Dr. Harikrishna Narasimhan

Research Projects

Assessment and Determination of Robustness of Structures

The principal objective of this research project is to develop a theoretical and methodological framework for the assessment and quantification of structural robustness and its various indicators. Further optimal and acceptable criteria for robustness based on considerations of risk and rational decision making would be evolved and established for different scenarios. The focus would also be on the design and modelling of relevant measures and guidelines for ensuring and improving robustness levels in new and existing structures. Finally, a probabilistic model code would be created to guide the assessment of robustness of structures during the structural design and assessment/reassessment phases.

SafeLand – Living with landslide risk in Europe

This is a large scale collaborative research project under the 7th framework programme (FP7) of the European Commission. The principal aim is to develop generic quantitative risk assessment and management tools and strategies for landslides at local, regional, European and societal scales. Additionally, the other objectives include the establishment of the baseline for the risk associated with landslides in Europe and the improvement of abilities to forecast landslide hazard and detect hazard and risk zones.

COST C26: Risk Assessment for Catastrophic Scenarios in Urban Areas

This project is part of the European research network COST Action C26 "Urban Habitat Constructions under Catastrophic Events". It aims to evolve and establish a common framework for risk assessment based on the current best knowledge in the field. A critical review of existing frameworks would be carried out first followed by the selection of a suitable and consistent methodology. A detailed case study involving a scenario characterized by different kinds of risk arising from different types of exposures would then be carried out.

Teaching

• Lecture 'Risk and Safety in Engineering'
• Lecture 'Statistics and Probability theory'

Education

Scholarships and Awards

Publications

Journal Papers

• Sørensen, J.D., Rizzuto, E., Narasimhan, H. and Faber, M.H. (2012)
  Robustness – theoretical framework
  Structural Engineering International, 22(1), 66-72.

• Faber, M.H., Thöns, S., Narasimhan, H. and Schubert, M. (2010)
  Risikobasierter Ansatz zur Bewertung der Robustheit von Bauwerken (A risk-based approach for the robustness assessment of structures)
  Stahlbau, 79(8), 547-555.

• Narasimhan, H. and Chew, M.Y.L. (2009)
  Integration of durability with structural design: An optimal life cycle cost based design procedure for reinforced concrete structures
  Construction and Building Materials, 23(2), 918-929.

• Teo, E.A.L. and Harikrishna, N. (2006)
  A quantitative model for efficient maintenance of plastered and painted façades
  Construction Management and Economics, 24(12), 1283-1293

• Teo, E.A.L. and Harikrishna, N. (2005)
  Maintenance of plastered and painted facades for Singapore public housing: A predictive life cycle cost based approach
  Architectural Science Review, 48(1), 47-54

Conference Papers

• Faber, M.H. and Narasimhan, H. (2011)
  On the assessment of robustness – a status and an outlook
  In Proceedings of IABSE-IASS 2011, International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) – International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) Symposium, London, UK.

• Faber M.H., Vrouwenvelder A.C.W.M, Sorensen J.D., Chryssanthopoulos M.K. and Narasimhan H. (2011)
  Robustness of structures – a report on a joint European project
  In Proceedings of ICASP11, 11th International Conference on Applications of Statistics and Probability in Civil Engineering, Zurich, Switzerland.

• Narasimhan, H. and Faber, M.H. (2010)
  Towards sound assessment and improvement of robustness of structures: Treatment of structural robustness in European standards
  In Proceedings of SEMC 2010, Fourth International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation. Cape Town, South Africa.

• Narasimhan H., Borg R.P., Cacace F., Zuccaro G., Faber M.H., De Gregorio D., Faggiano B., Formisano A., Mazzolani F. and Indirli M. (2010)
  A framework and guidelines for volcanic risk assessment
  In Proceedings of COST Action C26 International Conference on Urban Habitat Constructions under Catastrophic Events. Naples, Italy.

• Narasimhan, H. and Faber, M.H. (2010)
  Categorisation and assessment of robustness related provisions in European standards
  In Proceedings of the Joint Workshop of COST Actions TU0601 and E55. Ljubljana, Slovenia, pp. 147-164

• Fong, W.K. and Narasimhan, H. (2008)
  Durability investigation, service life prediction and life cycle cost analysis of rehabilitation options for a pier structure
  In Proceedings of 3rd Asian Concrete Federation (ACF) International Conference. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, pp. 1096-1102

• Faber, M.H. and Narasimhan, H. (2008)
  Advances in the evaluation of robustness of structures
  In Proceedings of COST C26 International Symposium on Urban Habitat Constructions under Catastrophic Events. Malta, pp. 509-515.

• Narasimhan, H. and Faber, M.H. (2008)
  Evaluation of structural robustness for high rise buildings
  In Proceedings of EM08, Inaugural International Conference of the Engineering Mechanics Institute. Minneapolis, USA.

• Fong, W.K. and Harikrishna, N. (2006)
  Investigation, remedial recommendations and finite element analysis for delamination problems on a façade
  In Proceedings of 10th International Conference on Inspection, Appraisal, Repairs and Maintenance of Structures. Hong Kong, pp. 199-206

• Teo, E.A.L. and Chew, M.Y.L. and Harikrishna, N. (2005)
  An assessment of factors affecting the service life of external paint finish on plastered facades
  In Proceedings of 10 DBMC, 10th International Conference on Durability of Building Materials & Components. Lyon, France. Paper No. TT4-152

• Harikrishna, N. and Bhattacharjee, B. (2001)
  Optimal grade and cover for RC elements through life cycle cost design
  In Proceedings of ACE 2002, International Conference on Advances in Civil Engineering. Kharagpur, India. Volume II, pp. 1183-1191