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Performance of RC Buildings during 14 February 2006 Sikkim Earthquake: A Review
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Performance of structures in different areas of Sikkim, during the earthquake of 14 February 2006, is reviewed. The earthquake caused damage to heritage structures as well as modern buildings. Both masonry and reinforced concrete buildings showed poor performance. On the other hand, tra-ditionally constructed wooden houses performed extremely well. The damage seen in and around Gangtok was clearly disproportionate to the size of the earthquake, which was a moderate 5.7 on the Richter scale. This very clearly establishes the high level of seismic vulnerability of the region. The damage is primarily attributed to poor design and construction practices, and lack of quality control. Urgent need for trained human resources and for creation of a system of checks and bala-nces, to ensure safe constructions in Sikkim is highlighted.
The rather moderate sized (magnitude 6.6) Bihar earthquake of August 21, 1988 demonstrated clearly that the Indian Engineering profession is far from prepared for a larger earthquake. During the author's extensive travel within the areas affected by this earthquake, it became clearer that the engineering community should immediately initiate serious and coordinated efforts to prepare for the possibility of a large earthquake in many parts of India or nearby countries. This paper discusses some such efforts and possible strategies. Suggested strategies for being better prepared include rationalization and implementation of seismic codes, review of actual construction practices, seismic safety evaluation of critical facilities such as dams and refineries, training and preparation of field engineers for handling post-earthquake situations and learning from earthquakes.
Indian standard criteria for earthquake resistant design of structures -Part 1: General provisions and buildings (Fifth Revision
- R De
- J Kayal
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Microearthquake Surveys," Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 93(3), 1395-1400.
IS:1893 (2002). Indian standard criteria for earthquake resistant design of structures -Part 1: General provisions
and buildings (Fifth Revision), Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.