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Smart structures cannot stand quakes, cyclones
The structures, being beautified with lightweight metal and low-density concrete, as part of constructing skyscrapers in cities, would be normally fail to withstand severe tremors. Because, different areas have different soil conditions and majority civic bodies across Andhra Pradesh
Experts advise civic bodies to insist on cyclone/quake-resilient designs for safety
Nellore: The structures, being beautified with lightweight metal and low-density concrete, as part of constructing skyscrapers in cities, would be normally fail to withstand severe tremors. Because, different areas have different soil conditions and majority civic bodies across Andhra Pradesh have not been keen on construction of buildings following earthquake resilient designs while people submit building plans for approval.
The prominent active fault, Gundlakamma Fault, trends in a Northwest-Southwest direction from near Ongole on the coast running inland in the same direction for about 100 kilometres. Several smaller faults have also been found in the delta region and along the coast near Vishakhapatnam. The south-eastern districts of Chittoor, Kadapa and Nellore have been placed in Zone-III.
In fact, the guidelines of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for structures need to be revised in all cities considering the devastative aftershocks in many parts of the northern States for some time after April 25 quake in Nepal. Most of the structures constructed in the past were not having adequate hazard resistance measures.
The mild tremors that were reported in many parts of Andhra Pradesh twice recently occurred as aftershocks were experienced in adjoining States. Though there were no significant damages, the tremors indicate need for revising the existing Building Code in India which was revised around 30 years ago.
In case of cyclones, the guideline, IS Part-3 of the BIS, was confined to a maximum velocity of wind at 180 kmph but it needs to be revised following the recent Hudhud cyclone. The criteria for earthquake resistant design of buildings have been clearly mentioned in the Indian Standard IS 1893 (Part 1):2002. This standard gives Seismic Zoning Map of India which divides the country into four zones such as Zone II, Zone III, Zone IV and Zone V. The Zone II represents the least vulnerable and Zone-V the most severely vulnerable.
