CHAPTER-1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 General

India has track record of catastrophic earthquakes, at various regions, which left
behind loss of many lives and heavy destruction to property and economy.

Behavior of buildings in hill region is somewhat different than the buildings on leveled
ground, since the column of the hill building rests at different levels on the slope. Such
buildings have mass and stiffness varying along the vertical and horizontal planes
resulting the center of mass and center of rigidity do not coincide on various floors,
hence they demand torsional analysis, in addition to lateral forces under the action of
earthquakes.

Earthquakes themselves do not kill people, rather the colossal loss of human lives and
occur due to the destruction of structures. Building structures collapse during severe
earthquakes, and cause direct loss of human lives.

Numerous research works have been directed worldwide in last few decades to
investigate the cause of failure of different types of buildings under severe seismic
excitations. Massive destruction of high rise as well as low rise buildings in recent
devastating earthquake proves that in developing counties like India, such investigation is
the need of the hour. Hence, seismic behavior of asymmetric building structures has
become a topic of worldwide active research.

The economic growth & rapid urbanization in hilly region has accelerated the real estate
development. Due to this, population density in the hilly region has increased
enormously. Therefore; there is popular & pressing demand for the construction of multi
storey buildings on hill slope in and around the cities.

1
 Figure 1.1 –Performance objectives under different intensities of earthquake
Source: Simplified Guidelines for Earthquake Safety of Buildings from National
Building code of India 2016.

Figure 1.2-Effect of buildings due to earthquake.

Source: Simplified Guidelines for Earthquake Safety of Buildings from
National Building Code of India 2016.

Figure 1.3-Eight-storey building collapses in Shimla,

Source; Article from Times of India September 30, 2021

2
 Figure 1.4-Failure of short column (Road level at level six) of a ten story hill building
during Sikkim earthquake (September 18, 2011);

Source: Y Singh et al (2012)

1.2 Outline of the proposed project work:

The present work is aimed to evaluate the RC building resting on sloped ground with the
following objectives:

● Modelling of G+15 storey RC building resting on sloped ground with different

slopes of 0⁰, 15⁰, 30⁰, and 45⁰.

● To identify the additional forces due to irregularities when compared with the
regular buildings.

● To identify the damages that took place on this type of building when subjected
to seismic analysis.

1.3 Thesis Organization:

The project is organized into 5 chapters with the following contents:

● Chapter 1 consists of the need, objectives, and importance of the present study.

● Chapter 2 deals with the literature review to arrive at a proper issue.

● Chapter 3 deals with the methodology and modelling in solving the issue.

3
● Chapter 4 involves the theoretical investigation applied on the structures. Further
concludes with analytical modelling of the structures using the software and
evaluation.

● Finally, chapter 5 deals with the discussions of the results, concludes the thesis
with limitations and recommendations of the further work which is possible.

4
 CHAPTER-2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

This chapter presents a brief review of the recent literature in the form of journals
and an official document was performed to study the performance of RC buildings
resting on sloped ground with different slopes. One of the earliest studies on the
behaviour of buildings constructed on hills slopes was done by Kumar, S., and D.K
Paul (1998) who has proposed a simplified procedure to analyze the linear
earthquake behaviour of buildings with vertical irregularities where centre of mass
and centre of stiffness do not coincide.

2.2 Behavior of the buildings resting on sloped ground

 Birajdar and Nalawade (2004) has studied the seismic behaviour (using
Response Spectrum analysis) of around 24 RC buildings with three different
configurations on sloped ground (1 & 2) as well as flat land viz. 1) Step back,
2) Step back Set back building and 3) Set back building. In this work the
authors have suggested that, even though the performance of SET back
configuration being much better when compared to other two, the issues
surrounding unavailability of flat land and levelling of hill slopes make the
configuration uneconomical as well as unpractical. Also, the study concludes
that in buildings with sloping configurations i.e. Step back and Step back set
back, the columns situated at the road level attract most of shear force acting
on the building leading to severe damage of the column itself, which has to
be addressed.

 A.R. Vijaya Narayanan el al (2012) studied and pointed out the major
challenges observed with the construction of such buildings on hill slopes of
Sikkim Himalayas to be non-engineered construction and the poor quality of

5
 materials used. Authors further recommend smaller plan dimensions as well
as additional stories only above road level for the better performance of step
back buildings.

