Abstract

Urbanization is rapidly increasing all over the world. Past two decades in India many cities have attracted large population. Reasons being the belief of better education health care job/business prospects etc. For meeting the demands of population density many high-rise structures and large public gathering places are emerging in cities. Places where few thousands of people can meet are quite common in major cities. It is due to this reason evacuation at the public gathering places has gained a lot of importance

Abstract

This paper describes the procedure of vulnerability assessment for building structures in AP India. The objective of this paper is to define the building classification and development of damage probability matrix using fragility curve parameters of the building structures in Andhra Pradesh by using the avaiable information in Vulnerability Atlas of India developed by Building Materials and Technology promotion council Govt. of India (BMTPC).

Abstract

Earthquake Problems are not new to the country. We have witnessed several moderate earthquakes in the last two decades causing innumerable property loss and life loss. In order to minimize the loasses. We need to raise the awareness about earthquake resistant design of structures. This can be achieved by spreading the information on hazard vulnerability and risk to concerend people.

Abstract

This paper describes the procedure of vulnerability assessment of structures for site specific peak ground acceleration. The objective of this paper is to define the building classification and development of damage probability matrix which represent the vulnerability of structure. The organization of this paper is as follows. First, the types of the structures are reviewed and a classification of structure based on the available data with Vulnerability Atlas of India is done. Second, the description of methodologies developed under various organizations is studied, adopted and summarized. Third, the theoretical methodology of the vulnerability analysis using fragility curve parameters given by HAZUS and capacity curve generated using SAP2000 for typical structure are presented and performance of structure is calculated by using capacity spectrum method.

Abstract

When an active bedrock fault ruptures, the movement along the fault propagates through the overlying soil and produces zones of intense shear. If the fault movement propagates upto or near the ground surface, the damage to constructed facilities due to faulting, in conjunction with that induced by strong ground motion, can be significant. This paper contributes to the understanding of the response of soil deposits to the underlying bedrock fault displacement. In the conventional attenuation relationship, peak ground acceleration shows maximum value at the closest distance from the fault. However, in the real observations, sometimes it is found that the damage near to the surface fault is not maximum, instead it is high little away from the surface rupture zone. To understand the above-mentioned response of soil deposits, we attempted to develop a new application to Applied Element Method (AEM) by modeling the fault rupture zone. In this, we study the behavior of dip-slip faults. The effect of the slip velocity on the ground motion is studied first and then the attenuation of PGA in the near fault zone is studied. Effect of the material properties is also discussed.

Abstract

Earthquake, now everyone is familiar with this word. We have clearly witnessed during the recent Sumatra, Indonesia earthquake (M 9.0) the amount of damage an earthquake can cause to the society. Had this earthquake occurred on land, it would have easily damaged few hundreds of kilometers and the damage estimates would have been unimaginable. Earthquakes are not new to our country. We have had the long history of earthquake occurrences. Some of the major earthquakes of the world occurred in our country and neighborhood areas. During past 15 years also we have witnessed 6 moderate earthquakes: Bihar-Nepal border (M6.4) in 1988, Uttarkashi, Uttaranchal (M6.6) in 1991, Latur, Maharastra (M6.3) in 1993, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh (M6.0) in 1997, Chamoli, Uttaranchal (M6.8) in 1999 and Bhuj, Gujarat (M6.9) in 20011). These earthquakes caused around 40,000 casualties (see Table 1) and innumerable property loss. These events occurred with a time gap of 2 ~ 3 years. Are we ready to face another event? Even with the current level of understanding, it is very difficult to predict the occurrence time and exact location of next earthquake. The only way to ensure the safety is to get prepared.

Abstract

Natural disasters like earthquake, landslide, flood, drought, cyclone, forest fire, volcanic eruption are quite common in different parts of the globe. These natural disasters lead to the loss of life, property damage and socio-economic disruption. Earthquakes are one of the worst among the natural disasters. Seismic zonation map given in IS 1893:2002 shows that India is highly vulnerable for earthquake and over 60% of India is prone to moderate to major earthquakes. During past century, India has witnessed more than 650 earthquakes of magnitude greater than 5 and during past 15 years, 6 earthquakes of magnitude over 6. From recent earthquakes, it is very well understood that lack of awareness is one of the contributing factors for huge casualty losses. In order to increase the awareness about the effects of earthquakes among professionals involved in construction, it is necessary to make them understand the concepts of structural dynamics and earthquake engineering. For this, we have developed a software tool called Interactive Structural Dynamics Learning Kit (ISDLK) for explaining structural dynamics in a simple manner. For convenience in explaining the concepts, we divided the tool into six modules. Each module contains few experiments with good G.U.I. In these modules, user can input the value and he/she can find the desired results with explanation using graphical diagram. At the end of sixth module, user can understand the complete dynamic behavior of a structure. ISDLK aims to help students, architects and design professional in understanding structural dynamics.

Abstract

India has witnessed 6 earthquakes during past 15 years causing around 40,000 casualties and immense property loss. More than 90% of these casualties are due to collapse of buildings and they occurred within very short period of time after the earthquake. Hence, for reducing casualty losses and subsequent consequences due to earthquake, it is very important to study the response of structures due to seismic excitations. For studying the response of the structures and consequent issues after the earthquake disaster, information technology can play a major role. This paper contributes to understand the importance of information technology in earthquake disaster mitigation.

Abstract

India has witnessed 6 earthquakes during past 15 years causing around 40,000 casualties and immense property loss. More than 90% of these casualties are due to collapse of buildings and they occurred within very short period of time after the earthquake. Hence, for reducing casualty losses and subsequent consequences due to earthquake, it is very important to study the response of structures due to seismic excitations. This paper contributes to understand the importance of concrete constructions in earthquake disaster mitigation. Paper first discusses the effects of earthquakes of past in general and gives a brief summary of 26th Jan, Bhuj earthquake. Shortcomings observed in constructions during authors visit to Bhuj are highlighted. Finally the recommendations for concrete constructions are given.

Abstract

This article aims to understandthe response of soil deposits underlying bedrock fault displacement in three dimensions. When an active bedrock fault ruptures movement along the fault propagates through the overlying soil and produces zones of intense shear. Hence it is important to study the sruface behaviour based on fault characteristics. Hence we attempted to develop application of applied element method by modelling the fault rupure zone. In this article we have modelled the fault rupture problem in three dimensions. First a simple model is used to illustrate absorption of the bedrock deformation by the overlying soin in elastic case. In the later part nonlinear analysis is carried out to study the complex failure propogation in three dimensions. Influence of mechanical propertices of the material is also discussed.