EARTHQUAKE RESISTANT OF STRUCTURES (RCE088)

QUESTION BANK

1. The system which comprises of the reinforced concrete column and connecting beams is known as
__________
a) RC frame
b) RC shutter
c) RC style
d) RC hinge

Answer: a
Explanation: The system which comprises of the reinforced concrete column and connecting beams is
known as RC frame. A typical RC building is made of both vertical and horizontal members. The
horizontal members are the beams and slabs while the vertical members are the columns and walls.

2. Inertia forces generated by the earthquake shakings primarily develop at the floor of the building.
a) True
b) False

Answer: a
Explanation: Inertia forces generated by the earthquake shakings primarily develop at the floor of the
building. This is because most of the mass of the building is present at the floor levels. These inertia
forces travel downwards through beams and slabs to walls and columns and then to the foundations
from where they are finally dispersed to the ground.

3. It is desirable to design the RC frame in a way that the plastic hinges are formed in the columns than
in beams.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Explanation: It is desirable to design the RC frame in a way that the plastic hinges are formed in the
beams than in the columns. This is because only localized failure takes place due to the collapse of a
beam while due to the collapse of a column, global failure occurs.

4. While considering the design of R.C. buildings for providing ductility, IS codes prohibit the steel grade
greater than _________
a) Fe 250
b) Fe 320
c) Fe 415
d) Fe 550

Answer: c
Explanation: While considering the design of R.C. buildings for providing ductility, IS codes prohibit the
steel grade greater than Fe 415. It should be kept in mind that relatively low-grade steel should be
preferred.

5. A spiral column should be preferred if the axial load is greater than ________ times the balanced axial
load.
a) 0.25
b) 0.4
c) 0.85
d) 0.96

Answer: b
Explanation: A spiral column should be preferred if the axial load is greater than 0.4 times the balanced
axial load. Spirals or closed stirrups are used for confining concrete at the section of maximum
moments.

6. While considering the design of R.C. buildings for providing ductility, the minimum grade of concrete
limited by the Indian Code is _________
a) M 10
b) M 20
c) M 35
d) M 50

Answer: b
Explanation: While considering the design of R.C. buildings for providing ductility, the minimum grade of
concrete limited by the Indian Code is M 20. The higher grade of concrete leads to a lower ultimate
compressive strain which results in a reduction in ductility.

7. According to the recommendations of IS 13920: 1993, the thickness of any part of the wall should not
be less than __________
a) 50 mm
b) 100 mm
c) 150 mm
d) 200 mm

Answer: c
Explanation: According to the recommendations of IS 13920: 1993, the thickness of any part of the wall
should not be less than 150 mm. The requirements of this section apply to the shear walls that are a
part of the lateral force-resisting system of the structure.
8. Base isolation technique was first demonstrated in India after the ________
a) 2005 Kashmir earthquake
b) 1991 Uttarkashi earthquake
c) 1993 Killari earthquake
d) 1950 Assam earthquake

Answer: c
Explanation: Base isolation technique was first demonstrated in India after the 1993 Killari earthquake.
This technique is used for protecting the buildings from damaging earthquake effects.

9. The four-storeyed building of Bhuj Hospital was built after the __________
a) 2001 Bhuj earthquake
b) 1996 Bhuj earthquake
c) 2006 Bhuj earthquake
d) 1893 Bhuj earthquake

Answer: a
Explanation: The four-storeyed building of Bhuj Hospital was built after the 2001 Bhuj earthquake. It was
built using the base isolation technique. The idea behind this technique is to isolate the building from
the ground in a way to avoid the transmission of earthquake motions up through the building.

10. In viscous dampers, energy gets absorbed by _______ fluid which passes between the piston-
cylinder arrangement.
a) Aluminium-based
b) Iron-based
c) Silicone-based
d) Copper-based

Answer: c
Explanation: There are two technologies to protect buildings from the effects of earthquakes – seismic
dampers and base isolation devices. Various types of seismic dampers used are viscous dampers,
yielding dampers and friction dampers. In viscous dampers, energy gets absorbed by silicone-based fluid
which passes between the piston-cylinder arrangement.

11. Earthquake force is a function of __________

a) Mass
b) Thickness
c) Length
d) Breadth

Answer: a
Explanation: Earthquake force is a function of mass. Because of this fact, it is recommended that the
building should be as light as possible. Roofs and upper storeys of buildings should also be designed as
light as possible.

12. During the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings, ceiling plaster should be avoided. In case
it cannot be avoided, it should be as thick as possible.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Explanation: During the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings, ceiling plaster should be
avoided. In case it cannot be avoided, it should be as thin as possible. The suspended ceiling should also
be avoided as far as possible.

