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This paper presents a novel methodology to combine ambient vibration-based operation modal analysis with three-dimensional ground-based lidar data to study damage on the Nyatapola Temple, which is a Bhaktapur UNESCO World Heritage Site that was damaged during the 2015 Gorkha, Nepal, earthquake. The post-earthquake ambient vibration data, collected via accelerometers placed on various levels of the temple, are used to estimate the vibrational properties via operational modal analysis. These properties are then compared to the pre-earthquake dynamic characteristics collected in 2002. The lidar data provide a geometric assessment of the current condition of the temple, capturing post-earthquake drift as a function of height as well as significant cracks present in the facade. The lidar data also inform the numerical models implemented for the post-earthquake condition assessment of the temple.

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3D geological subsurface model of the Bhaktapur City is prepared using RockWork2016, which is based on 3-D Geo-scientific information system (3-D GSIS). The main aim of this study is to interpret the geological conditions of Bhaktapur city, providing subsurface geological database and its relevance to 2015 Gorkha earthquake damages. For this, the borehole data are collected from different sources and digitized in the RockWork2016 program for the generation of the 3-D attributed subsurface model. For the stratigraphy divisions of the soil, the unified soil classification system is used. From the interpretation of the developed attributed model, it is found that the central part or the core area of the Bhaktapur city has a deeper depth of the soft sediment-silt and clay rather than other surrounding parts of the city. This indicates the possibility of local soil amplification in the central part of the study area. The spatial variation of the subsurface sediment deposit is then co-relate with damage scenario caused by 2015 Gorkha earthquake.

Infilled frames are reinforced concrete frames with masonry infill. The provision of masonry walls as infill increases the lateral stiffness of frame. Unreinforced masonry infill effects the strength and stiffness of frame but being ignored for a long time. The main objective of this paper is to study the individual and combined effect of infill masonry wall, stiffeners and wooden frame in the lateral stiffness of infill reinforced concrete frame with central opening, with and without gap element consideration. From the analysis using SAP software, it is observed that with increase in openings, stiffness decreases but introducing stiffeners and wooden frame increases the lateral stiffness. Embedding the gap element as the boundary condition reduces the stiffness of the infilled frame. Numerical investigations are carried out by finite element modeling for analyzing the behavior of infilled frame. The single equivalent diagonal strut width was determined by obtaining the same lateral stiffness from finite element model, and also strut reduction factor for different conditions with central openings are proposed.