SEANep Current Events

Field Visit Report

Collapse of Truss Roof at Manipal Medical College, Pokhara

Objectives

The chief objectives of the site visit to the accident site were to

• Take first hand information from the concern officials, witnesses and injured pertaining to the collapse of the roof structure causing such a large casualties.
• Document the post-collapse scenario especially concerning remaining structures and fallen structures.
• Gather other information necessary for further scrutiny.
• Identity likely causes of structural failure of the roof structure.

Salient Features of the Accident Site

The accident site is a type of rectangular yard of size approximately 20 m by 33 m. The main hospital building at the site of accident consists of building blocks at three sides and another side is only a plane frame tied orthogonally to a braced frame at the ends. The six-story building was further raised a story consisting walls at four sides architecturally to receive light through windows in these walls.