Syllabus

Course Prerequisite: UG Level course on Structural Analysis

Module I: Failure of Structures (6 hours)
Review of the construction theory, performance problems, responsibility and accountability, case studies, learning from failures, causes of distress in structural members, design and material deficiencies, and overloading.

Module II: Diagnosis and Assessment of Distress (8 hours)
Visual inspection, non-destructive tests, ultrasonic pulse velocity method, rebound hammer technique, ASTM classifications, pullout tests, Bremor test, Windsor probe test, crack detection techniques, Fiberoptic method for predicting structural weakness, Environmental Problems and Natural Hazards, Pollution and carbonation problems, durability of R.C.C. structures, damage due to earthquakes and flood strengthening of buildings, provisions of BIS 1893 and 4326.

Module III: Modern Techniques of Retrofitting (8 hours)
Structural first aid after a disaster, Guniting, and jacketing, use of chemicals in repair, application of polymers, Fiber concretes as rehabilitation materials, rust eliminators and polymer coating for rebars, foamed concrete-mortar repair for cracks, shoring and underpinning, strengthening by pre-stressing.

Module IV: Diagnosis and Failure of Geotechnical Structures (8 hours)
Types of Damages, Preliminary Information, Planning the Investigations, Site Investigations, Settlement of substructures, Expansive soils, Foundation design for expansive soils, lateral movements of soils, Groundwater moisture-related problems of substructures, Repairs and crack diagnosis.

Module V: Case studies (6 hours)
Buildings, Heritage buildings, High-rise buildings, Water tanks, bridges, and other structures.

To give an idea about the causes behind the failure of structures.

To diagnose and assess distress related to failure of structures.

To introduce the modern retrofitting techniques.

To diagnose cases related to the failure of geotechnical structures.

CO1: The students will have an idea about the failure associated with various structures.
CO2: The students will be able to diagnose and assess distress related to various structures.
CO3: The students will have an idea about modern retrofitting techniques.
CO4: The students will be able to analyze failures connected with geotechnical and geological origin to improve professional practice, codes of analysis, design, and practice.
CO5: The students can get exposure to various case studies related to Forensic Engineering.

R.N. Raikar, Learning from failures - Deficiencies in Design, Construction and Service R&D Centre (SDCPL), Raikar Bhavan

Alexander Puzrin, Eduardo E. Alonso, and Núria M. Pinyol, Geomechanics of failures, Springer Science and Business Media

Dov Kaminetzky, Design and Construction Failures, Galgotia Publication

Gary L. Lewis, Guidelines for Forensic Engineering Practice, American Society of Civil Engineers