Proposal for the retrofit of the world heritage site of Arge Bam after earthquake damage

Abstract: An earthquake of magnitude 6.5 on the Richter scale with a maximum intensity value of 9 EMS on 26 December 2003 resulted in almost complete destruction of the ancient town of Bam, Iran, and the surrounding area of Baravat, approximately 800km south-east of Tehran. Out of a population of 180,000 the official government report on 29 December 2004 announced a loss of more than 30,000 lives with 50,000 injuries. Damage beyond repair was caused to about 18,000 homes and hundreds of businesses. The historical monument of Arge Bam, parts of which date back 2000 years, was severely damaged. The construction of Arge Bam was based on a traditional method known in the region as chineh, a layer technique, and spread to Arabia and Africa. The materials used were comprised of a mixture of stone, aggregates, clay, lime and pozzolan layered with sun dried blocks of mud clay (khesht ). This paper focuses on the investigation work carried out within the context of proposing a sympathetic restoration method for the historic fabric of Arge Bam (a world heritage site). The proposed method considers the seismic strengthening of the remaining structure with the least possible change within the context of long term maintenance of this historic site.

Author(s): Motamed, J & Alani A. M

Date Published: 01 January 2012

Depositing User: Basiratu Kolawole

Keywords: Arge Bam, Earthquake damage, Heritage conservation, Seismic retrofit, Adobe structures, Structural rehabilitation, Cultural heritage preservation, Iran earthquake 2003, Historic site restoration & Post-earthquake reconstruction

Page(s): 1-4

Place of publication: Dresden, Germany

Publisher: CRC Press

Subject(s): Architecture, Civil Engineering & structural engineering

Type of publication: Journal Article