13. The design of the projecting parts during the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings should
be per ________
a) IS 1833: 2000
b) IS 1873: 2001
c) IS 1893: 2002
d) IS 1993: 2004

Answer: c
Explanation: During the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings, projecting parts should be
avoided as far as possible. In case, they cannot be avoided then the design of the projecting parts should
be per IS 1893: 2002.

14. During the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings, it should be kept in mind that those solid
concrete blocks should be used which have crushing strength not lesser than _________
a) 10 MPa
b) 20 MPa
c) 35 MPa
d) 60 MPa

Answer: c
Explanation: During the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings, it should be kept in mind that
those solid concrete blocks should be used which have crushing strength not lesser than 35 MPa.
However, depending on the thickness of walls and the number of storeys, masonry units of higher
strength may be required.

15. Where the masonry is provided with steel reinforcing bars, the bars should be embedded with
adequate cover in cement concrete of grade _________
a) M 5
b) M 10
c) M 35
d) M 15

Answer: d
Explanation: Where the masonry is provided with steel reinforcing bars, the bars should be embedded
with adequate cover in cement concrete of grade M 15. This is done to achieve corrosion resistance and
a good bond.

16. Masonry bearing walls should not be built of height greater than _________ subject to a maximum
of four storeys when measured from the mean ground level to the ride level during the construction of
earthquake-resistant buildings.
a) 15 metres
b) 30 metres
c) 60 metres
d) 75 metres

Answer: a
Explanation: Masonry bearing walls should not be built of height greater than 15 metres subject to a
maximum of four storeys when measured from the mean ground level to the ride level during the
construction of earthquake-resistant buildings. As far as possible, the bearing walls should be
symmetrical in the plan in both the directions.

17. The window and door openings increase the lateral load resistance of the walls.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Explanation: The window and door openings reduce the lateral load resistance of the walls. Therefore,
they should be more centrally located and should preferably be small.

18. The concrete used in coastal areas during the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings should
be of grade __________
a) M 10
b) M 15
c) M 20
d) M 35

Answer: c
Explanation: The concrete used in coastal areas during the construction of earthquake-resistant
buildings should be of grade M 20. Also, the filling mortar should be of the ratio 1:3.

19. The width of the reinforced concrete band is taken the same as the __________ of the wall.
a) Thickness
b) Height
c) Mass
d) Length

Answer: a
Explanation: The width of the reinforced concrete band is taken the same as the thickness of the wall.
The thickness of the wall should be 200 mm minimum.

20. The vertical thickness of the reinforced concrete band should be _______ minimum where four
longitudinal bars are specified.
a) 75 mm
b) 100 mm
c) 150 mm
d) 180 mm

Answer: c
Explanation: The vertical thickness of the reinforced concrete band should be 150 mm minimum where
four bars are specified. However, it should be 75 mm where bars are specified, one on each face.

21. Calculate damped natural frequency, if a spring mass damper system is subjected to periodic
disturbing force of 30 N. Damping coefficient is equal to 0.76 times of critical damping coefficient and
undamped natural frequency is 5 rad/sec

a. 3.99 rad/sec

b. 2.13 rad/sec

c. 4.12 rad/sec

d. 3.24 rad/sec

ANSWER: 3.24 rad/sec

22. Calculate critical speed of a vehicle which moves on a road having sinusoidal profile of wavelength
2.5 m. The mass of the vehicle is 300 kg and natural frequency of its spring suspension system is 8
rad/sec

a. 4.15 m/sec

b. 3.18 m/sec

c. 2.36 m/sec

d. None of the above

ANSWER: 3.18 m/sec

23. What is the effect of damping on phase angle at resonance frequency?

a. Phase angle increases as damping increases

b. Damping has no effect on phase angle

c. Phase angle increases as damping decreases

d. None of the above

ANSWER: Damping has no effect on phase angle

24. When frequency ratio (ω/ωn) is greater than unity, phase angle decreases as ______

a. damping factor increases

b. damping factor decreases

c. both a. and b.

d. none of the above

ANSWER: damping factor increases

25. At which frequency ratio, phase angle increases as damping factor increases?

a. When frequency ratio is less than unity

b. When frequency ratio is more than unity

c. When frequency ratio is zero

d. All of the above

ANSWER: When frequency ratio is less than unity

26. Which of the following statements is/are true?

1. Magnification factor is minimum at resonance

2. The maximum value of amplification factor increases as damping factor decreases

3. The maximum value of amplification factor increases as damping factor increases

4. Magnification factor is maximum at resonance

a. Statement 1 and statement 2

b. Statements 1,2 and 3

c. Statement 2 and statement 4

d. All the above statements are true

ANSWER: Statement 2 and statement 4

27. Magnification factor is the ratio of ______

a. zero frequency deflection and amplitude of steady state vibrations

b. amplitude of steady state vibrations and zero frequency deflection

c. amplitude of unsteady state vibrations and zero frequency distribution

d. none of the above

ANSWER: amplitude of steady state vibrations and zero frequency deflection

28. Consider the steady-state absolute amplitude equation shown below, if ω / ωn = √2 then amplitude
ratio (X/Y) =?

(X/Y) = √{1 + [ 2ξ (ω/ωn)]2} / √{[1 – (ω/ωn)2]2 + {2ξ (ω/ωn)2}

a. 0

b. 1

c. less than 1

d. greater than 1

ANSWER: 1
29. What is meant by phase difference or phase angle in forced vibrations?

