Global warming, carbon emission and storage : A short look

Global warming is the rise in the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans since the late 19th century, and its projected continuation. Since the early 20th century, Earth's mean surface temperature has increased by about 0.8 °C (1.4 °F), with about two-thirds of the increase occurring since 1980. Warming of the climate system is primarily caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases produced by human activities such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels. Where we will burn the hydrocarbons and produce CO₂ methane etc. The cause of temperature rise due to GHG is described in figure below.

Read More

1980 M6.6 Earthquake of Western Nepal.

Today July 29, in 1980 western Nepal faced the tremor of M6.6 which took away about 150 lives and left injured nearly 1000 people. Estimated economic loss of that earthquake was ($245 milion!). Nepalese media and people may forget it but they have to remember those events and prepare for next event like this or even more devastating one in near future. Here is a short view on history of earthquake.

Location of 1980 earthquake

Nepal lies on seismic zone, it rests on the boundary of eurasian plate and indian plate with major faults parallel to its length. There are many fault activities responsible for ground tremors, some of them claim casualties but most of them are weak in their power. Nepal has the history of earthquake from 1255 AD when it was assumed that, 1/3 to 1/4th population got death due to earthquake about X in MM scale in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal.

Read More

About Seismic Design Code in Nepal

(This is the part of paper that published on NEA 13th Convention technical journal in Kathmandu.)

ABSTRACT: This paper focus on study of worldwide changes in seismic design codes after large earthquakes especially in design ground motion. Kathmandu is moving towards one of mega cities in Asia, so for urban development in future we have to consider all perspectives of design methodologies to have resilient city not only Kathmandu but also all other major cities. High rise buildings and major lifeline structures within city and gateway to cities are very important to be safe. Design methodologies are major factors of control for the disaster resilient structures alongside with regulation during construction. Here we discuss about consideration of phase for design ground motion for safer structural design. 

Key Words: Urban development, seismic design, phase spectra, design ground motion

INTRODUCTION

Read More

Bridge failure during earthquake and it's mitigation

Major type of Failures

Lifeline structures are those which are directly related to the facilities for existence of society. Nowadays many cities are facing problem to maintain the lifeline structures after the earthquake event. These structures are very important and have to be safe.

There are many lifeline structures among them bridge is also a very important lifeline structure that provide commuting and also transportation of foods, oils, water etc. History of bridge failure starts before 1907 when Qbec bridge fail. There are many failure modes of bridge, main two types of them are:

Photo: collapse of cypress street viaduct (http://pubs.usgs.gov/dds/dds-29/web_pages/oakland.html)

Shear Failure:

Read More

Seismic Monitoring

Real Time Monitor of Japan (From NIED website)
This monitoring of seismic events is live from www.iris.edu

Read More