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IS 13828:1993 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for improving earthquake resistance of low strength masonry buildings - guidelines. This standard provides guidelines for improving the earthquake resistance of buildings constructed with low-strength masonry. It outlines key planning considerations and construction features, such as horizontal bands and corner reinforcement, to enhance structural integrity during seismic events. Note: The requested code IS 13829 is not a valid BIS standard; this response is for IS 13828, which matches the subject matter.
Provides guidelines for improving earthquake resistance of existing and new low-strength masonry buildings.
! This code is specifically for 'low-strength' masonry (compressive strength < 5.0 N/mm^2) and is crucial for non-engineered or vernacular buildings.
! The core principle is to provide a 'box-action' using horizontal bands (lintel, roof, plinth) and corner reinforcement to prevent wall separation and collapse.
! Adherence to building planning rules, like maintaining a simple rectangular plan and controlling opening sizes, is as important as the structural elements.
Guidelines for Earthquake-Resistant Non-Engineered ConstructionInternational Association for Earthquake Engineering (IAEE), Japan
HighCurrent
Guidelines for Earthquake-Resistant Non-Engineered Construction
Provides guidance on improving seismic resistance of non-engineered buildings, very similar in intent and content to IS 13828.
EN 1998-1:2004European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Europe
MediumCurrent
Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance - Part 1: General rules, seismic actions and rules for buildings
Section 9.7 provides simplified rules for 'simple masonry buildings' which overlaps with the principles in IS 13828, though for better-quality masonry.
NTE E.080SENCICO, Peru
HighCurrent
Norma Técnica de Edificación E.080: Diseño y Construcción con Tierra Reforzada (Technical Building Standard E.080: Design and Construction with Reinforced Earth)
Specifically covers design and construction for adobe (earth) buildings, directly equivalent to the earth construction sections of IS 13828.
NZSEE (2017)New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering (NZSEE), New Zealand
MediumCurrent
The Seismic Assessment of Existing Unreinforced Masonry Buildings
Focuses on assessment and retrofit, but the underlying principles for strengthening are highly relevant to the new construction guidelines in IS 13828.
Key Differences
≠IS 13828 is a 'guideline' providing recommendations, whereas standards like Eurocode 8 are mandatory codes with stricter compliance requirements, even in their simplified sections.
≠The Indian standard covers a very wide range of low-strength materials (random rubble, adobe, soil-cement blocks) in a single document. International equivalents are often more material-specific, like Peru's NTE E.080 for adobe.
≠International codes like Eurocode 8 link their simplified rules directly to quantitative seismic hazard levels (e.g., peak ground acceleration), while IS 13828's provisions are more generalized for the broad seismic zones of India.
≠While IS 13828 introduces elements of confining reinforcement (bands and vertical steel), it is less prescriptive than dedicated 'confined masonry' codes from Latin America, which specify detailed requirements for tie-columns and bond beams.
Key Similarities
≈All standards strongly emphasize the need for simple, symmetrical, and regular building plans and elevations to minimize torsional effects and stress concentrations during an earthquake.
≈The provision of continuous horizontal reinforcement bands (at plinth, lintel, and/or roof level) is a fundamental and common strategy to ensure integral box-action of the building.
≈All guidelines place strict controls on the size, number, and location of openings in walls, requiring minimum pier widths and distances from corners to maintain wall integrity.
≈Ensuring a strong connection between orthogonal walls, and between walls and the floor/roof diaphragms, is a universally recognized principle for seismic safety in masonry.
≈The use of vertical reinforcing steel bars at corners and T-junctions to prevent wall separation is a common recommendation across all comparable standards.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Maximum unsupported wall length
5.0 m for earth walls; 6.0 m for stone masonry walls.
Distance between bracing walls not to exceed 5.0 m.
EN 1998-1:2004
Minimum wall thickness (Rubble Stone)
350 mm for random rubble masonry in cement/lime mortar.
300 mm minimum for rubble stone masonry.
IAEE Guidelines
Building height limit (for low-strength masonry)
Generally one storey for earth and random rubble masonry.
Maximum 2 storeys for 'simple masonry buildings'.
EN 1998-1:2004
Total area of openings in a wall
Total length of openings shall not exceed 50% of wall length (single storey).
The area of openings shall not exceed 1/3 of the surface area of the wall.
EN 1998-1:2004
Minimum pier width between openings
600 mm for stone/brick masonry; 900 mm for earth walls.
900 mm minimum.
IAEE Guidelines
Minimum distance of opening from corner
Recommended to be at least 600 mm.
Openings shall be at a distance of at least 1.0 m from any external corner.
EN 1998-1:2004
Vertical reinforcement at corners (high seismicity)
One 12 mm diameter bar (for seismic zones IV & V).
One 12-16 mm diameter bar at each corner and T-junction.
IAEE Guidelines
Lintel band reinforcement (high seismicity)
Minimum two 10 mm diameter bars (for seismic zones IV & V).
Minimum two 10 mm diameter longitudinal bars.
IAEE Guidelines
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values7
Quick Reference Values
Maximum building height (Seismic Zone V)1 storey
Maximum building height (Seismic Zone IV)2 storeys
Maximum building height (Seismic Zone III)2 storeys
Minimum lintel band thickness75 mm
Minimum lintel band reinforcement2 bars of 8 mm diameter
Maximum wall length between cross walls5 m
Definition of Low-Strength Masonry< 5.0 N/mm² prism strength
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Selection of Materials and Construction
Clause 5 - Special Construction Features (Bands, Reinforcement)