www.sefindia.org

[dhirendra at karmyogi.com]

Dear All,

The vast population of existing structures in India would not meet
earthquake safety needs.

In my opinion to improve the earthquake safety of a significant
percentage of such structures it would require incorporation of the
strength and flexibility of steel.

In cities affected by the 2001 Gujarat quake there are now many
structures in urgent need of retrofitting. I feel the local structural
engineers are aware of the fact that steel can/should be used in
retrofitting but have little to go by in terms of a method of arriving
at detailed design af a steel based retrofitting. Even for relatively
simple structures which form a significant percentage.

Retrofitting  enjoys less priority because even new constructions are
yet to be addressed fully. Also retrofitting is exposed to many
essentially non engineering influences such as  earthquake threat
perception, availability of adequate information on existing structure
to make a confident retrofitting determination, quantification of
improved safety post retrofitting  and therefore justifiability of cost
etc..

On the other hand the main loss of life and property in an earthquake
occurs in these structures. So they can't be totally ignored.

Is any attempt underway to provide guidance for steel based retrofitting
to the extent possible, with or without the involvement of the Govt.?

Do steel companies view this opportunity as a significant viable
marketing opportunity?

Would steel companies ( who already have a lot of research on the
efficacy and usage of steel in structures available) regard assisting
inadequately informed structural engineers as fulfilling a social
responsibility?

In the aftermath of the Gujarat quake I had noticed some articles/tv
clips on cage style retrofitting solutions. So there are some options
available. But even simple options will require fully detailed
information to implement.

with regards,

Dhirendra Tripathi

Posted via Email