Earthquake resistant design practice and research in India

The current scenarios of earthquake engineering research and practice in India in the aftermath of the Gujarat earthquake are discussed. The numerous building collapses and deaths in the Bhuj earthquake have highlighted the exposure to major Indian cities from future great earthquakes especially along the Himalayan frontal fault system. The existing building stocks pose a much graver problem of seismic safety in comparison with new constructions designed according to modern codes. The new seismic map of IS 1893, Zones I and II have been merged and new regions have been included in Zone III such as the Marathwada region of Maharashtra and the Chennai area in Tamil Nadu. The researches deals with post-earthquake reconnaissance studies, earthquake resistant design, structural control, component testing, seismic qualification, seismic retrofit, energy dissipation devices and field monitoring of buildings, with its research comprising both experimental and computational aspects.