Research Projects

This research project addresses the growing need for seismic-resilient infrastructure in hilly and mountainous terrains, where increasing urbanization and tourism-driven development coincide with heightened seismic risk. Regions like Indian Himalayas face a unique set of vulnerabilities due to their topographic complexity and seismic exposure. Catastrophic failures observed during the 2011 Sikkim, 2015 Nepal, and 2016 Manipur earthquakes have highlighted critical gaps in existing seismic design methodologies—particularly the limitations of conventional fixed-base assumptions and the neglect of terrain-induced effects. These failures were strongly linked to topographic amplification, irregular building geometries on slopes, soil instability, and the complex interplay between soil, structure, and slope, collectively termed Soil-Structure-Slope Interaction (SSSI). Traditional seismic frameworks fail to accurately account for these interdependencies, leading to unsafe and underperforming structures during earthquakes. The objective of this research is to bridge this knowledge and practice gap by developing comprehensive framework that simulate real-world slope geometry, varying soil conditions, and diverse building configurations. The study aims to evaluate seismic demand through dynamic analysis under realistic ground motions, identify dominant failure mechanisms arising from SSSI, and establish seismic fragility functions for probabilistic risk assessment. Ultimately, this research will culminate in practical design guidelines and performance-based recommendations to support engineers, architects, and urban planners in enhancing the structural resilience of buildings situated in seismically active hilly regions. By integrating advanced modelling, validated experimental data, and probabilistic assessment techniques, the project seeks to contribute a robust framework that can inform policy, guide code development, and ensure safer construction practices in vulnerable hilly terrains. Objectives 1. To develop comprehensive numerical models that integrate slope geometry, soil properties, and building configurations, and to validate these models using existing experimental and analytical studies 2. To evaluate the dynamic behavior and seismic demands of structures located on hilly terrains, considering variations in slope gradients, soil characteristics, and structural configurations under selected historical ground motions. 3. To identify dominant realistic failure mechanisms arising from soil-structure-slope interaction and to propose effective remedial strategies aimed at enhancing seismic resilience. 4. To construct seismic fragility functions for buildings on inclined terrains, enabling a probabilistic assessment of their performance under different seismic hazard levels. 5. To formulate practical design guidelines and recommendations for engineers and planners involved in the design and construction of buildings in seismically active hilly regions.