Earthquake Resistance Building Techniques

By- Sneh Lata Soreng

14628
LOCATION
Jammu and Kashmir covers the northern most extremity of india and lies between latitudes
32 to 36 north and longitude 73 to 80 east.It basically comprises of three districts:

Jammu: mainly a plain area.

Kashmir: mainly a valley area.

Ladakh: mainly a hilly area (hill desert).

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TERRIAN MAP
The Himalayas divide the Kashmir valley from Ladakh while the Pir Panjal range, which
encloses the valley from the west and the south, separates it from the Great Plains of northern
India.

KASHMIR
VALLEY

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CLIMATE
Srinagar has a humid subtropical climate.
It is much cooler than what is found in much of the rest of India, due to its moderately high
elevation and northerly position.
Winters are cool, with a January daily mean of 10.0 C, and temperature remains below
freezing at night.
Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected in winters.
Summers are warm with a July daily mean of 30.1 C.
The average annual rainfall is around 710 millimetres.
Spring is the wettest season while autumn is the driest.
Highest temperature: 37 C
Lowest:14 C

According to Seismic Zoning Map of India there are the following seismic
zones in Jammu & Kashmir:
Zone V : MSK Intensity IX or higher is probable to occur.
Zone IV : MSK Intensity VIII is probable here
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THE EARTHQUAKE
A strong earthquake of magnitude 7.4 occurred on 8th October 2005 with epicenter at
Region of POK. It caused massive destruction in Pakistan as well as Jammu & Kashmir.
Most damaged/destroyed buildings in J & K were constructed using random rubble
masonry and bricks laid in clay mud mortar. Most of them had corrugated galvanized iron
sheet roofing. No earthquake resisting measures were used.
Such buildings are destroyed in a severe earthquake on account of weakness of the
mortar used, absence of bond stones across the thickness of the stone wall resulting into
delamination of the inner and outer walls, and separation of the walls at the corners.
These finally result into the total collapse of the buildings.

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EARTHQUAKE RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION OF STONE BUILDINGS

The following wall types are normally used in stone-building construction.

Type Of Wall Relative Seismic Safety

(i) Dressed (Ashlar) stone
masonry in cement mortar. First (highest)
(ii) Coursed rubble stone
masonry in cement mortar Second
(iii) Random rubble stone
masonry in cement mortar Third
(iv) Dressed stone (Ashlar)
masonry in mud mortar Fourth
(v) Courses rubble stone
masonry in mud mortar. Fifth
(vi) Random rubble stone
masonry in mud mortar. Sixth (lowest)

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ROOF AND FLOOR TYPES

The main type of roof and floors adopted in houses using stone masonry in Jammu &
Kashmir are:
Wood logs supporting wooden planks.
Sawn wood rafters or trusses with sawn wood purlins covered with CGIsheets.
There is a tradition of using sloping roofs with light covering of corrugated galvanized
sheet.
The roof should have adequate slope to deal with snow & rain.

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TYPICAL DWELLING
The buildings were generally three
to four storey high, with
basements contained within the
retaining walls along the river side.
The plans were generally square
so that a minimum of external
walls were exposed and heat was
conserved in the cold winter.
Bay windows(dub) are present
overlooking the river or main
street.The dub is generally located
on the southern side so that the
sun was available in winter.

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 ARCHITECTURE STYLE

The oldest surviving examples of traditional vernacular architecture in the city of Srinagar dates
back to early 19th Century.

This architectural style is solely represented by the residences of the city and broadly falls into
two distinct categories; based on the structural system involved. These two systems are:
Taq Construction

Dhajji-Dewari or Timber Braced (patch-quilt) System

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TAQ CONSTRUCTION

In this system of construction 2-3 ft. thick brick

masonry piers supporting wooden floor beams
formed the basic structural system of the
building.

The distance between two brick piers used to

be normally around 3-4 ft and was known as a
taq.

The gap in between each taq would be filled in

with either a window opening or brick masonry.

The roof comprised a layer of earth covering

over birch bark and wooden planks resting on
wooden rafters. SNEH
DHAJJI-DEWARI
CONSTRUCTION

Timber frame
The dhajji-dewari construction is
based on a braced timber framed
structural system, in which
normally 4-9 inch thick brick or
stone masonry is used to infill
the gaps.

Normally this system is limited to Timber bracings used in upper

floors , ground floor is made of
upper floor levels or attics ( kani ) just stone masonary.
of the building.

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 Walls are plastered in mud mortar.

Dhajji buildings are typically 1-4

storeys tall and the roof may be a flat

timber and mud roof, or a pitched

roof with timber/metal sheeting.

The floors of these houses are made

with timber beams that span between

walls.

Timber floor boards, which span over

the floor beams, would traditionally

be overlain by a layer of clay (or

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mud).
SPATIAL ORGANISATION AND PLANNING

Most of the buildings constructed on the above mentioned structural systems show a common
spatial arrangement and decorative elements. The buildings can thus be subdivided into two
categories on the basis of plan form:

Square Plan

Linear Plan

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 Many of the traditional buildings are based on a
square plan with the main entrance opening
into a centrally located staircase lobby.

