Flaws in construction practices of masonry buildings in kashmir with reference to earthquakes

1. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online), Volume 6, Issue 1, January (2015), pp. 67-72 © IAEME
67
FLAWS IN CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES OF MASONRY
BUILDINGS IN KASHMIR WITH REFERENCE TO
EARTHQUAKES (A CASE STUDY)
Mohd Hanief Dar 1
, Zahid Ahmad Chat 2
, Suhail Shafi3
1
M Tech, Department of Civil Engineering, NIT, Srinagar, India
2
M Tech, Department of Civil Engineering, NIT, Srinagar, India
3
B Tech, Department of Civil Engineering, NIT, Srinagar, India
ABSTRACT
Most of the construction in Kashmir Valley is still done in brick masonry, our research is
intended to check out the earthquake resistance of ongoing masonry building construction (mostly
important buildings like school) and to point out flaws in design and construction that result in
poor seismic performance of such structures and to suggest adequate measures to curb this practice.
Key Words: Earthquake Hazard, Masonry Buildings, Ignorance of Earthquake Hazards in Kashmir,
Ill Workmanship, Suggestive Measures.
1. INTRODUCTION
The valley of Kashmir lies in the seismic zone V as per IS 1893 (part 1): 2002 annex E. As
such it is the hot spot for occurrence of earthquakes not only mild ones but also very severe ones.
However the people here are sleeping in a deep slumber and they keep on constructing buildings
which are no more than death traps considering their Earthquake susceptibility. Leaving alone proper
earthquake design of buildings, even the earthquake resistant guidelines or tips are not even followed
properly here. It is same for both private residential buildings with lesser Importance factor and
government constructed public buildings (like Hospitals, schools and colleges) with high value of
Importance factor.
Most of the loss of life in past earthquakes has occurred due to the collapse of
buildings, constructed in traditional materials like stone, brick, adobe and wood, which were not
initially engineered to be earthquake resistant. In view of the continued use of such buildings in most
countries of the world, it is essential to introduce earthquake resistance features in their construction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING
AND TECHNOLOGY (IJARET)
ISSN 0976 - 6480 (Print)
ISSN 0976 - 6499 (Online)
Volume 6, Issue 1, January (2015), pp. 67-72
© IAEME: www.iaeme.com/ IJARET.asp
Journal Impact Factor (2015): 8.5041 (Calculated by GISI)
www.jifactor.com
IJARET
© I A E M E

2. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online), Volume 6, Issue 1, January (2015), pp.
The main objective of this research is to deal with the basic
appropriate earthquake resistance
the important points, and to present
strengthening elements. Masonry building is defined as buildings which are spontaneously and
informally constructed in the traditional manner
architects and engineers in their design.
Reinforced masonry, reinforced
types of structural systems, and
although some of the principles stated herein will
2. STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE OF MASONRY BUILDINGS DURING
EARTHQUAKES
The creation of tensile and shearing stresses in
of different types of damages. The typical damage and modes of failure are described below:
2.1 Non-Structural Damage
Non-structural damage excludes damage to the building structure. Such
frequently even under moderate intensities of
Cracking and overturning of masonry parapets, roof chimneys, large cantilever cornices and
balconies.
Falling of plaster from walls and ceiling particularly where it was loose.
Cracking and overturning of partition walls, infill wal
frames. (Though not usually accounted for in calculations, this type of damage reduces the
lateral strength of a building.)
Cracking and falling of ceilings.
Figure 1 Cracking in bearing walls due to bending and shear
1: Earthquake motion, 2: Horizontal cracks in gables
to bending of walls
International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976
6499(Online), Volume 6, Issue 1, January (2015), pp. 67-72
68
this research is to deal with the basic concepts
resistance of masonry buildings; to include suitable illustrations to
present such data which could be used to proportion the critical
strengthening elements. Masonry building is defined as buildings which are spontaneously and
informally constructed in the traditional manner with bricks orstones with intervention by qualified
engineers in their design.
reinforced concrete or steel frame buildings, tall buildings using various
and major industrial buildings, etc., are excluded from
stated herein will equally apply to these constructions.
