The IAStructE – IIIT Hyderabad student chapter of the Earthquake Engineering Research Centre organized an online Guest Lecture on September 13, 2023. The lecture, titled "Seismic Safety of Building Construction in India under Severe Earthquakes by Using Passive Energy Dissipating Devices (PEDD)" was open to UG and PG students, structural engineers, faculty members, and members of the academic and research community.

Dr. Pankaj Agarwal, Professor at the Department of Earthquake Engineering, IIT Roorkee, delivered the lecture. He covered fundamental aspects of structural response to earthquakes, the magnitude of forces in severe earthquake scenarios, the elastic and elasto-plastic responses of structures, and an in-depth exploration of structural ductility. The discussion encompassed a detailed examination and characteristics of plastic hinges, failure mechanisms in framed structures, and the principle of “strong columns and weak beams” in structural design. The speaker delved into damping-based earthquake-resistant structural design, transmissibility of forces, and the use of response spectra in this design approach. He elucidated various methods to enhance damping in structures, with a particular focus on passive energy dissipation devices (PEDD) and energy-dissipating mechanisms. The lecture also highlighted four case/experimental studies including various damping devices for reinforced concrete and masonry structures. He highlighted their key features and results to provide attendees with a clearer understanding of the topic and its practical applications. To conclude the presentation, Dr. Pankaj shared a video demonstrating ongoing experiments at IIT Roorkee related to the discussed topics and concepts, and offering valuable insights for a more comprehensive grasp of the subject matter.

The webinar was completed with an engaging and insightful discussion, with active participation from the attendees. This discussion enriched the overall exploration of the topic and its significance in seismic safety for building construction in India under severe earthquake conditions.