August  2005  

Design of non-structural elements for buildings: A review of codal provisions

Goutam Mondal and Sudhir K Jain

Non-structural elements of a building are not a part of the main load-resisting system. Therefore, these are often neglected from the structural design point of view. Performance in the past earthquake clearly pointed out that in view of the absence or inadequacy of design provisions for non-structural elements and their attachments it has resulted in poor performance of several life line buildings. In India too, non-structural damages are often observed in the earthquakes but are overlooked owing to the obvious attention to the huge loss of human lives and structural damage. Moreover, provisions relating to non-structural element in Indian seismic codes (IS 1893) are inadequate or practically non-existent. This paper reviews the design philosophy and design provisions of several international seismic codes, and compares design lateral forces recommended in these codes.



















SCC with crusher dust, fly ash and micro-silica

Praveen Kumar and S. K. Kaushik

Crushed stone aggregates are widely used in concrete. In the process of producing of 20 mm and 10 mm nominal size aggregates, significant amount of crusher dust and stone chips in the size range of 2-6 mm are also obtained. Usually, most of these are not used in concrete. However, economical and environmental considerations warrant investigations on their possible use in concrete. The paper presents test results of an experimental study to explore the use of crusher dust, stone chips, and fly ash in self-compacting concrete (SCC). Test results indicate that SCC with satisfactory strength can be produced with such marginal materials when used together with fly ash and micro-silica.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Development length of reinforcing bars - Need to revise Indian codal provisions

N. Subramanian

The bond between concrete and reinforcement bars is very important to develop the composite behaviour of reinforced concrete. Bond strength is influenced by several factors such as bar diameter, cover of concrete over the bar, spacing of bars, transverse reinforcement, grade and confinement of concrete around the bars, aggregates used in concrete, type of bars and coating applied on bars, if any, for corrosion prevention. In the Indian code on concrete structures which was revised in the year 2000, the provisions regarding development length remained unchanged. Many of the above parameters are not considered in the revised code. Hence in this paper, the Indian codal provisions are compared with those of American codal provisions (which consider all these parameters). The effect of high strength concrete, self consolidating concrete and fibre reinforced concrete on the development length is also discussed. A formula for inclusion in the Indian code is also suggested based on recent research.

 

 

 

 










Experimental determination of modulus of elasticity of non-cylindrical PSC pipes

N.G. Joshi

Prestressed concrete (PSC) pipes are widely used for high pressure water distribution. Although the modulus of elasticity, E, for both concrete and steel can be independently assessed with reliability, established tests are not available for determining the E value of the composite material. In this paper, the author outlines a test methodology for calculating modulus of elasticity of non-cylindrical PSC pipes. The value of coefficient of permeability is also assessed.

 

 

 

 

 



 

 


Concrete repair by electrodeposition

G. Mohankumar

Deposition of chemical compounds as precipitates on a cracked surface by electrolysis is tried as a means of repair of cracked concrete. The effect of electrodeposition on the corrosion resistance performance of concrete specimens is quantitatively investigated by laboratory tests. Reinforced concrete specimens were cast, cracked under load, partially immersed in different solutions and a constant current was applied for a specific period between the rebar as cathode and an external electrode as anode. Using a standard calomel electrode the half-cell potential measurements were observed. Specimens coated with these electrodeposits were again partially immersed in a corrosive medium of 3.5 percent NaCl for 30 days in the open atmosphere and the potential measurements were done once again. The depth of chloride ion penetration and the weight loss of rebar were also determined. From the results obtained it was found that the method of electrodeposition is effective for filling cracks.























Executive Summary of the Final Report (Draft) of the National Construction Safety Team on the Collapses of the World Trade Center Towers

Reprinted with permission from National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA

On August 21, 2002, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced its building and fire safety investigation of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster.1 This WTC Investigation was then conducted under the authority of the National Construction Safety Team (NCST) Act, which was signed into law on October 1, 2002.























Water management in urban centres

The Indian Buildings Congress organised a national seminar on "Water management in urban centres" on July 21-23, 2005 in New Delhi. The theme of the seminar was significant considering the vast areas affected by water scarcity. Based on the deliberations, a list of recommendations were made.