RUCTURAL PERFORMANCE OF MASONRY BUILDINGS DURING
The creation of tensile and shearing stresses in walls of masonry buildings is the prime
of different types of damages. The typical damage and modes of failure are described below:
ural damage excludes damage to the building structure. Such
frequently even under moderate intensities of earthquakes as follows:
Cracking and overturning of masonry parapets, roof chimneys, large cantilever cornices and
Falling of plaster from walls and ceiling particularly where it was loose.
Cracking and overturning of partition walls, infill walls and cladding walls from the inside of
frames. (Though not usually accounted for in calculations, this type of damage reduces the
lateral strength of a building.)
Cracking and falling of ceilings.
Cracking in bearing walls due to bending and shear
2: Horizontal cracks in gables, 3: Diagonal cracks due to shear
International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
2 © IAEME
concepts involved in achieving
suitable illustrations to explain
be used to proportion the critical
strengthening elements. Masonry building is defined as buildings which are spontaneously and
intervention by qualified
buildings using various
excluded from consideration
to these constructions.
RUCTURAL PERFORMANCE OF MASONRY BUILDINGS DURING
buildings is the prime cause
of different types of damages. The typical damage and modes of failure are described below:
ural damage excludes damage to the building structure. Such damageoccurs
Cracking and overturning of masonry parapets, roof chimneys, large cantilever cornices and
Falling of plaster from walls and ceiling particularly where it was loose.
ls and cladding walls from the inside of
frames. (Though not usually accounted for in calculations, this type of damage reduces the
Cracking in bearing walls due to bending and shear
3: Diagonal cracks due to shear, 4: Cracks due

3. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online), Volume 6, Issue 1, January (2015), pp.
2.2 Damage and failure of bearing walls
Failure due to racking shear is characterized by diagonal
tension. Such failure may be either through the pattern of joints or diagonally through
masonry units. These cracks usually initiate at the corner of openings and sometimes at the
centre of a wall segment. This
structure (see Figure 1).
A wall can fail as a bending m ember loaded
the wall itself in a direction transverse to the plane of the wall.
vertically at the centre, ends
openings, the more prominent is
along the both axes of a building simultaneously, shear and bending effects acts often
together and the two modes
tothe combined action of flexure and shear.
Unreinforced gable end masonry wall
imposes additional force to cause their failure. Horizontal bending tension cracks develop in
the gables.
The deep beam between two openings one above the other is a weak point of the wall under
lateral in plane forces. Cracking in this zone occurs before diagonal cracking of piers unless
the piers are quite narrow (see Figure
distribution of shear among all piers, either a rigid slab or RC band must ex
Figure 1 Cracking of spandrel wall between openings
C: cracks, F: earthquake motion, SW: spandrel wall
2.3 Causes of damage in masonry buildings
The following are the main weaknesses in unreinforced masonry
reasons for the extensive seismic damage
International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976
6499(Online), Volume 6, Issue 1, January (2015), pp. 67-72
69
Damage and failure of bearing walls
Failure due to racking shear is characterized by diagonal cracks mainly due to diagonal
tension. Such failure may be either through the pattern of joints or diagonally through
masonry units. These cracks usually initiate at the corner of openings and sometimes at the
centre of a wall segment. This kind of failure can cause partial or complete collap
A wall can fail as a bending m ember loaded by seismic inertia forces on the mass
the wall itself in a direction transverse to the plane of the wall.
ends or corners of the walls. The longer the
prominent is the damage (see figure 1). Since earthquake effects occurs
of a building simultaneously, shear and bending effects acts often
two modes of failures are often combined. Failure in
tothe combined action of flexure and shear.