The lobby is flanked by one or two rooms on

either side, in ground as well as first floor.

The space above entrance in first floor in some

cases also encloses a projecting wooden bay
window (dub).

The second floor (kani) normally comprises a

single large hall which can be subdivided into
three smaller rooms whenever required with the
help of partition screens.

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 The entrance to these buildings was from a staircase lobby located near one of the corners of the
house.

Many of the larger and more aristocratic houses, also known as havelis comprise a linear, two or

in certain cases three storey buildings.

Lattice work screens and window shutters,
profusely carved wooden brackets, eaves board
(morakh patt), pendants (dour) are some of the
main architectural elements associated with
them.

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ROOF
The second floor is
surmounted by a
cruciform shaped attic
space.

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Earthquake Resistance Building Techniques
By- Antara Sablok
14604
INTRODUCTION
Kutch district (also spelled as kachchh) is
a district of Gujarat state in Western India. Covering an area of
45,652 km, it is the largest district of India. The population of
Kutch is 21 lakh. People of this region are of very low or low
income class. Kutch district located in very high risk seismic
zone V.

HISTORY
It was established by Rao Himirji in 1510 and was made the
state capital by Rao Khengarji in 1549. Bhuj for decades, even
centuries, has beckoned travelers and traders with the promise
of release from the restrictions of civilization. In January 2001,
the city was struck by a major earth quake which caused a
great deal of damage to the city of Bhuj.
GEOGRAPHY
Bhuj has an average elevation of 110 meters (360 feet). On the
eastern side of the town is a hill known as Bhujiyo that
separates Bhuj city and Madhapar town. It has one big lake
named Hamirsar and several small lakes.

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CULTURE
Bhuj is a famous destination for shopping
of handicraft work.
Artists of nearby villages bring their art
work for sale in Bhuj. Bhuj is famous for its
It is the Important landmarks for people various Silver crafts work Aina Mahal (palace of Mirrors)
wishing to study and know more about in Bhuj,is famous for displaying
Kutchi embroidery. the History of the region of
Kutch

RELIGION
The dominant religions of Kutch are a
form of Vaishnav Hinduism, Jainism and
Islam
The Swaminarayan Sampraday has a
huge following in this region. The historic Hamirsar lake is Bhuj is Famous for its
situated at the Heart of the city of handy-crafts market
LANGUAGE Bhuj

Kutchi & Gujarati are the predominating

languages spoken.
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 ARCHITECTURE TYPES OF B

CHOWKS

STREETS

STREET PATTERN (Y SHAPED) AND HOUSING LAYOUT ANTARA

 street

Internal
courtyards

Cattles-shed

PLANNINGS OF HOUSINGS IN BHUJ ANTARA

The height width proportions of
courtyards and streets provide
shade for most part of the day

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SCHEMATIC SECTIONS OF
HOUSES

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TRADITIONAL RURAL HOUSE IN KUTCH REGION OF INDIA
(BHONGA)

The Bhonga is a traditional construction type in the kutch district of the

gujarat state in india, which has A very high earthquake risk.
A Bhonga consists of a single cylindrically shaped room.
It has a conical roof supported by cylindrical walls.
This type of construction has existed for several hundred years.
This type of house is quite durable and appropriate for prevalent desert
conditions.
Due to its robustness against natural hazards as well as its pleasant
aesthetics, this housing is also known as "architecture without architects.

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Settlemen
t design

LUDIA REGION, ANTARA

It performed very well in the recent
M7.6 Bhuj earthquake in 2001.
Very few Bhongas experienced
significant damage in the epicentre
region, and the damage that did
occur can be mainly attributed to
poor quality of the construction
materials or improper maintenance
of the structure. It has also been
observed that the failure of
Bhongas in the last earthquake
caused very few injuries to the
occupants due to the type of
Gravity load
collapse. Over vertical
wooden
Post outside ANTARA
 Climate

Culture

Calamit
ies

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Settlemen
t design
Contains
1. Plinth
2. Circular closed space Room for men Gathering space Kitchen
3. Open gathering space
Veranda
Women Storage
for
and or
men
children another
room

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Settlemen
Plinth(otla)
t design Define the domain of the home and the place for outdoor
activities.

Water does not enter in house in rainy season.

About 500mm high.

Rooms are not attached to avoid cracks because cracks may

cause serious damage during earthquake.

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SETTLEMENT
DESIGN

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Construction Techniques generally used COB. In
these methods a large Lump is roughly moulded into
the shape of a huge elongated egg.
The usual size is anything between 12 to 18 inches. 30-
40cm long and 6 inches in diameter.
A row of these cobs of mud are laid nearly side by side.
Preferably somewhat pressed together. Then another row of
cobs is laid on top. ANTARA
 When three or four courses have been laid, one above the other,
the sides are smoothened over so that the holes and cracks
disappear.

Placing wooden
Setting kingpost Placing the rafters
beam
on wooden joist

Filling bamboo Setting the thatched Securing the roof

rafters roof with rope

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 Keeping building typology in
mind people are using modern
materials and construction
techniques , making it more
compact.

