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Article
Publication date: 29 March 2022

Varinder S. Kanwar, Hitakshi Dutta, Ishwar Dutt, Ashok Kumar, C. Prakasam and Manvi Kanwar

To study the impact, awareness and preparedness of COVID-19, a “pandemic” that has aroused the attention of the entire world because of rapid infection rates; among the targeted…

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Abstract

Purpose

To study the impact, awareness and preparedness of COVID-19, a “pandemic” that has aroused the attention of the entire world because of rapid infection rates; among the targeted rural communities as basis to analyze their self-sustainability level.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methodology/approach combining critical literature review and questionnaire-based survey has been followed in two villages, covering a sample of 150 households located in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The parameters were selected to check awareness/preparedness regarding basic guidelines, immunity, requirements of essential facilities to deal with COVID-19 patients, the effect of lockdown on social and financial status, difficulties in education.

Findings

The villages have the potential to transform into Smart Villages or Smart Communities with the adaption of self-sustainable processes. The self-reliance on agriculture and traditional lifestyle in targeted rural areas make them relatively safer as compared to the urban areas. The community's overall awareness about COVID-19 and its preparedness was found satisfactory, with some variations that require more innovative strategies with academic interventions.

Research limitations/implications

Although the scope of the study was limited to two remote villages of Himachal Pradesh (India), the results could be generalized for in-depth understanding about other villages in the state to convert them into smart villages.

Originality/value

It summarizes a systemic perspective based on selected parameters on how COVID-19 lockdown has affected different aspects of life in rural communities. Further, collaborative efforts and adoption of self-sustainability model can lead to the remarkable transformation of villages into smart villages.

Details

Built Environment Project and Asset Management, vol. 12 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-124X

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 1 August 2010

Varinder S. Kanwar, Naveen Kwatra, Pankaj Aggarwal and Ramesh P. Singh

In developing countries such as India, it is common practice to use low‐quality building materials, the strength of such materials reduce with time, which affects the lifespan of…

2198

Abstract

Purpose

In developing countries such as India, it is common practice to use low‐quality building materials, the strength of such materials reduce with time, which affects the lifespan of buildings. The wind, rain, seepage, and surface runoff are other key factors responsible for building damage and exterior degradation. The increasing industrial growth in and around urban areas is responsible for increasing industrial and anthropogenic emissions that are found to accelerate degradation of the buildings that affects their physical appearance. In an area prone to natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, subsidence, floods, lightning, tornados, and cyclone/hurricanes, huge amounts of damage throughout the globe has been experienced. For the purpose of assuring safety due to natural hazards, it is necessary to monitor the damage for its existence, its location and extent. Undetected damage may potentially lead to risk of vulnerability caused by natural hazards and eventually to catastrophic failure. Hence, rapid structural damage detection is essential and important to save human life due to failure of structures or buildings. Most of the time, human loss occurs due to damage to the buildings. This paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present study, numerous experiments have been carried out on two reinforced concrete building test specimens and on seven existing reinforced cement concrete structures.

Findings

The results presented here in this study show that the vibration measurements can be used to monitor the health of framed reinforced cement concrete buildings.

Originality/value

The present study is part of doctoral thesis of Varinder S. Kanwar, an original research work.

Details

International Journal of Structural Integrity, vol. 1 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9864

Keywords

Available. Content available

Abstract

Details

Built Environment Project and Asset Management, vol. 12 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-124X

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Article
Publication date: 10 October 2008

Varinder Singh Kanwar, Naveen Kwatra, Pankaj Aggarwal and M.L. Gambir

The need for structural health monitoring systems is continuously growing to maintain existing civil infrastructure. For the purpose of assuring seismic safety, it is necessary to…

598

Abstract

Purpose

The need for structural health monitoring systems is continuously growing to maintain existing civil infrastructure. For the purpose of assuring seismic safety, it is necessary to monitor the damage for its occurrence, its location and the extent of damage. Information on the damage may be utilized to make decisions on maintenance and structural safety of existing buildings, rapid evaluation of condition of damaged structure after future earthquakes, estimation of residual life of structures, feasibility of repair and retrofitting of structures, partial replacement or demolition of structure and financial planning for renovation and rehabilitation. The purpose of this paper is to present a four‐level scheme of damage detection.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first stage of the four‐level scheme, finite element model has been developed and dynamic parameters are calculated. In the second stage, change in the dynamic properties of farmed reinforced concrete building model is identified from vibration measurements under different level of controlled damage. In the third stage, search for the damaged stories containing the damaged components is carried out of the damaged model by making use of the change in modal properties. Finally, the extent of damage is evaluated by using its frequency response function (FRF).

Findings

The magnitude of FRF decreases with the increase in the level of damage in the RCC building model. The damage index for different levels of damage as calculated from the FRF magnitude indicates that damage index increases with increase in damage. The magnitude of FRF varies with the level of damage in the storey.

Research limitations/implications

Three storey RCC building model without infill wall have been considered. Damage has been induced in the building model by applying static horizontal load at the roof level.

Originality/value

The paper contains only unpublished Information derived from other publications is strictly referenced. Therefore, most of the concepts and experiences presented are new.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 25 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

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