOR PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES
• Four working groups combined classroom learning with daily assignments and model construction.
• Set out building plans using the 3-4-5 method and examined safer sites and building configurations.
• Built a full-scale load-bearing masonry model with plinth, lintel, roof and gable bands plus vertical reinforcement.
• Fabricated a full-scale RCC frame model, slab reinforcement, cantilever/continuous slab details and staircase reinforcement.
• Practiced retrofitting (splint-and-bandage, corner stitching and jacketing) on a masonry model.
Retrofitting brick masonry building with splint and bandage method
• Produced and tested concrete bricks, stone-crete blocks and RCC slabs to demonstrate curing and correct reinforcement placement.
Slab load test
• Completed pre/post tests, course evaluation, certification and a municipal closing session.
CHALLENGES
• Technical terminology required added explanation in local language.
• Long walking distances caused fatigue and affected full-day attendance.
• Participants from remote wards requested lodging and meal support.
LESSONS LEARNED
• Confirm participants early and schedule around work/agricultural demands.
• Full-scale models and demonstrations transfer skills better than theory alone.
• Local training builds lasting technical capacity and community resilience.
FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS
• Update ward-level lists of active masons.
• Organize advanced and refresher training, especially for retrofitting.
Continue NBC awareness, municipal guidance and technical follow-up