Important RGPV Question
CE-802(D) Earthquake Resistant Design of Structures
VIII Sem, CE
Unit I–Engineering Seismology
Q.1. Define engineering seismology. How is it different from classical seismology?
Q.2. Describe the major tectonic plates affecting the Indian subcontinent and explain why the Himalyan region is highly seismic.
Q.3. With neat sketches, explain the origin of body waves (P & S) and surface waves (Love & Rayleigh). Comment on their damaging potential.
Q.4. Differentiate between earthquake magnitude and intensity. Give any two commonly used scales for each.
Q.5. Explain Richter magnitude scale and its limitations for large earthquakes.
Q.6. What is Moment Magnitude (Mw)? Why has it largely replaced the Richter scale for large events?
Q.7. Write short notes on: (a) Modified Mercalli Intensity, (b) MSK Intensity scale.
Q.8. List and briefly explain four key earthquake measurement parameters used in engineering applications (e.g., PGA, PGV, duration, frequency content).
Q.9. What are accelerographs? Discuss their role in earthquake engineering design.
Q.10. Explain the typical format of strong motion records (acceleration, velocity, displacement). How are they obtained from seismic instruments?
Q.11. Draw or describe the seismic zoning map of India as per current IS codal provisions. Highlight Zones II to V.
Q.12. How does local soil condition modify ground motion characteristics? Give two field examples.
Q.13. Briefly discuss the causes and engineering significance of intraplate versus interplate earthquakes in India.
Q.14. State the geological setting and seismicity characteristics of any one of the following regions: (a) Peninsular India, (b) North-East India, (c) Kachchh.
Q.15. Explain earthquake recurrence interval. How can historical seismicity data be used for preliminary seismic hazard assessment?
Unit II – Response Spectrum & Seismic Force Computation
Q.16. Define a response spectrum. What engineering information does it provide that a raw accelerogram does not?
Q.17. Differentiate between elastic and inelastic response spectra. When is each used?
Q.18. Explain the construction and interpretation of a tripartite (D‑V‑A) response spectrum chart.
Q.19. Sketch a typical design response spectrum as used in Indian seismic codes. Label key regions.
Q.20. Discuss the influence of damping ratio on the shape and ordinates of response spectra.
Q.21. Explain strong motion duration and its relevance in seismic design of building structures.
Q.22. A single‑degree‑of‑freedom (SDOF) system with natural period 0.8 s and 5% damping is subjected to design spectrum Sa = 0.3g at that period. Compute the maximum elastic base shear if the seismic weight is 1500 kN.
Q.23. Describe the step‑by‑step procedure for computing design base shear for a multi‑storeyed building as per IS 1893 (latest Part‑1 edition referenced by your syllabus).
Q.24. What is the design horizontal seismic coefficient? Write its expression and define each term used in the code.
Q.25. Explain vertical distribution of seismic forces along the height of a building per code provisions. Why is higher force assigned to upper stories?
Q.26. Describe modal (dynamic) analysis and its advantages over equivalent static method for irregular and tall buildings.
Q.27. Define modal mass participation factor. How is it used in combining modal responses?
Q.28. Compare SRSS and CQC modal combination rules. When should CQC be preferred?
Q.29. A 5‑storey RC building in Zone IV has fundamental mode participation mass ratio of 70%. Discuss whether additional modes must be included for seismic design and why.
Q.30. Enumerate the limitations of using only code design spectra versus site‑specific spectra derived from recorded or simulated ground motions.
Unit III – Aseismic Structural Modelling, Irregularities & Masonry
Q.31. List desirable structural configuration features for earthquake resistant buildings (at least five). Briefly explain.
Q.32. What are plan irregularities? Give examples: re‑entrant corners, unsymmetrical plans, diaphragm discontinuities.
Q.33. What are vertical irregularities? Explain stiffness irregularity (soft storey) and mass irregularity with sketches.
Q.34. Define a soft storey. Why are open ground storey buildings vulnerable in earthquakes?
Q.35. Explain torsional irregularity in buildings. How does eccentricity between CM and CR arise?
Q.36. Summarize code provisions (IS 1893 guidance) related to soft storey and torsional irregularities.
Q.37. What modeling adjustments or design strategies can be used to mitigate excessive interstorey drift in a soft storey?
