Muhammad Fahad

RFAIDE — An RFID based navigation and object recognition assistant for visually impaired people

In this paper, we have presented a system utilizing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for the assistance of blind people. The proposed system incorporates a mobile RFID reader module with an integrated ZigBee transceiver [1] for transmitting the tags information. Utensils and other objects in the house or building are embedded with passive RFID tags (transponders) along with an audio file, recorded for and unique to each object, residing on the server. This system further takes in the way finding technique by employing an RFID tag grid [4] using an ample separation area. The reader reads the tags and transmits the data wirelessly to the server PC which in turn scans for the particular ID in the database and plays the corresponding audio file. A self designed coordinates system with a server side routing application is used for routing the person to a particular room requested, based on his current tag coordinates. The audio playback is relayed wirelessly using an FM transmitter to either a headset with FM receiver or a Smart Phones FM radio. The feasibility and reliability of the developed system was tested by deploying the proposed system at Government Institute for Blind, Peshawar, Pakistan [6].

Seismic Capacity Assessment of Unreinforced Concrete Block Masonry Buildings in Pakistan Before and After Retrofitting

This article presents the results of an experimental study on the performance of a full-scale unreinforced concrete block masonry (URCBM) building system tested under quasi-static loading. The configuration and materials used for the single-story URCBM building are typical of those found in the northern areas of Pakistan affected by the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. The retrofitting of the building was done using ferro-cement overlay and cement based grout injection. Combined shear and flexure failure was observed during the test before retrofitting. The lateral load capacity of the retrofitted building was significantly improved (more than 200% of the original strength) and the damage mechanism was transformed from mixed compression-flexure-shear to a more stable flexural rocking mode. Damage patterns and force-deformation behavior of the retrofitted structure are compared with those of the intact structure to quantify the beneficial effects of retrofitting scheme, which is proposed as an efficient approach for the rehabilitation of the existing buildings. Experimental data were analyzed and presented in the form of force-deformation hysteresis loops and envelope curves. Based on the measured data, different performance levels before and after retrofitting of the structure have been established. Response modification (R), displacement ductility (μD), and displacement amplification (Cd) factors were also derived. The results from this study are expected to guide future efforts on development of design recommendations and vulnerability assessment of buildings in Pakistan.

Seismic Capacity Assessment of Confined Brick Masonry Building: An Experimental Approach

Brick masonry is widely used for building construction throughout the world. However, unreinforced brick masonry buildings performed poorly in the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, in Pakistan, resulting in a decline in the use of brick masonry. In order to investigate and quantify the performance of brick masonry against the seismic forces by confining it through typical stiffer, line elements (column and beams), a full-scaled room model of an area 3048 × 3658 mm (10 × 12 ft) and height of 3353 mm (11 ft) was constructed using confined brick masonry. The model was tested under quasistatic loading system. Crack pattern was noted at the end of each loading cycle. The response of the model was interpreted through a hysteresis curve, which was then idealized by a bilinear curve. A comparison of the results has been made with four different studies done on the similar model made of unreinforced brick masonry before and after retrofitting and unreinforced concrete block masonry before and after retrofitting previously tested at the same testing facility.

Effects of pounding on adjacent buildings of varying heights during earthquake in Pakistan

Abstract Pounding occurs when the adjacent buildings start vibration out of phase during the seismic activity which causes collision amongst the adjacent buildings. There are many mitigation techniques to avoid or minimize the effects of pounding including the provision of minimum separation gap between the adjacent buildings. Although all codes have provided the minimum separation gap requirements for the buildings, still a lot of study is required on this topic. This research aims at finding the minimum gap requirement for midrise buildings in Pakistan. Adjacent Buildings with different geometry and height are modelled in Sap2000 software with varying gap elements. Pushover and In-elastic time history analysis of these buildings are carried out using ground motion of Kashmir earthquake. Buildings are assumed to be resting on stiff soil. Material and sectional properties are also remained same for all cases. In order to reduce the pounding effects of two buildings, they were attached with each other and top displacements of buildings were compared with separate buildings with inadequate gap. Column shear, maximum peak displacements and square root of sum of squares of maximum peak displacements were studied and the results were plotted graphically. It was found out that pounding can occur up to separation gap of six inch. Maximum pounding occurs at the top floor level of smaller building. The requirement for minimum gap in UBC 97 is found out to be conservative.