 Welsh Huggins et al (2017) has studied the seismic vulnerability of

buildings on Aizawl hill slopes. The collapse mechanism has been identified
to be the zippering failure of downhill columns that is initiated by the failure
of column located at the road level i.e., short column. The authors strongly
recommended to highly focus on increasing the shear capacity of these uphill
base columns. Seismic risk of two cities, Mussoorie and Nainital on hill
slopes of seismically active Himalayan belt has been studied by Yogendra
Singh et al (2015). In this study the topographic amplification factors for
these cities were analyzed using various design codes. The higher risk of the
buildings on hill slopes due to irregular configuration has been identified.
Authors conclude that, when designed using Indian Codal provisions the
performance of buildings standing on hill slopes is significantly worse when
compared to similar building on a flat terrain.

 Shreyas M G1, Vasudev M V2, in this study they considered all three
angles (i.e 150, 200, 250) and varying height of the model under study (i.e
24m, 27m,30m), the conclusions are, the SB building frames give greater
values of Storey displacement as compared to SBS frames, the SB building
shows higher values of time period when compared with SBS building In
both SB and SBS frames, it is observed that the columns which are short are
most affected. Special attention is required while designing these short
columns. On observation in all the models, around 30-35% decrease in storey
shear in case of SBS when compared to SB frames.

 M.HASAN1,N.H.M.K.SERKER2: After the detailed comparative study, as

per engineering knowledge the following are some of the conclusions which
are drawn on the basis of the study. Step back frames produce greater base
shear as compared to step back-set back frames. The step back building
frames give greater values of time period as compared with step back-set

6
 back frames. The step back building frames give greater values of top storey
displacement and story drift as compared with step back-set back frames.

2.3 Conclusion on Literature review

From the literature survey, it was found that many research works were conducted on the
analysis RC buildings resting on sloped ground with different slopes in seismic region.
The following literature surveys for the analysis of RC structures with different slopes, a
smaller number of works are done on RC structures for different dimensions of buildings.
This paper aims to analyze the RC buildings resting on sloped ground with different slope
angles of 0⁰,15⁰,30⁰,45⁰.

7
 CHAPTER-3

METHODOLOGY AND MODELLING

3.1 Introduction

In the present study, I.S. Code (1893:2002) based is performed. This study includes
comparative study of behavior of RC buildings considering different slopes.

Response spectrum analysis permits the multiple modes of response of a building to

be considered. This is required in many building codes for all except for very simple or
very complex structures. The structural response can be defined as a combination of many
modes. Computer analysis can be used to determine these modes for a structure. For each
mode, a response is obtained from the design spectrum, corresponding to the modal
frequency and the modal mass, and then they are combined to estimate the total response
of the structure. In this the magnitude of forces in all directions is calculated and then
effects on the building are observed. Following are the types of combination methods:

● Absolute - peak values are added together

● Square root of the sum of the squares (SRSS),

● Complete quadratic combination (CQC) - a method that is an improvement on

SRSS for closely spaced modes.

The result of a RSM analysis from the response spectrum of a ground motion is typically
different from that which would be calculated directly from a linear dynamic analysis
using that ground motion directly, because information of the phase is lost in the process
of generating the response spectrum. In cases of structures with large irregularity, too tall
or of significance to a community in disaster response, the response spectrum approach is
no longer appropriate, and more complex analysis is often required, such as non-linear
static or dynamic analysis.

The present study is to evaluate the behavior of RC buildings resting on sloped ground
with different slopes of 0⁰,15⁰,30⁰,45⁰ by using STAAD pro software which are
subjected to dead load, live load, and seismic loads. The structures are analyzed by linear
dynamic analysis (Response spectrum analysis) using STAAD pro software.

8
3.2 Modelling

3D analysis has been carried out by using response spectrum method for the study. The
analysis is carried by response spectrum method in accordance with IS:456(2000) for
plain and reinforced concrete, IS:875(1987) part 1, part 2, part 3 for dead loads, live loads
and IS:1893(2002) part1 for earthquake loads. The buildings consist of reinforced
concrete G+15 with different slopes such as of 0⁰,15⁰,30⁰,45⁰. The dynamic response of
these buildings in terms of fundamental to define the most efficient Aspect ratio in high
rise buildings which can provide sound wind loading and Earthquake force by observing
the comparative studies to be used is suggested.

3.2.1 Geometry

The RCC structures consist of columns, beams, and slabs as shown in figures 3.2,3.5. The
overall dimensions of the structure are 12mx10m.column dimensions are 550mm x
600mm, beam dimensions are 350mm x 550mm, slab thickness is 165mm.From the code
IS 456:2000 beam and column sizes are satisfied.

