The IAStructE–IIIT Hyderabad Student Chapter of the Earthquake Engineering Research Centre (EERC) successfully hosted a distinguished Guest Lecture on 12th August 2025, titled “Lessons Learned: Risk Mitigation Strategies for the Future”, delivered by Dr. Hemant Kaushik, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Guwahati. Dr. Kaushik commenced his lecture with a comprehensive overview of the damage patterns observed in various building typologies during past earthquakes in India and other seismic regions worldwide. He emphasized that masonry continues to be one of the most prevalent construction materials in the country, accounting for more than 80% of India’s building stock. Using seismic zone maps, he illustrated the relationship between population distribution and the concentration of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures across the nation. The lecture provided an in-depth discussion on the principal masonry building systems found in India, namely masonry-infilled reinforced concrete (RC) frames, unreinforced masonry (URM), confined masonry (CM), and traditional construction forms such as Assam-type houses. Dr. Kaushik stressed the significance of understanding the seismic performance of these systems, particularly in densely populated and high-hazard zones.

A notable segment of the session was the presentation of experimental studies conducted on RC, URM, CM, and Assam-type houses. The findings included the impact of variations in infill materials, strength levels, and architectural configurations. Detailed insights into lateral load behaviour, drift characteristics, and the influence of design elements such as window openings were also shared. The highlight of the lecture was a comparative performance assessment of the different structural systems, supported by normalized response graphs. These demonstrated distinct variations in load-bearing capacity, deformation patterns, and failure mechanisms, offering a clear perspective on their relative seismic resilience. In his concluding remarks, Dr. Kaushik emphasized the imperative of risk mitigation through improved construction practices, strict compliance with building codes, and judicious selection of materials. He further advocated for the thoughtful integration of traditional and vernacular housing systems as resilient, context-sensitive solutions for earthquake-prone regions.

The lecture concluded with an engaging interactive Q&A session, where participants raised pertinent queries on structural performance and seismic safety. Dr. Kaushik responded with clarity and depth, further enriching the discourse. Overall, the event was highly informative and impactful, providing students, scholars and professionals with valuable insights into seismic risk reduction and the future of earthquake-resistant construction in India.