Unreinforced gable end masonry walls are very unstable and the pushing action of purloins
imposes additional force to cause their failure. Horizontal bending tension cracks develop in
The deep beam between two openings one above the other is a weak point of the wall under
l in plane forces. Cracking in this zone occurs before diagonal cracking of piers unless
rs are quite narrow (see Figure 2). In order to prevent it and to enable the full
distribution of shear among all piers, either a rigid slab or RC band must ex
Cracking of spandrel wall between openings
C: cracks, F: earthquake motion, SW: spandrel wall
Causes of damage in masonry buildings
The following are the main weaknesses in unreinforced masonry construction and other
reasons for the extensive seismic damage of such buildings
International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
2 © IAEME
cracks mainly due to diagonal
tension. Such failure may be either through the pattern of joints or diagonally through
masonry units. These cracks usually initiate at the corner of openings and sometimes at the
kind of failure can cause partial or complete collapse of the
by seismic inertia forces on the mass of
Tension cracks occur
longer the wall and longer the
1). Since earthquake effects occurs
of a building simultaneously, shear and bending effects acts often
Failure in the piers occurs due
s are very unstable and the pushing action of purloins
imposes additional force to cause their failure. Horizontal bending tension cracks develop in
The deep beam between two openings one above the other is a weak point of the wall under
l in plane forces. Cracking in this zone occurs before diagonal cracking of piers unless
In order to prevent it and to enable the full
distribution of shear among all piers, either a rigid slab or RC band must exist between them.
construction and other

4. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online), Volume 6, Issue 1, January (2015), pp.
Heavy and stiff buildings, attracting large seismic inertia forces.
Very low tensile strength, particularly with poor mortars.
Low shear strength, particularly with poor mort
Brittle behaviour in tension as well as compression.
Weak connections between walls.
Stress concentration at corners of windows and doors.
Overall asymmetry in plan and elevation of building.
Asymmetry due to imbalance in the sizes and positions of op
3. CASE STUDY OF “NEW BUILDING OF GOVT. SCHOOL AT HABBAQ”
This building is located near the main Chowk of Habbaq area of Srinagar city in Kashmir
India. It is at a distance of 12km from the main city Srinagar.
Figure 2 Front view of the Govt. School at HABBAQ
The salient features of this building are
It is a middle school class room building.
It is a 2 storey school building with 8 class rooms, hence it is an important building.
It is being constructed by R&B KASHMIR.
3.1 Checking ofbuilding according to CODAL
This building is checked for various earthquake resistant techniques and then the data is
correlated with the Indian standards. The data is
International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976
6499(Online), Volume 6, Issue 1, January (2015), pp. 67-72
70
Heavy and stiff buildings, attracting large seismic inertia forces.
Very low tensile strength, particularly with poor mortars.
Low shear strength, particularly with poor mortars.
in tension as well as compression.
Weak connections between walls.
Stress concentration at corners of windows and doors.
Overall asymmetry in plan and elevation of building.
Asymmetry due to imbalance in the sizes and positions of openings in the walls.
UDY OF “NEW BUILDING OF GOVT. SCHOOL AT HABBAQ”
This building is located near the main Chowk of Habbaq area of Srinagar city in Kashmir
India. It is at a distance of 12km from the main city Srinagar.
Front view of the Govt. School at HABBAQ
he salient features of this building are
It is a middle school class room building.
It is a 2 storey school building with 8 class rooms, hence it is an important building.
constructed by R&B KASHMIR.
Checking ofbuilding according to CODAL (IS 1893:2002 and IS 13828:1993
building is checked for various earthquake resistant techniques and then the data is
correlated with the Indian standards. The data is provided in the tabular form in table 1.
International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
2 © IAEME
enings in the walls.
UDY OF “NEW BUILDING OF GOVT. SCHOOL AT HABBAQ”
This building is located near the main Chowk of Habbaq area of Srinagar city in Kashmir
It is a 2 storey school building with 8 class rooms, hence it is an important building.
