“NON-ENGINEERED 2.0” – RENEWED PHILOSOPHIES FOR IMPROVING THE SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF NON-ENGINEERED CONSTRUCTION

This critical writing questions the current state-of-the-art and knowledge levels with regards to nonengineered construction techniques in general, and rubble stone masonry in particular. In-depth reviews show that the available information in the national codes, technical regulations and practical manuals is largely outdated, contains many contradictions, and has become ambiguous. This raises questions about the completeness and correctness, as well as about the reliability and actual value of the knowledge in this field. The term “non-engineered” in construction refers to building as “those which are spontaneously and informally constructed in various countries in the traditional manner, without any or little intervention by qualified architects and engineers in their design”. Such techniques generally do not behave well in earthquakes, and the most devastating levels of damage and loss generally occur in developing countries, such as the recent disasters in Kashmir (2005), Haiti (2010) and Nepal (2015). Fact is that millions of people will continue to live in stone houses in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Afghanistan, China, and likely in regions in Central Asia, the Middle East and Northern Africa as well. So how can we accurately predict and significantly strengthen the seismic performance of these techniques, yet with basic engineering principles? How can we improve the quality of local construction practices with simple skills, and effectively implement national standards in affordable ways? These key questions have not been adequately addressed to date. Vernacular building types include numerous variables that are highly dependent on site-specific parameters for local construction quality, materials and workmanship. From an engineering perspective, these variables are not integrated in current calculations and models, and a methodology that includes such parameters is currently non-existent. The authors of this paper clearly acknowledge the need for renewed insights and a drastic change of attitude, which requires full-time dedication and a structured, systematic and scientifically based long-term approach, in order to significantly improve the seismic behavior of non-engineered techniques. To achieve this, renewed philosophies and technological strategies are necessary, as the time has come for “Non-Engineered 2.0”. Several recommendations and solutions are proposed under the name SMARTnet, which stands for “Seismic Methodologies for Applied Research and Testing of non-engineered techniques”. It is realized that the challenge is huge and the scope of work enormous, for which help is needed. The strategy of SMARTnet envisions a joint approach of global collaboration, in order to cope with the massive number of material variables and to generate cross-checked data that can be used for calculations and computer modeling of non-engineered techniques. SMARTnet therefore places an international call for collaboration and invites experts, professionals, academics as well as final-year students in these fields to exchange their knowledge and to support the project with their time and expertise.