Confined Unreinforced Masonry Walls for Earthquake Resistance
(Sponsored by the Ministry of Human Resources Development, New Delhi)
The research project focuses on improving the ability of unreinforced masonry walls (URM) to resist earthquake loads by confining them in a network of weak frames, which subdivides the long slender walls in many sub panels. Many traditional systems using similar techniques have performed significantly better than contemporary URM walls. The research aims at developing a design methodology for such a system which can deliver expected seismic performance.
Aluminum Shear-Links for Passive Control of Seismic Response of Structures
(Sponsored by the Ministry of Human Resources Development, New Delhi)
The behaviour of structural systems that use Aluminum Shear-Links as energy dissipating devices for earthquake-resistance are studied. Aluminum shear-links are I-shaped beams of low-yield alloys of aluminum which are strategically placed in a structural system such that under the action of lateral seismic loads, they yield in shear mode.
Experimental Investigation of Cyclic Behaviour of RC Flexural Members
(Sponsored by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Bombay)
The objective was to assess the performance of beams and beam-column joints with different types of reinforcement detailing under cyclic (earthquake type) loads.
Experimental Investigation of Cyclic Behaviour of RC Frames with Brick Infill Walls
(Sponsored by the All India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi)
The contribution of brick infills to the strength, stiffness and ductility capacity of frames for different infill configurations is assessed.
Experimental Evaluation of Precast Technologies for Seismic Applications (In collaboration with Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee)
The Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, developed various precast technologies over the years for mass housing in the country. As part of a collaborative research program, their validity under strong seismic shaking has been examined. Four Masters’ theses based on experimental work have been conducted. The collaborative research topics include: (a) In-plane diaphragm action of precast CBRI plank and joist roofing system, (b) Cyclic performance of precast beam-column joints, (c) Seismic retrofitting of masonry buildings with CBRI channel roofing system, and (d) Seismic retrofitting of RC buildings with structural walls.
Strong Ground Motion Instrumentation of Villages Reconstructed after 1993 Killari Earthquake )
(Sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi
Free-field strong ground motion characteristics were studied in three reconstructed villages in Latur and Osmanabad districts after the Latur earthquake. Three triaxial accelerographs (make M/s Geosys Inc., Switzerland) were deployed in these villages for a period of about 4 years; during this period, one small quake event was recorded which provided interesting information about ground motion characteristics in the region.
Digital Upgrade For Analog Strong Motion Accelerographs
(Sponsored by the Civil Engineering Department, IIT Kanpur)
Strong motion data recorded during an earthquake provides valuable information for design of earthquake resistant structures. Strong Motion Accelerograph (Model: SMA-1; Kinemetrics Inc., USA) is a reliable, battery operated analog strong motion instrument specifically designed to measure strong ground motions due to earthquakes and structural response.The prototype DSMR developed in-house is an embedded system comprising of a CCD image sensor which is placed at the location of the photographic film and a flash memory which is used to store the scanned data. The sequence of operation is shown in the following block diagram.
