ISSN: 2168-9717

Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology
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  • Research Article   
  • J Archit Eng Tech 2017, Vol 6(2): 205
  • DOI: 10.4172/2168-9717.1000205

Seismic Behavior of Historic Masonry Monasteries in Sikkim in the 2011 M 6.9 Sikkim Earthquake: Case Study of Hee Gyathang Monastery, North Sikkim, India

Sutapa Joti*, Keya Mitra and Saikat Mitra
Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, , India
*Corresponding Author : Sutapa Joti, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Howrah, West Bengal, India, Tel: 919830074330, Email: arsutapa.joti@gmail.com

Received Date: May 21, 2017 / Accepted Date: Jun 24, 2017 / Published Date: Jun 30, 2017

Abstract

The Himalayan region is, one of the most seismically vulnerable and tectonically active zones in the world. Sikkim is a state in North-East India, situated on the Himalayan arc. Sikkim is dotted with numerous Buddhist monasteries dating back to the 17th century. These historical monastery structures are a part of the rich cultural heritage of the state, being structures of social, cultural and religious significance to the community. The old monasteries are typically load bearing structures where stone masonry and timber are used extensively as columns, beams, floors, roofs and also in staircases. The monasteries follow some spatial characteristics such as regular geometrical shapes in plan with an assembly hall and front verandah, and are usually one or two storeys high with diminishing upper storeys topped by light weight sloped roofs. The M6.9 earthquake on September 18, 2011, in Sikkim has clearly demonstrated the vulnerability of the historical monastery structures. The evaluation of the earthquake vulnerability of monasteries is a necessary first step for their protection in future earthquakes. This paper analyzes the performance of one of the non-engineered monastery structure made with load bearing stone masonry - the century old hilltop Hee Gyathang Monastery located in the North District about 30 kms from Mangan. Structural analysis by demand capacity method of this monastery proves that the monastery is unsafe after the 2011 M 6.9 Sikkim Earthquake.

Keywords: Sikkim earthquake; Monastery; Structural analysis; Demand capacity method

Citation: Joti S, Mitra K, Mitra S (2017) Seismic Behavior of Historic Masonry Monasteries in Sikkim in the 2011 M 6.9 Sikkim Earthquake: Case Study of Hee Gyathang Monastery, North Sikkim, India. J Archit Eng Tech 6: 205. Doi: 10.4172/2168-9717.1000205

Copyright: © 2017 Joti S, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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