IS 1893:2002 and IS 13828:1993) provisions.
building is checked for various earthquake resistant techniques and then the data is
provided in the tabular form in table 1.

5. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online), Volume 6, Issue 1, January (2015), pp. 67-72 © IAEME
71
Table 1 Correlation between provided and required earthquake resistant techniques for Masonry
buildings
Serial
No.
Data of Building under
Assessment
Requirement as per
Code
Whether
Complying? (Yes/No)
1. Number of storeys, S =2 Equal to or less than 4 Yes
2.
Wall building unit: BURNED
BRICK CONSTRUCTION
(Compressive strength = 35
kg/cm2
)
Compressive Strength
= 35 kg/cm2
Yes
3.
Thickness of load bearing walls,
External wall =350mm
Internal wall =250mm
BB = 230 mm
CCB = 200 mm
Yes
4. Mortar used =1:6 C:S = 1:6 or richer Yes
5.
Longest wall in room, L = 5.8m BB = 8 m
CCB = 7 m
Yes
6.
Height of wall, floor to ceiling,
h = 3.66 m
BB = 3.45 m
CCB = 3 m
No
7.
Door, Window openings
Overall (b1 + b2+b3 )/l = 0.6
0.42 No
8.
Seismic Bands :
at plinth = provided
at lintel level = provided
at window sill level = not
provided
at ceiling = not provided
at gable ends = not provided
at ridge top = not provided
Required
Required
Required
Required
Required
Required
No
No
No
No
No
No
9.
Vertical Bars :
at external corners =
provided
at external T-junctions =
provided
at internal corners = provided
at internal T-junctions = not
provided
at jambs of door = not
provided
at jambs of windows = not
provided
Required in all
Masonry buildings
Required in all
Masonry buildings
Required in all
Masonry buildings
Required in all
Masonry buildings
Required in all
Masonry buildings
Required in all
Masonry buildings
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
4. CONCLUSION
Masonry buildings are more vulnerable to earthquakes than RCC and Steel framed buildings
but constructing them according to the standard guidelines specified in codes (IS 1893:2002 and IS
13828:1993) can prove to be very effective in saving precious lives. The devastating effect of 2005
earthquake in Kashmir valley was due to ignorance of earthquake hazards, but still the government
and people are ignoring it. We found that in this study that the codal guidelines were not impelled
and even though if any of them were adopted their execution was not right.

6. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online), Volume 6, Issue 1, January (2015), pp. 67-72 © IAEME
72
The need of the hour is to get little serious about the Earthquake Resistant design and
construction in Kashmir valley which is vulnerable to devastating earthquakes. It can be done only
by the combined effort of the government authorities & common people.
Our team suggests the following measures to be adopted to curb this practice
Codal guidelines must be strictly followed.
Some courses that will provide substantial knowledge to practicing engineers about earthquake
engineering should be given to them.
Before giving away any construction tenders, the concerned departments should check-out the
capability of contractors to perform the job.
Masons and Carpenters should be given technical knowledge about the construction of
earthquake resistant masonry buildings.
REFERENCES
1 Introduction to international disaster management by Damon P. Coppola.
2 Indian Standard Code of practices IS 1893:2002.
3 Indian Standard Code of Practices IS 13828:1993.
4 K. Jagan Mohan and R. Pradeep Kumar, “Earthquakes and Dams In India: an Overview”
International Journal of Civil Engineering & Technology (IJCIET), Volume 4, Issue 6, 2013, pp.
101 - 115, ISSN Print: 0976 – 6308, ISSN Online: 0976 – 6316.
5 Evinur Cahya, Toshitaka Yamao and Akira Kasai, “Seismic Response Behavior Using Static
Pushover Analysis and Dynamic Analysis of Half-Through Steel Arch Bridge Under Strong
Earthquakes” International Journal of Civil Engineering & Technology (IJCIET), Volume 5,
Issue 1, 2014, pp. 73 - 88, ISSN Print: 0976 – 6308, ISSN Online: 0976 – 6316.