Q.38. Discuss the effect of unreinforced masonry infill walls on the lateral stiffness and strength of RC frames.
Q.39. Describe two simplified analytical models used to represent infill masonry panels in RC frame analysis (e.g., equivalent diagonal strut model).
Q.40. Why can partial or irregular infills create torsional effects in buildings? Illustrate.
Q.41. Discuss typical earthquake damage patterns observed in masonry buildings (out‑of‑plane failure, diagonal shear cracking, corner separation, etc.).
Q.42. Explain the shear strength and flexural strength considerations for masonry walls under lateral loading.
Q.43. Define slenderness ratio for masonry walls. How does it influence out‑of‑plane stability during earthquakes?
Q.44. Suggest seismic strengthening measures for existing unreinforced masonry buildings (bands, ties, buttresses, splints & anchors).
Q.45. A load‑bearing brick masonry wall 230 mm thick and 3.0 m unsupported height is located in Zone V. Discuss key checks and detailing to improve its earthquake performance.
Unit IV – Seismic Design Philosophy, Ductility & Detailing
Q.46. State the basic objectives of seismic design philosophy (damage control, life safety, collapse prevention).
Q.47. Explain the concept of design earthquake vs maximum considered earthquake (MCE) as used in performance expectations.
Q.48. Write the typical seismic load combination format used in design per Indian practice (gravity + lateral + factors).
Q.49. Define ductility. Why is ductility more critical than strength alone in seismic design?
Q.50. Explain energy absorption and hysteretic behavior in reinforced concrete members subjected to cyclic loading.
Q.51. What is confinement of concrete? Describe how transverse reinforcement improves ductility in columns.
Q.52. List ductile detailing provisions for RC beams in seismic zones (anchorage, shear reinforcement, development length, strong column–weak beam intent).
Q.53. Enumerate ductile detailing provisions for RC columns (hoop spacing, lap splice location, confining reinforcement in plastic hinge regions).
Q.54. Discuss capacity design concepts: strong column–weak beam; shear design after flexural hinging.
Q.55. Explain why irregular load paths reduce ductility demand distribution in buildings.
Q.56. Define overstrength and response reduction factor (R). How is R related to ductility in codal design base shear?
Q.57. Describe different lateral load resisting systems: (a) Moment resisting frames, (b) Shear walls, (c) Dual systems, (d) Braced frames—compare ductility and stiffness.
Q.58. For a dual system (frame + shear wall), explain how seismic forces are shared and what code requirements govern their interaction.
Q.59. Prepare a detailing sketch showing special confining reinforcement in a column end region located in a high seismic zone.
Q.60. A 4‑storey RC moment resisting frame is to be detailed for ductility in Zone III. List the minimum ductile detailing checks you would perform before issuing drawings.
Unit V – Seismic Control, Damping, Base Isolation & Retrofitting
Q.61. Define seismic control of structures. Why is it needed beyond conventional seismic design?
Q.62. Differentiate between active, passive, and semi‑active seismic control systems with one example each.
Q.63. What are tuned mass dampers (TMDs)? Explain their working principle with a sketch.
Q.64. Describe fluid viscous dampers. Where are they commonly installed in buildings or bridges?
Q.65. Explain base isolation. How does it modify the fundamental period and acceleration demand on a structure?
Q.66. Compare laminated rubber bearings and friction pendulum bearings as base isolation devices.
Q.67. List performance requirements of an efficient earthquake resistant structural control system (stability, durability, serviceability, re‑center capability, etc.).
Q.68. Discuss the role of supplemental damping devices in reducing interstorey drift demands.
Q.69. Outline the design steps for implementing a base isolation system in an existing low‑rise building.
Q.70. What data (structural weight, period, target displacement, seismic zone) are required before selecting a seismic control strategy?
Q.71. Define retrofitting. How is it different from repair and restoration?
Q.72. List common seismic retrofitting techniques for RC frame buildings (jacketing, shear walls addition, FRP wrapping, steel bracing).
Q.73. Describe two retrofit methods suitable for unreinforced masonry buildings in high seismic zones.
Q.74. Explain how performance evaluation (rapid visual screening vs detailed nonlinear analysis) guides the selection of retrofit measures.
Q.75. A hospital building in Zone V must remain operational after earthquakes. Suggest a combined approach using base isolation and supplemental damping, and outline key design considerations.
— Best of Luck for Exam —
