An Approach towards Vulnerability Analysis of Existing RC Structure against Combined Action of Lateral Loads in Indian Context

The rate of the occurrence of the geophysical disasters, especially earthquakes have been increased from past few decades. Also, based on the reports presented by international organizations, the nature of the magnitude of earthquakes occurring worldwide characterizes incremental trends. It had been noted that the structures which had been constructed without giving any due importance to structural codal guidelines are worst affected when experienced by the lateral forces in the ground. With the earthquakes of higher magnitudes, there had been the incidents of occurrence of the aftershocks that affects the post- disaster remedial scenarios. This work is focusing on the approach of studying the behaviour of the structure against the combined effect of the aftershocks developed and wind forces. Few studies had showed that the combined effects of aftershocks and wind forces in post — disaster conditions create a different environment of economic and social casaulities. This study is an initial approach in the determination of the structural behaviour of the structure against the action of combined lateral forces in Indian context. The structure with same integrity is analyzed under various loading conditions (individual and combined); focusing the characteristics of the seismic and wind zones as prescribed under the Indian Standard Codal Guidelines. The conclusions were made based on comparative extensive study of structural behavioral parameters under non – linear analysis towards vulnerability assessment considering ETABS as an analytical tool.