Module -5

1. DUCTILITY IN EARTHQUAKE RESISTANT STRUCTURES

1.1 Definition of Ductility
Ductility is the ability of a structure or its components to undergo large inelastic
deformations without significant loss of strength. In earthquake engineering,
ductility allows structures to dissipate seismic energy through controlled damage,
preventing sudden brittle failure.
1.2 Importance of Ductility
 Prevents collapse during strong earthquakes
 Provides warning before failure
 Enables redistribution of forces
 Enhances energy dissipation capacity
1.3 Factors Affecting Ductility
Ductility of RC members and structures is influenced by several interrelated
factors, as explained below:
1. Material Properties (Yield Strength and Stress–Strain Behaviour of Steel):
Reinforcing steel with lower yield strength generally exhibits higher ductility. For
example, Fe 415 steel is more ductile than Fe 500 steel, as Fe 415 has a longer
yield plateau and higher elongation capacity. This allows larger plastic
deformations before failure, which is desirable in seismic regions. Higher strength
steels, although economical, tend to be less ductile and must be used with strict
detailing control.
2. Strain Hardening Characteristics: After yielding, reinforcement steel undergoes
strain hardening, enabling it to carry additional stress with increasing strain. Good
strain hardening behaviour enhances energy dissipation and delays fracture,
thereby improving ductility.
3. Section Geometry and Shape: The shape and proportions of a member
influence stress distribution. Slender sections with adequate depth perform
better in flexure. Sudden changes in cross-section or inadequate dimensions can
lead to stress concentration and brittle failure.
4. Confinement of Concrete: Closely spaced transverse reinforcement (stirrups or
hoops) confines the core concrete, delays crushing, and allows larger compressive
strains. Well-confined concrete exhibits significantly higher ductility compared to
unconfined concrete.
5. Reinforcement Detailing: Proper anchorage, development length, lap splices
away from plastic hinge regions, and adequate stirrup spacing are critical. Poor
detailing can cause premature bond failure or bar slip, resulting in brittle
behaviour even if strength is adequate.
6. Axial Load Level: High axial compressive loads, especially in columns, reduce
ductility by accelerating concrete crushing. Columns with moderate axial load
ratios show better rotational capacity and ductile performance under cyclic
loading.
7. Shear Capacity: If shear strength is inadequate, members may fail suddenly in
shear before flexural yielding occurs. To ensure ductility, members must be
designed such that flexural failure precedes shear failure, following the capacity
design philosophy.
8. Construction Quality and Workmanship: Improper bar placement, insufficient
cover, honeycombing, and poor compaction reduce effective confinement and
bond strength, adversely affecting ductility. Good construction practices are
essential to achieve the intended ductile behaviour.

2. DUCTILE DETAILING AS PER IS 13920:2016

(IS 13920 is mandatory for RC structures located in seismic Zones III, IV and V as
per IS 1893)
2.1 Ductile Detailing of Flexural Members (Beams)
Objectives:
 Ensure flexural yielding before shear failure
 Avoid brittle modes of failure
Key Provisions:
 Minimum width of beam ≥ 200 mm
 Beam width ≥ 0.3 times depth
  Factored axial stress ≤ 0.08 fck
Longitudinal Reinforcement:
 Minimum two bars at top and bottom
 Positive steel at joint face ≥ 50% of negative steel
 Steel ratio: 0.24% ≤ pt ≤ 2.5%
Anchorage:
 Full anchorage length into joint core
 Hooks and bends as per IS 456
Transverse Reinforcement (Stirrups):
 Closed stirrups with 135° hooks and 10d extension
 Spacing in plastic hinge region:
o ≤ d/4
o ≤ 8 times diameter of smallest longitudinal bar
o ≤ 100 mm

