A National Seminar on “Earthquake Effects and Concrete-The Most Suitable Construction Material for All Structures” was organized at Allahabad with the help of several organization like YASTK, ICI, Allahabad, HCC etc in 2005. A brief of the Seminar is given below.

In the present days after experiencing huge damage of property and human life by Tsunami recently and Gujarat Earthquake in INDIA, we have to think seriously and act so that loss of life and property is minimized due to natural disaster like Earthquake. Earthquake can occur anywhere any time on EARTH or SEA. If the epicenter lies in sea, it can generate Tsunamis and floods causing water waves. Common feature of earthquake occurrence is the release of a large amount of accumulated strain-stress. Earthquake can probably be predicted if we are able to measure the rate of strain accumulation at fault segment or we understand the rate of stress build up, rate of release of energy, characteristic source mechanisms in each area and the recurrence period. Monitoring the buildup of stress by analysis of shear-wave splitting helps to recognize the likelihood of a large earthquake in future. This is known as stress forecasting. Such stress forecasting would allow appropriate preparation to mitigate a hazard of bigger earthquake. However, this does not give or gives very little information about location of earthquake occurrence. But past history can give some idea of Seismicity of that area.

Further, disaster Management and Rehabilitation of structure is also important & proper strategies must be worked out to handle such disasters. However, at present we are far from understanding the pattern of these aspects & techniques / methods. It is challenging task for scientists at present. In the meantime arrival of P- wave at the object site can be used to warn the people to be out of building immediately as it reaches earlier than more damaging S-wave reach.

Concrete is the most suitable, durable and strong construction material used throughout the world. It is well known that cement / concrete has revolutionized the entire construction Industry making it possible for construction of simple to most complicated structures on a land or sea. Even all the nuclear containers are made with concrete to avoid radiation effect. It is sure that if a structure is to be made on any other Planet, and then it will be of concrete only. Through no structure can be earthquake proof but we can design and build it as Earthquake resistant in concrete. However concrete needs care at every stage like selecting material, designs, mixing, compacting and curing. Now the developments have come to make concrete more easily placed that is Self Compacting Concrete, which can get compacted by its own weight. It can completely fill the framework and achieve full compaction even in the presence of congested reinforcement. Work is in progress to achieve self-curing concrete.

With the objective and given direction for production & use of concrete the Indian concrete Institute along with YASTK and others is organizing the National Seminar on “Earthquake effects and Concrete – the most suitable Construction material for all structures” which is in Earthquake resistant Design and Disaster Management related topics. In this Seminar, papers on following themes are included:

1. Concrete the best suitable Material of construction.
2. Design of Building & Bridges for earthquake generated forces.
3. Earthquake, Tsunamis and its effects in nature
4. Disaster Management & Rehabilitation of Damaged Buildings.

More than 100 participants from all over the country attended the Seminar. Designers, Architects, Builders and owners of building having interest in Earthquake & concrete construction took keen interest during the seminar.