Local resorts are of same

building typology.

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 Providing multiple floors
and function to it.

Modern houses

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BHUNGA HOUSES ANTARA
 CONSTRUCTION OF THE BHUNGA
Typical construction drawings and materials.Building
materials
Masonry wall is made of adobe blocks and plaster is also
from mud covered by cow dunk, lime etc.
Roof is made of bamboo/wooden framework covered with
thatch.

Bhonga is circular in plan, with cylindrically shaped walls

and topped with conical roof.
The inner diameter of the Bhonga is typically between 3m
to 6m.
A Bhonga generally has only three openings one door
DURING EARTHQUAKES
and two small windows.

It performed very well in the recent M7.6 Bhuj earthquake

in 2001.
Very few Bhongas experienced significant damage in the
epicentral region, and the damage that did occur can be
mainly attributed to poor quality of the construction
materials or improper maintenance of the structure.
It has also been observed that the failure of Bhongas in
the last earthquake caused very few injuries to the
occupants due to the type of collapse.
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VIEW OF BHUNGA HOUSES
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ROOF CONSTRUCTION OF BHUNGA
HOUSES
The conical roof of a Bhonga is supported at its crest by a
vertical central wooden post, which rests on a wooden joist.

The base of the roof and the wooden joist are generally
directly supported on Bhonga walls.

Sometimes, the roof load on wooden joist is transferred to

diametrically placed timber posts (vertical members) adjacent
to the cylindrical wall.

This reduces the roof-load on the walls.

The Bhonga wall is usually extended below ground up to the

required foundation depth, and separate foundation is not
traditionally constructed.

In newer constructions, proper strip footing is also used.

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BHUNGAS CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
In several Bhongas, the roof joist is not directly supported on the cylindrical walls, but is supported by two wooden
vertical posts outside the Bhonga, which further improves seismic resistance of the inertia force generated in the
roof.
In some instances, reinforcing bands at lintel level and collar level have been used to provide additional strength.
These bands are constructed from bamboo or from RCC. These increase the lateral load-carrying strength greatly
and increase the seismic resistance of the Bhongas.
Even in situations where the roof collapses, its low weight ensures that the extent of injuries to occupants is very
low.
Labours who constructs Bhungas and materials used
These constructions are carried out by local village masons.
The locally available soft stone can easily be cut or chiselled into rectangular blocks, which are used for wall
masonry.
The local soil is used for mud mortar and to make adobe blocks. Locally available timber and bamboo are used for
roof.
The entire construction process, which is carried out by the mason with very few unskilled laborers, can be
completed within 30 days.
The construction of this type of housing takes place in a single phase.
Typically, the building is originally designed for its final constructed size.
Bhongas are never "designed" in the modern context. However, Bhonga architecture is a very unique aspect of
traditional desert architecture of Kutch region in which the size, location and orientation of the Bhonga are planned
for very good structural and functional results.
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WALL CONSTRUCTION OF BHUNGA
Due to circular shape of wall in plan, inertial forces developed addition, the thick walls required for thermal
insulation have high in-plane stiffness which provides excellent performance under lateral loads.
The roofing in wall are resisted through shell action providing excellent resistance to lateral forces.
In materials are generally very light weight, and develops low inertia forces.
Since the roof is constructed from extremely ductile materials such as bamboo and straw, the performance
of.these roofs is usually very robust

NEW TYPES OF BHUNGAS

Recent Bhongas constructions have used wide variety of construction materials.

These include the stone or burnt brick masonry either in mud mortar or in cement mortar.
Traditional roof consists of light-weight conical roof, while some recent constructions have used heavy
manglore tiles on roofs.
Some recent constructions have used circular strip footing below the wall, while traditional construction simply
extended the walls below ground level.

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The thick walls, made of mud, keep
the interior cool when the temperature
rises to 40+ degrees Celsius in
summer and warm when it drops
below 5 degrees in winter.

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TYPICAL CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS

Structural variant for the roof-

supported
by a central pillar

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Bhungas are connected through plinths and circulation is
also carried out in that way.. A cluster of bhunga is built on
one plinthus ually the cluster contains settlements of one
whole family
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INTERIORS AND DECORATION
Windows decorated with mirrors
Rural art on walls

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INTERIORS OF BHUNGAS

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Culture is revealed in the decoration of the
Bunga (outside as well as inside).

Glass designing on interior walls

Painting on exterior walls

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 CONCLUSION

The architecture of kutch region relates to the socio-economic setup, the cultural identities and a
good climatic responsiveness. A good number of climate responsive design features are revealed
during the study of the traditional architecture including temperature control, enhancing natural
ventilation, protection from natural calamities such as flood, earthquake etc.

Due to circular shape of wall in plan, inertial forces developed in wall are resisted through shell action
providing excellent resistance to lateral forces.

Wall is extended below ground up to the required foundation depth, and separate foundation is not
traditionally constructed.
The construction technique is such a way that improves seismic resistance of the inertia force
generated in the roof
Circular design and the mesh of mud plaster and twigs make them resist any wind pressure and
quake.

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