Thesis proposal – Structural Integrity of Brick Housing Systems: A Shock Table Earthquake Simulation Study at Engineers Without Borders Sweden

Engineers Without Borders Sweden is a volunteer based and value driven organization Engineering for Humanity. For over 15 years, we have been driven by a single goal: build a sustainable future for communities around the world. With sustainability and long-term thinking as guidance, we mobilize our engineering expertise to provide innovative solutions empowering communities today and ensure their resilience tomorrow.

Background

EWB is partner of Build up Nepal (BUN), that was established following the 2015 earthquake in Kathmandu. BUN focuses on promoting compressed bricks made from a mixture of stone dust or soil, cement, and water. These bricks are produced using machines provided to small enterprises. Since its inception, BUN has supported over 300 small companies, contributing to the construction of more than 10,000 houses across Nepal. Their efforts have significantly reduced carbon emissions by 100,000 tonnes and created over 2,000 full-time jobs, with women making up a quarter of the workforce. Interlocking bricks, designed like LEGO blocks, are BUN's main product. These bricks are not only easy to assemble but are also earthquake-resistant, making them particularly suitable for construction in earthquake-prone regions like Nepal. Some illustrations:

Video from YouTube for further background. Video of the Shock Table at the Tribhuvan University.

About the position

The project will involve collecting evidence from recent earthquake-affected areas in Jajarkot to evaluate and compare the performance of different housing solutions in terms of their resilience and effectiveness in earthquake-prone environments. Additionally, it will include a comparative analysis of the structural performance of houses built with interlocking bricks and traditional burnt bricks by using a Shock table to simulate earthquake conditions. The interlocking bricks, which allow for reinforcement, are proposed as a safer alternative, but a direct practical comparison under earthquake conditions has not yet been conducted. The aim is to assess the earthquake resilience of interlocking bricks in comparison to traditional burnt bricks.

Conditions:

The scope can be adapted to be either a Master or a Bachelor thesis with one or two students.

Start: Spring 2025. Apply latest October 2024

Location: The work should be done at BUN in collaboration with Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

Questions?

We are reviewing applications continuously. For further information or questions please contact: Ashish Maharjan who is based at BUN in Nepal.

Contact can be taken with Linn Bogren who finished a study on brick strength optimisation based on water content and compression in 2024. Also take part of her Travel dairy.

You can also contact Henrik Gustavsson project manager for EWB - BUN cooperation and Raine Isaksson Associate professor in Quality Management and EWB member working actively with BUN.

We look forward to your application!

Engineers Without Borders Sweden is promoting equality and inclusivity. We are strengthened by our differences. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for the position, regardless of gender, age, ethnic background, religion, disability or sexual orientation. Selected applicants are expected to register as members to act as an EWB-SWE´s volunteer.