Innovative Structural Protection for Multi-Hazard Resilient Communities in India

Implementing Partner: Build Change

Project name:Innovative structural protection for multi-hazard resilient communities in India

This project advances hospital resilience with an innovative structural protection system, focusing on seismic isolation to safeguard new and existing buildings against multiple hazards, particularly earthquakes.

Research on Unbonded Fibre-Reinforced Elastomeric Isolators—a cutting-edge seismic isolation technology—demonstrates their superior performance over traditional methods.

These isolators significantly enhance structural safety, ensuring hospitals remain operational during disasters, providing critical healthcare services while minimizing damage and disruption in high-risk seismic zones.

Annual losses for
buildings in India
$ 0 bn
Hospitals in India
located in seismic
risk zones
0 %

Impact and Key Findings

1

A validated 3D numerical model was developed using standard research data to analyze the seismic behavior of Unbonded Fibre-Reinforced Elastomeric Isolators (UFREI), ensuring precise performance simulations and advancing earthquake-resistant structural design. 

2

Finite element analysis of UFREI devices assessed their structural response, providing critical insights into seismic force isolation. This evaluation enhances understanding of their effectiveness, supporting improved earthquake-resistant designs and strengthening overall building resilience. 

3

A streamlined design method optimizes isolator shape and strength, allowing designers to accurately predict performance without expensive physical testing or prolonged simulations. This approach enhances efficiency, reducing costs while ensuring reliable seismic isolation for resilient structures. 

Resources

Aishwarya Pillai

Lead Specialist

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes. 

Alpana Saha

Director, Partnerships, Governance, and Resource Mobilisation 

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes.