Date:04/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/pp/2009/07/04/stories/2009070450030100.htm

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Seismic micro-zoning must for city planning

Seismic micro-zoning is necessary in city planning so that in case of a natural calamity, such as an earthquake, the district administration and the disaster management team in a city knows how to go about rescue operations.

A. Bhoominathan, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT, Madras, says that study of soil properties is important to know the kind of design a building should have.

Prof. Bhoominathan, who is in charge of micro-zoning studies in Chennai for which IIT, Madras, is the nodal agency, says that constructing tall buildings and bridges on deep soil sites (where thickness of soil is in several layers) requires effective designing to lessen the risk of damage during earthquakes. Similarly, rocky areas require a different design.

More damage is expected on single- or double-floor buildings in a rocky area.

Soil thickness

The thickness of soil decides the response of the structure during an earthquake.

The district administration can suitably plan if micro-zoning for earthquakes is taken up, he says.

SHYAMA RAJAGOPAL