2.2 Ductile Detailing of Columns

Objectives:
 Prevent column failure before beam yielding (Strong Column–Weak Beam
concept)
Geometric Requirements:
 Minimum column dimension = 200 mm
 Aspect ratio ≥ 0.4
Longitudinal Reinforcement:
 0.8% ≤ p ≤ 6%
 Minimum 6 bars (rectangular), 8 bars (circular)
 Lap splices only in middle half of column height
Transverse Reinforcement (Confinement):
 Special confining reinforcement at beam–column joints
  Spacing ≤ least of:
o 1/4 of minimum member dimension
o 6 times diameter of smallest longitudinal bar
o 100 mm

2.3 Beam–Column Joints

 Adequate confinement reinforcement
 No lap splices inside joint region
 Joint shear strength ensured through hoops

3. DESIGN OF DUCTILE RC BEAMS (SEISMIC)

Design Philosophy:
 Flexural yielding precedes shear failure
 Capacity design approach
Steps:
1. Compute factored bending moments and shear forces
2. Design flexural reinforcement as per IS 456
3. Compute design shear force considering probable flexural strength
4. Design shear reinforcement based on enhanced shear demand
5. Provide ductile detailing as per IS 13920
Numerical Problems Refer Class Notes
4. SEISMIC DESIGN OF DUCTILE RC COLUMNS
Key Principles:
 Strong column–weak beam
 High confinement in plastic hinge zones
Design Steps:
1. Calculate axial load and bending moments
2. Design longitudinal reinforcement
 3. Check interaction ratio
4. Design special confining reinforcement
5. Ensure detailing rules of IS 13920
Numerical Problems Refer Class Notes

5. EARTHQUAKE RESISTANT DESIGN OF MASONRY BUILDINGS

5.1 Performance of Masonry Buildings During Earthquakes
(a) Unreinforced Masonry (URM)
 Brittle behavior
 Poor tensile strength
 Common failures: diagonal cracking, out-of-plane wall collapse
(b) Reinforced Masonry
 Steel reinforcement improves tensile and shear capacity
 Better energy dissipation
(c) Infill Masonry Walls
 Increase stiffness and strength of RC frames
 Can cause soft storey effects if irregularly distributed

5.2 Box Action in Masonry Buildings

Definition:
Box action refers to the three-dimensional behaviour of a masonry building in
which all load-resisting elements such as walls, floors, and roof act together as an
integral unit to resist earthquake forces. When box action is achieved, seismic
forces are effectively distributed to all walls, reducing the possibility of local or
partial collapse.
Explanation and Importance: In the absence of box action, individual walls tend
to behave independently and may fail due to out-of-plane bending or sliding.
Proper box action ensures that inertia forces generated at floor and roof levels
are transferred safely to the load-bearing walls, improving overall stability and
seismic performance.
Requirements for Achieving Box Action: - Proper interlocking of walls: Cross
walls and longitudinal walls must be well bonded at junctions to allow force
transfer. - Continuous horizontal seismic bands: Plinth, lintel, and roof bands tie
all walls together at different levels, preventing separation during shaking. - Rigid
floor and roof diaphragms: Floors and roofs should act as horizontal diaphragms
to distribute lateral loads to the walls according to their stiffness. - Adequate
wall-to-floor connections: Anchoring of walls with floors and roofs is essential to
prevent out-of-plane failures.

