IAStructE – IIIT Hyderabad student’s chapter of Earthquake Engineering Research Centre, conducted an online Guest Lecture on a topic “Non-Engineered 2.0 - A Call to Action” on 15th March 2023 for all the M. Tech students, Ph.D. students, structural engineers, faculty, academic and research academic . Dr. Martijn Schildkamp, founder and director of three Smart Shelter divisions. He is an architect and engineer from Netherlands with a passion for alternative materials and experimental building in low-tech earthquake resistant principles.

He gave an insight on the large amount of masonry structures in Himalayan belt and this region being seismic active hence the importance of making these structures earthquake resistant. He educated the audience on the need for understanding the basic masonry structures design and construction techniques. He highlighted the importance of effective and efficient horizontal reinforcement bands in masonry structures for the structures to be earthquake resistive. He highlighted the crucial deficient of Indian codes and the need to development accurate and cohesive codes for masonry structures. Further, the discussion was concluded with the huge scope for work and innovations required for masonry structures with the academic and research fraternity. A very insightful discussion was held at the end of the webinar with the participants.