a. Difference between displacement vector (xp) and velocity vector Vp

b. Angle in which displacement vector leads force vector by (F0 sinωt)

c. Angle in which displacement vector (xp) lags force vector (F0 sinωt)

d. None of the above

ANSWER: Angle in which displacement vector (xp) lags force vector (F0 sinωt)

30. The equation m(d2x/ dt2) + c (dx/dt) + Kx = F0 sin ωt is a second order differential equation. The
solution of this linear equation is given as

a. complementary function

b. particular function

c. sum of complementary and particular function

d. difference of complementary and particular function

ANSWER: sum of complementary and particular function

31. Seismic loads are directly proportional to the exposed area of the building.
State whether the above statement is true or false.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Explanation: Instead, seismic load is proportional to the distribution of mass of the building above the
considered level.

32. Which types of forces are generated during earthquake?

a) Vertical shear
b) Horizontal shear
c) Bending moment
d) Combination of horizontal and vertical shear
Answer: b
Explanation: Ground is displaced and ground is subjected to sudden movements. This causes differential
movements in building leading to horizontal shear.

33. What will be the static lateral force at 10th level of a structure if total gravity load is x and portion
assigned to the 10th level is 10%
a) x
b) 0.1x
c) 0.01x
d) 0.001x

Answer: d
Explanation: Fx = 0.01wx.

34. The fundamental natural period of a building is independent of the mass of the structure.
State whether the above sentence is true or false.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The fundamental natural period of a building is dependent upon mass and stiffness of the
structure.

35. Calculate the fundamental natural period of a building made with reinforced concrete moment
frames and with the height of highest level as 50ft.
a) 0.676
b) 0.686
c) 0.696
d) 0.666
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Ta = Ct hnx, Ct = 0.02, x = 0.9.

36. What will be the minimum value of total static lateral base shear for a hospital id SDS = 0.15g?
a) .0079gw
b) .0089gw
c) .0099gw
d) .0109gw
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Vmin. = 0.044SDS IW hospitals have an importance factor of 1.5.

37. What will be Vmax in the above question if the hospital is made up of structural steel frames?
a) .01813gw
b) .02813gw
c) .03813gw
d) .04813gw
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Vmax = SDSW/(R/I), and value of R foe structural steel frames is approximately 8.

38. Calculate value of V in above question if T = 1.676.

a) .01678gw
b) .02678gw
c) .03678gw
d) .04678gw
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: V = SDSW/(TR/I) Also, we can see that Vmax > V > Vmin in this case. Otherwise, we will have to
modify the value of V to one of the boundary limits.

39. This figure is used in question.

The figure above shown is an incomplete diagram of a hospital consisting of reinforced concrete frames
with rigid joints. Given that SDS = 1.2g and SDI = 0.5 g and w= 400k.

41. Find the fundamental natural period of this building?

a) 1.175

b) 1.275

c) 1.375

d) 1.475

Answer: c

Explanation: Ta = Ct hnx, Ct will be 0.02, x will be 0.9 and hn will be 110 ft.

42. What will be the value of response modification factor (R)?

a) 6

b) 7

c) 8

d) 9

Answer: c

Explanation: Since it is made up of reinforced concrete beam, r will be approximately 8.

43. What will be the total static lateral base shear?

a) 66g

b) 450g

c) 327.27g

d) 427.27g

Answer: c

Explanation: Calculate v using the formula V = SDSW/(TR/I) which comes out to be 327.27g and also find
Vmax and Vmin which comes out to be 66g and 450g. Thus Vmax > V > Vmin and the answer is c.
44. What will be the value of distribution coefficient k in the above question?

a) 1.4375

b) 1.4875

c) 1.3375

d) 1.3875

Answer: a

Explanation: K = 1+((T-.5)/2), and vale of T as calculated above is 1.375.

45. Find the lateral seismic load applied at 4th level.

a) 41.378

b) 65.59

c) 65.378

d) 66.378

Answer: b

Explanation: Fx= (Wx hxk V)/(Σwi hik). Here, x = 4 and the value of denominator term is 2714.735. Also,
V has already been calculated in above questions.

