ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the study and the assessment of the vulnerability of 18 traditional earthen buildings of the villages Pathari (Kabesa) and Tana (Zome), both in Punakha district, Bhutan. It provides the information on the most relevant architectural, constructive and structural features of the buildings; a particular focus given to the rammed earth walls and to the seismic resilient features observed. A survey form was filled in for each building. The gathered information was organized into five parts. The first three parts focus on the owner, the building and the rammed earth walls characteristics. The other two parts register complementary data and compile photos. The original walls and the walls of most of the extensions are generally made of rammed earth and give support to timber floors and roofs. The thickness of the assessed walls of the 18 houses varies between 580 mm and 770 mm, with an average of 630 mm.