Basic details of the structure

Table 3.1 Description of geometry

Parameter Assumed data

Length of building 12m

Width of building 10m

Height of building 45m

Floor to floor height 3m

Beam sizes 0.35mx0.55m

Column sizes 0.55mx0.60m

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 Slab thickness 0.165m

Material properties Concrete(M25)

Support Fixed

3.2.2 Codes used

Different codes used to determine the dead loads and live loads, to analyze and design
the structure are given in Table 3.2.

Table 3.2 Codes used

Code Title

(BIS: IS 456, 2000) Code of practice for plain and

reinforced concrete

(BIS: IS 875 Part 1, 1987) Code of practice for design loads for
buildings and structures part-1- dead load

(BIS: IS 875 Part 2, 1983) Code of practice for design loads for
buildings and structures part-2-
imposed loads.

(BIS: IS 1893 Part 1, 2002) Criteria for earthquake resistant design of

structures, part 1: general provisions and
buildings

10
 Table 3.3 Different cases with respect to building configurations

Model Configuration Cases Degree

15 storied regular building rested on flat 0 degree

ground.

15 storied sloping building having step 15 degrees

back set back configuration rested on
15˚ slope.

15 storied sloping building having step 30 degrees

back set back configuration rested on
30˚ slope.

15 storied sloping building having step 45 degrees

back set back configuration rested on
45˚ slope.

3.3 Modelling of the structure

Modelling of 3-D frame is shown in figures step by step. It includes:

1) Modelling of frame
2) Assigning supports
3) Assigning properties to the structure

3.3.1 MODELLING OF THE FRAME

Input the data using structure wizard option clicking on” Geometry” on menu bar ,we get
the” Run structure wizard” by clicking on Run structure wizard option we get a dialog
box .In dialog box we have frame model in which we select the frame model and select
bay frame and give the dimensions in length ,height width direction and divide the frame
into equal number of bays.

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 Figure 3.1: Plan of the model

3.3.1 ASSIGNING SUPPORTS

Supports are assigned at the base of the columns of the frame. Generally, fixed supports
are assigned so that columns will be fixed in its position. A fixed support has restraints
against all directions of movement. In “General” there is option of support. Click on
support and then click on create to give support by clicking all nodes of the frame and
assign to selected nodes as shown in Figure 3.2.

Figure 3.2: G+15 RC frame structure elevation view with fixed supports

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Figure 3.3: Flat building 3D view Figure 3.4: 15⁰ sloped building 3D view

Figure 3.5: 30⁰ building 3D view Figure 3.6: 45⁰ sloped building 3D view

13
3.3.3 ASSIGNING PROPERTIES TO THE STRUCTURE
Size of columns and beams depends on the span and loading. Generally, depth of the
beam varies between span/10 to span/12. Similarly, width of the beam should be less than
width of the column to avoid overhang in beam. Width to depth ratio of beam and
columns are given in (BIS: IS 13920, 2016). The depth of the beam should be sufficient
to counteract the bending moment occurs due to loading. If section get fail the properties
can be changed. The section properties are shown in Figures

Figure 3.7 Normal building

Figure 3.8 Building with 15⁰ slope

14
Figure 3.9 Building with 30⁰ slope

Figure 3.10 Building with 45⁰ slope

15
3.4 LOAD CALCULATIONS ON THE STRUCTURE

Various types of loading in STAAD PRO are explained below:

SEISMIC LOADING
DEAD LOAD

3.4.1 SEISMIC LOADING

To apply the seismic loading on the structure, there are two steps. First you have to
define the seismic load and then you have to assign the load to the structure. For
definition, different parameters are required viz. Zone factor, Importance Factor, Type of
structure, type of soil, depth of footing, damping ratio, response reduction factor etc.
These parameters are shown in Figure 4.10 and Table 4.1 and are procured from code
(BIS: IS 1893 Part 1, 2002).
Table 3.4 SEISMIC PARAMETERS

Parameter Assumed data

Soil type Medium Soil
Seismic zone V (Z = 0.36)
Response reduction factor 5
Importance factor 1.2(For Residential and commercial
building)
Damping ratio 5%

Figure 3.11 Defining Seismic Loading

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3.4.2 DEAD LOAD
Generally following types of dead loads can be applied on structure

Self-Weight
Load on slab

3.5 SELF WEIGHT

Self-weight refers to the self-weight of any entity, such as a member (beams, slabs,
columns etc.) as shown in Figure 6.2 and Figure 6.3. When the self-weight command is
used as a Load Item, it is an instruction to STAAD. Pro to automatically consider the
self-weight of the listed members properties.

