Flood Resistant Building Design in High Intensity Seismic Zone

Abstract

Floods and earthquakes are among the most destructive natural hazards, and their combined effects significantly threaten the safety and durability of structures in high-risk regions. This study focuses on the design and analysis of a flood-resistant reinforced concrete (RC) residential building situated in a high seismic intensity zone of Kathmandu, Nepal. The research aims to integrate flood-induced forces—hydrostatic, hydrodynamic, and impact loads—alongside seismic loads within the structural design process to enhance multi-hazard resilience. A G+5 RC building model was developed and analysed using CSI ETABS 2022 in accordance with IS 456:2000, IS 1893 (Part 1):2016, and ASCE 7-2002 standards. The analysis incorporated realistic site parameters, including a 2.5 m flood level and Zone V seismic conditions. Comparative evaluation between conventional and flood-resistant models revealed that the inclusion of flood loads resulted in improved structural stability, reduced deformation, and enhanced foundation performance under extreme scenarios. The findings underscore the necessity of integrating flood load considerations into building codes and design practices for flood-prone and seismically active regions. This research contributes to sustainable, safe, and resilient urban infrastructure development through the adoption of multi-hazard design approaches.