The Department of Earthquake Engineering offers postgraduate M.Tech. (admission through GATE/Sponsorships) and Ph.D. (admission through Selections/Sponsorships) programs in following three specializations:
Soil dynamics is a relatively new area of science where the concepts of dynamics are applied in solving the problems of soil mechanics and foundation engineering related to vibrations. It deals with wave propagation, seismic hazard analysis, dynamic soil properties, ground response analysis, liquefaction, slope stability, local site effects, earth retaining structures, shallow and deep foundations, machine foundations, soil-structure interaction, earth and rockfill dams, embankments, landslides, ground improvement, tsunamis and so on. In brief, the domain of soil dynamics is very wide and so is its importance. The knowledge and application of earthquake engineering will be totally incomplete without analyzing the problem at hand within the realm of soil dynamics.
Structural dynamics deals with understanding the response of structures or structural components, by theoretical or experimental means, under the influence of time dependent loads or deformations such that inertial effects are not ignored. Comprehensive knowledge through analytical, numerical and experimental methods will be disseminated with regard to buildings earthquake resistant structures. Engaging in designing of earthquake resistant concrete, steel and masonry structures, understanding the mechanics of vibration, seismic retrofitting of existing deficient building, design of special structures for static and dynamic loads and providing structural response control are some of the aspects which will be imparted to increase the knowledge acumen of individuals responsible for building a seismically resilient society tomorrow.
Seismic Vulnerability and Risk Assessment
Seismic risk assessment deals with the evaluation of the probability of harm or damage expected when humans or buildings those are vulnerable in a certain location is exposed to an earthquake. Damage during earthquakes demonstrate the need for seismic risk assessment for disaster management applications also. When an earthquake strikes a heavily populated city, it causes immense economic losses and when such losses fall entirely on the government, it affects the national economy. Thus, the development of seismic risk model for a given region is of interest for predicting the economic impact of the future earthquake and to mitigate the risk. The estimated risk can be further used to mitigate the risk through the calibration of seismic codes and to prioritize the retrofit applications by examining cost/benefits studies.