5.3 Lintel and Sill Bands

Purpose of Seismic Bands: Seismic bands are horizontal reinforced concrete
elements provided in masonry buildings to improve integrity, continuity, and
earthquake resistance. They hold the structure together and prevent differential
movement of walls during seismic shaking.
Types of Bands and Their Functions:
 Plinth Band: Provided at plinth level, especially in soft or uneven soil
conditions. It helps distribute seismic forces uniformly and reduces
settlement-related cracks.
 Lintel Band (Most Important): Provided at lintel level above openings. It
ties all walls together, reduces stress concentration around doors and
windows, and significantly improves box action. As per seismic design
practice, lintel band is mandatory in earthquake-prone regions.
 Roof Band: Provided at roof level to ensure proper connection between
walls and roof. It is essential when the roof is flexible (timber or steel truss
roofs).
 Sill Band: Provided at window sill level in buildings with large or numerous
openings. It improves wall stiffness and controls cracking between
openings.
5.4 Elastic Properties of Structural Masonry
Elastic properties of masonry are required for seismic analysis and design. As per
IS codes (IS 3495, IS 4326 and related guidelines), the following properties are
commonly adopted:
 Modulus of Elasticity (Em): Em = 550 to 1000 fm, where fm is the
compressive strength of masonry. The lower value is used for conservative
seismic design.
 Poisson’s Ratio (μ): Typically varies from 0.15 to 0.25 depending on
masonry type.
 Shear Modulus (G): G ≈ 0.4 Em, used in lateral stiffness calculations.
 Unit Weight of Masonry: Generally, ranges between 18 to 20 kN/m³ for
brick masonry and 20 to 22 kN/m³ for stone masonry, used for seismic
weight estimation.
 Tensile Strength: Very low compared to compressive strength, which
explains the brittle behaviour of unreinforced masonry under earthquakes.

5.5 Lateral Load Analysis of Masonry Buildings

Lateral load analysis of masonry buildings is carried out using equivalent static
method as per IS 1893.
Steps Involved:
1. Seismic Weight Calculation: Seismic weight includes self-weight of masonry
walls, floors, roofs, and a portion of live load as specified in IS 1893.
2. Base Shear Estimation: Base shear (V) is calculated using: V = Ah × W
where Ah is the design horizontal seismic coefficient and W is the seismic
weight of the building.
3. Distribution of Lateral Forces: The base shear is distributed along the
height of the building in proportion to the mass and height of each floor
level.
 4. Load Transfer Mechanism: Floor diaphragms transfer lateral forces to
masonry walls, which resist them through in-plane shear and bending
action.
5. Check for Stability: Walls are checked for shear, sliding, and overturning
failures.

6. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF

MASONRY BUILDINGS
 Provision of Seismic Bands: Horizontal bands at plinth, lintel, sill, and roof
levels improve integrity and box action.
 Control of Openings: Size and location of openings should be limited to
avoid weakening of walls. Openings should be symmetrically placed.
 Proper Wall Interlocking: Effective bonding between cross walls ensures
force transfer and prevents separation.
 Use of Reinforced Masonry: Incorporation of steel reinforcement enhances
tensile strength and ductility.
 Vertical Reinforcement: Vertical bars provided at corners, junctions, and
wall ends improve resistance to tensile stresses and control vertical
cracking during earthquakes.

7. RETROFITTING OF MASONRY BUILDINGS

7.1 Objectives of Retrofitting
 Improve strength, stiffness and ductility
 Prevent collapse during earthquakes
7.2 Common Retrofitting Techniques
 Adding RC bands and jacketing
 Ferrocement overlays
 Steel ties and anchors
 Grouting of cracks
  Adding shear walls or buttresses
7.3 Selection Criteria
Selection of retrofitting technique depends on several factors:
 RC Jacketing: Used when significant strength and stiffness enhancement is
required.
Advantages: High effectiveness, improves ductility.
Disadvantages: Costly, increases member size and weight.
 Ferrocement Overlays: Suitable for improving in-plane shear strength of
masonry walls.
 Advantages: Thin, economical, easy to apply.
Disadvantages: Limited effectiveness for severe deficiencies.
 Steel Ties and Anchors: Used to improve wall-to-wall and wall-to-floor
connections.
Advantages: Quick installation, minimal disturbance.
Disadvantages: Requires corrosion protection.
 Grouting of Cracks: Suitable for restoring strength of cracked masonry.
Advantages: Simple and economical.
Disadvantages: Does not significantly improve ductility.
 Addition of Shear Walls or Buttresses: Used when global lateral strength is
insufficient.
Advantages: Highly effective in seismic resistance.
Disadvantages: Architectural and functional constraints.