For information and contact: naam[At]nienhuys.info

Earthquake Design Code.

In Ecuador, with engineers from the National Standard Institute (INEN), I wrote the new code for reinforced concrete construction (1977), based on the ACI 318 and the Mexican codes.

Earthquake resistant masonry practical guideby  Sjoerd Nienhuys and Carlos Naranjo, Spanish.  Mamposteria Reforzada, INEN, 22.4MB, 53pag.

Explanation of the newly proposed earthquake resistant code of Ecuador with sketches. 1978.  80 gaginas.
Guia Popular de Construccion Sismoresistente INEN, Sjoerd Nienhuys, Carlos Naranjo, 4MB

Technical Advise Reconstruction.

After the December 1982 earthquake In Yemen Arab Republic I designed an improved building system for assisted self-help housing using stone construction. The problems of the dressed stone construction are described in 5 reports.  (1) Dhamar site selection 3.7MB, 15 pages. 

(2), (3), (4), (5).

Galvanised Wire-mesh Reinforcement         In Pakistan I developed Galvanised Wire-mesh Reinforcement (GWR) for traditional dressed stone construction houses in the Himalayas.  Detailed information about the use of Galvanised Wire Mesh Reinforcement is explained in this paper. 4.2 MB, 35 pages Oct. 2010

Primary School Design Remote Areas         In Pakistan I realised improved Design for Mountain Schools in Remote Areas 6MB,45pages, making them lightweight, thus better earthquake resistant. The buildings had an improved internal climate through solar heat intake, double glass and thermal roof/wall insulation.   This is an updated version (2008) of an earlier document, including more pictures.          

Earthquake Damage Kashmir       After the Kashmir earthquake (2005) basic findings and recommendation are presented about the construction problems in a Mission Report, including detail about GWR. 3.3 MB, 24 pages

Illustrated paper on:  Earthquakes and Concrete Construction Failures Exposed by Earthquakes, examples of design mistakes. 3.8MB, 19 pages

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Photo taken in Balakot (fully destroyed) village; a few survivors of a full classroom.
With the Kashmir earthquake of 23 October 2005 many primary schools were destroyed and many children perished in the collapsed stone buildings. The cause of their collapse was based on the desire to have the nice looking dressed stones facades. These however, were conically shaped inside the walls, having poor adherence and creating poor support. This aspect in combination with poor design and poor on-site supervision of contractors was the cause of grand scale building failure and subsequent disaster.

Historic temples.

In Nepal (2003) I studied the technical options for Reconstruction and Retrofitting of Historic Pagoda Temples. 3.4MB, 39 pages.

The paper provides some existing and alternative technical solutions related to reducing its weight and improving stability. Photo right >>>>>>>>>

Improved Earthquake resistance

Ecuador, simplified advice on house design based on internationally available documentation, Guia Popular de Construccion Sismoresistente INEN, Ing. Sjoerd Nienhuys, Ing. Carlos Naranjo, 4MB, 85 pages. Spanish.

Ecuador, detailed advice on reinforced masonry construction for simple housing, based on international documentation. Guia de Practica. INEN, Ing. Sjoerd Nienhuys, Ing. Carlos Naranjo, 23MB, 55 pages. Spanish.

In Indonesia (Banda Aceh, 2007) I made an essessment on the earthquake engineering aspects of the post-tsunami reconstruction.

Brick permanent houses (Banda Aceh), MB, pages

Reinforced concrete houses near Banda Aceh. MB  pages.

Timber earthquake resistant constructions (Nias Island)  MB  pages.

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Detail of the roof construction of Narajan Temple in Kathmandu after full restauration