November 2025 – October 2027
Traditional stone masonry using dry or mud mortar remains common in northern Pakistan, yet is highly vulnerable to earthquakes, as seen in the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. Modern retrofitting solutions are often impractical in these remote regions due to limited access to materials like cement or steel. This project provides a technical backbone for a locally adapted seismic retrofit: timber lacing. Drawing on traditional craftsmanship and locally sourced timber, the project aims to systematically improve this technique using a combination of numerical modeling, experimental testing, and field validation. We focus on defining efficient timber lace patterns that maximize seismic performance while minimizing material use. Laboratory tests at EPFL and UET Peshawar, including large-scale wall and shake-table experiments, will be used to validate the approach. The project will produce Build Back Better guidelines for retrofitting stone masonry with timber lacing, grounded in structural data and optimized for local application. With support from Solidar Suisse, training activities will support the practical uptake of these solutions, helping reduce seismic risk in vulnerable rural communities.
EPFL PI: Dr. Igor Tomić
Humanitarian partner: Talha Paskoy (Solidar Suisse)
Photo: Prof. Amjad Naseer. A building in KPK, Pakistan.