Figure 3.12 Assigning Self-weight

17
 Figure 3.13 Self-weight on Structure

3.6 LOADS ON SLAB

The dead load of the slab will only be calculated based on analytical calculations as
shown in Table 6.2. To determine the self-weight of the slab, the density of the reinforced
concrete has been taken as 25 KN/m3 (BIS: IS 875 Part 1, 1987). The dead load of the
slab mainly depends on the thickness of the slab. To determine its thickness, slabs should
be designed as per design code (BIS: IS 456, 2000) to meet serviceability and strength
criteria. It means that slabs should be firstly designed analytically then after their load
will applied in STAAD. The floor load was not applied at plinth level because at plinth
level, the floor load will transfer to the soil and will not transfer to the footings.

Table 3.5 Load of Floor Slab

Thickness of slab 165mm

Dead load of slab (=0.165 X 25) 4.125kN/m2

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3.7 ANALYSIS AND POST PROCESSING
3.7.1 ANALYSE THE STRUCTURE

The analysis was performed using the commands under the analyze menu in the
modelling mode. Select the Run Analysis option to perform Analysis/Design.

The Analysis status dialog box shown below appears. This dialog box displays the status
of the analysis process. If an error occurs during the analysis, the above dialog box
displays the error message. In this dialog box, we are also presented with three options as
shown in Figure 3.13. View Output file

Go to post processing mode

Stay in modelling mode

After clicking “Go to post processing mode” a new dialog box will appear and select the
load cases. After that the post processing mode has been opened as shown in Figure 7.2
in which we can determine maximum and minimum bending moments, maximum and
minimum shear force, reactions at footings, stresses in plates etc.

Figure 3.14 Analyze window

19
Figure 3.15 Post Processing by load combinations

20
 Chapter 4

RESULTS AND

DISCUSSION

4.1 Introduction

In this study various cases are analyzed as per IS 1893:2016 (part-1) by response
spectrum method for seismic zone V against all constraints as mentioned in the
objectives. Dynamic analysis was performed against various seismic parameters for
multiple load combination for all the models consist of structure on normal ground, step
back configuration. The parameters taken for comparative examinations for individual
cases are maximum displacement, maximum story shear, maximum story drift and
maximum base shear by tabular and graphical form.

4.1 Analysis Results and comparison

Table 4.1: Table showing maximum displacements

DISPLACEMENT

0⁰ degree 15⁰ degree 30⁰ degree 45⁰ degree

base 0 0 0 0
1 3.107 3 3.85 4.52
2 8.253 8.542 7.14 9.11
3 10.22 10.11 11.52 12.14
4 13.97 13.14 12.96 13.08
5 14.86 14.24 13.94 14.11
6 16.985 16.51 15.84 15.99
7 17.566 16.5 16.9 17.13
8 19.988 18.22 18.11 18.23
9 24.125 21.96 22.3 22.84
10 32.516 28.44 26.45 26.95
11 34.125 34.11 34.82 35.24
12 33.99 33.98 34.11 34.98
13 32.09 33.74 34.58 35.65
14 33.21 34.96 35.12 36.11
15 32.621 34.98 35.25 36.84

21
The maximum displacement is found for the building which is resting on 45⁰ slope and
the graph for maximum displacement of the building resting on different slope is shown
below.

Maximum Displacement
40
35
Displacement

30
25
0 degree
20
15 15 degree
10
30 degree
5
0 45 degree
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
base

no. of Stories

Fig 4.1 Graph showing maximum displacements

The maximum displacement for different slopes is shown above

Table 4.2: Table showing maximum story shear

0⁰ degree 15⁰ degree 30⁰ degree 45⁰ degree

base 0 0 0 0
1 308.2 312.54 341.32 362.85
2 322 328.96 356.34 365.41
3 344.8 354.96 357.45 393.45
4 343.5 354.22 359.68 391.14
5 356.65 359.91 360.95 415.96
6 369.574 368.64 361.96 428.64
7 373.6 381.45 364.31 431.25
8 368.34 365 375.325 434.65
9 376.93 369.24 381.63 438.69
10 385.99 382.31 389.64 441.64
11 407.33 406.1 391.32 448.96
12 419.86 415.3 441.25 451.32
13 424.67 420.4 440.32 457.63
14 431.5 436.2 451.26 468.45
15 432.38 432.5 454.56 470.36

22
The maximum story shear is found for the building which is resting on 45⁰ slope and the
graph for maximum story shear of the building resting on different slope is shown below.

