A Construction Technology Adaptations in Composite RCC–Pre-Engineered Residential Building: A Case Study from Kathmandu Valley

Abstract

The devastating earthquake that highly affected Nepal in April of 2015 raised awareness of the country’s building practices and escalated the transition to a modern, resilient building system, especially in the rapidly growing housing settlements of Kathmandu. In this meantime, the efficiency and structural merit of RCC–Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) construction have drawn a lot of attention from different societies; but fewer studies and research have responded to practical on-site adaptations in urban zones. This case study focusses on a three and half story residential building of height 12 meters in total, that integrates a hybrid RCC-steel structural building. RCC beam and columns, a mid-bay PEB beam, composite slabs, integrated footings with anchor bolts, and lift pit make up the structure modern and incorporating urban amenities. The implementation of pulley-based erection techniques supported by RCC columns permitted the safe and effective lifting of heavy fabricated PEB beams after observations showed that typical crane mobilization was difficult to mobilize. These techniques—pulley systems, integration of RCC and PEB members, and optimized detailing—systematically addressed site limits while withstanding structural integrity. The research focus that these methods are repeatable and context-specific, connecting theoretical design with real-world practical implementation and providing clear information about resilient building construction in countries like Nepal where developing physical infrastructure industries are growing rapidly and possible area for generating employment which leads to uplift developing economies and businesses.