Numerical Modelling and Seismic Retrofit Design for Historical Vazir House

Abstract

Heritage structures are of immense value and pride to any nation. The importance of protection of these structures can hardly be understated. The Vazir House in Swat, Pakistan is a historical building which was constructed in 1936. The structural system of the building consists of load bearing walls which have been constructed using double leaf random rubble stone masonry. Mud mortar has been used to bond the stone units. The survey of the building indicated that seismic vulnerabilities existed in the building. This paper presents the details of seismic analysis of Vazir House and its retrofit design. The retrofit scheme was designed with a view to keep the structural intervention to a minimum level. The scheme is based on the basic concepts of strengthening of weak areas and links of a structure. A 3D finite element modelling of the building has been carried out and the performance of the original and retrofitted models of the building was studied. The stress level and deformation characteristics of the retrofitted building were found to be satisfactory; the retrofitting scheme was subsequently implemented in the building.