KLS VDIT, Civil Engineering Department

20-10-2023
Subject – Earthquake Engineering ( 18CV741)

Module wise Questions

Module 1 Questions

1. Explain various geospheres that constitutes the earth. Or Explain interior of the earth with neat
sketch. (6-8 Marks)
2. Explain Reids elastic rebound theory with neat sketch. (6 -8Marks)
3. Explain Plate tectonic theory. Also explain different types of plate boundaries. (6- 12Marks)
Or Explain different types of Plate boundaries and fault boundaries with neat sketch.
(6- 12Marks)
4. Explain a) causes of earthquake b) direct and indirect effect of earthquake c) classification of
earthquake d) Zones of India( Seismic zones) (Each 5 to 7 Marks)
5. Briefly magnitude and intensity of earthquake. How they are quantified. Also give difference
between magnitude and intensity. ( 7 to 10 Marks)
6. Briefly explain seismic waves, and their characteristics. Also give difference between body waves
and surface waves. ( 7 to 10 Marks)
7. With a neat sketch explain typical earthquake ground motion. Discuss strong ground characteristics
necessary for design. ( 7 to 8 Marks)
8. Explain the terms with sketch- a) Epicentre, Focal depth, Hypocentre, Epicentral distance,
seismology. ( Each 2 Marks)
9. Explain Attenuation of ground motion. Factors affecting attenuation. Or Explain local site effects.
Or ( Define attenuation of ground motion. List and explain importance of considering different local
site effects in evaluation of earthquake forces ) ( 7 to 8 Marks)
10. List and Explain Different types of Magnitude and Intensity Scale. ( 6 to 8 Marks , Can be asked
Individually also)
11. A seismograph located 1200km from the epicentre of an earthquake, records a maximum ground
displacement of 15.6mm for surface waves having a period of 20sec. Determine surface wave
magnitude. ( 7 Marks)
12. At a recording station a difference in time arrival of P and S waves was observed to be 1.5sec.
What is the approximate distance from the station at which the event occurred. Assume P wave
velocity as 4km/sec and S wave velocity as 2km/sec. ( 7 Marks)
13. During an Earthquake the maximum amplitude recorded at a site by wood Anderson seismograph
is 20cm. The maximum ground velocity recorded was 25cm/sec. The site was found to be
75Kmaway from the epicentre. Determine the magnitude and Intensity of the occurred Earthquake.

Prof. Laxmi G Hattiholi

 KLS VDIT, Civil Engineering Department

Module 2
1. Derive and plot the response for SDOF system with free vibration undamped case. ( 7 to 8
Marks)
2. Derive and plot the vibration of SDOF with damping and frequency ratio of an SDOF system
subjected to harmonic excitation. ( 7 to 8 Marks)
3. Write short note on a) Response History b) Response spectrum c) design response spectrum or
What is response spectrum and What are the steps involved in construction of design response
spectrum. Also Give its applications. ( 8 to 10 Marks)
4. Explain DVA response spectra with damping and frequency ratio of an SDOF system subjected to
harmonic excitation. OR Explain the Triplet plot of response spectra and significance of Spectral
Design. ( 7 to 8 Marks)

5. Evaluate Natural frequency and natural period for the structural system shown. Take
L=3.6m, E=22000MPa, I= 1.2x10-4 m4 , K=40kN/m, m=10kN. ( 8 to 12 Marks)
( Also similar type problems solved in class…)

6. A dynamic system has a maximum velocity of 200mm/sec and natural period is 1sec. If initial
displacement is 10mm , determine amplitude , initial velocity and maximum acceleration. ( Refer Pg 11 ,
Dr. Vinod Hosur Text Book ) ( 7 to 8 Marks)
Ans wn= 2II/T= 6.284rad/sec, xmax’= Awn ( Refer Free Undamped case derivation )
A= 0.032m,
A= SQRT(xo2 + ( xo’/wn)2 )
Initial velocity xo’= 0.189m/sec
Max acceleration xmax’’= Awn2 = 1.25m/sec2

Prof. Laxmi G Hattiholi

 KLS VDIT, Civil Engineering Department

Module 3
1. What are the lessons learnt with reference to seismic behaviour of structural damage during
past earthquake.
2. Briefly explain vertical irregularities with neat sketch.
3. Summarize the different philosophy adopted in seismic design.
4. Explain code based seismic design methods.
5. Explain the different lateral load resisting system with neat sketch.
6. A building having a non uniform distribution of mass in shown. Locate centre of mass. // A
building having a non uniform distribution of stiffness in shown. Locate centre of mass /
centre of stiffness. ( Two problems solved in class refer)
7. List and briefly explain Plan irregularities with neat sketch.
8. Explain soft storey and weak storey with sketch. ( Repeated)
9. Explain architectural aspect of Earthquake resistant design of structures. ( Size, Shape,
Configuration etc )
10. List and explain different structural models available. ( 2D, 3D, etc)

Module 4

1. Static Analysis Problems ( All solved in class)

2. Dynamic Analysis Problems ( All solved in class)
3. Write detailed Procedure for Static and Dynamic Analysis

Prof. Laxmi G Hattiholi

 KLS VDIT, Civil Engineering Department

Module 5
1. Briefly explain elastic properties of Structural masonry
2. Explain different methods of retrofitting of RC structures.
3. Briefly explain with neat sketch behaviour of Infill walls for Earthquake Loads.
4. Briefly explain ductile detailing provision for flexural members for earthquake resistant
structures.
5. Discuss the following issues with respect to earthquake resistant construction of RC Building.
i.) Soft storey Collapse ii.) Short column failure iii.) Strong column weak beam concept iv.)
Pounding effect.
6. Briefly explain with neat sketch behaviour of unreinforced and reinforced walls for
Earthquake Loads.
7. Briefly explain ductile detailing provision for columns( Vertical member) and Beam column
joint for earthquake resistant structures.
8. Briefly explain Failure patterns of masonry structures for Earthquake loads.
9. Briefly explain recommendations for improving performance of masonry building during
Earthquake.
10. Briefly Explain Box action of masonry structures
11. Briefly explain Different horizontal bands used in Masonry structures.

Prof. Laxmi G Hattiholi