Proposed Research Topics

Topic 1.
MEASURES TO MITIGATE EFFECTS OF TERRORIST ATTACKS ON BUILDINGS
under Prof. Tan Kang Hai
While working as a structural engineer I am interested in building design which are
much stronger and can resist earthquake, Cyclonic, blast effect.
Blast loading demands large lateral resistance from the building. Hence, measures
to provide earthquake-resistance in buildings are also beneficial in resisting blast
loads. These issues are covered through the Indian seismic code IS: 1893(1)-2002,
ductile detailing code for RC structures IS: 13920-1993, and earthquake resistant
construction guidelines IS: 4326-1993. Similarly, provisions are also available for
resisting wind effects on structures, particularly due to cyclones, and fire-resistant
design of structures. However, progressive collapse is not dealt with in the Indian
codes, including in the Indian seismic codes. I am interested in currently developing
those basic guidelines which would be helpful to make buildings more blast
resistant.
I have gone through article "Impacts and Analysis for Buildings under Terrorist
Attacks" by Edward Eskew and Shinae Jang. From reading I feel that there is scope
of understanding the blast effect through practical means on various structures and
by implementing those results in a model such as a neural network model we can
find those factors which plays major role in preventing a structural collapse.
I have gone through current projects of Prof Tan Kang Hai and I believe that working
on projects like "Development of Analytical Tools for Progressive Collapse Analysis
due to Terrorist Bombing" would help me in better understanding the design of
buildings.

Topic 2.
COST-OPTIMIZED AND ENERGY EFFICIENT DESIGN OF A BUILDING under
Prof. Qian Shunzhi
While working on Project "Smart Technology for EnergyEfficient Building" STEEB I
got exposure to scope of low cost green building designs. I had gone through papers
like "OPTIMUM DESIGN OF MULTISTOREY STRUCTURES WITH SHEAR WALLS By M.P
Saka" and "Optimum seismic design of a multi-story steel frame by K. Jarmai". I was
greatly inspired by these papers. As I have knowledge and experience of
computational programming I believe there is much more scope in cost optimized
design of a building.
I believe the objective of this topic can be achieved in 4 phases three
1. In first phase in a building room's size, shape and orientation can be
optimized using neural network and fuzzy logic using the factors like Sunlight
intensity, wind speed and direction, occupancy of room, type of the room.
This will be first step towards cost optimized design.
2. Once the architectural designing of a building is done, its Mechanical,
Electrical services can be designed using the same factors to make it more
energy efficient which I had successfully implemented while working on my
Project "Smart Technology for EnergyEfficient Building".
3. Then by using more lightweight materials like Aerated concrete blocks
instead of bricks and other materials such as sugarcane ropes, jute bags can
help in achieving the objective of more cheap construction
4. Then the optimized structural designing of slabs, columns and beams can be
done based on load distribution and providing the exactly amount of steel as
per required provisions.
I have gone through the research interest of Asst. Prof Qian Shunzhi and I feels that
his research interest on "Sustainable design and construction" will help me in
providing guidance to work further on my project COST-OPTIMIZED AND ENERGY
EFFICIENT DESIGN OF A BUILDING.