Module 5

Q1. Explain duc lity in earthquake-resistant structures. Discuss the factors

affec ng duc lity.
Answer:
Defini on of Duc lity
Duc lity is the ability of a structure or its components to undergo large inelas c
(plas c) deforma ons without significant loss of strength. In earthquake engineering,
duc lity allows structures to absorb and dissipate seismic energy through controlled
yielding, thereby preven ng sudden bri le collapse.
Importance of Duc lity
 Prevents catastrophic collapse during strong ground shaking
 Provides warning before failure due to visible cracking and deforma on
 Allows redistribu on of internal forces a er yielding
 Enhances energy dissipa on capacity of the structure
Factors Affec ng Duc lity
1. Material Proper es of Reinforcement Steel
Steel with lower yield strength exhibits higher duc lity. Fe 415 steel is more
duc le than Fe 500 steel due to:
o Longer yield plateau
o Higher elonga on capacity
Hence, Fe 415 is preferred in seismic zones.
2. Strain Hardening Characteris cs
A er yielding, steel undergoes strain hardening, enabling it to sustain addi onal
stress with increasing strain, improving energy dissipa on.
3. Sec on Geometry and Shape
Members with adequate depth and uniform cross-sec on show be er flexural
 duc lity. Sudden change in cross-sec on leads to stress concentra on and bri le
failure.
4. Confinement of Concrete
Closely spaced s rrups confine the concrete core, delay crushing, and allow
higher compressive strains, thereby increasing duc lity.
5. Reinforcement Detailing
Proper anchorage, adequate development length, correct lap splice loca on, and
closely spaced s rrups are essen al to avoid bri le bond failures.
6. Axial Load Level
High axial compression reduces duc lity by accelera ng concrete crushing.
Columns with moderate axial loads perform be er under cyclic loading.
7. Shear Capacity
Inadequate shear strength results in sudden bri le shear failure. Hence,
structures must be designed so that flexural failure occurs before shear failure.
8. Construc on Quality
Poor workmanship, honeycombing, improper cover, and bar misplacement
reduce confinement and bond strength, affec ng duc lity.

Q2. Explain duc le detailing requirements for RC beams as per IS

13920:2016.
Answer:
IS 13920:2016 specifies special detailing provisions to ensure duc le behaviour of
beams under earthquake loading.
Objec ves
 Ensure flexural yielding before shear failure
 Prevent bri le modes of failure
Geometric Requirements
 Minimum beam width = 200 mm
  Beam width ≥ 0.3 mes depth
 Factored axial stress ≤ 0.08 fck
Longitudinal Reinforcement
 Minimum two bars at top and bo om throughout length
 Posi ve moment steel at joint face ≥ 50% of nega ve steel
 Steel percentage: 0.24% ≤ pt ≤ 2.5%
Anchorage Requirements
 Full development length into joint core
 Hooks and bends as per IS 456
 No curtailment of bars in joint region
Transverse Reinforcement (S rrups)
 Closed s rrups with 135° hooks and 10d extension
 In plas c hinge zone, spacing ≤ least of:
o d/4
o 8ϕ of smallest longitudinal bar
o 100 mm
(Neat beam detailing diagram should be drawn)

Q3. Explain duc le detailing provisions for RC columns as per IS 13920:2016.

Answer:
Columns are cri cal ver cal load-resis ng members and must be detailed to avoid
premature failure during earthquakes.
Design Philosophy
 Strong column – weak beam concept
 Columns should not fail before beams
Geometric Requirements
 Minimum column dimension = 200 mm
 Aspect ra o ≥ 0.4
Longitudinal Reinforcement
 Reinforcement ra o: 0.8% ≤ p ≤ 6%
 Minimum 6 bars for rectangular, 8 bars for circular columns
 Lap splices permi ed only in middle half of column height
Transverse Reinforcement (Confinement)
 Special confining reinforcement in:
o Beam–column joints
o Plas c hinge regions
 Spacing ≤ least of:
o 1/4 of minimum dimension
o 6ϕ of longitudinal bar
o 100 mm
Beam–Column Joint Detailing
 No lap splices in joint region
 Adequate confinement reinforcement provided
(Neat column confinement diagram should be drawn)

Q4. Explain the concept of box ac on in masonry buildings. Why is it

important during earthquakes?
Answer:
Defini on
Box ac on refers to the three-dimensional behaviour of masonry buildings in which
walls, floors, and roof act together as a single unit to resist earthquake forces.
Importance of Box Ac on
 Prevents independent wall movement
 Reduces out-of-plane wall collapse
 Ensures uniform distribu on of seismic forces
 Improves overall stability and integrity
Behaviour Without Box Ac on
 Walls behave independently
 Out-of-plane bending and separa on at junc ons
 Par al or total collapse
Requirements for Achieving Box Ac on
1. Proper interlocking of walls
2. Con nuous seismic bands at plinth, lintel, and roof levels
3. Rigid floor and roof diaphragms
4. Effec ve wall-to-floor anchorage
(Neat box ac on diagram must be drawn)

Q5. Explain the role of seismic bands in earthquake-resistant masonry

buildings.
Answer:
Seismic bands are horizontal reinforced concrete elements that improve integrity and
earthquake resistance of masonry buildings.
Func ons
 Tie walls together
  Control cracking
 Improve box ac on
Types of Seismic Bands
1. Plinth Band
Reduces differen al se lement and distributes seismic forces.
2. Lintel Band (Most Important)
Provided above openings, controls stress concentra on and improves box
ac on.
3. Roof Band
Ensures proper wall–roof connec on, essen al for flexible roofs.
4. Sill Band
Provided when openings are large or numerous to control cracking.
(Neat diagram of bands should be drawn)

Q6. Explain failure modes of unreinforced masonry buildings during

earthquakes.
Answer:
URM buildings perform poorly during earthquakes due to low tensile strength and lack
of reinforcement.
Failure Modes
1. Diagonal Shear Cracking
Caused by in-plane shear forces, leading to X-shaped cracks.
2. Out-of-Plane Wall Failure
Walls bend and collapse due to lack of anchorage.
3. Separa on at Wall Junc ons
Occurs due to poor interlocking and absence of bands.
Reasons
  Bri le behaviour
 No seismic bands
 Lack of ver cal reinforcement
(Neat URM failure diagrams to be drawn)

Q7. Explain retrofi ng techniques for masonry buildings with advantages

and disadvantages.
Answer:
Retrofi ng improves seismic safety of exis ng masonry buildings.
Techniques
1. RC Jacke ng
Advantages: High strength and duc lity
Disadvantages: Costly, increases weight
2. Ferrocement Overlays
Advantages: Thin, economical
Disadvantages: Limited effec veness
3. Steel Ties and Anchors
Advantages: Easy installa on
Disadvantages: Corrosion risk
4. Grou ng of Cracks
Advantages: Simple and economical
Disadvantages: No duc lity improvement
5. Shear Walls / Bu resses
Advantages: Highly effec ve
Disadvantages: Architectural constraints