46. What will be the summation of the entire individual floor lateral seismic load?

a) 4V

b) 3V

c) 2V

d) V

Answer: d

Explanation: On summing all the term of the equation used in the above question, e will see that they
cancel out each other and only the term v remains. Also, analytically sum of forces on each level should
be equal to the net seismic force/load.
47. Exposure index (Cc) is intended to account for the snow that can’t be blown from the roof because
of the surrounding locality.

State whether the above statement is true or false.

a) True

b) False

Answer: b

Explanation: Exposure index (Cc) is intended to account for the snow that can be blown from the roof
because of the surrounding locality.

48. If city A has clay foundation and city B has rock bed foundation, then what will be the relation
between design spectral accelerations (S) of both cities?

a) SA < SB

b) SA > SB

c) SA = SB

d) Depends upon type of earthquake

Answer: b

Explanation: Clay is weaker foundation material. So, SD1 and SDS will be larger for it than rocky base.

49. Which of the following material will have the highest value of response modification factor?

a) Reinforced concrete shear walls

b) Wood

c) Reinforced concrete frames with flexible joints

d) Structural steel frames

Answer: d

Explanation: More ductile a material is, higher will be the value of response modification factor.

50. Earthquake force is a function of __________

a) Mass

b) Thickness

c) Length

d) Breadth

Answer:

Clarification: Earthquake force is a function of mass. Because of thisfact, it is recommended that the
building should be as light aspossible. Roofs and upper storeys of buildings should also bedesigned as
light as possible.

51. During the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings, ceiling plaster should be avoided. In case
it cannot be avoided, it should be as thick as possible.

a) True

b) False

Answer: b

Clarification: During the construction of earthquake-resistantbuildings, ceiling plaster should be avoided.

In case it cannot beavoided, it should be as thin as possible. The suspended ceilingshould also be
avoided as far as possible.

52. The design of the projecting parts during the construction ofearthquake-resistant buildings should
be per ________

a) IS 1833: 2000

b) IS 1873: 2001

c) IS 1893: 2002

d) IS 1993: 2004

Answer: c

Clarification: During the construction of earthquake-resistantbuildings, projecting parts should be

avoided as far as possible. Incase, they cannot be avoided then the design of the projecting partsshould
be per IS 1893: 2002.

54. During the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings, itshould be kept in mind that those solid
concrete blocks should beused which have crushing strength not lesser than _________

a) 10 MPa

b) 20 MPa
c) 35 MPa

d) 60 MPa

Answer: c

Clarification: During the construction of earthquake-resistantbuildings, it should be kept in mind that

those solid concrete blocksshould be used which have crushing strength not lesser than 35
MPa.However, depending on the thickness of walls and the number ofstoreys, masonry units of higher
strength may be required.

55. Where the masonry is provided with steel reinforcing bars, the barsshould be embedded with
adequate cover in cement concrete of grade_________

a) M 5

b) M 10

c) M 35

d) M 15

Answer: d

Clarification: Where the masonry is provided with steel reinforcingbars, the bars should be embedded
with adequate cover in cementconcrete of grade M 15. This is done to achieve corrosion resistanceand a
good bond.

56. Masonry bearing walls should not be built of height greater than_________ subject to a maximum of
four storeys when measuredfrom the mean ground level to the ride level during the constructionof
earthquake-resistant buildings.

a) 15 metres

b) 30 metres

c) 60 metres

d) 75 metres

Answer: a

Clarification: Masonry bearing walls should not be built of heightgreater than 15 metres subject to a
maximum of four storeys whenmeasured from the mean ground level to the ride level during
theconstruction of earthquake-resistant buildings. As far as possible,the bearing walls should be
symmetrical in the plan in both thedirections.

57. The window and door openings increase the lateral load resistanceof the walls.

a) True

b) False

Answer: b
Clarification: The window and door openings reduce the lateral loadresistance of the walls. Therefore,
they should be more centrallylocated and should preferably be small.

58. The concrete used in coastal areas during the construction ofearthquake-resistant buildings should
be of grade __________

a) M 10

b) M 15

c) M 20

d) M 35

Answer: c

Clarification: The concrete used in coastal areas during the construction of earthquake-resistant
buildings should be of grade M20. Also, the filling mortar should be of the ratio 1:3.

59. The width of the reinforced concrete band is taken the same as the__________ of the wall.

a) Thickness

b) Height

c) Mass

d) Length

Answer: a

Clarification: The width of the reinforced concrete band is taken thesame as the thickness of the wall.
The thickness of the wall should be200 mm minimum.

60. The vertical thickness of the reinforced concrete band should be_______ minimum where four
longitudinal bars are specified.

a) 75 mm

b) 100 mm

c) 150 mm

d) 180 mm

Answer: c

Clarification: The vertical thickness of the reinforced concrete bandshould be 150 mm minimum where
four bars are specified. However,it should be 75 mm where bars are specified, one on each face.