AR-20-018 - ABC - Earthquake Report

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REPORT

ON

Earthquake-Resistant Design and Post-


Seismic Retrofitting
FOR

Architectural Building Construction

ABC – SEM 09

Chahak Jain –

AR-20-018

2024 – 25
1. WHAT IS AN EARTHQUAKE AND ITS
EFFECTS?
An earthquake is a natural phenomenon where the earth's surface
shakes due to the sudden release of energy in the earth's lithosphere.
This energy release occurs when accumulated stress, typically from
tectonic plate movements, overcomes the strength of rocks along a
fault line, causing a rapid slip along the fault. The energy radiates
through seismic waves, which we feel during an earthquake. When
tectonic plates grind against each other or collide, stress builds up
until it is released in the form of seismic waves, which radiate outward
from the earthquake's focus (the point within the Earth where the
earthquake originates). The point on the Earth's surface directly
above the focus is known as the epicenter.

Figure 2: Normal (dip-slip) fault is an inclined fracture where the rock mass above an inclined fault moves down
Source: (Wald)
Types of Seismic Waves:
1. P-Waves (Primary Waves): These are the fastest seismic waves
and the first to be detected by seismographs. They compress and
expand the ground in the direction of travel, similar to sound
waves.
2. S-Waves (Secondary Waves): These waves move slower than P-
waves and move the ground perpendicular to the direction of
travel, causing more damage.
3. Surface Waves: These waves travel along the Earth's surface and
are responsible for most of the damage during an earthquake.
They cause the ground to move up and down and side to side
Effects of Earthquakes:
Earthquakes can have devastating effects on both natural and built
environments. The severity of these effects depends on the
earthquake's magnitude, depth, proximity to populated areas, and the
local geological conditions.
• Ground Shaking: The most immediate and destructive effect,
causing buildings, bridges, and other structures to collapse.
• Surface Rupture: The ground can crack and shift, damaging
roads, pipelines, and buildings.
• Soil Liquefaction: Saturated soils lose their strength and behave
like a liquid, causing buildings to tilt or sink.
• Landslides: Earthquakes can trigger landslides, especially in hilly
or mountainous regions.
• Tsunamis: Undersea earthquakes can generate tsunamis, leading
to massive flooding and destruction in coastal areas.
• Aftershocks: Smaller tremors following the main earthquake can
cause further damage to already weakened structures.
The effects of earthquakes extend beyond physical destruction,
impacting economies, disrupting lives, and posing long-term
challenges for recovery and rebuilding.
2. HOW DO YOU PLAN BUILDINGS FOR
EARTHQUAKES?
Principles of Earthquake-Resistant Design:
Designing buildings to withstand earthquakes involves understanding
how seismic forces impact structures and implementing strategies to
mitigate those forces. The goal is to ensure that buildings remain
standing during an earthquake, protecting the lives of occupants and
allowing for safe evacuation.
Key Design Strategies:
1. Structural Configuration:
o Symmetry: Buildings with symmetrical layouts are less likely
to experience torsional forces, which can cause twisting
during an earthquake.
o Simple Shapes: Simple, regular shapes like squares and
rectangles are more stable under seismic forces compared
to irregular or complex shapes.
o Height and Proportion: The height-to-width ratio of a
building affects its stability. Taller buildings need to be
designed with additional considerations for lateral forces.
2. Foundation Design:
o Deep Foundations: Pile foundations or caissons can
transfer loads to deeper, more stable soil layers, reducing the
impact of surface ground shaking.
o Base Isolation: Base isolators, made of flexible materials
like rubber, are placed between a building’s foundation and
superstructure. They absorb seismic energy, allowing the
building to move independently of the ground, reducing the
forces transmitted to the structure.
3. Structural Reinforcement:
o Shear Walls: These are vertical elements that provide
additional stiffness and strength to a building, helping it resist
lateral forces. They are often placed around stairwells,
elevator shafts, and building cores.
o Bracing Systems: Diagonal braces made of steel or other
strong materials are used to reinforce walls and frames,
reducing deformation during an earthquake.
o Moment-Resisting Frames: These frames are designed to
withstand bending forces, allowing the building to flex without
collapsing.
4. Materials and Construction Techniques:
o Ductile Materials: Using materials that can absorb and
dissipate energy, such as reinforced concrete and steel,
helps buildings withstand the shaking motion of an
earthquake.
o Lightweight Materials: Reducing the weight of non-
structural elements, such as walls and cladding, minimizes
the load on the structure and reduces the risk of collapse.
o Flexible Connections: Using flexible connections in building
joints allows parts of the structure to move independently
without causing significant damage.
5. Non-Structural Considerations:
o Securing Fixtures: Heavy fixtures, equipment, and furniture
should be securely anchored to prevent them from toppling
during an earthquake.
o Glazing and Partitions: Using safety glass and flexible
framing for partitions can reduce the risk of injury from
shattering glass.
Case Study: Bank of China Tower, Hong Kong
Introduction: The Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong is an iconic skyscraper that stands
as a symbol of modern architectural design and engineering. Designed by the renowned
architect I.M. Pei, the building was completed in 1990 and has since been a landmark in
Hong Kong’s skyline. Given Hong Kong’s location in a seismically active region, and the
building’s importance, retrofitting and restoration efforts have been vital in ensuring its
structural integrity and longevity.

Case Study: Bhuj Hospital, Gujarat


Introduction: The Bhuj Hospital in Gujarat, India, faced significant structural challenges
after the devastating earthquake that struck the region on January 26, 2001. The
earthquake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, caused widespread destruction across
the Kutch region, leading to the collapse of numerous buildings, including hospitals. The
retrofitting and restoration of Bhuj Hospital became a crucial project to restore
healthcare services in the area and ensure the hospital's resilience against future
seismic events.

3. MANAGEMENT DURING AN EARTHQUAKE.


DISASTER MITIGATION.
4. BUILDING RETROFICATION AFTER
EARTHQUAKE DAMAGES.

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