Seismic performance of existing water tank after condition ranking using non‑destructive testing

There has been a collaborative attempt to address the seismic vulnerability of existing structures in India after an earthquake in Bhuj, Gujarat, in 2001. Seismic diagnosis and seismic retrofit for the existing tanks have become a remarkable issue to be worked since deterioration is a cosmopolitan and natural phenomenon. It is important to know the exact reason for distress and type of distress. To manage such issues, a proper method of repair and rehabilitation with detailed plans and methodology is required. This paper is aimed at evolving systematic investigation metrology for condition ranking procedure based on the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and strengthening by various retrofitting strategies. For that case study, an existing elevated water tank is considered, which was designed according to state of the art over 40 years ago as per old Indian Standard (IS) code. The ranking assessment of the elevated service reservoir was carried out using different non-destructive tests (NDTs). DER, i.e., degree (D), extent (E) and relevancy (R) rating technique was employed to find out the condition index of the elevated service reservoir (ESR). After finding the condition ranking of the existing structure, an analysis was carried out using SAP 2000 to find the present-day seismic requirements using IS codes. After knowing the seismic demand of the water tank, various retrofitting methods were adopted for improving the drift capacity and flexural capacity of the structure. The results were finally used to address some of the critical issues of the seismic response of the retrofitted structure in terms of a time period, mode shapes, base shear, displacement, acceleration, and velocity. From the case study result of seismic retrofit for the existing elevated water tank, it is confirmed that a relatively simple seismic retrofit method is effective to keep the tank functional after an earthquake.