500story shear
450
400
350
300
shear

250 0 degree

200 15 degree

150 30 degree

100 45 degree

50
0

no of stories

Fig 4.2 Graph showing maximum story shear

The maximum story shear for different slopes is shown above

Table 4.3: Table showing maximum Story Drift

Story Drift
0⁰ degree 15⁰ degree 30⁰ degree 45⁰ degree
base 0 0 0 0
1 4.585 0.966 1.452 1.4
2 5.969 2.259 1.736 1.736
3 6.698 2.925 3.822 2.002
4 7.094 3.445 2.779 0.923
5 7.66 3.687 2.921 3.822
6 7.72 3.751 2.678 2.779
7 7.566 3.732 3.606 2.921
8 7.511 3.715 3.285 2.678
9 7.295 3.64 3.33 3.285
10 7.013 3.545 3.329 3.33
11 6.663 3.419 3.272 3.239
12 6.243 3.225 3.149 3.149

23
 13 5.738 3.043 2.96 2.945
14 2.307 2.797 2.964 2.96
15 2.35 2.769 2.95 3

The maximum story drift is found for the building which is resting on 45⁰ slope and the
graph for maximum story drift of the building resting on different slope is shown below.

Story Drift
9
8
7
6
base shear

5 0 degree
4
15 degree
3
30 degree
2
45 degree
1
0

no. of stories

Fig 4.2: Graph showing maximum Story Drift

The maximum story drift for different slopes is shown above

Table 4.4: Table showing maximum Base shear

0⁰ degree 15⁰ degree 30⁰ degree 45⁰ degree

base -72 -73 -79 -81
1 -63 -58 -59 -68
2 -60 -45 -58 -60
3 -58 -35 -50 -59
4 -55 -30 -49 -56
5 -53 -29 -46 -51
6 -50 -25 -42 -48
7 -48 -19 -38 -45
8 -45 -15 -35 -30
9 -29 -13 -30 -21
10 -25 -10 -21 -18

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 11 -20 -9 -18 -15
12 -25 -8 -15 -9
13 -18 -5 -9 -6
14 -9.5 -2.5 -4 -4
15 0 0 0 0

The maximum base shear is found for the building which is resting on 45⁰ slope and the
graph for maximum base shear of the building resting on different slopes is shown below.

Base shear
0
12 3456789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
-10
-20
-30
0 degree
base shear

-40
15 degree
-50
30 degree
-60
45 degree
-70
-80
-90
no. of stories

Fig 4.4: Graph showing maximum Base shear

The maximum base shear for different sloped is shown above

25
 CHAPTER-5

CONCLUSIONS

5.1 CONCLUSIONS

1. The maximum displacement is found to be 36.8 for top story which is at resting at
an angle of 45⁰.
2. The maximum displacement is found to be higher for building resting on sloped
building when compared to a building resting on flat terrain.
3. The maximum story shear is found higher for building resting on sloped building
when compared to a building resting on flat terrain.
4. The maximum story drift is found higher for building resting on sloped building
when compared to a building resting on flat terrain.
5. The maximum base shear is found higher for building resting on sloped building
when compared to a building resting on flat terrain.

6. It is observed that, maximum shear force and maximum bending moment increase
significantly for sloping ground at 45° slope.

7. The critical axial force in columns increases as slope increases.

8. The performance of irregular plan shaped building proved more vulnerable than
the regular plan shaped building.

5.2 FUTURE SCOPE

The present study can be further extended by

 Analysis can be done with different soil conditions.

 We can analyze by using other different software’s such as SAP 2000, ETABs etc.

 Different positions of Shear wall can be placed while analysis of regular building.

 Analysis can be done with different seismic zones.

26
 REFERENCES

1. S.S. Nala wade., “Seismic Analysis of Buildings on Sloping Ground,” M.E.

Dissertation, University of Pune, Pune Dec-2003.

2. Analysis of RC Building Resting on Sloping Ground Shreyas M G1, Vasudev M

V21 MTech Structural Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Nitti
Meenakshi Institute of Technology and Management.

3. IS 1893 (Part-I) 2002: Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of Structures,

Part-I General Provisions and Buildings, Fifth Revision, Bureau of Indian
Standards, New Delhi.

4. IS 875(1987), Indian Standard Code of practice for Design loads for buildings and
structures, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.

5. Seismic Vulnerability of Hillside Buildings in Northeast India by SARAH J.

WELSH-HUGGINS B.S., A.B., Lafayette College, 2012.

6. Performance of RC Buildings along Hill Slopes of Himalayas during 2011 Sikkim

Earthquake A.R. Vijaya Narayanan, Rupen Goswami and C.V.R. Murty Indian
Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India.

7. Seismic Analysis of RC Buildings Resting on Sloping Ground with Varying Hill

Slopes M. HASAN1, N. H. M. K. SERKER2

8. IS456(2000): plain and reinforced concrete - code of practice.

9. IS875 part-1,2,3: Dead Load, Live Load, Wind Load.

27