BEHAVIOR OF MASONRY BUILDINGS IN MUZAFFARABAD DURING OCTOBER 08, 2005 EARTHQUAKE

The October 08, 2005 earthquake hit Northern Pakistan and Kashmir region. Muzaffarabad, the capital city of Kashmir was worst hit by this earthquake. Buildings constructed with stone, solid burnt clay brick, concrete block masonry and reinforced concrete were damaged. Post-earthquake reconnaissance surveys conducted by the authors revealed that all masonry buildings were non-engineered. To gain an idea about the building construction practices and construction materials in the earthquake affected area, a comprehensive survey of the buildings of Muzaffarabad city was performed and an inventory was developed. Analysis of the inventory data indicates that building plans with large aspect ratios or L- or U-shape in plane were widely practiced in the earthquake-affected areas. Buildings were constructed on stone masonry foundations. Use of heavy reinforced concrete floors is prevalent in the area for the last twenty years. The damages are attributed to improper connection between walls and, walls and floors; poor quality of construction materials, lack of through stone, slope failure and overhead water tank constructed on the top of buildings.