A ground investigation to inform earthquake hazard assessment in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

When designing ground investigations there is usually a requirement to fill large gaps in existing knowledge. In the developing world, specifically in seismic prone areas, this systematic lack of information af-fects the ability for practitioners to assess seismic risk. This paper presents the rationale and results of a ground investigation undertaken in Central Nepal to inform seismic hazard assessment, as part of the EPSRC funded project Seismic Safety and Resilience of Schools in Nepal (SAFER). Geological information and geotechnical parameters are presented. Downhole methodology has been used to derive an in situ shear wave velocity profile for seismic response analysis in a region which is currently reliant on seismic shear wave velocity correlations. This research presents discussion and comparison of velocity profiles obtained at other locations in the Kath-mandu Valley and introduces new information on the basin topography.