End Date : 25th Feb 2024 at 05:30 PM

   Venue : Khurana Hall, Seminar Hall Complex, NIT, Warangal.

Organized by : Civil Engineering Department, NIT Warangal    

Sponsored by : Science and Engineering Research Board (a statutory body of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India)     

This workshop was a ground-breaking event for professionals and researchers in the field of earthquake engineering and disaster risk management. This intensive program, designed to address the critical need for resilient infrastructure in earthquake-prone regions, offered participants a deep dive into the latest methodologies and software tools for assessing and enhancing the seismic resilience of RC buildings. The program featured an impressive lineup of speakers from various renowned institutes and organizations like Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, NIDM – Jammu, IISc Bangalore, CSIR-CBRI Roorkee, VNIT-Nagpur, etc., each bringing their unique expertise and insights into the field of seismic engineering and resilience.

The workshop had clear direction setting in the inaugural session by Dr. Bidyadhar Subudhi, Director, National Institute of Technology-Warangal, Dr. Girish Chandra Joshi, Senior consultant at Uttarakhand State Disaster Management, Prof.T. D. Gunneswara Rao, Head of Civil Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology-Warangaland the coordinators of the program Prof. K. Gopikrishna and Prof. M.V.N. Siva Kumar, National Institute of Technology Warangal.

The workshop commenced with a specialized lecture from Dr. Girish Chandra Joshi, senior consultant at Uttarakhand State Disaster Management. He discussed the critical aspects of seismology and structural integrity. His insights were invaluable for architects, engineers, policymakers, and anyone involved in disaster preparedness and response, reflecting a blend of academic knowledge and practical experience that is crucial for addressing the challenges posed by natural calamities.

Day 2 started with Dr. Anbazhagan, a renowned Professor from the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, who is a distinguished figure in the field of seismic engineering and geo-hazard assessment. Through his lecture, he not only elucidated the complexities of seismic zonation but also offered insights into designing structures resilient to seismic forces. His work bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications, fostering a deeper understanding of seismic hazards among professionals and stakeholders.

The session was followed by a hands-on session on the selection and scaling of ground motion records. The session covered critical aspects of identifying appropriate ground motion records based on specific criteria such as magnitude, distance, and site conditions, followed by the scaling of these records to match site-specific seismic hazard levels.

Day 3 was majorly focused on the vulnerability assessment of the existing RC building with Prof. Chandan Ghosh, Resilient Infrastructure Division, National Institute of Disaster Management-Jammu. His comprehensive talk shed light on the critical need for evaluating the resilience of existing reinforced concrete (RC) structures to withstand seismic forces. Prof. Ghosh's insights into vulnerability assessment methodologies, coupled with his emphasis on practical strategies for retrofitting and strengthening vulnerable buildings, were particularly valuable.

Eventually, the session is carried forward by a hands-on session on vulnerability assessment through rapid visual screening providing participants with a practical understanding of assessing the seismic resilience of structures efficiently.

This was followed by a field visit to practically understand the real-world case studies. The participants gained valuable experience in identifying potential structural weaknesses and prioritizing retrofitting measures.

Day 4 started with an expert lecture by Prof. Ramakant Ingle, VNIT-Nagpur, on "Analytical Modelling and Analysis Procedures of RC Buildings Subjected to Earthquake”, His presentation provided an in-depth exploration of the latest methodologies and techniques in the analytical modelling of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings designed to withstand seismic forces. By discussing various analysis procedures and highlighting the importance of incorporating earthquake resistance features in the design phase, he offered valuable insights into enhancing the structural integrity and safety of RC buildings.

This was followed hands-on session on the "Introduction to Modelling and Linear Analysis of RC Buildings" which provided participants with a practical foundation in the fundamentals of structural modelling and analysis techniques specific to reinforced concrete (RC) buildings. This interactive workshop emphasized the use of computational tools and software to simulate the behavior of RC structures under various load conditions, including seismic forces.

Day 5 started with a comprehensive lecture by Professor Ratnish Kumar, VNIT-Nagpur, on "Performance Evaluation of RC Building under Earthquake Load. Prof. Kumar's expertise in evaluating structural responses and his detailed analysis of factors influencing building performance during earthquakes provided a deep dive into the challenges and solutions in ensuring structural safety. His approach to integrating advanced simulation techniques and empirical data in assessing the earthquake readiness of RC structures offered invaluable insights. Through his lecture, Prof. Kumar not only highlighted the importance of rigorous performance evaluation for existing and new buildings but also equipped engineers, architects, and researchers with the knowledge to enhance the seismic resilience of buildings. His contribution through this lecture significantly advances the understanding and application of earthquake engineering principles in the pursuit of safer built environments.

Day 6 was carried out by Dr. Siva Chidambaram, a senior scientist – CBRI Roorkee who is a distinguished expert recognized for his significant contributions to the field of earthquake engineering and disaster risk management. His lecture provided a comprehensive overview of the methodologies and frameworks for evaluating seismic risk and enhancing the resilience of communities and infrastructure. Dr. Chidambaram's in-depth discussion on the importance of integrating resilience planning into the fabric of urban development and infrastructure projects highlighted the need for a proactive approach to disaster mitigation. By exploring the interplay between risk assessments, urban planning, and engineering solutions, he offered valuable insights into building more resilient societies capable of withstanding and rapidly recovering from seismic events. His expertise in the field and ability to convey complex concepts in an accessible manner made a profound impact on participants, fostering a greater understanding of the critical role that resilience plays in disaster risk management.

All the last three days the program was followed by a hands-on session on "Non-Linear Analysis, Seismic Capacity, Performance Characterization, and Assessment of Inelasticity of RC Buildings" which provided an advanced and comprehensive exploration into the dynamic behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) structures under seismic loads. This session allowed participants to delve deep into the critical aspects of non-linear analysis techniques, which are essential for accurately predicting the seismic response of RC buildings. Attendees learned how to assess seismic capacity and evaluate the performance of structures beyond the elastic limit, understanding the implications of inelastic deformations on overall building safety and integrity.

Lastly, concluded the program with the valedictory session which served as a reflective overview of the knowledge gained, experiences shared, and the collaborative efforts undertaken during the workshop.

Event Gallery !!!